Building a website is one of the first investments a business makes online — but figuring out what it actually costs can feel like pulling teeth. Quotes range from €200 to €20,000 and nobody seems to explain why.
This guide breaks down the real cost of a website in 2026, by type, by who builds it, and by what’s actually included.
What Affects the Cost of a Website?
Before looking at numbers, it’s worth understanding the variables that drive price up or down:
- Complexity — A 5-page brochure site costs far less than a 50-page e-commerce store with custom logic.
- Design — Template-based design is cheaper. Custom design takes more time and costs more.
- Functionality — Booking systems, payment gateways, membership portals, multilingual support — each adds cost.
- Who builds it — Freelancer, agency, or DIY platform each come with very different price points (and tradeoffs).
- Ongoing needs — Hosting, maintenance, updates, and support are recurring costs that most people forget to factor in.
Website Cost by Type
Landing Page — €300 to €1,500
A single-page site designed to convert visitors into leads or sales. Ideal for a specific campaign, product launch, or service offering. Low cost, fast turnaround.
Brochure / Corporate Website (5–10 pages) — €800 to €4,000
The standard business website. Home, About, Services, Contact, maybe a Blog. This is what most small-to-medium businesses need when starting out.
E-Commerce Website — €2,000 to €15,000+
Depends heavily on the number of products, payment integrations, inventory logic, and custom design. A basic WooCommerce store is at the lower end; a fully custom-built shop with advanced filtering and checkout flows is at the higher end.
Custom Web Application — €5,000 to €50,000+
Booking platforms, SaaS tools, member portals, marketplaces. These are built from the ground up and priced by hours of development, not pages.
Freelancer vs Agency vs DIY Platform
| Option | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (Wix, Squarespace) | €10–€50/month | Solopreneurs, early-stage testing |
| Freelancer | €500–€5,000 | Small businesses, tight budgets |
| Agency | €1,500–€20,000+ | Growing businesses needing strategy + execution |
DIY platforms are cheap but come with real limitations in performance, customisation, and SEO. A freelancer gives you more control but less strategic input. An agency typically covers design, development, copywriting, and post-launch support under one roof.
Don’t Forget the Recurring Costs
The build is a one-time cost. But running a website has ongoing expenses most people overlook:
Backups — Critical and often forgotten
Hosting — €10 to €100+/month depending on traffic and server type
Domain — €10 to €30/year
SSL Certificate — Often included with hosting, but not always
Maintenance & Updates — Plugins, security patches, CMS updates. Budget €50–€200/month.
What Should You Actually Pay For?
The cheapest website is rarely the most cost-effective one. A €300 website that loads slowly, doesn’t rank on Google, and confuses visitors costs you far more in lost business than the €300 you saved.
The question isn’t “how little can I spend?” — it’s “what do I need this website to do?”
If it needs to generate leads, book appointments, or sell products, invest accordingly. If it’s just a digital business card, keep it simple.
Have More Questions About Website Pricing?
Our Web Development service page includes answers to the most common questions we hear from businesses — including what’s included in our builds, how long it takes, and what happens after launch. Check the FAQ section for details.
Ready to Build a Website That Actually Works for Your Business?
At Peitho Digital, we build websites that are fast, designed to convert, and built to grow with you. No hidden costs, no template shortcuts.
Explore our Web Development services → Or book a free strategy session to talk through what you need.