When a company considers getting a new website, one of the first questions is: ‘How much does it cost?’ The answer is not simple, because the price depends on many factors such as the scope of the site, the technical implementation method, and who builds the pages.
Website pricing often confuses customers. Offers can range from a few hundred to thousands of euros, and both can be justified. This article explains where the differences come from and how to budget the project correctly.
1. Site scope and structure
The number of pages directly affects the price. A one-page landing page is faster to implement than a 20-page company site with navigation. But the number of pages alone does not tell everything; the complexity of the content matters more.
What you get with different budgets:
- With a small budget: A one-page landing page or a simple presentation site with a few subpages
- With a medium budget: A broader basic site with 5-10 pages, custom design, and basic functionality
- With a larger budget: A broad company site with 15-30 pages, fully custom design, and advanced features
- With an ecommerce budget: An online store with products, integrations to payment systems, and inventory management
2. Design and visual planning
Design is one of the most significant factors affecting price. Using a ready-made theme is the cheapest option, but custom design brings more value and sets you apart from competitors.
What design includes:
- Ready-made theme: A fast and affordable solution, suitable for a small budget. Still requires customization to fit the brand.
- Customized theme: A ready-made base tailored to the company’s needs. A good balance between price and quality.
- Fully custom design: A unique look that stands out from competitors. Better user experience and conversions.
Custom design is an investment that pays itself back. Companies that choose a unique look stand out from competitors better and get better conversions.
3. Technology and implementation method
Technology choice affects both price and the end result. Different technologies fit different needs and budgets:
- WordPress: Fast and affordable for basic implementations. Suitable for smaller budgets. Easy to update yourself, but security requires attention.
- Modern technologies (Next.js, React): More expensive development work, but significantly faster and scalable. For example, in the Eilola Logistics project we achieved a 67% faster load time with Next.js.
- Webflow, Wix, Squarespace: DIY solutions for the smallest budgets. Suitable for small companies, but limited scalability.
Next.js is the recommended technology whenever possible. Although it requires a larger budget, the site is often 2-3x faster and more SEO-friendly.
4. Content production
Content is often an underestimated cost item, but it is a central part of website quality:
- Copywriting: Professional texts improve conversions significantly
- Photography: High-quality images build the brand
- Stock images: An affordable option, but can be generic
- Videos: A growing trend that engages visitors
If the company provides its own content, the budget can be reduced significantly. But poor-quality content sabotages even the best design.
5. Additional features and integrations
Every special feature increases the price. The more complex the functionality, the more development work is required:
- Basic contact form: Usually included in the basic package
- Booking calendar: Requires integration with an external system
- Multilingual support: Increases the budget for each additional language
- CRM integration: Connects the website to customer management
- Payment system: Essential for an online store
- Live chat or chatbot: Improves customer service (read more about chatbots)
6. Search engine optimization (SEO)
Basic SEO (meta tags, heading structure, speed) is usually included in the implementation. But proper SEO work requires a separate budget:
- Keyword research: Finds out what customers search for
- Content optimization: Improves page visibility in search engines
- Technical SEO audit: Fixes the site’s technical problems
- Ongoing SEO work: Monthly optimization and content production
Practical example: A company’s site was launched, but after a few months of SEO work, organic traffic grew significantly. The investment paid itself back in a few months.
Ongoing costs: what comes after launch?
A finished site is not the end; ongoing costs follow:
- Domain and hosting: Annual costs for running the site
- SSL certificate: Often included in hosting
- Maintenance and updates: Important for security and functionality
- Backups: Protect content during disruptions
- GDPR tools (cookie banner): Legal requirement (see CookieScript guide)
A WordPress site requires more maintenance (updates, security) than modern Jamstack solutions. Budget annual maintenance costs depending on the technology.
Cheap or high-quality - which is worth it?
An inexpensive site can sound tempting, but what do you get?
With a small budget:
- Ready-made theme, little customization
- No custom design
- Basic SEO (maybe)
- No content production
- Limited scalability
With a larger budget:
- Custom design
- Optimized speed and SEO
- Content production included
- Scalability for the future
- Better conversion
Sometimes companies save a few thousand euros on the website and lose tens of thousands of euros through poor conversions and weak search visibility. A high-quality site pays the investment back.
Agency vs. freelancer vs. DIY
Agency: Comprehensive service, project manager, broad expertise. The best choice for larger projects. Price varies by project scope.
Freelancer: Cost-effective, flexible. Suitable for SMEs. Make sure the freelancer has a portfolio and references. More affordable than an agency.
DIY: The cheapest option, but time-consuming. Suitable for early-stage companies with no budget. Worth upgrading to a professional version when the business grows.
Budgeting: How much should you invest?
Rule of thumb: invest 5-10% of your annual revenue in websites and digital marketing combined.
What different budgets get you:
- Small budget: A one-page landing page or simple site
- Medium budget: A comprehensive company site with custom design
- Large budget: A broad site with advanced functionality and ecommerce
Remember that websites are an investment. If the site brings 10 new customers per year and the average purchase is €2,000, the site has paid itself back already in the first year.
Questions to ask in a request for quote
When you request an offer, make sure the following things are clear:
- Is content production included?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- Is basic SEO optimization included?
- Who owns the code and design?
- What does maintenance cost later?
- What is the schedule?
- Is training for content management included?
Summary: An investment that pays itself back
Website price ranges from €500 to €50,000 depending on needs. Do not automatically choose the cheapest option; ask what you get for your money.
A high-quality site:
- Loads quickly (under 3 seconds)
- Is mobile-friendly
- Is SEO-optimized
- Converts visitors into customers
- Scales with the company
Too often companies save a few thousand euros on the website and lose tens of thousands of euros because of poor conversions. It is worth viewing the site as an investment, not a cost.
Want to know what your company’s website would cost? Contact us; we tailor the offer to your needs and budget. Also see your guide to choosing a reliable partner.
