Key takeaways

  • The price depends mainly on scope: pages, content, features and integrations.
  • Compare what each quote includes, not just the final figure.
  • Running costs, such as domain, hosting and maintenance, count too.
  • A website should be judged by what it brings in, not just by what it costs.

The three most common ways to get a website

Website builders

Platforms like Wix or Squarespace let you build a website yourself from templates. The direct cost is low, but the real investment is your time, and the result depends heavily on your experience with design, writing and SEO.

Freelancer

A professional takes care of design and development, with direct contact and without the layers of a bigger structure. For small businesses it’s often the best balance of quality, personal attention and cost.

Agency

An agency brings together several people (project management, design, development, content), which makes sense for large or complex projects. That structure is reflected in the price.

What makes the price go up or down

  • Number of pages and of different page templates.
  • Custom design or adapted template: a design made for your business takes more work than adjusting an existing template.
  • Content: who writes the copy and who takes care of the photos.
  • Features and integrations: bookings, advanced forms, WhatsApp, chatbot, contact management tools, online shop.
  • Languages: each extra language is, in practice, another version of the website.
  • SEO and migration: keeping your rankings when replacing an existing website takes planning.

What a quote should include

When comparing quotes, check whether each one includes:

  • Design adapted to phone, tablet and desktop.
  • The number of pages and rounds of revisions.
  • Who is responsible for the content.
  • Basic SEO: titles, descriptions, redirects and structured data.
  • Analytics setup.
  • Publishing the website and training so you can edit it.
  • Ownership of the domain and the website in your name.
  • Support after launch: what’s included and for how long.

Running costs to budget for

On top of the initial price, a website has yearly costs: the domain, hosting, any licences or plugins and, if you choose it, a maintenance service. Ask for these figures up front.

How I price my work

To give you a concrete reference, here’s how I price my own work:

  • Fresh Look, 750€: a new design that keeps your current structure and content, optimised for mobile and launched. For websites of up to 4 pages; larger websites on request.
  • Enquiry Engine, from 1 800€: custom design and structure, optimisation for Google and AI tools, forms and quizzes, automatic follow-up, WhatsApp and a metrics dashboard. The final price depends on the extras you choose, such as an AI chatbot or online payments.

Not sure yet? I can redesign your homepage for free and email you a personalised report on what to improve, so you can see the potential before you invest. You’ll find the details of each plan in the plans section.

Cost or investment?

The best way to judge a website is to compare it with what it can bring in. If a new client is worth 500€ to your business on average, a 1 800€ website pays for itself after four clients. After that, every enquiry it brings in is pure return.

Do the maths with your own numbers: it helps you decide how much to invest and what to expect from the website in return.

Frequently asked questions

Why are quotes for the same website so different?

Because they rarely describe the same work. Differences in the number of pages, custom design, content, integrations and post-launch support explain most of the variation.

Will the website be in my name?

It should be. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and that you receive all the logins at the end of the project.

Do I need to pay for maintenance?

It depends on the platform and the integrations. Websites with many plugins need regular security updates; simpler websites need little technical maintenance, but benefit from up-to-date content.