How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? Real Prices

Real website prices in 2026: from cheap templates to custom builds and online stores. What is included, what is hidden, and how to avoid paying twice.

TL;DR: In 2026 a website costs from 300 euros for a basic template, 1,200 to 2,500 euros for a professional custom build, and upwards of 2,500 euros for a full online store. The cheapest option upfront is usually the most expensive one a year later. Here is how to decide without regretting it.

It is the first question every business asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you are actually buying. Not all websites are the same product, even when they look similar on screen.

The three real price tiers

1. Cheap template: 300 to 800 euros

A ready-made template filled with your content in a few days. It works as a minimal presence, but the limits are real: a design dozens of other businesses share, slow loading, and full dependency on plugins that need constant updates.

The real cost arrives later: when the site slows down, an update breaks it, or you realize it brings zero clients and needs rebuilding from scratch.

2. Professional custom build: 1,200 to 2,500 euros

This is where the game changes. A custom-coded site with no templates and no plugins gives you three things a template cannot: real speed on mobile, a structure Google can read and rank, and forms connected to a system where every inquiry is recorded and followed up.

At this level the website stops being a brochure and becomes a working tool. The code is yours: no monthly licenses, no platform dependency. And importantly: this price is for the full service, with the site, basic SEO and the CRM connection included. That is the baseline; it grows only with what you need in the CRM.

3. Online store or platform: from 2,500 euros up

A complete online store includes a catalog, card and cash-on-delivery payments, courier integration and automatic order notifications. Custom platforms with admin panels and CRM cost more depending on features.

Be careful with subscription platforms: they look cheap in month one, but commissions and monthly fees grow with your sales, forever.

The costs that continue after launch

Whoever builds your site, two costs are standard and unavoidable: Domain: around 15 to 30 euros per year Hosting: 50 to 100 euros per year for a normal site

So roughly 100 euros a year in total. Any other recurring cost needs a clear reason: active maintenance, new content, or added features. If you are paying monthly without knowing why, ask.

Questions every quote should answer in writing

1. Is the design custom or a template? Ask for examples of similar sites they built. 2. Who owns the code and the domain? The only acceptable answer: you. 3. How fast does it load on mobile? Ask for a real test, not promises. 4. What happens to inquiries from the site? An email lost in an inbox is not a system. 5. What exactly does the price include? Basic SEO, analytics and training should be inside, not hidden extras.

Why the cheapest website ends up the most expensive

The scenario we see constantly: a business pays 400 euros for a template, the site brings nothing for a year, then they pay again to rebuild it properly. In the end they spent more than building it right the first time, plus a year of lost clients.

A website is not a cost, it is an investment with measurable return: just calculate what a new client is worth to your business. If one client brings you 200 euros on average, a site that brings 2 clients a month pays for itself within half a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a simple website cost for a small business?

The full service, with a custom site, basic SEO and a CRM connection, starts at 1,200 euros. That is the baseline price and it grows with what you need in the CRM. Below that level you are usually buying a template with its limits.

Is a custom website worth the higher price?

If the website is a channel for winning clients, yes. The difference in speed, Google rankings and conversion covers the price difference many times over. If you only need a minimal presence and expect no clients from it, a simple solution may be enough.

How much does website maintenance cost?

For a modern custom-coded site, fixed costs are only domain and hosting, around 100 euros per year. Active maintenance with content updates and improvements is optional and depends on how often your business changes.

How long does it take to build a website?

A custom presentation site takes 7 to 10 working days once content is ready. Online stores take 3 to 5 weeks. Any serious deadline is given in writing upfront.

What should I prepare before starting?

Three things: clarity about the services you offer, base materials like logo and photos, and a simple idea of what you expect from the site. The rest, from structure to copy, we build together during the process.