Pay-monthly websites vs owning yours
Lots of companies offer tradespeople a website for £49 to £99 a month with no setup fee. It sounds cheaper than paying for a build. Over three years it usually isn't, and there's a catch most people miss.
By Joseph Agass · Updated October 2026
| Pay-monthly website | Agass Marketing website | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront | Usually £0 | £0 until you approve the draft, then £399 |
| Monthly | Typically £49 to £99 | £30, optional |
| 3-year cost | £1,764 to £3,564 | £1,479 with the monthly plan |
| Who owns the site | Usually the provider | You |
| Who owns the domain | Varies | You, in your name |
| If you stop paying | The site usually goes offline | You keep it |
| Contract | Often 12 months | None |
Pay-monthly prices are the £49 to £99 a month range typically advertised by UK trade website companies as of October 2026. Individual providers differ.
The maths
At £49 a month, three years costs £1,764. At £99 a month, it's £3,564. Our build is £399, and with the optional £30 a month plan, three years comes to £1,479. Without the plan it's just the £399.
The catch
With most pay-monthly deals, you're renting. Stop paying and the site disappears, sometimes along with the domain. Everything you've built up on Google starts again.
When pay-monthly makes sense
If you genuinely can't spare £399 right now, a monthly deal gets you online. We also offer instalments, so it's worth asking before you sign a 12-month contract.
The short answer
If you plan to be trading in three years' time, owning your website is cheaper and safer. You see a free draft first, so there's no risk in comparing.
Questions people ask
- Can I pay for the build in instalments?
- Yes. Several of our clients split the £399 over a few months.
- What does the £30 a month cover?
- Hosting, your domain, keyword tracking and any changes you ask for. No contract.
- Do I have to take the monthly plan?
- No. It's optional. You can host the site yourself, especially if it's built on WordPress.
See your new website
before you pay a penny
We build a free draft of your website within 48 hours. If you like it, it's £399. If you don't, you owe nothing.