How much does a website cost? It mainly depends on five things: how many pages you need, who supplies the copy and photos, which extra features you want, whether the site is multilingual and how much follow-up you want after launch. Make those choices clear upfront and you get a quote without surprises.
Two websites can look the same at first glance and still cost something very different. The difference lies in what you do not see straight away: the technology, the findability and the time that goes into your copy and structure.
How much does a website cost: the five factors that set the price
1. The number of pages and the structure
A compact website with a homepage, a services page, an about page and a contact page takes less work than a site with twenty service pages, case studies and a blog. Every page has to be designed, filled and tested.
Tip: list the pages you really need beforehand. Start small and expand later. A good website grows with your business.
2. Custom design or a template
With a template you start from an existing theme and adjust colours and copy. That is faster, but you share your look with hundreds of other sites. A custom design starts from your brand and your customers. It takes more time, but you get a site that matches how you want to come across. Read more on our page about website design.
3. Copy, photos and content
Who writes the copy? That is one of the biggest questions in any quote. If you write it yourself, you save your agency time, but it costs you hours. If you have it written, you get copy that is tuned to search terms and to what your customers want to know.
The same goes for photos. Stock photos are cheap, your own photos of your business and team make your website more credible.
4. Extra features
Every website comes with a contact form. Other features take extra work:
- An appointment form or booking system
- A webshop, even a small one
- A customer area or downloadable documents
- Links with your accounting software, newsletter or CRM
- A multilingual version, for example in Dutch, French and English
Want to sell online? Then also read what goes into building a webshop.
5. Findability in Google and AI
A website nobody finds brings in little. A solid foundation for SEO and GEO belongs in the package: fast loading times, a clear structure, structured data (schema) and an llms.txt file that helps AI assistants such as ChatGPT find their way around your site. Some agencies include this as standard, others offer it as an option. Always ask. On our page about SEO and GEO you can read what that means in practice.
Which costs follow after launch?
The build price is only part of the story. A website also has running costs:
- Domain name: your address on the internet, renewed every year
- Hosting: the server your site runs on
- Maintenance: updates of WordPress and plugins, backups and security
- Changes: new pages, copy or features after launch
Ask with every quote what is included after go-live. A cheap build without maintenance can cost you more later, for example when an outdated plugin brings your site down.
Why do quotes differ so much?
Ask for three quotes and you often get three very different amounts. That is because not every agency delivers the same thing. One includes copywriting, another does not. One delivers a template, another a custom design. And not every quote mentions what happens after launch.
So do not only compare the total, but also what is in it. These questions help:
- Is the design custom or based on a template?
- Who writes the copy and who supplies the photos?
- Is an SEO foundation included, and optimisation for AI search engines too?
- Can I change copy and photos myself?
- What does maintenance cost per year, and what does it include?
- Who is my fixed contact during and after the project?
How to keep costs under control
You do not have to build everything at once. This approach keeps your budget in hand:
- Start with the pages customers really need and add more later
- Prepare your content: a list of services, frequently asked questions and a few good photos saves time
- Choose technology you can manage yourself, so you do not pay for every small change
- Invest in a good foundation for speed and findability, as fixing it afterwards costs more
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheap website a good idea?
For a simple business card site it can be enough. But check what you get: a slow site, no SEO foundation or no maintenance will cost you customers in the long run. So always compare what the price includes.
Can I expand later?
Yes, if the website is built well. A webshop, a blog or an extra language can be added later. Discuss your plans upfront, so the structure is ready for them.
Why does NicoWeb.be not list fixed prices?
Because every business needs something different. After a short introductory call you get a clear tailored proposal, stating exactly what you get and what it costs.
A clear proposal for your website
Want to know how much a website for your business costs? Tell us briefly what you need. You get an answer within one working day and then a clear tailored proposal, with no surprises afterwards. Request your free proposal.