How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026?

The most common question from prospective clients: 'How much does a website cost?' Honest answer: it depends — but not in a vague way. It depends on very specific factors, and this article gives you real 2026 pricing.

A website can cost €0 (free Wix) or €50,000+ (premium agency). Here's how to navigate the difference.

The 4 main options

Before discussing prices, you need to understand what 'website' means depending on who builds it:

• DIY website builder (Wix, Squarespace) — €0 to €30/month. You do everything with templates. Functional but generic, limited SEO performance.
• Premium WordPress theme — €500 to €2,000. A freelancer installs and configures an existing theme. Fast, but not bespoke.
• Custom development (freelance) — €1,500 to €8,000. Clean code, unique design, optimal performance and SEO. My area of expertise.
• Web agency — €5,000 to €50,000+. Multiple stakeholders, longer timelines, higher overhead costs.

The real price drivers

For a custom-built website, these 5 factors determine the final price:

• Number of pages: a 5-page site is cheaper than a 20-page site.
• Design: a fully custom UI design costs more than adapting an existing framework.
• Content: if you provide ready-to-use texts and photos, it costs less.
• Features: a simple contact form vs. a multi-step booking system — very different scope.
• Technical SEO: proper Core Web Vitals, semantic markup and structured data take time but deliver ROI.

Realistic price ranges in 2026

Here's what you can expect to pay a French or European freelance developer:

• 1 to 5 pages, clean design, contact form: €1,500 — €3,000
• 5 to 10 pages, animations, integrated blog, advanced SEO: €3,000 — €6,000
• Multilingual, premium design, third-party integrations: €5,000 — €10,000

Recurring costs to budget for

The build cost is just the beginning. Annual running costs to plan:

• Domain name: €10 to €20/year
• Hosting: €0 to €50/month depending on the solution
• Maintenance and updates: €50 to €200/month if you use a service provider

Why choose a studio developer?

For a landing page or brochure site, an experienced freelancer typically offers the best value. One direct contact, faster timelines (2–4 weeks), and no agency overhead.

Based near Nice (Sophia Antipolis, French Riviera) and available fully remote, I work with clients across France and internationally. Get in touch for a free, no-commitment quote.