"How much does a website cost?" — this is the most common question I get from business owners. Unfortunately, the answer isn't simple, as prices can range from €100 to tens of thousands of euros. In this guide, I'll show you exactly what options you have in 2026, what you get in each price range, and what hidden costs to expect.
The 4 main types of website development and their costs
Before discussing prices, it's important to understand the 4 main approaches, as each has a different pricing structure, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. DIY website builders (Wix, Squarespace): €0–40/month
The cheapest entry point: you register, choose a template, and build your site with drag-and-drop. For €0–40/month, you get hosting, templates, and basic features. However: limited customization, slow loading (average 3–5 seconds), weak SEO capabilities, and the site is never truly yours — you depend on the platform provider.
2. WordPress template: €250–800 one-time + €15–40/month
The most popular solution: a WordPress developer installs a premium theme (e.g., Divi, Astra, Avada), customizes it to your brand, and sets it up. The one-time development fee is €250–800, plus €15–40/month for hosting, domain, and plugin updates. Pro: fast completion, many features. Con: security risks (90% of WordPress sites are hacker targets), slow loading (many plugins), and constant update requirements.
3. Custom-built website: €490–1,300+ one-time
This is the category where I work. A custom-built website is built exclusively for your needs: no unnecessary code, no template limitations, no monthly license fees. Prices range from €490 (landing page) to €1,300+ (premium multi-page). In return, you get 2–3x faster loading, 90+ Lighthouse scores, perfect SEO, and full ownership.
4. Web agency / digital agency: €1,300–15,000+
The largest companies often hire digital agencies where an entire team (project manager, designer, developer, copywriter) works on the project. Prices start from €1,300 and can reach tens of thousands. This solution is worth it when you need complex systems (webshop, multilingual portal, custom CRM integration) and have the budget for it.
Hidden costs nobody warns you about
- Domain name: €8–40/year (.com, .eu, country-specific)
- SSL certificate: free (Let's Encrypt) or €15–80/year (premium)
- Hosting: €8–60/month (VPS) or €2–15/month (shared)
- Email hosting: €3–12/month/mailbox (Google Workspace, Zoho)
- Premium plugins (WordPress): €50–250/year total
- Content writing / copywriting: €25–80/page
- Images: €10–50/image (stock) or photographer costs
- Maintenance: €25–180/month (or your own time)
- SEO optimization: €80–400/month (if ordered separately)
Specific prices: what do you get in each of my packages?
To make your decision easier, here's my pricing structure for 2026. Every package includes design, development, SEO optimization, mobile-friendly display, and warranty.
- Landing Page (from €490): One-page, conversion-optimized site for campaigns. 1–2 week turnaround.
- Basic Presentation (from €650): 3–5 page presentation website. Contact form, Google Maps, basic SEO.
- Extra Package (from €900): 5–10 page site with admin panel (CMS). Blog, gallery, SEO package.
- Premium Package (from €1,300): Complex, multi-page site. Custom features, full SEO, 1-year warranty.
When is it worth spending more?
Your website is the digital hub of your business. If your clients search for your services online, if your competitors already have modern websites, if you want to generate leads — then a website isn't a cost, it's an investment. A well-built custom website typically pays for itself in 6–12 months through new clients.
5 tips to avoid overpaying for your website
- Define your goals upfront: What's the main purpose of the website? Lead generation, presentation, online sales? This determines the required features and price.
- Ask for references: Look at the developer's previous work and ask existing clients about their satisfaction.
- Don't choose the cheapest option: A cheap website can be more expensive long-term (rebuilding, lost clients, security issues).
- Ask about hidden costs: Domain, hosting, maintenance, updates — request that everything is included in the quote.
- Think about the future: The website should be expandable — you shouldn't need to rebuild from scratch in 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a simple presentation website cost?
A 3–5 page presentation website with custom development starts from €650. With WordPress templates, €250–500. The difference lies in speed, SEO performance, and long-term costs.
Are there free website-building options?
Yes, but with limitations. Wix and Squarespace free plans display ads, offer limited features, and you don't get a custom domain. Not recommended for business use — it creates a worse impression than having no website at all.
Which should I choose: WordPress or custom development?
If your budget is tight and you need a quick solution, WordPress is a good starting point. But if you're thinking long-term, SEO and speed matter, and you don't want to update plugins monthly — custom development is the better investment.
Not sure which package is best for your business? Book a free 30-minute consultation and I'll help you choose the ideal solution!