When investing in a new school website, you’d expect great design, seamless functionality, and a system that works for your school community. But are you always getting what you paid for? Too often, schools find themselves locked into costly contracts, overpaying for features that should come as standard, and having to send away every bit of new content for someone else to add on which can take days or weeks. If your website provider is charging extra for essential services, it’s time to ask: are you getting true value for money? What is the annual cost? With our websites starting from under £1k we believe having a beautiful website shouldn’t cost the earth. Is your provider offering the same?

What should be included as standard?

A well-designed school website should not just look great; it should also function effectively, be easy to manage, and support your school’s communication needs without unnecessary costs. Here’s what should come as standard when you pay for a new school website:

1. A modern, user-friendly design

Your school’s website is often the first impression for prospective parents, students, and staff. A professional, engaging design should be included in the package – not an added cost. You should also have a choice, as we give to our customers, between a lower cost option (our pre-designed templates) or a higher cost bespoke option (with all the bells and whistles you can wish for!)

2. Content migration

Moving from an old website shouldn’t be a headache. Transferring existing content should be part of the service, ensuring a smooth transition without extra charges for all the useful things you already have online – from the headteacher’s welcome to the key policies. 

3. Quick turnaround time

Schools shouldn’t have to wait months for their new website to go live. Efficient providers can deliver high-quality sites in a short timeframe, without compromising on quality.

4. Integrated social media

Schools rely on social media to keep their community informed. Integration with platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram should not be a huge extra cost. We charge just £195 to add a Social Wall to our Bespoke websites, with it being included in our Premium service. 

5. Meeting accessibility standards

All school websites must comply with accessibility regulations, ensuring content is usable for all visitors, including those with disabilities. This should be a given, not an optional extra. Our sites are designed with accessibility in mind, and we provide schools with the templates and information they need to stay compliant on their side too. 

6. An easy-to-use CMS

Schools should have the ability to update their own websites easily. A well-built content management system (CMS) means you can add news, update events, and refresh content without relying on a third party – and without paying additional fees. We provide this as standard for all schools and have even gone further to add AI wizards to help you write content too! All as part of the service. 

7. Flexible banner and footer updates

Need to update key messaging in your banner or footer? Schools should have the freedom to make these changes themselves instead of paying for every minor adjustment. We know that sometimes schools get a new image to use – maybe from winning an award or meeting an eco-schools standard – and the team are always happy to add these in as quickly as possible for no extra charge. 

Avoiding unnecessary ongoing costs

Beyond the initial setup, ongoing costs should remain low (ours are just £295 per year for a primary school or £395 for secondary). Beware of companies that charge excessive annual fees or demand payment for simple updates. A great school website provider offers:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

• Low, predictable yearly costs

• Fast, reliable ongoing support without excessive charges

The Right Website Provider for Your School

Choosing the right provider means ensuring your school gets all the features it needs without overpaying. If you’re being charged extra for basics like accessibility or CMS functionality, you’re not getting a fair deal. A great school website should be an asset – helping you communicate efficiently, engage your community, and maintain a professional online presence without excessive costs.

If your current website provider charges for every update or limits your ability to make changes, it might be time to explore better options. Schools deserve websites that are easy to manage, visually appealing, and cost-effective in the long run.

At Greenhouse School Websites, we offer all of this as standard – no unnecessary fees, no hidden costs, just great school websites designed to meet your needs. If you’re tired of paying for extras that should be included, get in touch with us today!