How much does a professional website cost in 2026?

“How much does a website cost?” is one of the most common questions — and one of the hardest to answer. The honest reason: it entirely depends on what you need. Here’s a clear breakdown, no fluff.

Template or custom: the first distinction

A template website is built on an existing design that you customise. Think WordPress with a theme, or a platform like Squarespace. Fast and cheap, but you’re limited by what the template allows.

Custom means everything is designed and built from scratch, tailored to your brand and goals. That takes more time and therefore more money — but you get a website that’s truly yours.

What’s included in the price?

The price of a website is more than just “building” it. Also factor in:

• Design: layout, colours, typography, visuals
• Copywriting: the text on your website — don’t underestimate this
• Hosting and domain name: annual cost, ranging from €50 to €200+/year
• Basic SEO: solid technical structure so Google can find you
• Maintenance: updates, backups, future changes

Many cheap quotes leave these out — until you end up covering the costs yourself.

Price ranges in practice

• €300–600: you do it (mostly) yourself via a platform like Squarespace or Wix. You’re paying for the tool, not for expertise.
• €800–2,000: a freelancer builds your website. You get personal attention, good quality, and someone who thinks along with your goals.
• €3,000+: an agency with a full team. Right for large projects, but overkill for most freelancers and small businesses.

The pitfalls

Cheap is expensive. A €300 website that doesn’t look professional costs you customers. Visitors form their opinion in seconds.

Forgetting maintenance. A website isn’t a one-off purchase. Software updates, security patches, and future changes take time or money — plan for it.

No ownership. Some agencies or platforms host your website on their own system. Leave them, and you lose your site. Always make sure you have access to your own domain name and files.

When is a freelancer the smart choice?

For most freelancers and small businesses, a freelancer is the best option. You don’t pay for agency overhead, but you still get a personal approach, clear communication, and someone who stays reachable after launch.

Ready for a website that works?

I build websites for freelancers and small businesses across Belgium — clean, fast, and without unnecessary complexity. See what I offer on the website development page.