The Problem with Website Prices
A template website costs €50-200. A WordPress website €500-1500. A custom website €2,000-10,000+. And nobody knows why the difference is so huge.
The truth: All three can work. But they solve different problems. And some prices are fair — some aren’t.
The Website Options and Their Prices
1. Builder (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
One-time cost: €50-300 (for creation)
Ongoing: €15-30/month (hosting, domain, etc.)
Pros:
- Fast, you can get started yourself
- Very cheap
- No technical knowledge needed
Cons:
- Often looks “template-like”
- Limited customization options
- SEO is difficult
- You’re dependent on the provider
Bottom line: OK for complete beginners. Not for self-employed who want to be taken seriously.
2. WordPress with Theme
One-time cost: €500-1,500
Ongoing: €10-50/month (hosting, updates, plugins)
Pros:
- Flexible and customizable
- Good for SEO
- Many extensions possible
- Cheaper than custom
Cons:
- Requires technical maintenance
- Security risks if not properly maintained
- Slower than specialized solutions
Bottom line: Solid option. Works, but requires ongoing maintenance.
3. Custom Website (like Half99)
One-time cost: €800-5,000+
Ongoing: €0-200/month (optional for support)
Pros:
- 100% personalized for your business
- Fast and optimized (no unnecessary plugins)
- Professional design
- Perfect for SEO
- You own everything (domain, code, content)
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Not “quick self-made”
Bottom line: Best solution for professional self-employed and businesses. ROI usually achieved in 1-2 months.
What Does a Website REALLY Cost?
Don’t forget: A website is just the beginning. You also need:
- Domain: €10-20/year
- Hosting: €5-50/month (depending on quality)
- SSL Certificate: €0-100/year (security)
- Content: €0-2,000 (if you have texts written)
- Photos: €0-500 (if you need professional photos)
- Monthly support (optional): €79-300/month
A complete website with everything you need: €800-3,000 one-time, €79-150/month optional.
Is That Expensive?
No. Here’s the context:
- Average new customer value: €500-2,000 (first project)
- Website pays for itself at: 1-2 new customers
- Timeline: Usually 2-6 weeks
A real calculation: A tax advisor who builds a €1,500 website gets their investment back with one new client. The next client is pure profit.
Red Flags: When the Price Is Too Good
Watch out for these scenarios:
- €100-300 “website”: That’s not professional. It’s a badly adapted template.
- “Unlimited revisions”: That means unlimited time — you pay for it later.
- “SEO included”: Real SEO takes months. That’s impossible in a week.
- No clear briefing: If the designer doesn’t ask about your business, the result will be bad.
What Is Fair Pricing?
Fair means:
- Clear pricing (no hidden costs)
- What’s included, what’s not?
- Timeline (when is it done?)
- Support afterward (questions? fine-tuning?)
- You own the website (not the designer)
- Realistic expectations (it won’t bring thousands of customers overnight)
The Bottom Line
Website prices aren’t mysterious. It’s about what you need:
Budget-conscious beginner? Builder (€50-300).
Mid-size business? WordPress or custom (€500-1,500).
Professional presence? Custom website (€1,500-3,000).
The best website isn’t the most expensive. It’s the one that fits your business, looks professional, and delivers results.