How much does a website cost? An overview to better find your way

Putting a website online is an essential step in promoting an activity, promoting a project or strengthening the presence of an association. But how much does it really cost? The answer to this simple question can be very varied. Here is a clear and detailed guide to understanding the various factors that influence the price of a website, in order to better anticipate your budget.

Why do prices vary so much?

The cost of a website depends on many elements. There is no single price, as each site is a project in its own right, with its own goals, functionalities and technical constraints.

The main factors that influence the tariff:

• The type of site (window, e-commerce, reservation platform...).
• The level of personalization.
• The number of pages.
• The design (prefabricated or custom-made model).
• Specific functionalities (form, blog, member area, online payment...).
• The chosen provider (freelancer, agency or online solution).
• Support (writing, SEO, maintenance, hosting).

The various design options and their indicative prices

Depending on the means and objectives, several solutions are available to you to create a site. Here is an overview of the various options and their estimated costs.

Create your site yourself with an online tool (such as Wix, WordPress.com, Jimdo...)

• Average cost : between €0 and €300/year.
• Target audience : small structures, associations, freelancers with little budget.
• Benefits : fast, inexpensive, no need for technical knowledge.
• Disadvantages : limited customization, dependence on the platform, variable performance.

Good to know: some platforms offer preferential rates for associations.

Call on a freelancer

• Estimated budget : between €500 and €3,000, depending on the functionalities and the level of customization desired.
• Target audience : project leaders, associations with a moderate budget.
• Benefits : more flexibility than an online tool, single point of contact, personalization.
• Disadvantages : depends on the profile and availability of the freelancer, fewer guarantees than with an agency.

Go through a web agency

• Average cost : between €2,000 and €15,000 or more
• Target audience : businesses, established structures, complex projects
• Benefits : global support, custom design, complete team (design, development, SEO...)
• Disadvantages : higher budget, sometimes a longer process

Estimation of the budget according to the objectives of the site

Here is an estimate of the average prices according to the most common types of websites:

• A simple showcase site : count between 0 and 2,000€. It allows you to present an association, an activity, a team or a project in a static way.
• A site with a blog : plan between 500 and 3,000€ to regularly publish articles, share news or develop a content strategy.
• An e-commerce site : the budget revolves around 1,500 to 10,000€, according to the number of products, integrated payment methods and advanced features (stock, delivery, promo codes...).
• A site with online booking : to offer workshops, events or courses with registration, you must count 2,000 to 7,000€.
• A tailor-made platform : for more complex projects (networking, member area, extranet...), the cost can increase to 5,000€ minimum and exceed the €20,000, according to specific needs.

Clearly define your need to control costs

Before starting to create a website, it is crucial to clarify its objectives. This makes it possible to choose the right solution and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What is your site for? That determines its cost. (inform, sell, collect donations...).
• Who is it for?
• What level of autonomy do we want?
• Do we need specific functionalities?
• Do we already have a logo, a graphic charter, written content?

Tip: Establish a specifications even simplified helps to better frame the project.

Fees not to be forgotten

In addition to the initial creation price, several costs may be added over time:

• Domain name : around 10 to 20 €/year.
• Lodging : from 2 to 20 €/month (depending on the solution).
• Technical maintenance : 100 to 500 €/year if entrusted to a service provider.
• Updates/evolutions : to be provided as required.
• Marketing tools (emailing, CRM, analytics...) : sometimes for a fee.

Can we create a free site?

Yes, it is possible to create a free site via some platforms. However, these versions are often limited (advertising, sub-domain, reduced options). For a serious professional or associative project, it is recommended to plan at least one low initial budget.

How to optimize your budget?

Here are some tips for keeping costs down without sacrificing quality:

• Use a theme ready to use
• Write your own texts.
• Learn how to manage simple updates.
• Start with a basic version and add features over time.
• Learn how to use your CMS (WordPress, Webflow, etc.).

Conclusion: a site that lives up to its resources

The price of a website varies according to the ambition of the project. You don't have to spend thousands of euros to have an effective online presence, especially if you know how to prioritize your needs. The main thing is to find a balance between budget, goals and autonomy.

Above all, a good site is a useful, clear and well-thought-out site. A small budget can be enough to create an effective and impactful site!