MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE
How much does a website really cost?
The quick answer is “it depends”. The useful answer explains what it depends on, what each quote includes and what it will cost afterwards. Here is how I assess it as a designer, without pretending the most expensive option is always best.
Three quotes. Perhaps three very different jobs.
Say your business needs a website. You request quotes and receive one for €495, another for €1,200 and a third for €2,900. Which is right? Without knowing what each proposal includes, you cannot decide yet.
A €500 website can be enough for a simple, clearly defined need. A €5,000 website can be justified when more work is involved. Neither figure alone proves that you are making a good purchase.
The point is to understand what problem the quote solves and what you will have to pay afterwards.
My advice: ask every professional to quote against the same list of requirements. If one includes copy, migration and testing while another only builds the pages, you are not comparing the same work.
So what sort of figures are we talking about?
I will put some figures on it, as I did in the first version of this article. An informational website built on an established design foundation might, for example, fit a €900–€1,900 budget. A project with original design, more planning and development might cost €3,000–€5,000 or more.
These are illustrative budget examples, not market averages or a universal price list. Some projects are smaller and others much more complex. Always ask for taxes, scope and recurring costs to be specified: a range without those details tells you little.
If you only need to introduce your business and make contacting you easy, one well-made page may be enough. A catalogue, bookings, multiple languages, a shop or connections to other systems change the work involved. Page count is only one part of a quote.
You pay for the build once. Other costs recur.
Building a website and keeping it running are different costs. Before accepting a quote, separate these items:
- Domain
- Your website address. Check the registered owner, the extension and the renewal price, not just the first-year offer.
- Hosting
- Where the website is hosted. Compare resources, support, backups, email and exit terms. A cheap promotion does not tell you the renewal cost.
- Licences and subscriptions
- Some themes, extensions and tools have annual fees. Ask who buys them and what happens if you stop working with the supplier.
- Technical maintenance
- Updates, prevention and fixing issues take time. They can be covered by a service, handled by you or paid for when a problem arises; do not assume they are included.
For a meaningful comparison, add up the initial build and the costs over the first two years. Include renewals, licences and the support you will actually need. A free first year does not mean a service is free forever.
What makes a website cost more or less?
- Planning: understanding the business, organising services and deciding what visitors need to find.
- Copy and images: receiving finished material is different from researching, writing, selecting and editing it.
- Design: adapting an existing foundation usually takes less work than creating an original layout and visual system.
- Features and languages: special forms, payments, bookings, translations and integrations require setup and testing.
- Delivery: accessibility, mobile usability, performance, launch and checks are also part of the work.
A template does not automatically make a website bad, just as an exclusive design does not guarantee usefulness. What matters is how it fits the business, how it works and whether it does what you need.
Should a redesign be cheaper?
Sometimes: useful copy, images and structure may already exist. In other cases, old code needs reviewing, errors fixing, content moving and URLs receiving Google traffic preserving. That can take more work than starting from a clean foundation.
I remember a project where we spent three or four months going round in circles over the design. The client wanted something surprising, but we could not pin down what that meant. Each proposal led to more changes. The lesson still holds: defining the goal and agreeing revisions avoids paying for uncertainty.
Before rebuilding a website, ask what should be preserved: content, domain, access, forms, measurement and important URLs. A visual refresh should not discard what was already working.
What should the quote put in writing?
Commissioning a website does not automatically buy ongoing SEO, campaigns, maintenance or unlimited advice. Not every proposal includes copy either. If something matters to you, ask for it to be included explicitly.
- Specific pages, sections, languages and features.
- Who prepares copy, images and translations.
- Revision rounds, timelines and what each party must supply.
- Domain ownership, access and terms for changing suppliers.
- Initial cost, taxes, renewals and payment terms.
- What happens after launch: issues, support and additional changes.
Be wary of promises such as “number one on Google” without an explanation of which searches or what work is involved. A well-built website can support search visibility, but nobody controls search results.
My view: start with what you actually need
If you are starting out, you do not necessarily need a huge website. A simple solution with a clear message and a way to contact you can be a sensible decision. You can expand later if the business justifies it.
Building it yourself is also a valid option if you have time and want to learn. Count the hours for preparation, building and maintenance as well as subscription fees. “Free” may describe the tool, not your time or every service you need.
If your business is established, you may need clearer explanations of your work or a technical problem solved rather than more pages. Before spending more, identify what needs improving. The best quote fits that need and is clear from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions about website pricing
How much does a simple business website cost?
There is no figure that fits everyone. A single page based on a predefined design can cost less than a website with several sections, original copy and special features. Compare scope and ongoing costs before comparing totals.
How much does it cost to run a website each year?
Add the domain, hosting, licences and any maintenance you commission. A simple static website and a plugin-based shop have different needs. Ask for the renewal price of each item and the support included.
Does paying more guarantee more sales?
No. Price does not guarantee sales. Your offer, message, demand, traffic and how enquiries are handled all matter. Ask the professional to explain what their work will improve and what is outside their control.
If you would like me to take care of your website
These are my current services, to give you a concrete reference after comparing the options. All prices here exclude VAT.
- Small Business Website Package · €699
One page with an adapted predefined design and basic copy. Full payment in advance. Hosting and registration of an available domain are free for the first year; hosting renewal: €180/year. Domain renewal is specified in the proposal.
- Custom web design · from €1,995
For original structure and design. A prior strategic audit costs €295, is commissioned separately and is not deducted from the design price. The audit does not commit you to buying the website.
- Technical maintenance · from €69/month with annual payment
Monthly equivalent of €828 per year, paid in advance. The entry plan is also available with monthly payment at €89. Scope is reviewed according to your website technology and condition.