Guide5 min read01 May 2026

Having a website built: what does it really cost in 2026?

Many companies pay far more for websites than necessary. I show transparently what a professional website really costs and what to look out for.

The honest answer to a common question

When business owners ask “What does a website cost?”, they often hear “It depends” or get quotes between €500 and €50,000 without understanding why. This article brings transparency.

The three most common ways to a website

1. Website builders (Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace)

•Cost: €10 to €50 per month, so €120 to €600 per year

•Pros: fast, no technical knowledge needed

•Cons: you never really own it, weak SEO, dependency on the provider, limited customisation

•For whom: hobby projects, very small businesses without growth goals

2. WordPress with a theme

•Cost: €500 to €3,000 one-off (plus hosting of about €10 per month)

•Pros: flexible, many plugins, widely used

•Cons: security gaps through plugins, often slow, technical effort

•For whom: blogs, mid-sized companies with in-house IT know-how

3. Professional custom development

•Cost: €499 to €5,000 (freelancer), €3,000 to €20,000+ (agency)

•Pros: optimal performance, tailor-made, real SEO, it belongs to you

•For whom: companies that want to grow online

What is behind the price differences?

With an agency you do not only pay for development, you also finance:

•Office rent and overhead

•A project manager (who mediates between you and the developer)

•The agency’s own sales and marketing

•Several rounds of meetings and presentations

With an experienced developer like OA IT Solutions you pay only for development, no hidden costs, no overhead.

What does a website cost at OA IT Solutions?

Package	Starting price	Typical agency price	Typical duration
Business website	from €1,499	€4,000 to €8,000	2 to 4 weeks
Web platform / shop	from €2,499	€8,000 to €15,000	4 to 6 weeks
Cross-platform app	from €4,999	€15,000 to €40,000	6 to 10 weeks

What to look for when comparing

1. Do I own the code? Many agencies keep the source code, ask explicitly.

2. Are there monthly fees? Some providers charge hidden “maintenance fees”.

3. Who does the support? At agencies the contact person often changes.

4. Which technology is used? WordPress sites get slow and insecure over time. Next.js sites load in under one second.

Conclusion

A professional website does not have to cost €10,000. With the right developer you get enterprise quality for a fraction of the agency price, with everything owned by you.

Start with a free initial call and receive a transparent fixed-price quote.

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