Website Costs: Fair Prices (and How Much Is Too Expensive)

A well-designed website is essential these days. It is not just an online business card, but also the platform to attract customers, showcase products and services, and strengthen your image. A well-designed website can make the difference between success and failure.

But what should a good website actually cost, and what would be too expensive? This guide provides a comprehensive overview of fair prices and helps you avoid overpriced offers.

Cost factors for websites

Website costs can vary greatly depending on various factors. Here are the main aspects that affect the price:

1. Type of website:
   • Simple websites: These include basic features and designs, often ideal for small businesses or personal blogs.
   • E-commerce websites: These require additional functions such as product pages, shopping cart and payment systems.
   • Corporate websites: These websites often have more complex requirements (e.g. databases, user portals, integrations)
2. Design and user experience:
   • Template-based design: More cost-effective as prefabricated designs (such as Themeforest) be used.
   • Tailor-made design: More expensive because it is customized to the brand and requirements of the company.
3. Functionalities and features:
   • Basic functions: Contact forms, blogs and galleries.
   • Advanced features: User logins, interactive elements, API integrations and special tools.
4. Content creation:
   • Text content: Professional copywriters can create high-quality content that is SEO optimized.
   • Media content: Professional photos, videos and graphics can increase costs.
5. Maintenance and support:
   • One-off costs: Simple websites may require minimal ongoing maintenance.
   • Running costs: More complex websites require regular updates, security checks and technical support.
6. SEO and Marketing:
   • Basic SEO: One-time optimizations and settings.
   • Advanced SEO and Marketing: Ongoing campaigns, content marketing and social media management.

These are the key website cost factors to consider to avoid unnecessary website costs.

Average website costs (per website type)

The cost of a website varies depending on the type and scope of the project. Here are some average price ranges for different website types:

1. Simple websites:
   • Cost: €500 – €2.000
   • Description: For individuals, small businesses or blogs. They include basic features such as contact forms, simple navigation and static content. Often pre-made templates are used to keep costs low.
2. E-commerce websites:
   • Cost: €2.000 – €10.000+
   • Description: E-commerce websites require more complex features such as product catalogs, shopping cart systems, payment processing, and user accounts. Prices can vary widely depending on the number of products and the functionality required.
3. Corporate websites:
   • Cost: €5.000 – €50.000+
   • Description: These websites are tailored to the needs of larger companies. They often include custom designs, interactive elements, database integration and special applications. Prices depend heavily on individual requirements and complexity.
4. Customized websites:
   • Cost: €10.000 – €100.000+
   • Description: Custom websites are developed specifically according to the client's wants and needs. They can include anything from unique designs to special features and integrations. These projects usually require a team of designers and developers.
5. Additional costs:
   • Hosting and domain: €50 – €200 per year
   • Maintenance and updates: €500 – €2,000 per year
   • SEO and Marketing: €500 – €5,000+ per month, depending on objectives and competition intensity

Attention: Warning signs of overpriced price!

When building a website, it's important to protect yourself from overcharging website costs. Here are some warning signs that may indicate you could be paying too much:

1. Unrealistically high prices without clear justification:
   • A provider that charges high prices without explaining exactly why their services are so expensive should be viewed with caution. Make sure that the costs are broken down in detail and in a way that is easy to understand.
2. Lack of transparency:
   • If a web developer or agency is not willing to provide clear information about the development process, the technologies used and the specific cost points, caution is advised. Transparency is crucial for a trusting collaboration.
3. Excessive additional costs:
   • Hidden fees or excessive additional costs that are added over the course of the project should be avoided. A reputable provider will provide as complete a cost overview (or offer) as possible right from the start.
4. Promises without substance:
   • Promises of quick and exaggerated results (such as instant top rankings on Google) should be viewed with skepticism. Reputable providers give realistic assessments and do not make unrealistic promises.
5. Lack of references and portfolio:
   • A professional web developer or agency will be proud of their previous work and will be happy to present it.

Choosing the right web designer

Choosing the right web developer is very important for the success of the website project.
Here are some tips to help you make the best decision about website costs:

1. View the web designer’s previous experience:
   • Look at the web developer's previous projects. Pay attention to whether the designs are attractive and the functionality meets the requirements of similar projects.
2. Reviews / References:
   • Look for customer reviews and references. Former customers can provide valuable insight into the collaboration and quality of work.
3. Clear communication:
   • Good communication is essential. Make sure the web developer provides regular updates and is available for questions or concerns. Clarify preferred communication channels and times.
4. Watch the development:
   • Ask about the development process. A structured and transparent process is a good sign that the web developer is professional and organized.
5. Understanding the technology behind it:
   • Find out what technologies and platforms the web developer uses. Make sure these technologies meet your needs and are future-proof.
6. Set budget and time frame:
   • Discuss the budget and timeframe in advance
7. Contract details:
   • Contract that covers all aspects of the project, including timeframes, costs, milestones and deliverables.

Example calculations: Realistic vs. overpriced

Simple WordPress website

Realistic: €500 – €2.000

• Example 1: A blog or personal website with a ready-made template from Themeforest.
• Example 2: A small business website with basic information, a contact form + simple gallery

Overpriced: €5.000+

• Example: One provider charges €5,000 for a simple website with minimal features and a standard template without any special customizations or individual designs. That's way too expensive!

Tip: If saving money is important to you, you can also create your own website yourself.

E-commerce (online shops)

Realistic: €2.000 – €10.000+

• Example 1: An online store with about 50 products, shopping cart functionality, payment integration and basic SEO.
• Example 2: A medium-sized eCommerce store with up to 200 products, custom design, and additional features like product reviews and wishlists.

Overpriced: €15.000+

• Example: One vendor charges €20,000 for a small online store with less than 100 products and standard e-commerce features without any special customization or complex integrations.

Website for companies

Realistic: €5.000 – €50.000+

• Example 1: A corporate website with custom design, multiple subpages, interactive elements and database integration.
• Example 2: A larger corporate website with complex features such as user portals, API integrations, and rich content.

Overpriced: €70.000+

• Example: One provider charges €75,000 for a company website with features that could be implemented at a lower price. Also too expensive!

Custom-programmed websites

Realistic: €10.000 – €100.000+

• Example 1: A fully customized website for a large company with special requirements, unique design and extensive functionality.
• Example 2: A specialized platform with multiple custom integrations, complex backend systems and dedicated tools.

Overpriced: €150.000+

• Example: A vendor charges €160,000 for a customized website that does not offer any particularly unique or technically sophisticated features…

Custom-programmed websites are the ones that are created with the greatest complexity.

Questions about the costs of a website

Conclusion: This is what you should pay attention to when it comes to website costs!

A good website doesn't cost too much - and not too little. It is an important investment for everyone. Only when you understand which factors are important that affect the costs can you be sure that you will get a high-quality website at a fair price:

1. Understanding needs/requirements:
   • Clarify what type of website you need and what features are important.
2. Thorough research:
   • Find out the average costs for similar projects and compare multiple quotes.
3. Transparency:
   • Choose a web developer who provides transparent information about costs and services
4. Quality / Experience:
   • Check out the portfolio and references of potential developers
5. Communication:
   • Good communication and regular updates