How much does a website cost in Derby?
If you’ve started looking into getting a website for your Derby business, you’ve probably noticed that prices vary wildly. One agency quotes £5,000. A freelancer on Fiverr offers something for £150. A website builder says you can do it yourself for free.
So what’s actually going on, and what should you expect to pay?
Here’s a straight answer, from a web designer based in Derby who works exclusively with small businesses.
The Short Answer
For a professional, custom-built website for a small business in Derby, you should budget:
- £499–£1,500 for a multi-page website built by a local freelancer or small agency
- £799–£2,500 for an e-commerce store
- £20–£50/month for ongoing hosting and maintenance
Anything below £400 is likely a template job with minimal customisation. Anything above £3,000 for a standard small business site usually means you’re paying for agency overheads, not a better website.
What Affects the Price?
Who builds it
This is the biggest factor. There are three main options:
DIY website builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
You do everything yourself. Monthly costs run from £10–£35/month. The catch? It takes time, the results are often template-looking, and you’re on your own if something goes wrong. Fine for a hobby or very early-stage business. Less ideal if you want to look professional.
Freelance web designer
A local web designer (like me) builds it for you. You get a custom site without paying agency rates. Typical range for a Derby small business: £499–£1,500 for a standard site. This is the sweet spot for most small businesses.
Web design agency
You’ll pay more, often £2,000–£10,000+, because you’re funding their team, account managers, and office. Sometimes that’s worth it for large or complex projects. For most small businesses in Derby, it’s overkill.
What the site needs to do
A straightforward five-page website (home, about, services, contact, FAQs) costs less than a site with an online shop, booking system, or membership area.
Here’s a rough guide:
| Type of site | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single-page starter site | Free–£300 |
| Multi-page business website | £499–£1,200 |
| E-commerce store | £799–£2,500 |
| Custom web application | £3,000+ |
Ongoing costs
A website isn’t a one-off purchase. Once it’s built, you’ll also need:
- Hosting, where your site lives. Expect £10–£30/month.
- Domain name, your web address. Around £10–£15/year.
- Maintenance, security updates, backups, and minor changes. Bundled packages typically run £20–£50/month.
Some web designers (myself included) include hosting and maintenance in a monthly package so you’re not juggling separate bills. Worth asking about when you’re comparing quotes.
What Do You Get for £499?
At SME Web Designs, a website from £499 includes:
- A fully custom, multi-page website built around your business
- Mobile-friendly design that works on any device
- Fast-loading pages with a clean, professional layout
- Hosting and ongoing care included from day one
- SSL certificate, automatic backups, and spam protection
- Minor content updates included, just drop me an email
No templates. No offshore work. No handing you a login and wishing you luck.
What About Free Websites?
Genuinely free websites exist, some platforms let you publish something with no upfront cost. But they come with trade-offs:
- Your web address will include the platform’s brand (e.g.
yourbusiness.wixsite.com) - You’ll see adverts on your own site
- You have no ownership of the platform or your data
- You’re limited in how you can customise things
For a business trying to look professional and get found on Google, a free website usually does more harm than good. A proper domain and a clean custom site signals to customers (and to Google) that you’re a real, established business.
How to Get a Fair Price
When you’re getting quotes for web design in Derby, ask:
- What’s included after launch? Hosting, maintenance, and updates, or is that all extra?
- Who actually builds it? Some agencies subcontract work overseas. Know who you’re working with.
- Do I own the website? You should own your domain and your content. Always.
- What happens if I want to leave? Make sure you can take your site with you.
Ready to Talk?
If you’re a small business in Derby looking for a website that won’t cost a fortune or cause a headache, I’d love to hear from you.
Or fill in the contact form and I’ll get back to you within one working day. No obligation, no hard sell.
Brent is a web designer based in Derby, specialising in affordable websites for small businesses across Derbyshire and the East Midlands.