Don’t assume professional websites are only for established businesses with thousands to spend upfront. I know you’ve seen agency quotes for £5,000 to £15,000 and think “maybe next year” or you settle for a DIY template that looks homemade. With payment plans it allows you to split the cost over 3 to 12 months, then you own your website outright. 100%.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how to afford a professional website for your side hustle, what payment plans actually cost and when to invest based on your current revenue. You’ll learn the difference between payment plans and subscription models, real UK pricing from a Birmingham web designer and the questions to ask designers before committing. No corporate fluff, just transparent advice for side hustlers ready to look professional online.
Why Side Hustlers Struggle to Afford Professional Websites
Let’s be honest about the side hustle reality. I know, I’ve had many. You’re testing business viability while working a full time job and managing other commitments. Cash flow is unpredictable. Some months you make £500, others you make £50, to be real, some months you make zero,
Traditional agencies want £5,000 to £15,000 upfront for a basic business website. That’s months of side hustle revenue for most people. DIY platforms like Wix or Squarespace seem cheaper at £15 to £30 monthly, but you’ll spend 40 to 60 hours building something that still looks template based and is highly restrictive.
I know that most web designers hide their pricing or only work with established companies. They’re not interested in the dog walker making £800 monthly or the cake maker testing online orders. This leaves side hustlers stuck between expensive agencies and low quality DIY options.
The Real Cost of a Professional Website in the UK
Here’s what professional websites actually cost in Birmingham and across the UK.
Agency Pricing (Birmingham City Centre): Full service agencies charge £5,000 to £15,000 for a standard business website. Timeline: 8 to 12 weeks from discovery to launch. You’re paying for account managers, project coordinators, designers and developers. Large overhead. Slower process.
Solo Designer Pricing (Great Barr, Birmingham): Independent designers like me charge £1,500 to £4,700 for the same quality work. Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks from deposit to launch. Lower overhead means lower prices. Direct communication means faster delivery.
DIY Platform Costs (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress.com): £15 to £30 monthly for the platform, plus £10 to £15 for your domain. Sounds affordable until you calculate the hours and the headache. If you spend 50 hours building and your time is worth £20/hour, that’s £1,000 in labour and at the end it still looks generic.
WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally making it the most popular platform. But building a professional WordPress site yourself requires technical knowledge that most side hustlers don’t have time to learn.
For side hustles, the sweet spot is working with a solo designer who offers transparent pricing and payment plans. You get clarity and professional quality without agency costs.
How Payment Plans Make Professional Websites Affordable
Payment plans split your website investment into manageable monthly amounts. Instead of paying £1,500 to £4,750 upfront, you pay a deposit and spread the remaining balance over 3 to 12 months.
Here’s How My Payment Plans Work:
Starter Package (£1,500 total):
- £300 deposit to start
- Remaining £1,200 split over 4 to 6 months
- Example: £300/month for 4 months or £200/month for 6 months
- Your website launches after the deposit
Premium Package (£4,750 total):
- £1,500 deposit to start
- Remaining £3,250 split over 6 to 12 months
- Example: £541/month for 6 months or £271/month for 12 months
- E-commerce site goes live after the deposit
No interest charges. No hidden fees. The deposit protects both of us. Once you’ve made your final payment, you own the website completely. Domain, content, everything.
This is radically different from how most UK web design agencies operate. They either demand full payment upfront or they don’t offer payment plans at all. I built my business specifically to serve side hustles that need flexibility. I get it!
Payment Plans vs Subscription Models (What You Actually Own)
Here’s where side hustlers can get confused. Some designers offer “pay monthly websites” that sound similar to payment plans but work completely differently.
Payment Plans (What I Offer):
- Fixed total cost (£1,500 or £4,750)
- Pay deposit, then monthly instalments
- After final payment, you own everything
- No ongoing fees unless you want maintenance or management
- You can take your website anywhere
Subscription Models (What Some Designers Offer):
- Monthly fee forever (£99 to £299/month)
- Stop paying, lose your website
- You never own the site
- Locked into one provider
- Can’t move your site elsewhere
For a side hustle, ownership is everything. Your business might pivot. We do that sometimes. You might want a different designer in two years. With a payment plan, you have options. With a subscription model, you’re trapped.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses, 60% of small businesses fail within three years. If your side hustle doesn’t work out, do you want to keep paying monthly for a website you’re not using? Or own an asset you can repurpose? Hell no!
When to Invest in a Website Based on Your Revenue
Not every side hustle needs a website immediately though. Here’s my honest advice on when to invest based on your monthly revenue.
£0 to £300/month: Focus on proving your concept first. Use free options like Instagram, Facebook, or a simple Linktree page. Save for a website deposit. Your priority is validating demand, not looking polished online.
£300 to £800/month: You’ve proven people will pay. Now you need credibility. A Starter Package website (£1,500, 5 pages) positions you as a serious business. Payment plan: £300 deposit plus £200 to £300 monthly. This won’t break your cash flow.
£800 to £2,000/month: Your side hustle is working. Invest in a Premium Package (£4,750, 10 pages, e-commerce if needed). Payment plan: £1,500 deposit plus £271 to £541 monthly. You can handle this comfortably while reinvesting in growth.
£2,000+/month: Pay upfront if possible. Faster launch. No monthly commitments. You’ve got stable revenue. But payment plans are still available if you’d rather keep cash for inventory, advertising, SEO growth or other investments.
This is UK specific advice. I’m not in San Francisco talking about $10,000 websites. I’m in Great Barr, Birmingham, working with cake makers, consultants and creatives who need honest guidance.
Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Payment Plan
Before you sign with any web designer offering payment plans, ask these questions. Protect yourself from unclear terms and hidden costs.
What happens if I can’t make a payment? Life happens. Side hustle income fluctuates. Ask about grace periods, late fees and if they’ll take your website offline. I give clients 7 days grace and work with you to adjust payment schedules if needed.
What’s included in ongoing support after launch? I include 7 days post launch technical support for bug fixes and errors. Design changes or new features are separate. Clarify what’s covered and what costs extra.
Can I make my own updates? You should be able to edit text, swap images and add blog posts yourself. I train every client on basic WordPress updates. You’re not dependent on me for simple changes.
What happens if I stop payments halfway through? Understand the consequences. With me, your website stays live until we reach a solution and I retain ownership until the balance is paid. You don’t lose your deposit or progress. Clear terms protect everyone.
These questions separate professional designers from chancers. If someone gets defensive about transparency, walk away.
So…How Do You Actually Afford a Professional Website?
You stop believing the lie that professional websites require £5,000 upfront or corporate budgets. You find a solo designer who offers transparent pricing, realistic timelines and payment plans that fit side hustle cash flow.
A £1,500 website split over 6 months is £250/month. If your side hustle makes £600 monthly, that’s 42% of revenue. Very manageable. Compare that to agencies quoting £8,000 upfront. A dream for most side hustles.
The key is working with someone who understands your reality. I built Onika Sabrina Design specifically for Birmingham small businesses and UK side hustles who need professional quality without agency costs. I don’t have an expensive city centre office. I work from Great Barr. Lower overhead means better pricing for you.
Your website is an investment in looking legitimate, attracting better clients and charging premium prices. But it shouldn’t bankrupt your business before you’ve even grown.
Next Steps: Getting Your Professional Website Without Breaking the Bank
If You’re Making £300+/Month Consistently: You’re ready for a professional website. Book a free discovery call to discuss your side hustle goals, timeline and which package fits your needs. No sales pressure. Just honest advice on what you actually need.
If You’re Still Building Revenue: Focus on proving your concept first. Read my guide on choosing between a web designer and agency so you’re prepared when you’re ready to invest.
If You’re Comparing Options: Understand what happens in a website design consultation before booking calls with multiple designers. This helps you ask better questions and spot red flags.
The right time to invest is when paying for a website won’t jeopardise your ability to deliver your actual service. For most side hustles, that’s via your full time job or using the monthly revenue from your side hustle on a payment plan.
Ready to Have Your Website Built?
- Fill out this quick form (takes 1 minute): Website Enquiry Form
- We’ll chat about your project on a quick call (no obligation)
- I’ll review your info
- If it’s a fit, I’ll build your site in 2 – 4 weeks
Book your free consultation here now: Website Enquiry Form
Or have a quick question? WhatsApp me
Frequently Asked Questions About Affording a Website as a Side Hustler
How much should I pay monthly for a website as a side hustler?
Payment plans for professional websites typically range from £150 to £541 monthly depending on the package. For a £1,500 Starter Package, you’d pay £300 deposit then £200 to £300 monthly over 4 to 6 months. For a £4,750 Premium Package with e-commerce, expect £271 to £541 monthly over 6 to 12 months with no interest charges.
How much does it cost to hire someone to build a website in Birmingham?
Birmingham agencies charge £5,000 to £15,000 for a standard business website with 8 to 12 week timelines. Solo designers in Great Barr like me charge £1,500 to £4,750 with 2 to 4 week delivery. Payment plans make professional websites affordable without the agency mark-up or corporate overhead costs.
What’s the difference between a payment plan and a subscription website?
Payment plans have a fixed total cost that you pay off in instalments then own the website completely. Subscription models charge monthly forever and you never own your site. With my payment plans at £1,500 or £4,750 total, you own your domain and content outright after the final payment with no ongoing fees unless you want maintenance or management.
When should a side hustle invest in a professional website?
Invest in a website when you’re making £300+ monthly consistently and have proven people will pay for your service or product. At £300 to £800 monthly revenue, a Starter Package works on a payment plan of £200 to £300 monthly. Below £300 monthly, focus on free platforms like Instagram while saving for your website deposit.
Can I afford a professional website while working full time?
Yes, payment plans are designed for side hustlers balancing full time jobs too. A £1,500 website split over 6 months is £250 monthly. Your site launches after the £300 deposit so you can start attracting clients immediately while paying the balance from your side hustle income over time.
What happens if I can’t make a payment on my website?
I offer 7 days grace period for late payments and work with you to adjust payment schedules if your side hustle income fluctuates. Your website stays live while we find a solution. Clear communication protects both of us and I retain ownership until the balance is paid to ensure fairness.
How long does it take to build a website with a payment plan in Birmingham?
Timeline is 2 to 4 weeks from deposit to launch regardless of payment plan. Starter Packages take 2 to 3 weeks and Premium Packages take 3 to 4 weeks. This is significantly faster than Birmingham agencies that take 8 to 12 weeks because I’m a solo designer with direct communication and lower overheads.