Pay monthly websites
Pay Monthly Websites: What You Get and Who They Suit
Pay monthly websites let you get a professional site built and looked after for a fixed monthly fee, rather than paying a large bill before anything goes live. For a small business, that usually means no setup fee, no upfront cost and one predictable payment each month.
This guide explains how the model works, what is normally included, what to watch for in the small print and which businesses tend to get the most from it. Whether or not you choose PureWeb, you will know which questions to ask.
What is a pay monthly website?
A pay monthly website is a subscription. Instead of paying a designer a lump sum for the build and then paying separately for hosting, email, updates and fixes, you pay one monthly fee that covers the lot.
Think of it like leasing a van rather than buying one outright. You get the tool you need straight away, the cost is spread out, and someone else deals with the maintenance.
The traditional route is a one-off build fee, followed by separate bills for hosting, a domain, email and ongoing support. That can work well, especially if you want something fully bespoke. But it asks for cash upfront, and it can leave you chasing several suppliers when something stops working.
What is included in a pay monthly website?
This varies between providers, so always check the detail. At PureWeb, every plan includes:
- Design and build of your website, done for you.
- UK hosting, so your site has somewhere reliable to live.
- An SSL certificate, which gives visitors a secure connection and the padlock in their browser.
- A business email address at your own domain, such as you@yourbusiness.co.uk.
- Security and software updates, so you are not left maintaining the technical side.
- Minor content updates, meaning small changes of up to about 30 minutes, done within 3 working days.
How quickly can it go live?
Most sites go live within 7 working days of receiving your brief. Online shops take about 14 working days because there is more to set up. The brief is simply the information needed to build the site: what you do, the services you offer, your contact details, any photos and a sense of the look you want.
If you would like to see each step from sign-up to launch, the how it works page walks through it.
What counts as a minor update?
Typically, it is the everyday stuff: changing a phone number, updating opening hours, swapping a price or replacing a photo. It is not a rebuild of a page or a new section. Whichever provider you consider, ask where the line is drawn so there are no surprises later.
How does the cost and cancelling work?
Pay monthly pricing is usually tied to the size of the website. PureWeb’s four plans are priced as follows, all excluding VAT:
- Starter: a one-page website at £99 a month + VAT.
- Business: a small business website of up to 5 pages at £149 a month + VAT.
- Professional: a website of up to 10 pages at £199 a month + VAT.
- E-Commerce: a full online shop at £299 a month + VAT.
There is no setup fee, and payment is by Direct Debit through GoCardless. If you are VAT registered, check GOV.UK for the rules on how VAT applies to your business purchases.
What happens if you cancel?
You can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice. A website buyout fee of 12 times the monthly fee (plus VAT) applies on cancellation. After that, you receive your website files and help moving your email.
As an example, on a plan costing £149 a month the buyout fee would be £1,788 + VAT. It is worth knowing this before you start. Treat the monthly fee as the long-term cost of the site, and make sure you are happy with that before signing up.
Whichever provider you look at, ask what happens to your files, your domain and your email if you leave. A clear answer tells you a lot.
Who do pay monthly websites suit best?
The model is not for everyone, but it fits a lot of small businesses well.
New businesses and sole traders
If you are just starting out, cash is usually better spent on tools, stock or insurance than on a big web bill. A simple one-page site can give you a professional presence quickly, with a clear description of what you do and how to get in touch. The one-page website plan is built for exactly that.
Local businesses with a few services
If you want a page for each service, an about page and a contact page, a small multi-page site does the job. Tradespeople, therapists, trainers, florists and entertainers often fit here. The small business website plan covers up to 5 pages, and you can browse websites by industry to see how different sectors approach their sites.
Busy owners who do not want to manage tech
If hosting, security updates and software patches sound like a distraction from running your business, having them bundled in takes a job off your list. You still need to supply good information and photos, but the technical side is handled for you.
Businesses that prefer predictable costs
One fixed monthly payment is easier to budget for than a large invoice followed by occasional repair bills.
When it may not be the right fit
A pay monthly website may not suit you if you want a highly bespoke build with custom features, or if you strongly prefer to pay once and own everything from day one. It is also worth thinking twice if you only need a site for a very short project. In those cases, a one-off build may make more sense.
Questions to ask before you sign up
Use this checklist with any provider, not just PureWeb:
- What exactly is included in the monthly fee, and what costs extra?
- How many pages does my plan cover?
- How long will it take to go live once you have my information?
- What counts as a small change, and how quickly are changes made?
- What is the notice period, and is there a fee if I cancel?
- Will I receive my website files and help moving my email if I leave?
- Where is the site hosted, and who looks after security?
If an answer is vague, ask again. A good provider will be happy to explain it in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pay monthly website cheaper than paying upfront?
It is cheaper to start, because there is no large upfront cost. Over several years, the total depends on what you would otherwise pay separately for hosting, email, security and updates. Add those up for a fair comparison.
What happens to my website if I cancel?
With PureWeb, you give 30 days’ notice and pay the website buyout fee of 12 times the monthly fee (plus VAT). You then receive your website files and help moving your email.
How quickly can a pay monthly website go live?
Most PureWeb sites go live within 7 working days of receiving your brief. Online shops take about 14 working days.
If you would like to compare the options side by side, take a look at PureWeb’s plans and pricing and choose the size of site that suits your business.
