If you're a business owner in Mid Wales, whether you're based in Powys, Llanidloes, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown or the surrounding areas, one of the first questions you might ask when considering a new website is: "How much is this going to cost me?" The short answer is: it depends. But don’t worry — we’ll break it down in simple terms, so you can understand what to expect, and what you’re actually paying for.
Big Agencies vs Smaller Studios
Let’s get one thing out of the way — not all website designers are created equal. Big city agencies often charge thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) for a website. Why? They’ve got big teams, fancy offices, account managers, and lots of overheads. And guess who ends up paying for all that? You.
On the other hand, small, independent web design studios in Mid Wales like Pipmeister Designs are lighter, more flexible, and much more personal. There's no baffling jargon or inflated fees — just honest pricing and websites that actually help your business grow.
What Affects the Cost of a Website?
There are a few key things that impact how much a website will cost:
1. A Brand New Website
If you’re starting from scratch, this usually costs more. You’ll need design, content, structure, and sometimes branding. For a small business website in Wales, prices typically start from £2000, depending on the features you require.
2. A Website Refresh
Already got a site but it looks a bit tired? A refresh can be a more budget-friendly option. If your existing site has a solid structure, it can get a modern makeover for as little as £600, depending on what’s needed.
3. Ecommerce Websites
If you're a local shop in Mid Wales looking to sell online, ecommerce websites take a bit more setup. You’ll need product pages, payment systems, order handling, and more. These usually start from around £2500, depending on how many products you’re selling and the features you want.
What You’re Actually Paying For
When you pay for a website, you’re not just getting a bunch of pages. You’re getting:
A custom design tailored to your local business
A mobile-friendly layout that works on phones and tablets
Basic SEO setup to help local customers find you on Google
Secure hosting and technical setup (if needed)
Ongoing support from a local designer you can trust
What to Watch Out For – Pitfalls That Could Cost You More in the Long Run
There’s no shortage of web design offers out there — but not all of them are good value. In fact, some can end up costing you more time, money, and hassle than you bargained for. Here are a few common traps to avoid:
Overseas Web Companies That Seem Too Cheap
It’s tempting to go with a company overseas offering a super cheap website. But the reality can be quite different:
You often get a generic site with no real thought behind the design or user journey.
Communication can be tricky — different time zones and language barriers can slow everything down.
If something breaks or needs changing, support can be slow or non-existent.
Worst case? You might end up needing to rebuild the site from scratch with someone else.
Agencies That Don’t Actually Build Websites
Some marketing or branding agencies advertise web design but outsource all the work to cheap freelancers or offshore teams:
You’re paying a middleman, not the actual developer.
You’ll likely end up with a low-quality site that doesn’t quite do what it should.
When you need help down the line, they may not be able to offer it — or they’ll charge extra to fix things.
Budget Packages That Look Too Good to Be True
You’ve probably seen ads like “Get a website for just £99!” Sounds great ... until you realise what you’re actually getting:
A basic template with very little flexibility.
Extra costs for anything beyond the bare minimum — SEO, analytics, or even adding extra pages.
You might not even own the site — some companies rent them out and tie you into long contracts.
Escaping those contracts can be difficult and expensive.
Sites That Aren’t Built to Convert Visitors
A good website should do more than just look nice — it should actively help grow your business:
No thought given to generating leads or making sales.
Poor layout or confusing navigation that puts people off.
Slow loading times that hurt your Google rankings.
No clear calls to action, so visitors don’t know what to do next.
No SEO Means No Visibility
Some websites are built with no SEO in place at all, which means they’re unlikely to show up in Google searches:
No keyword research or optimisation — so your competitors get found instead.
Slow performance that affects rankings.
No plan for ongoing SEO support, which is essential for long-term success.
Need Something Custom for Your Business in Mid Wales?
Every business is different, and so are the websites I build. Whether you're a small business in Llanidloes, a shop in Brecon, or a service provider in Newtown, I offer flexible packages depending on your goals and budget. Whether you want a quick refresh, a brand new ecommerce site, or just some honest advice — I'm happy to chat.
Final Thoughts
The real question isn’t just “How much does a website cost?” — it’s “What does the right website do for your business?” With a small, focused studio like Pipmeister Designs based right here in Mid Wales, you get thoughtful design, personal service, and no big agency price tags — plus, peace of mind knowing your site is built to perform.
