Cost of having a website built: complete price overview 2026
The cost of having a website built varies enormously, from a few tens of euros per month to tens of thousands of euros. In this extensive article you discover exactly what having a website built costs in 2026, which options there are, and how to make the best choice for your situation and budget. Whether you need a simple business-card site or a complex web shop, after reading you will know exactly where you stand.
What is the average cost of having a website built?
The question "what does it cost to have a website built" has no single answer. The price depends on many factors: complexity, functionality, who builds it, and how much time goes into it. On average you can count on the following price ranges:
- Do it yourself with a website builder: €5-25 per month (hosting + builder)
- Do it yourself with WordPress: €50-200 one-time + €50-150 per year (theme, plugins, hosting)
- Hire a freelancer: €500-5,000 depending on scope and experience
- Web design agency: €2,000-50,000+ for professional websites
- Custom development: €10,000-100,000+ for complex applications
These amounts are only the initial costs. In addition you have recurring costs such as hosting, domain, maintenance and updates. Further on in this article we discuss all cost items in detail.
DIY option 1: using a website builder
The cheapest way to have a website built is to do it yourself with a website builder. Platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, Webflow and other providers offer drag-and-drop editors with which anyone can build a site without technical knowledge.
Advantages of website builders
- Lowest costs: often €10-20 per month all-in
- No technical knowledge required
- Hosting and maintenance included
- Hundreds of ready-made templates
- SSL certificate included as standard
- Online quickly (within a few hours)
Disadvantages of website builders
- Limited flexibility and customization options
- Often vendor lock-in (hard to switch)
- Less SEO control than WordPress
- Can become expensive with a lot of traffic or functionality
- Limited integration options
For small businesses, freelancers and simple websites, website builders are an excellent option. The total costs stay manageable and you are online quickly. View Theory7's website solutions for professional alternatives.
DIY option 2: building a WordPress website yourself
WordPress is the most popular way to build websites (40%+ of the internet). It is free open-source software, but you do need hosting and a domain. The initial cost of having a website built is higher than with a builder, but you have much more control and flexibility.
Cost overview WordPress
| Cost item | One-time | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | - | €10-20 |
| WordPress hosting | - | €50-300 |
| Premium theme | €30-80 | €0-60 (updates) |
| Premium plugins | €0-200 | €0-200 |
| SSL certificate | - | €0 (free) |
| Total year 1 | €90-480 | €60-580 |
With reliable WordPress hosting from Theory7 you are well set from just €5.95 per month. Note: these costs are only for the technical basis. If you hire a designer or developer for customization, extra costs are added.
When to choose WordPress?
WordPress is ideal when you:
- Want full control over your website
- Have a blog or content-rich site
- Need good SEO options
- Want to expand in the future
- Need integrations with other tools
- Want to own your data and platform
Hiring a freelancer: what does that cost?
Many entrepreneurs choose to hire a freelance web designer or developer. The cost of having a website built varies enormously depending on the experience, complexity and location of the freelancer.
Average freelancer rates
- Starting freelancer: €25-45 per hour (total €500-2,000 for a simple site)
- Experienced freelancer: €50-95 per hour (total €2,000-8,000 for a medium-sized site)
- Specialized expert: €100-200 per hour (total €5,000-20,000 for a complex site)
A simple WordPress website with a standard theme and small adjustments costs on average €1,500-3,000 with a freelancer. For a custom-made website with a unique design and functionality you quickly pay €5,000-10,000.
Advantages of a freelancer
- Personal contact and direct communication
- Often cheaper than an agency
- Flexible and quick to respond
- Specialist knowledge available
Disadvantages of a freelancer
- Dependent on one person (holidays, illness, availability)
- Less capacity than an agency
- No team approach for complex projects
- Quality varies greatly per freelancer
Web design agency: a professional approach
For companies that want a professional website with extensive guidance, a web design agency is often the best choice. The cost of having a website built is higher, but you get a team of specialists: designers, developers, SEO experts and project managers.
Agency rate overview
| Website type | Price indication | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Simple site (5-10 pages) | €2,000-5,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Business website (10-20 pages) | €5,000-12,000 | 4-8 weeks |
| Web shop (50-200 products) | €8,000-25,000 | 8-12 weeks |
| Custom platform | €25,000-100,000+ | 3-12 months |
What do you get with an agency?
- Professional unique custom design
- Multidisciplinary team (UX, design, development, SEO)
- Project management and planning
- Extensive testing and quality control
- Training and documentation
- Warranty and aftercare
- Strategic advice
When to choose an agency?
An agency is the right choice when:
- Your budget is €5,000+
- The website is crucial for your business
- You need complex functionality
- You want a professional team and approach
- You value strategic advice
- You want a website that lasts for years
Hidden costs to take into account
Many entrepreneurs forget that the initial cost of having a website built is not the only cost. There are various recurring and incidental costs to take into account:
Domain name (annual)
Your own domain name costs between €10-20 per year for standard extensions such as .nl or .com. Special extensions can be more expensive (€30-100 per year).
Web hosting (monthly/annual)
Hosting is essential and costs between €5-50 per month depending on your needs. Shared hosting is cheap (€5-15/month), VPS or dedicated servers cost more (€30-200+/month). Also read our complete price overview of website hosting costs.
SSL certificate
Nowadays SSL certificates are often free (Let's Encrypt) or included with your hosting. Paid certificates cost €50-200 per year, but are not needed for most websites.
Maintenance and updates
WordPress, plugins and themes have to be updated regularly for security and functionality. This costs time or money:
- Do it yourself: 2-4 hours per month
- Outsource: €50-200 per month
- Agency maintenance package: €100-500 per month
Content and photography
Good content and professional photos make the difference:
- Stock photos: €10-50 per photo or €200-500 per year (subscription)
- Professional photo shoot: €500-2,000 per day
- Copywriting: €50-150 per page of text
- Video content: €1,000-10,000 depending on production
SEO and marketing
A beautiful website is worthless if no one finds it. Budget for:
- Basic SEO optimization: €500-2,000 one-time
- Ongoing SEO: €300-2,000 per month
- Google Ads: €500-5,000+ per month (advertising budget)
- Social media: €200-2,000 per month
Comparison table: all options side by side
| Option | Cost year 1 | Annual after that | Time investment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website builder | €120-300 | €120-300 | Low (build yourself) | Small sites, freelancers |
| WordPress DIY | €150-500 | €60-580 | Medium (learn yourself) | Bloggers, do-it-yourselfers |
| Freelancer | €1,500-8,000 | €200-1,000 | Low (outsourced) | SMEs, customization needed |
| Agency | €5,000-30,000 | €1,000-5,000 | Very low (full service) | Larger companies, complex |
How do you save money on the cost of having a website built?
There are smart ways to save costs without giving up on quality:
1. Start small and scale up
Start with a simple site of 5-7 pages. Add functionality later when you grow and have more budget. An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) approach saves a lot of costs initially.
2. Use existing themes and templates
A fully custom design costs €3,000-10,000 extra. Quality premium themes cost €30-80 and look professional. With small adjustments you make it unique enough.
3. Supply content yourself
Write your own texts and take your own photos (smartphone cameras are excellent these days). This saves hundreds to thousands of euros on copywriting and photography.
4. Choose the right hosting
Hosting that is too cheap causes problems, hosting that is too expensive is wasted money. For an average website, hosting of €10-20 per month is perfectly sufficient. Pay annually in advance? You often get 10-20% discount.
5. Learn the basics yourself
With YouTube tutorials and online courses you can learn a lot yourself. Mastering the basics of WordPress saves you hundreds of euros in costs for small adjustments.
6. Use free plugins and tools
For almost every function, free WordPress plugins are available. Use these instead of immediately paying for premium versions. Only upgrade when you really need premium features.
7. Request multiple quotes
Prices vary enormously between providers. Request at least 3 quotes and compare not only on price but also on quality, experience and references.
Common mistakes that raise costs
Avoid these mistakes that unnecessarily drive up the cost of having a website built:
No clear specifications
Without a clear plan and specifications, miscommunication and extra revisions arise. This costs extra hours and therefore extra money. Make a detailed list of desired functionality in advance.
Scope creep during the project
"Oh, can we also add..." is the death blow to your budget. Every addition during the project costs extra. Keep additions for a next phase or deliberately pay for extra work.
Choosing hosting that is too cheap
Hosting of €2 per month seems attractive, but causes slow websites, downtime and security problems. This ultimately costs you more in lost customers and repairs.
No maintenance budget
Many entrepreneurs only budget for the build, not for maintenance. The result: websites become outdated, vulnerable to hackers and do not function well. Reserve at least €50-100 per month for maintenance.
Choosing the wrong partner
The cheapest provider is rarely the best choice. Look at the portfolio, references, experience and communication. A good collaboration saves frustration and extra costs.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about website costs
What does a simple 5-page website cost?
A simple 5-page website costs between €500-2,500 depending on how you approach it. With a website builder you pay €10-20 per month. WordPress DIY costs €150-500 for a theme, hosting and domain. A freelancer charges €800-2,500 for design and implementation.
Are there monthly costs for a website?
Yes, every website has recurring costs: hosting (€5-50/month), domain name (€10-20/year), and optionally maintenance (€50-200/month), backups, and premium plugins. Count on at least €15-30 per month for a simple site.
Which is cheaper: WordPress or a website builder?
In the short term a website builder is often cheaper (€10-20/month all-in). WordPress has higher initial costs but is more flexible in the long term and often cheaper, especially for larger websites with a lot of traffic or functionality.
How much does website maintenance cost per year?
Website maintenance costs on average €600-2,400 per year (€50-200/month). This includes updates, backups, security monitoring and small adjustments. More complex websites with a lot of functionality can cost €3,000-6,000 per year in maintenance.
Can I build my website myself without experience?
Yes, with modern website builders such as Wix or Squarespace you can build a website without technical knowledge. For more control and flexibility, WordPress is also feasible for beginners, but it does require more learning time. YouTube tutorials and online courses help you on your way.
Conclusion: what does having a website built really cost?
The cost of having a website built ranges from €120 per year for a simple DIY site to tens of thousands of euros for professional custom work. The average entrepreneur pays between €1,500-5,000 for a good business website, plus €500-1,500 per year for hosting, maintenance and updates.
The main factors that determine costs are: the complexity of the design, the number of features, who builds it (yourself, a freelancer or an agency), and how much customization is needed. Do not forget to budget for recurring costs such as hosting, domain, maintenance and marketing.
The best approach depends on your situation: do you have a small budget and time to learn? Choose WordPress DIY. Do you want to be online quickly without hassle? Try a website builder. Do you have budget and want a professional result? Choose an experienced freelancer or agency.
Whatever you choose, invest in good hosting and a domain. A website on bad hosting ultimately costs you more in lost customers and repairs than you save. Start with a solid foundation and scale up as you grow.
