A well-designed, high-performing website isn’t just a cost - it’s an investment that delivers tangible business value. Whether you’re looking to improve conversions, enhance user experience, or reduce long-term maintenance costs, choosing the right content management system (CMS) is crucial.
Umbraco is a powerful, flexible CMS that allows businesses to create scalable, custom-built websites. But how much does an Umbraco website cost? The answer depends on several factors, from the platform costs to development, maintenance, and hosting expenses. More importantly, the return on investment (ROI) can outweigh these costs through increased efficiency, better performance, and higher revenue.
In this guide, we’ll break down the costs involved in building and maintaining an Umbraco website in 2025 and explore how this investment can deliver long-term value.
What Goes Into the Cost of an Umbraco Website?
The total cost of an Umbraco website typically includes:
Umbraco Platform Costs – Subscription costs for Umbraco Cloud, Heartcore, and Forms.
Development Costs – Hiring an agency or developers to design, build, and launch your site.
Maintenance and Support – Ongoing updates, security patches, and performance optimisation.
Hosting Costs – Choosing between Umbraco Cloud hosting or a third-party provider.
Now, let’s break these down in more detail.
Umbraco Platform Costs
Umbraco itself is open-source and free to use, but additional features and hosting options come with some associated costs:
Umbraco Forms Pricing
Umbraco Forms is a premium add-on for creating contact forms, surveys, and data collection tools. It requires a one-time licence fee (currently £255/domain), making it a cost-effective way to enhance user engagement.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Umbraco Website?
The cost of development depends on the complexity and size of your website. While DIY development is possible, most businesses hire an agency to ensure a high-quality build with ongoing support.
Development Cost Breakdown
When working with an agency, pricing is generally split into these key phases:
- Planning & Strategy – Site architecture, UX/UI design, wireframes, and project scoping.
- Design & Development – Frontend and backend coding, CMS configuration, and custom integrations.
- Testing & Launch – Quality assurance, security checks, and final deployment.
Typical Agency Costs by Website Type
While costs vary, here’s a rough estimate based on different website types:
- Brochure Website (Small Business Site): £10,000 – £15,000
- Corporate Website (Medium to Large Business): £15,000 – £50,000
- E-commerce Website (With Custom Features): £20,000 – £80,000+
- Enterprise-Level Website (Highly Customised, API-Driven): £50,000 – £250,000+
Factors That Affect Website Cost
Several elements can influence the final price of your Umbraco website:
- Size & Complexity – More pages, features, and integrations increase development time.
- Custom Features – Advanced functionality like e-commerce, multi-language support, or custom portals add to the cost.
- Design Requirements – Fully bespoke designs cost more than template-based solutions.
- Timeframe – Tight deadlines may require additional resources, increasing the overall price.
Ongoing Costs: Maintenance and Hosting
Building your website is just the beginning. Maintaining and hosting your Umbraco site ensures security, performance, and longevity.
Website Maintenance Costs
Keeping your website updated and secure is essential. You can manage maintenance in-house or through an agency, with typical costs as follows:
- DIY Maintenance: £500 – £2,000 per year (excluding staff costs).
- Agency Support Packages: £2,000 – £10,000 per year, depending on service levels.
Hosting Costs
Your hosting choice impacts both performance and security. Typical options include:
- Umbraco Cloud Hosting: £30 – £500+ per month, depending on the plan.
- Third-Party Hosting (AWS, Azure, Dedicated Servers): £50 – £1,000+ per month, depending on site size and traffic.
- Intuitiv Shared Hosting: £30 per month
- Intuitiv Dedicated Hosting: £500 per month
Calculating ROI: Is an Umbraco Website Worth the Investment?
Rather than viewing a new website as a cost, it’s crucial to consider the ROI (Return on Investment). A well-optimised Umbraco website can:
- Increase Lead Generation & Sales – Higher conversion rates from improved user experience.
- Reduce Maintenance Costs – Less ongoing support needed compared to older, outdated platforms.
- Boost SEO & Visibility – Better search rankings lead to more organic traffic.
Example ROI Calculation
If a new Umbraco website increases conversions by 30%, and your business typically generates £50,000 per month in online sales, the potential uplift could be:
- £50,000 x 30% = £15,000 additional revenue per month
- Annual increase: £15,000 x 12 = £180,000 extra revenue per year
Compared to a £30,000 website investment, the ROI is substantial within the first year alone.
Summary: A Worthwhile Investment
A new Umbraco website is more than just a cost – it’s an investment in your business’s future. By choosing the right development partner, managing ongoing maintenance effectively, and optimising for ROI, you can build a high-performing digital presence that delivers long-term value.
Need Help with Your Umbraco Website?
If you’re ready to invest in a high-performance Umbraco website, our team at Intuitiv can help. Get in touch today to discuss your project requirements and get a tailored quote, just give us a call on 01844 888 777. Or fill in the form below and we'll give you a bell back.
Umbraco Pricing FAQs
Is Umbraco free?
Yes, the core Umbraco CMS is open-source and free to use. However, premium features like Umbraco Cloud, Heartcore, and Forms have associated costs.
Do I need to hire a developer for Umbraco?
While it’s possible to use Umbraco without a developer, most businesses hire an agency to ensure a professional build, custom features, and long-term support.
How does Umbraco’s pricing compare to other CMS platforms?
Umbraco offers greater flexibility and customisation than many off-the-shelf CMS platforms like WordPress or Wix. While the upfront costs may be higher, Umbraco provides long-term value through lower maintenance costs, better security, and improved performance.