How much does a website cost in 2026? The real price, without the myths

Almost every business owner asks this question at some point. And almost everyone gets contradictory answers: “€200 on a platform”, “€5,000 with a freelancer”, “€20,000 with an agency”. In this guide, I give you the real numbers, no sugar-coating, so you know how much to budget — and above all why.

1. The 4 ways to build a website (and their real prices)

The cost of a website depends first on the method you choose. Each has a very different price, timeline and quality level.

① The website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Framer)

From €12 to €50/month. The fastest solution for a simple site. You pick a template and drag-and-drop your content. Ideal for testing an idea. The downside: a “template” look, average SEO and little room for customization.

② Generative AI (Lovable, v0, Bolt, ChatGPT)

From €0 to €30/month… on the surface. These tools produce a first version in minutes, and it's impressive. But the result is generic: no content strategy, limited SEO, questionable technical choices. Many businesses end up paying to redo properly what the AI generated.

③ The freelancer

From €500 to €5,000. A good independent developer offers real customization at a competitive price. The risk: availability, longevity (what happens if they disappear?) and variable quality from one profile to another.

④ The web agency

From €2,000 to €30,000. An agency brings a full team (design, development, SEO, content), support and follow-up. The “safest” choice for a strategic project, but the most expensive.

2. Price ranges by website type

These ranges include design, development and launch. They do not include (watch out 👇) hosting, maintenance or content.

3. The 7 pitfalls that blow up the budget

This is where budgets slip. Most bad surprises come from these 7 points — often missing from the initial quote.

1. Underestimating content: writing copy and choosing photos takes time (and costs money if outsourced).
2. Hidden fees: domain name (€10-30/year), hosting (€50-300/year), SSL certificate, licences, paid plugins.
3. The “we'll see later” features: a redesign to add what you postponed costs more than building it in from the start.
4. Choosing the wrong provider: paying twice (the cheap one, then the right one).
5. Neglecting SEO: an invisible website forces you to pay for ads forever.
6. Forgetting maintenance: an unmaintained site becomes slow, vulnerable and obsolete.
7. The “cheap site” that doesn't convert: the opportunity cost (lost customers) often exceeds the money saved.

4. How to get a fair price

• Write a clear brief: goal, pages, features, examples of websites you like.
• Ask for a detailed quote (line by line), not a vague ballpark figure.
• Compare 3 quotes, but compare like with like (identical scope).
• Ask the right questions: who writes the content? Is maintenance included? Is SEO planned?

5. In summary: how much should you budget?

For a small business or freelancer who wants a professional showcase website that generates leads: budget €2,000 to €6,000 for a serious build, then €300 to €800/year for upkeep. For an online store: €5,000 to €15,000. It's not an expense, it's an investment: a website that converts often pays for itself within a few customers.

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