Why most cheap websites fail (and what to do instead)

The £499 website business exists because thousands of UK small businesses buy one, use it for 12–18 months, then rebuild. Here's why.

What you actually get

A templated theme, 4–5 generic pages, stock photos, a contact form, and "SEO" that means the homepage has the words "plumber" on it. No real keyword research, no schema, no site speed work.

What this costs you

• Months of lost leads, the site doesn't rank, doesn't convert, and you're stuck with it because you've paid.
• A second build cost, when you finally rebuild, you're paying for SEO and design from scratch.
• Difficulty migrating, many cheap sites lock you into a builder you can't leave easily.

What to do instead

• Pick a platform you can leave (WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, all exportable; Wix and Squarespace less so).
• Pay for a proper foundation once, then improve it incrementally.
• Use a free audit (us or anyone else) before you commit to a rebuild.

Request a free audit before you spend another penny on a rebuild.