Guide · Updated October 2026

How Much Does Website Copywriting Cost?

How copywriters price website content: per page, per project, per word or hourly. What affects cost, what you get, and how to write it yourself if budget is tight.

How Much Does Website Copywriting Cost?

Short answer: Website copywriters charge per page, per project, per word or by the hour. Prices range from budget writers to specialist conversion copywriters charging premium rates. For a small business site, the key is clear, specific words that tell customers what you do, where, and how to contact you.

Why words matter more than design

Visitors decide within seconds whether you can help them. They scan headings, look for their town and service, and want a phone number. Good copy answers those questions immediately. It also helps Google understand what you offer and where, which feeds directly into local search.

Common pricing models

Per page

Popular for websites. A homepage usually costs more than an inner page because it carries more weight and needs more strategy.

Per project

A fixed fee for a whole site, typically including a discovery call, research and a set number of revisions.

Per word

More common for blog posts and articles. Less suited to websites, where fewer, sharper words are often better.

Hourly

Used for editing, consulting or ongoing work.

What affects the price

  • Writer experience and specialism (conversion, SEO, legal, medical).
  • Amount of research and interviews needed.
  • Number of pages and revision rounds.
  • Whether SEO keyword research is included.
  • Turnaround time.

Not a writer? We help shape your words as part of the build.

SiteDrum builds fast, mobile-first websites from $99 setup and $15 a month, with hosting, security, Google setup and support included. Already have a site that is slow or broken? Try Website Rescue or run our free speed test.

What about AI writing tools?

AI tools can draft copy quickly and cheaply. They are useful for a first draft, but the output tends to be generic. It lacks your real experience, local knowledge, prices, guarantees and personality. Search engines and customers both reward specific, genuine detail. If you use AI, edit heavily and add facts only you know.

How to write your own website copy

If budget is tight, you can write solid copy yourself. Follow this structure for each service page:

  1. Headline: what you do and where. "Emergency Plumber in Croydon" beats "Welcome to Our Website".
  2. Opening line: the problem you solve and why choose you.
  3. What is included: a short bullet list.
  4. Proof: reviews, years trading, accreditations, photos.
  5. Areas covered: towns and postcodes.
  6. Price guidance: even "from" prices build trust.
  7. Call to action: phone number and a simple form.

Quick writing tips

  • Write like you talk to a customer on the phone.
  • Use "you" more than "we".
  • Keep paragraphs short. People read on phones.
  • Cut jargon unless your customers use it.
  • Answer the questions customers ask you most.

Our guide on writing website content goes deeper.

Briefing a copywriter well

Give them your best reviews, your top questions from customers, competitor sites you like and dislike, your service areas and your prices. The better the brief, the less you pay in revisions.

The bottom line

Copywriting is one of the best value parts of a website project, because clear words turn visitors into enquiries. Hire a professional if you can, or write it yourself using a simple structure. When we build a SiteDrum site, we shape your content around what customers search for.

Frequently asked questions

How many words should a website page have?

Enough to answer the customer's questions clearly. Service pages often work well at a few hundred words.

Is AI copy good enough for my website?

It can help draft, but edit heavily and add your own specific details and experience.

Should a copywriter know SEO?

Ideally yes, so pages target what people actually search for.

Can I write my own website copy?

Yes. Use clear headings, specific details, reviews and a strong call to action.

Want a website that brings you customers?

Tell us what you do on WhatsApp and we will send a fixed quote and a free mockup.

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