What does a website cost? The honest price guide 2026
Transparent prices instead of nasty surprises.
Why the question "What does a website cost?" is so hard to answer
"What does a website cost?" is like the question "What does a car cost?" – it depends. A Fiat Panda and a Porsche 911 are both cars, but the differences are huge. It's the same with websites. As a web design agency, we want to give you an honest overview so you know what to expect.
The three price categories at a glance
Landing Page
Ideal for campaigns & launches. 1-3 pages, maximum focus on conversion and fast go-live.
Corporate Website
5-15 pages including CMS, individual design, SEO foundation, and strategic user guidance.
Custom / Shop
Individual functions, e-commerce, interfaces, multi-language & high-end animations.
What influences the price of a website?
The costs are composed of various factors:
- Design complexity: A template-based design is cheaper than a completely individual design with custom animations and micro-interactions.
- Technology: WordPress is often cheaper in the setup, but Next.js development offers better performance and scalability – this costs more in development but saves in the long term.
- Content creation: Do you deliver texts and images yourself or does everything have to be created? Professional texts and photo shoots can cost an additional €3,000-€10,000.
- Scope of functions: Every special function (booking system, customer portal, configurator) increases the price.
- SEO & Performance: A fast, SEO-optimized website requires more technical know-how.
Why cheap often becomes expensive
We understand the impulse to save on web design. But a "cheap" website for €1,500 has hidden costs:
- Poor performance: Slow loading times = poorer Google ranking = fewer customers
- Security gaps: Cheap plugins and outdated systems are gateways for hackers
- No scalability: The website must be completely rebuilt after 2 years
- No support: If something goes wrong, you are on your own
The calculation is simple: A website for €2,000 that has to be redone after 2 years costs more than a website for €15,000 that lasts 5-7 years and consistently generates leads in the process.
What distinguishes a €5,000 website from a €30,000 website?
The main difference lies in three areas:
- Strategy: With a premium website, we invest time in user research, conversion optimization, and a well-thought-out information architecture. With a budget website, we implement what you specify.
- Design depth: Custom illustrations, animations, unique interactions vs. stock photos and standard layouts.
- Technical quality: Clean code, perfect performance scores, accessibility vs. "it works somehow".
Our Recommendation
Invest in a website that fits your goals. For a start-up, a focused landing page can be the right first step. For an established company that wants to appear serious, a well-thought-out corporate website is the better investment.
Free initial consultation →What is included in the price of a professional website?
At SCHAU & HORCH, a typical web design project includes the following services:
- Konzeption & Strategy: Goal definition, user analysis, information architecture
- UX/UI Design: Wireframes, mockups, prototypes, final design
- Development: Frontend development (Next.js/React), CMS integration, responsive implementation
- SEO Basics: Technical SEO, meta tags, performance optimization
- Testing & Launch: Browser tests, mobile tests, go-live support
- Instruction: CMS training for your team
Running costs after launch
In addition to the one-time development costs, you should plan for the following running costs:
- Hosting: €20-100/month (depending on traffic and requirements)
- Domain: €10-50/year
- Maintenance & Updates: €100-500/month (optional, but recommended)
- Content maintenance: Based on effort or as a package
Conclusion: The right investment for your situation
A website is not an expense, but an investment in your business. The question is not "How much can I save?", but "What do I need to achieve my goals?" Good web design pays off through more inquiries, better conversion rates, and a more professional image.
Unsure which budget is right for you? In a free initial consultation, we analyze your situation and give you an honest assessment – without sales pressure.