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> How much will it cost to build a professional website in 2025? Price guide and strategies for saving money

Last updated: 19 February 2025, 10:15 a.m.

Table Of Contents

Why can the cost of building a professional website vary so much?

If you have been looking for information about the cost of a website, you may have noticed that the figures vary greatly. Some say a few hundred euros is enough, others talk about thousands or even tens of thousands. But why is there so much difference?

The answer lies in key factors as design, functionality, platform, SEO, hosting and maintenance. A website can be a simple digital business card or a complex platform capable of automating business processes. Understanding what affects price is the first step in making a smart choice.

In this guide, we will look at all cost variables, we will provide concrete examples and we'll give you strategies to get a Quality website without waste.

Factors influencing the price of a professional website

1. The Design: Template or Custom Graphics?

The design is one of the aspects that most affect costs. There are two main options:

🔹 Pre-packaged templates - Inexpensive but not very distinctive solution.
🔹 Custom design - A larger investment, but offers a unique identity.

💡 Approximate cost:

  • Template + basic customization: 500€ – 2000€
  • Fully customized design: 3000€ – 10.000€

👉 When to choose a template? If you have a limited budget and your site has no special needs.
👉 When to invest in custom design? If branding is essential and you want to stand out from the competition.

2. Functionality: what elements drive up the price?

The more the site is interactive and complex, the more the cost increases. Some features directly impact the budget:

Advanced contact forms (multi-step, with automations)
Reserved area for registered users
E-commerce with integrated payments
Integrations with CRM, management or email marketing tools
Chatbots and automated assistance

💡 Approximate cost:

  • Showcase site with basic functionality: 1000€ – 4000€
  • Simple E-commerce: 3000€ – 10.000€
  • Customized platform with many features: 10.000€ – 50.000€+

👉 How to save money? Identifies only the features indispensable for the launch. You can always expand the site in the future.

3. Development: custom code or open-source CMS?

If you want a highly customized site, you will need custom development. But it is not always necessary starting from scratch.

The best open-source options for saving money without sacrificing quality are:
🔹 WordPress - Perfect for blogs, corporate sites and e-commerce.
🔹 n8n - Great for those who want to automate business processes Without writing code.
🔹 VVVEb - Open-source website builder ideal for those who want a site drag & drop without depending on proprietary platforms.

💡 Approximate cost:

  • Open Source CMS (WordPress + customization): 1000€ – 6000€
  • Custom development from scratch: 10.000€ – 50.000€

👉 When to choose a CMS? If you want a cost-effective scalable site.
👉 When is custom code needed? If you have very specific needs (e.g., a complex marketplace).

4. SEO and Optimization for Google

A professional site without SEO is invisible. Optimizing the site for Google has a variable cost depending on the needs.

💡 Approximate cost:

  • Basic SEO (on-page optimization, keywords, technical structure): 500€ – 3000€
  • Advanced SEO (strategy, link building, optimized content): 3000€ – 10.000€+

👉 How to save money? Invest at least in basic optimization To avoid having a site that no one can find.

5. Hosting and Maintenance: how much does it cost to maintain the site?

Once online, the site needs to updates, security and hosting Of quality.

💡 Approximate cost:

  • Shared hosting: 50€ - 200€/year
  • VPS or Cloud hosting (for larger sites): 300€ - 2000€/year
  • Technical maintenance (upgrades, security): 500€ - 3000€/year

👉 Practical advice: Avoid hosting that is too cheap, because a slow or unstable site will make you lose customers.

How much does a website cost by type?

Type of SiteAverage CostTiming
Showcase site1000€ – 3000€2-4 weeks
E-commerce base3000€ – 10.000€4-8 weeks
Advanced E-commerce10.000€ – 25.000€2-4 months
Customized site10.000€ – 50.000€+3-6 months

How to save money without sacrificing quality?

💡 5 strategies to reduce costs without compromising outcome:

  1. Use WordPress with a custom design instead of creating everything from scratch.
  2. Avoid unnecessary features and add them only when needed.
  3. Choose hosting that is fast but cost-effective without sacrificing security.
  4. Invest in basic SEO to avoid having to redo the site after a few months.
  5. Work with experienced professionals to avoid mistakes that will cost you more in the long run.

Cost of time: is it really worth doing a site independently?

Have you ever thought about how much it's worth your time? Often those who choose do-it-yourself do so thinking they are saving money, but the truth is. Creating an inexperienced website can cost you more than you imagine.

🔍 This is why do-it-yourself can prove to be a false economy:
Learning time → WordPress, hosting, SEO... are you ready to study weeks at a time?
Avoidable mistakes → All it takes is one wrong setting to end up with a slow, unsafe or invisible site on Google.
Failure to optimize SEO → A site that no one finds is like a flyer left in the desert.

💡 When does it make sense to go it alone?
👉 If you have free time and willingness to learn (but consider that a professional takes days for what might take you months).
👉 If it is a side project, with no need for immediate visibility.

💡 When is it appropriate to delegate?
👉 If you want to professional results without wasting time.
👉 If the site is to Bringing in customers and sales right away.

🚀 Your time is the most valuable asset: spend it learning how to make a site or grow your business?

Difference between a "cheap" site and a well-made site

Saving too much on the website is a bit like buying plastic shoes: at first they look the same as leather ones, but after a while they break and you have to spend twice as much to replace them.

📉 An inexpensive site often has these problems:

  • Anonymous design → Same as hundreds of other sites. No customization.
  • Non-existent SEO → You will never appear on Google, so no traffic, no customers.
  • Slow and poorly optimized → Users run away before they even see who you are.
  • Non-existent post-launch support → If something breaks, you have to take care of it yourself.

📈 A professional site, on the other hand, offers:
Unique design in line with your brand → Convey confidence to customers.
Strategic SEO → The site works for you, bringing you traffic and leads without paying for advertising.
Mobile optimization and excellent speed → No one will close the page out of frustration.
Constant technical support and updates → No unforeseen problems.

👉 Spending little today may cost you twice as much tomorrow.

Real Case Examples

A small law firm created a showcase site with WordPress and basic SEO for €1500.
A clothing store launched a customized e-commerce for 9000€, increasing sales by 60%.
A startup developed a complex platform with automations for 30,000€, reducing 50% operating costs.

What mistakes can drive up the cost of a website?

There are mistakes that, rather than raising the cost of a site, turn it into a black hole for your budget. And often, those who commit them realize it too late.

🚨 The most costly mistakes (that you can avoid):
Not having a clear plan → Changing your mind during development is like redoing the foundation of a house in the middle of construction. Costly.
Choose poor hosting → A slow site loses customers. If you then have to migrate to a better server, you'll pay double.
Don't think about the furniture → In 2025, if your site is not optimized for smartphones, you've pretty much thrown money away.
Ignoring SEO → After a few months, you will be forced to spend again to redo everything.

👉 Want to avoid surprises? Plan every detail and trust those who know how to optimize budget and results.

Checklist: How to choose the right web agency or freelancer

Entrusting someone to build your website is a bit like choosing an architect to build your house: you have to trust will make your website professional. But how to tell if you're looking at the right professional or just a smoke salesman?

💡 Key questions to ask before you start:

  • They have a experience, with projects similar to yours?
  • They speak clearly and transparently or they use technicalities to confuse you?
  • They offer a detailed quote Or do they leave everything vague?
  • They guarantee you post-launch assistance Or do they abandon you after publication?
  • They are also experts in SEO and performance, or do they only think about the aesthetic aspect?

⚠️ Beware of warning signs:
❌ Prices too low? They often mean poor quality or hidden extra costs.
❌ A site without SEO? It's like opening a store in an alley without a sign.
❌ No maintenance planned? In a few months you may find yourself with an outdated site.

How much should you invest for your site?

The right price depends on from your target. A professional site Is not a cost, but an investment. If done well, it pays for itself in a few months with new customers and increased visibility.

💬 Want a customized quote? Contact us and discover the perfect solution for your budget! 🚀

edoardo guzzi - web designer and website development

Looking for a web designer expert for the realization of websites professional?

My name is Edoardo Guzzi and for more than 10 years I have been helping companies and startups develop high-performing, SEO-optimized websites designed to convert.

I deal with website development on WordPress and Odoo, e-commerce creation, UX/UI optimization and strategies to improve online visibility.

I operate between Switzerland and Italy, offering tailored solutions for those who want to stand out on the web. Find out more about aifb.ch, webwakeup.com.

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