How much does a website cost for a small business

A custom website from a freelancer usually costs between €300 and €2,000. An agency charges between €2,000 and €8,000 or more. A builder like Wix or Squarespace looks cheaper, but you build it yourself and pay a fee every month.

• Builder (Wix, Squarespace…), DIY€0–300 + €10–40/month
• Freelancer, one-page site€300–900
• Freelancer, about 5 pages€600–2,000
• Agency€2,000–8,000 or more
• Online shop€1,500–6,000 or more

These are indicative ranges for the Spanish market; every project is different. Prices exclude VAT (21%).

• Number of pages. One page is not the same as five or ten.
• Languages. Every extra language means more text and more review.
• Texts and photos. If you already have them you save money; writing them or shooting photos adds up.
• Features. A contact form is simple; bookings, a shop or a private area cost a lot more.
• Brand. With a logo and colours ready everything is faster; creating them is separate work.
• Deadline. Rush jobs cost extra.

• Domain: normally €10–20 a year. Check it is registered in your name.
• Hosting: from free to a few hundred euros a year, depending on the service.
• Maintenance: updates, backups and small changes. It can be optional or imposed.
• Email on your domain (hello@yourbusiness.com): often an extra.
• VAT: many quotes leave it out. Always ask whether the price includes VAT.

A template is quick and cheap, but it looks like other websites and is hard to bend to what you really need. A custom site is designed for your business, usually loads faster and does not depend on a builder. The upfront price is a bit higher. For a small business that wants to stand out, the difference shows in the first impression.

Two quotes at the same price can include very different things. Before you decide, ask:

• Are domain and hosting included? Whose name is the domain registered in?
• How many rounds of revisions do I get?
• How long until it is ready?
• Will I be able to change texts and photos myself?
• What happens if I want to leave one day? Do I get the website?
• Is maintenance compulsory, or does it have a lock-in?
• Is the price with or without VAT?

My launch prices, excluding VAT, are 300 € (one page), 600 € (up to 5 pages and 3 languages) and 950 € (logo and colours included, plus an editor so you can change the texts yourself). Domain and hosting for the first year are included; from the second year they are about €40 a year. Care is optional, from 25 € a month with no lock-in. And if you do not like the first design proposal, you do not pay.

With the calculator you see the price for your case instantly, including extras such as one more language (60 €) or an additional page (50 €).