What Does a Website Really Cost?

“What does a website cost?” — that’s one of the most common questions I get. And the honest answer is: It depends.

But “it depends” doesn’t help you. So here’s a realistic overview — with concrete numbers, no sales pitch.

Option 1: Website Builder (Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace)

Cost: 0–30 EUR per month

Sounds tempting. And for some purposes, a website builder is perfectly fine — for example, a personal blog or a hobby project.

What you get:

• Pre-made templates (that thousands of others use too)
• Drag-and-drop editor
• Hosting included
• Basic SEO

Where it falls short:

• Your site looks like everyone else’s
• Load times often mediocre (lots of unnecessary code in the background)
• Limited SEO control
• Provider’s ads on your site (on free plans)
• You’re dependent — if the provider raises prices or shuts down, you have a problem
• Legal requirements (imprint, privacy policy) often not properly integrated

Good for: Private projects, hobbies, first experiments.

Not good for: Businesses that want to look professional and win customers.

Option 2: Freelancer

Cost: 500–5,000 EUR (one-time)

The range is huge — and that’s exactly the problem. A student building WordPress sites on the side charges 500 EUR. An experienced web developer charges 3,000–5,000 EUR. Both call themselves “freelancer.”

What you get:

• Individual design (depending on the freelancer)
• More control over technology and SEO
• Personal point of contact

Where it falls short:

• Quality varies enormously — from pro to hobbyist, everything’s out there
• Often no fixed prices (“depends on the effort”)
• Unpredictable timelines
• What happens when the freelancer runs out of time or quits?
• Maintenance and updates often unclear

Good for: When you know and trust someone, and the chemistry is right.

Not good for: When you need planning certainty and a fixed price.

Option 3: Agency

Cost: 5,000–20,000+ EUR

Agencies typically deliver professional results. But you also pay for the overhead: project managers, account managers, designers, developers, meetings, feedback loops.

What you get:

• Professional design and development
• Structured process
• Maintenance and support (at extra cost)
• SEO, copywriting, photography — all from one source (at extra cost)

Where it falls short:

• High costs that many small businesses simply can’t afford
• Long project timelines (4–12 weeks is normal)
• You’re one of many clients
• Change requests cost extra

Good for: Companies with budget and complex requirements.

Not good for: Small business owners, tradespeople, medical practices — exactly the ones who would benefit most from a good website.

The Gap: Agency Quality Without Agency Prices

This is exactly the gap that bothered me. The people who need a professional website most urgently — tradespeople, doctors, local service providers — often can’t afford an agency. And with a website builder, they don’t get the result they deserve.

AI changes this equation.

What used to take days (design drafts, prototypes, variants), I now handle with AI in hours. No overhead, no project manager, no endless meetings. Plus 20 years of experience ensuring the result isn’t just fast, but also professional.

The result: Agency quality from 890 EUR. Fixed price. Done in one week.

What You Actually Need

Before you decide on an option, ask yourself these questions:

1. How important is the first impression? If customers google you before they call — very important.
2. How much time do you have? Builder = lots of DIY work. Agency = lots of waiting.
3. What’s your budget? Be honest. A mediocre agency website for 5,000 EUR isn’t better than a good website for 890 EUR.
4. Do you need planning certainty? Fixed price beats “depends on the effort.” Always.

In the end, it’s not about spending as much or as little as possible. It’s about getting the right result for your budget.

Want to know what makes sense for your business? Let’s talk briefly. Free, 15 minutes, no obligation.