Website Development Costs in 2026: Complete Guide

TL;DR: Website Costs in 2026

A professional website costs between €500 (basic business card site) and €15,000+ (complex e-commerce or custom development). At LUNIDEV, we see most SMEs budgeting €2,000-€5,000 for a quality business website. Don't forget annual costs: hosting (€50-€300), maintenance (€200-€1,000), and potential updates in your budget planning.

Average Website Costs by Type in 2026

Your website costs depend heavily on your specific needs. As a developer at LUNIDEV, I see three main categories:

Basic business card website (€500-€1,500)

• 5-10 pages with company information
• Contact form and Google Maps integration
• Responsive design for mobile devices
• Basic SEO optimization

Professional business website (€2,000-€6,000)

• 10-20 pages with comprehensive content
• Blog functionality
• Advanced SEO and analytics
• Performance optimization
• Security measures

E-commerce website (€4,000-€15,000+)

• Product catalog with payment system
• Inventory management system
• Customer accounts and order tracking
• Advanced security features
• Accounting software integrations

At LUNIDEV, we typically build mid-range websites because they offer the best value for SMEs looking to grow their online presence seriously.

Hidden Costs You Must Consider

Development costs are just the beginning. These ongoing expenses are always additional:

Annual hosting and domain (€50-€300)

Your website needs digital 'housing'. For basic business websites, we calculate an average of €100-€150 annually for reliable hosting at LUNIDEV.

Maintenance and security updates (€200-€1,000 per year)

Websites require regular updates for security and functionality. Without maintenance, you risk hacks or technical problems.

SSL certificate (€0-€100 per year)

A security certificate is mandatory for professional websites. Many hosting providers offer this for free.

Backups and monitoring (€50-€200 per year)

Regular backups prevent data loss. Professional monitoring alerts you to problems immediately.

Price Differences: Freelancers vs Agencies vs Platforms

You have several options for website development:

Freelance web developers (€30-€80 per hour)

• Often the most cost-effective option
• Personal attention
• Limited availability
• Risk during illness or other projects

Web design agencies (€50-€150 per hour)

• Broad team with various specializations
• Professional project management
• Higher costs due to overhead
• Often longer delivery times

Website builders like Wix or Squarespace (€10-€40 per month)

• Quick online presence with templates
• Limited customization options
• Platform dependency
• Difficult to migrate to other solutions

At LUNIDEV, we combine the best of both worlds: a freelancer's flexibility with the reliability of a structured approach.

What Determines Website Prices in 2026?

Various factors influence development costs:

AI integration and automation

In 2026, clients expect smart features like chatbots, personalized content, or automated workflows. These functionalities can cost an additional €1,000-€5,000.

Advanced SEO and performance

Google sets increasingly high standards for website speed and user experience. Professional optimization takes time but is essential for online success.

Mobile optimization

Over 60% of website visitors use smartphones. Responsive design isn't luxury but necessity.

Security measures

With increasing cybercrime, robust security features are more important than ever.

Standard vs Premium Features in 2026

Many features once considered premium are now standard:

Standard included:

• Responsive design for all devices
• Basic SEO optimization
• SSL certificate
• Google Analytics integration
• Contact forms

Cost extra (€500-€2,000 per feature):

• AI chatbots or virtual assistants
• Multilingual websites
• Advanced e-commerce functionalities
• Custom API integrations
• Marketing automation systems

In our projects, we always advise getting the basics right before investing in premium features.

How SMEs Can Save Smart

There are ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality:

Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Begin with essential functionalities and expand later. This spreads costs over time.

Provide content yourself

Writing texts and supplying photos saves significant development time. At LUNIDEV, we help clients with content templates.

Choose proven technologies

Modern frameworks like Next.js (which we use) are cost-effective and future-proof.

Plan maintenance from the start

A maintenance contract prevents expensive emergency repairs later.

Realistic Budgets by Business Type

Different sectors have different needs:

Local service providers (€1,500-€3,500)

Think hairdressers, lawyers, consultants. Focus on local SEO and contact options.

B2B companies (€3,000-€8,000)

More focus on lead generation, comprehensive company information, and trust signals.

Retail and e-commerce (€5,000-€20,000)

Complete webshop system with all necessary integrations.

Restaurants and hospitality (€2,000-€5,000)

Online reservation system, menus, and atmosphere impressions.

ROI of Your Website Investment

A professional website isn't an expense but an investment. For our own website, we see that a well-built website:

• Generates more qualified leads than traditional marketing
• Works 24/7 as a digital salesperson
• Builds trust with potential customers
• Is more cost-effective than print advertising

Payback time typically ranges from 6-18 months, depending on your sector and marketing efforts.

Tips for Choosing the Right Partner

Consider these points when selecting a web developer:

Ask about their tech stack

Modern technologies like React and Next.js are faster and more maintainable.

Review their own website

If their own website isn't good, how can they build yours well?

Ask about maintenance options

Building a website is the beginning; maintenance is crucial for long-term success.

Transparency about costs

Serious developers provide clear quotes without hidden costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does website maintenance cost per year?

On average between €200-€1,000 per year, depending on complexity. This includes security updates, backups, and minor adjustments.

Can I build a professional website myself?

With modern tools you can create basic websites, but for truly professional appearance and functionality, expertise in design, SEO, and technical optimization is needed.

What happens if my web developer stops working?

Ensure you own the domain, hosting, and source code. At LUNIDEV, clients always receive full access to their website files.

How long does it take to have a website built?

A basic website: 2-4 weeks. A custom business website: 6-12 weeks. A webshop: 3-6 months. Timeline depends on content delivery speed and feedback responsiveness.

Do I have to pay immediately for a website?

Serious developers work with phased payments: often 30% upfront, 40% upon design approval, and 30% upon delivery. Distrust parties requesting 100% advance payment.