How much does a website cost? The complete guide to pricing
How to keep your website project within budget?
You might be wondering: how much does a website cost? Just like buying a house or a car, it all depends on what you need. Giving a quote without knowing your goals is like ordering a meal without a menu. Naturally, we want to understand your expectations to give you a price that fits. But that’s probably not the answer you’re looking for, so let’s talk numbers!
Key factors that influence the cost
The price of a website is determined by several factors. It’s smart to get a clear understanding of these first. Here are the key things to keep in mind:
1. Number of sections
The number of pages impacts the price, simply because more needs to be built. At Mars, we don’t create fixed pages but sections, giving you the flexibility to build as many pages as you need. The more sections you have, the more variation and flexibility you have in shaping your pages. A larger website might have anywhere between 23 to 28 sections, covering both front-end and back-end development, offering maximum versatility. This means you’re not limited to a specific number of pages—you have the freedom to structure your content dynamically based on your needs. Not sure how big your new website should be? We’ll figure it out together to come to a realistic solution.
2. Features and complexity
The features your website needs have a big impact on the cost. Here are some examples of common features you might need 👇🏼
- Advanced menus: For websites with many pages and sections. This makes navigation easy for visitors.
- Event overviews & detail pages: Perfect for showcasing upcoming events, with additional details like date, location, and registration.
- User registration & membership pages: For websites where visitors need to create an account or sign up for memberships.
- Interactive maps with pins: A map where you can mark different locations. Great for stores, offices, or other physical locations.
- Ticket purchase feature: E-commerce options, such as selling tickets for events. Plugins like WooCommerce can support this.
- Trustpilot, Facebook, or Google reviews: Built-in sections to display customer reviews, boosting trust in your brand.
- Mailchimp integration with WooCommerce: For automated emails like newsletters or promotions, connected to your online store.
The more complex the features, the higher the development costs. Websites that require things like an e-library with secure access, forums, or AI moderation need more development time and technical expertise.
3. Design and custom-made
A custom design can make your brand stand out and offer a unique user experience. At the same time, it requires more time and expertise than using a standard template. But this investment is often worth it if you want your website to truly reflect your brand and connect with your audience. When you choose a custom website with us, it’s built in WordPress. If you’re looking for a more basic website with limited features, we also offer no-code options.
4. Interactive features and animations
Websites with interactive elements or animations are more engaging, help highlight key features, and keep visitors on your site longer. But they also require more technical development. These kinds of features can really bring your website to life. They affect both the cost and the time it takes to build the site. For example, think of a static logo slider versus one that rotates. We always advise on which animations will have the biggest impact on your website.
5. Content creation and migration
Do you already have existing texts, images, and videos? Or does everything still need to be created from scratch? Transferring content or creating new content can take time, which directly impacts the cost of your website. This also depends on whether your old website was built on the same platform or not. Together, we can explore the possibilities.
Now that you know what goes into developing a website, let’s dive into the costs. We offer different price categories depending on your needs.
What are the costs? From small to large projects
Small websites
For businesses that want to get online quickly without too much fuss, small websites offer an efficient and cost-effective solution. This type of website includes:
- Basic features with little to no complex integrations
- A shorter timeline of 2 to 4 weeks, meaning less development time
- A limited number of sections with a simple navigation menu
- Minimal to no custom design
- Few to no custom functionalities or complex developments
These kinds of projects typically fall in the price range of €5000 to €12,000 and are perfect for businesses that need a functional and user-friendly website quickly.
Medium-sized websites
When you’re looking for a website that offers more functionality and delivers a visually appealing, unique user experience, you’ll likely fall into the medium-sized category. These websites include:
- A unique user experience (UX) thanks to a medium number of sections, offering plenty of variety
- Advanced functionalities, animations, or widgets
- A longer development period of 4 to 6 weeks due to increased complexity
- Custom CMS (content management system) for flexible content management, allowing you to create pages and adjust sections yourself
- Unique design elements that stand out
These medium-sized projects typically come with a price range of €12,000 to €20,000, depending on the specific requirements.
Complex websites
Voor grote bedrijven die geavanceerde websites nodig hebben met uitgebreide functionaliteiten, zoals For larger companies that need advanced websites with extensive functionalities, like an e-commerce platform or a user registration system, costs fall into a higher price range due to the amount of UX work and development time required. This type of website often includes:
- A unique user experience (UX) through a large number of sections
- Advanced functionalities such as user registration (log-in) or WooCommerce (payment functionalities)
- A longer development period of 6 to 10 weeks due to the complexity and scale
- Custom CMS (content management system) for advanced content management, allowing you to create pages, manage users, and adjust sections
- Unique and complex design elements that set your company apart
These websites typically cost between €20,000 and €50,000, depending on the complexity and desired functionalities.
How to keep control of your budget during the project
At Mars, we believe it’s important that you always have a clear view of your budget and the progress of your project. From the very beginning, we track every design decision in a shared sheet, so you can see exactly where your money is going. This ensures transparency and prevents unexpected costs.
Throughout the project, we regularly check to make sure everything is still on track. If any changes or new features are added, we update the estimates and keep you informed of any impact on the budget. This way, you’ll never be caught off guard.
Curious about the cost of your website?
Got an idea for a website and curious about the cost to bring it to life? Or just want to brainstorm about the possibilities? We’re here for a no-strings-attached chat! Want more certainty and a clear direction? Join our workshop and walk away with wireframes, a functional document, and a tailored estimate that fits your needs. This way, you can dive into your website project with confidence, without getting locked into big quotes after just a few conversations.
Feel free to send us a message!