How Much Does Copywriting Cost for a Small Business?

Most small business owners have no idea what copywriting should cost. So they do one of two things: they overpay someone because the quote sounded official, or they skip it and write everything themselves at 11pm after a full day of running the business.

Phoenix Athena Ltd works remotely with small businesses across the UK, and copywriting is one of the services we handle day to day. The question we hear most often is a simple one: how much is this going to cost me? This post gives you the honest answer. We will cover what a copywriter really does, what the market charges, whether you should write your own, and how to pick someone if you decide to hire.

What does a copywriter do for a small business?

There is a myth that copywriting is just writing words. It is not. A good copywriter writes to get you a result, usually more customers.

For a small business, that work tends to cover:

• Website pages that turn visitors into enquiries instead of letting them click away

• Blog posts that bring in traffic from Google and answer the questions your customers are typing

• Emails, ads and social captions that sound like you and not like a robot

• Words that match how your customers actually search and speak, so you get found and understood

The short version: copy is sales, not decoration. Every page is either working for you or quietly costing you business.

How much does copywriting cost?

Copywriters usually price in one of three ways. Knowing them helps you read a quote and spot when something is off.

Typical UK market rates, for context:

• Per word: roughly £0.10 to £0.50

• Per page of website copy: roughly £100 to £300

• Day rate: roughly £250 to £500

Those figures are useful to know, but they are standalone rates for buying copy job by job, and that adds up quickly. It also gives you a stack of separate invoices and no one keeping your whole message consistent.

Phoenix Athena does not sell copywriting on its own. We build it into a monthly marketing package alongside your other work, so your website, blog and social media all sound like one business. Packages start from £1,500 a month, with a fuller package from £2,000 a month. You get steady, consistent copy every month without hiring for every job.

Should you write your own copy or hire a copywriter?

Writing your own copy can work. If you have the time and a good feel for words, you know your business better than anyone. The problem is that most owners have neither the hours nor the appetite for it, and copy is the first thing that slips when you get busy.

Here is how the two stack up at a glance:

The real cost of doing it yourself is rarely the money. It is the enquiries you never see because a page reads thin, or the blog that went quiet three months ago and stopped pulling in traffic.

What do you get for the money?

It helps to flip the question. Instead of asking what copy costs, ask what it brings back. For most small businesses, one extra client a month covers the cost, and good copy keeps working long after it is written.

When the words are done well, this is what changes:

• More enquiries from the same visitors you already have

• Pages that show up in search instead of sitting on page five

• One consistent voice across your whole site and social media

• Time back to run your business

Our approach at Phoenix Athena is plain, human copy with no jargon, written for how real people search and read.

How to choose a copywriter for your business

If you decide to bring someone in, a few things separate the good from the forgettable.

• Ask to see examples and results, not just a tidy portfolio

• Check they write for search, not only for style

• Make sure they take the time to learn your voice before they start

• Prefer someone who fits copy into your wider marketing rather than selling one-off jobs

For a small business, the package route usually wins on hassle. You get someone who knows your business, keeps everything consistent, and you are not chasing quotes every time you need a page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a copywriter cost per page in the UK?

Most charge roughly £100 to £300 per page for website copy, depending on research and length. Phoenix Athena Ltd builds copywriting into a monthly package rather than charging per page.

Is copywriting worth it for a small business?

Yes, if it brings in more enquiries than it costs. For most small businesses one extra client a month covers it, and good copy keeps working long after it is written.

Can I just write my own website copy?

You can, and some owners do it well. The catch is time and search. If your copy reads thin or your blog goes quiet, you lose enquiries you never see.

Do you offer copywriting on its own?

No. Phoenix Athena bundles copywriting with your other marketing into one monthly package, so your words stay consistent across your site, blog and socials.

Ready for copy that brings in enquiries?

Phoenix Athena Ltd works remotely with small businesses across the UK, and locally around Harlow and Essex. If you want words that bring in customers instead of just filling space, get in touch at phoenixathena.co.uk.