Guide · Updated 2026
What does website maintenance cost for a small business?
After paying for a new website, the last thing you want is a vague monthly bill. Here’s what actually needs paying for after launch, what website care can include, and what happens if you would rather take full control yourself.
The short answer
Every live website needs a domain and somewhere to be hosted. It may also need occasional text, photo, price or contact-detail changes. Some business owners are happy to manage that themselves. Others would rather email one person and know it is handled.
Firestarter Studio’s rolling Website Care Plan is £20 per month. It keeps your website hosted and live, and includes up to 30 minutes of small updates each month.
What you may pay for after launch
Domain name
Usually around £12 a year. Your domain remains yours, and you are responsible for its annual renewal with your domain provider.
Hosting
This is what keeps the website available online. It is included in my £20 monthly care plan. If the site is handed over, you will pay the website service directly instead.
Updates
Small changes are included in the care plan up to the monthly allowance. Larger work is priced separately, and you will always know the cost before it starts.
The care plan
What £20 a month includes
- Keeping your website hosted and live
- Up to 30 minutes of small content updates each month
- Changes to existing text, photographs, prices, contact details and links
- Basic technical support for the existing website
The plan is paid monthly in advance and continues until cancelled. You can cancel by email with one month’s notice.
How monthly changes work
Yes — you simply email your changes. It works best if you collect them into one email wherever possible. Tell me which part of the website needs changing and include the exact replacement words or image. A screenshot is useful when something is difficult to describe.
I normally complete small updates within five working days. It is fine to wait and send a useful batch rather than looking for something to change every month.
What is not included
A care plan is for looking after the website you already have. It does not include new pages or sections, major design changes, new functionality, substantial copywriting or ongoing SEO work. If a request falls outside the plan, I will explain why and give you a separate price before doing anything.
Your other option
Full ownership and handover
You do not have to stay on a care plan. I can transfer the finished website into an account you control, giving you full ownership of the website project as well as your domain. You can then make changes yourself or give access to another developer in the future.
After a handover, you will normally need your own paid subscription with the website service to keep the custom domain connected and publish future changes. I will explain the steps, check the website still works correctly, and can provide a backup copy of the code.
What if something is wrong after launch?
Check the website on your phone and computer after it goes live. If something is not working as intended during the first seven days, email me and I will correct it as part of the launch. It will not use your monthly update allowance.
Common questions
Can I email you my website changes each month?
Yes. Collecting small changes into one email is the simplest way to use the Website Care Plan. Include the section, the exact replacement text or image, and a screenshot if it helps. I normally complete small updates within five working days.
Do I still own my domain?
Yes. Your domain remains entirely yours, and you remain responsible for renewing it each year. A domain commonly costs about £12 a year, although the exact price depends on your provider and domain ending.
What happens if I stop the care plan?
The plan is rolling and can be cancelled by email with one month’s notice. If you want to manage the website yourself, I can arrange a handover so the site sits in an account you control.
Can another web designer take over later?
Yes. With a full handover, you control the website project and can manage it yourself or give another developer access. You can also keep a backup copy of the website code for the future.
Know the full cost before you start
My one-page websites start at £297, and websites of up to three pages are £497. Read the full UK website cost guide for a wider comparison of DIY builders, freelancers and agencies.