How much does a website cost to build? The honest answer: it depends on what the site needs to do. A simple business site with a few pages costs much less than a site with a booking system, several languages or a link to your accounts.
This article covers the factors that set the price, the costs that come after launch and how to compare quotes without comparing apples with oranges. At the end you'll also see what it costs with us.
What determines website development cost?
A website isn't an off-the-shelf product. The price is the sum of the work. These are the biggest items:
- Number and types of pages. Ten pages using the same template are done faster than five pages that are all different.
- Design. A standard theme is cheaper than your own design that fits your brand and customers.
- Features. A quote form, booking button, client portal or online shop takes extra build work.
- Integrations. A link to your calendar, CRM or accounting takes time to do well and securely.
- Languages. Each extra language means extra pages, translations and checks.
- Copy and images. Will you write it yourself, or have copy and photos made?
- Findability. A good SEO foundation, meaning the technology and structure Google needs, should be included.
For every quote, ask which of these points are included. That often explains the difference between two prices straight away.
Price ranges: from DIY to custom
Roughly speaking, there are three routes. Each has a different price level and suits a different situation.
- Build it yourself with a website builder. You pay a monthly subscription and do the work yourself. Cheap in money, expensive in time. Prices for these tools change often, so check the current price.
- A site based on a standard theme. A developer adapts an existing theme. Quicker and affordable, but less distinctive and sometimes slow because of lots of plugins.
- A custom website. Design and technology are made for your business. A higher starting price, but often faster, more secure and easier to find.
Which route fits depends on your goal. If you mainly want to be online, a simple solution is enough. If the site needs to bring in enquiries or take over part of your work, custom usually pays off. In WordPress or a custom website we go through that choice in more detail.
What costs come after launch?
Many business owners only look at the build price. But a website also has running costs. Include them in your budget:
- Domain name: a small amount per year.
- Hosting: where your site runs. Cheap is possible, but speed and backups vary a lot.
- Maintenance: updates, security, backups and small changes.
- Licences: some themes, plugins or tools charge a yearly fee.
- Marketing: a site without visitors achieves little. SEO or ads cost time or money.
Read more about choosing a good home for your site in choosing website hosting. And we explain why maintenance isn't a luxury in our article on website maintenance.
How do you compare website quotes?
Two quotes with the same total can promise very different things. So put them side by side with these questions:
- Does it state exactly which pages and features will be built?
- Is the design unique, or is it an adapted theme?
- Are basic SEO, analytics and a walkthrough of the content management system included in the price?
- How many feedback rounds are included?
- Who owns the domain, the code and the copy?
- What does maintenance cost per month, and how long are you tied in?
- Is the price fixed upfront, or charged by the hour?
A fixed price gives you certainty. With hourly billing you only know what you'll pay afterwards. That isn't necessarily bad, but do ask for a realistic estimate with a cap.
Is a cheap website a smart move?
Sometimes, yes. If you're just starting out and mainly need an online business card, a simple site is fine. You can always expand later.
But cheap often turns expensive if the site is slow, doesn't work well on mobile or is hard to find. Then you miss customers without noticing. You also risk having to rebuild everything after a few years. So look at the total cost over a few years, not just today's price.
A useful question: what is one extra customer a month worth to you? If the site delivers that, a better website usually pays for itself.
How to keep your website cost down
You have more influence on the price than you might think. These tips help you save without giving up quality:
- Start small. Build the pages and features you really need first.
- Deliver copy and photos on time. Waiting costs money and delays the project.
- Bundle your feedback instead of sending separate emails.
- Choose a content management system that lets you edit copy yourself, so you don't pay for every change.
- Agree clearly upfront what is and isn't included in the price.
How much does a website cost at Violexa?
At Violexa a custom website or web application starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT) per project. That includes design, build, a design that works on every screen, basic SEO and Google Analytics, a CMS connection and a walkthrough. Larger projects get a fixed price upfront, in writing. So you know where you stand.
For maintenance there are three plans: Silver for €179 (€217 incl. VAT), Gold for €299 (€362 incl. VAT) and Platinum for €699 (€846 incl. VAT) per month, excl. VAT. The first 12 months are fixed. After that you can cancel monthly by email, with one month's notice. You'll also find every amount on our pricing page and under our websites and apps service.
Want to know roughly what your website will cost? Request a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or on site, we talk through what you need. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost for a small business?
That depends on the number of pages, the design and the features. A simple site is cheaper than one with bookings, integrations or several languages. At Violexa a custom website starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT).
What are the monthly costs of a website?
Budget for a domain name, hosting and maintenance, such as updates and backups. Sometimes there are licences for plugins or tools on top. If you want more visitors, there are also costs for SEO or advertising.
Why do website quotes vary so much?
Quotes often don't cover the same work. One developer adapts an existing theme, another creates a custom design with basic SEO and a walkthrough. So compare what's included, item by item.
Is a fixed price better than paying by the hour?
A fixed price gives certainty, because you know upfront what you'll pay. With hourly billing you only find out afterwards. If you do choose hourly, ask for a realistic estimate with a cap.
