What does a charity website cost? Everything you need to know

Before you even reach out to potential providers, it’s important to set a clear budget. Without it, you’ll have no benchmark for deciding whether a charity website cost is reasonable or not. Think of your budget as the foundation - it gives you a realistic starting point and helps you find a provider who can deliver what you actually need.

So, how do you build a realistic budget? Here are some practical steps to guide you:

 #1 Define your goals

What do you want your charity website to achieve? Your goals will shape the cost. For example, you might want to:

• Collect donations securely online
• Promote and fill events
• Recruit new volunteers
• Keep supporters updated with news and stories
• Showcase your impact with case studies

The clearer your goals, the easier it is to budget.

#2 Work out the scope

Once you know your goals, you can think about the size and complexity of your site. Ask yourself:

• How many pages will you need?
• Will you need a login or members’ area?
• What data will be processed through the site?
• Do you need features like supporter fundraising pages?
• Will you sell event tickets or run an online shop?

This helps you explain your needs to providers and get more accurate quotes.

#3 Prioritise the essentials

Not every feature has to make the cut straight away. Decide which ones are must-haves and which are “nice to haves” that can wait until later. Common essentials include:

• Donation forms and payment processes
• Sign-up and contact forms
• Easy navigation and user experience
• Basic reporting or dashboards
• Integrations (e.g. with your CRM)

#4 Research real costs

Do your homework. While online guides are useful, the best way to understand charity website cost is to ask providers directly. Share your requirements with a few and compare their quotes. This gives you a realistic idea of what’s fair and achievable within your budget.

#5 Ask about charity discounts

Many providers offer reduced rates for nonprofits - but only if you ask. A simple question could save you a significant amount, so don’t be shy about checking.

#6 Plan for the unexpected

Even the best budgets can face surprises. Build in a contingency of around 10–15% to cover unplanned costs. It’s better to plan for a little extra than be caught off guard.

#7 Review and adapt

Your budget isn’t set in stone. As your charity grows, your website needs may grow too. Review things regularly - quarterly is a good habit - and check whether you need new features or upgrades. The good news is that smaller changes, like updating content through your content management system (CMS), shouldn’t cost extra if your provider has set things up well.

Budgeting well gives you confidence when comparing providers, helps you avoid overspending, and ensures your new website is built to last.

Absolutely. Building a charity website isn’t just about design - it’s a technical project that takes time, resources, and expertise. The more complex your requirements, the more your charity website cost is likely to rise. Everything from custom features to ongoing maintenance plays a part.

Here are the main factors that can affect what you’ll pay:

#1 Level of customisation and upgrades

Do you want a highly tailored site, or will an out-of-the-box solution work?

• A platform designed specifically charities - like Access Raise - will include most of what you need from the start, helping keep costs predictable.
• Using a general platform like WordPress can require extra customisation - plug-ins, coding, and design tweaks - all of which add to the cost.
• Don’t forget upgrades: plug-ins often carry fees not just for installation, but for ongoing updates.

The more technical the customisation, the higher the price tag.

#2 Hosting and ongoing maintenance

Hosting is how your site’s files and data are stored online, and the cost depends on factors like storage space, traffic, and support.

Key things to know:

• Shared hosting vs dedicated hosting: Shared is cheaper but may be less reliable; dedicated gives you better performance but at a higher cost.
• Bandwidth usage: Lots of traffic or large files (videos, PDFs, images) mean higher hosting costs.
• Technical support: If you don’t have in-house expertise, you may need to pay for additional support from your provider.

#3 Number and technicality of integrations

Integrations save time and improve efficiency, but non-native integrations can require development time, which impacts charity website cost.

Common charity website integrations include:

• CRM – sync supporter data and track donor behaviour
• Social media – display live feeds or campaign updates
• Email marketing – automate emails when someone fills in a form
• Gift Aid – submit claims directly to HMRC

Platforms like Access Raise include many integrations, so check with your potential supplier what's included - or not. The more custom integrations you need (and the more complex they are), the higher the overall cost.

#4 Size of your website

Bigger websites usually mean bigger bills. Why?

• Storage space: More pages, images, and files = more hosting costs.
• Traffic: Heavier traffic increases bandwidth usage, sometimes triggering extra charges.
• Maintenance: Large sites require more developer time to update and fix.
• Design and development: Complex design and advanced functionality raise the upfront build cost.
• User permissions: Some providers charge per user or per admin account.
• Content creation: More blogs, events, or resources take time to write - outsourcing adds extra expense.

On the last point, ask suppliers if AI-tools are built in that can help with this. For example, Access Raise has Co-pilot built in, helping you generate website content, campaign copy and social posts in seconds.

#5. Level of security

Security is non-negotiable when handling supporter data and donations, but it comes at a cost. Key expenses can include:

• SSL certificate – essential for encrypting transactions.
• Security software – firewalls, malware scanners, and more.
• Payment gateways – secure transaction systems, often with premium features.
• Regular audits – keep your site safe from the latest threats.
• Staff training – to prevent phishing and password breaches.
• Skimping on security can cost far more in the long run, so it’s always worth factoring this into your budget.

In short, charity website cost isn’t a one-size-fits-all figure. There's lots to consider, and total spend depends on the size, features, and the support your organisation needs.

When it comes to building your charity website, you’ll usually have two main routes to choose from: working with a website agency or partnering with a specialist charity website provider.

Both options have their strengths, but they differ in cost, flexibility, and the kind of experience they offer. Let’s look at the differences so you can decide which is right for your charity.

What is a website agency?

An agency develops and manages websites for organisations across a number of sectors.

A website agency builds and manages sites for all kinds of organisations, not just charities. They usually work with well-known platforms like WordPress or Drupal and customise them to fit your needs.

Because of this, agencies are very flexible - they can add advanced features and take care of everything from design to digital marketing. But this flexibility comes at a price. More customisations and plug-ins usually means higher costs.

Pros

• Flexible customisation to meet niche requirements
• Strong digital marketing expertise
• Suited to larger, complex organisations

Cons

• Not charity-sector specialists
• Extra customisations add to the charity website cost
• Reliance on third-party plug-ins can pose security issues

What is a charity website provider?

A charity website provider offers a solution designed specifically for the nonprofit sector. Instead of starting from scratch, you get access to a platform built with charities in mind, so many of the features you need are already included.

For example, Access Raise is a ready-to-go platform created for charities. It's an all-in-one digital awareness and fundraising platform, designed specifically to help charities raise their profile and diversify income. With fundraising, event management, and supporter engagement features built in, without the need for endless plug-ins or complex customisations, it’s user-friendly too.

With a charity website provider, you’ll usually receive training and support at the start, then have the freedom to manage the site day to day, without paying extra for ongoing third-party management.

Pros

• Platform designed specifically for charities
• User-friendly CMS that gives you control
• Features built for fundraising, events, and supporter engagement

Cons

• Limited scope for advanced customisation
• Not ideal for a very basic one-page “holding site”
• May feel too feature-rich for very small or micro-charities

Choosing the right provider is a big decision, especially when budgets are tight. Here are some things to look out for when comparing options:

• Cost

Charity website cost should be clear upfront. Make sure you know what’s included in the base price and what counts as an extra (e.g. customisations, user limits, or ongoing management).

• Ease of use

The system should be intuitive enough for staff with minimal training. If it feels overly complex or requires external management, it may not be the right fit.

• Sector knowledge

A provider with charity experience will understand your challenges and needs far better than a generalist agency.

• Autonomy

Look for a solution that lets you manage your own site after training. This not only saves costs but also gives you more flexibility.

• Reputation

Don’t just take the provider’s word for it. Check independent reviews like TrustPilot, case studies, and ask for references from other charities.

The right provider will balance cost, usability, and sector expertise. For many charities, a purpose-built solution like Access Raise offers the best mix of affordability and functionality. But whichever option you choose, doing your homework upfront will save you time, money, and stress down the line.

When planning your budget, charity website cost will naturally be front of mind. Now that you know the main factors that influence pricing, you’ll be in a stronger position to approach providers and ask the right questions.

It’s always worth comparing a few options to see which platform best fits your needs. A great place to start is Access Raise. It’s designed by charity professionals who understand the sector inside out. With features built specifically for fundraising and supporter engagement, it gives you the tools you need - without unnecessary extras that inflate the cost.

"We've seen a massive increase in engagement, with some articles getting 200% more views."

Anna Woollven, Communications & Fundraising Manager, British Thyroid Foundation