Ask three web agencies for a quote on the same website and you get three different figures. One agency charges €1,500, another €6,000. Both claim to deliver a professional website. How do you know which price is realistic for your business?
Why web agencies rarely publish prices
Most web agencies do not display a fixed price list on their website. That is not an accident. Every client's situation differs: number of pages, required features, existing content, deadline. A single fixed price would not fit most clients.
A vague price range also leaves room for negotiation and prevents competitors from comparing directly. That is understandable from the agency's point of view, but it makes the decision harder for you as a business owner.
What a professional website really costs
Based on the Belgian market in 2026, these are realistic price ranges:
- A simple one-page site: from €500 to €1,500
- A professional SME website with multiple pages: €1,500 to €3,500
- A fully custom project with extensive functionality: €3,500 to €8,000
- An online shop: €5,000 to €15,000, depending on the number of products and integrations
Most Belgian SMEs investing in a solid, SEO-optimised website spend between €3,000 and €8,000. That figure covers design, copywriting, basic search engine optimisation, and testing.
What drives the price
Four elements have the biggest impact on the final cost:
- Custom design versus template: a unique layout takes more time than adapting an existing template
- Number of pages and features: a contact form is a different job from a booking system or client portal
- Copywriting and photography: text and images that the agency writes or sources for you add to the budget
- SEO and technical optimisation: a website that ranks well on Google requires extra work in structure and metadata
The hidden cost: maintenance
A quote that only mentions the build cost does not tell the full story. After launch come recurring costs: hosting between €10 and €50 a month, and a maintenance contract between €75 and €300 a month for updates, security, and minor changes.
Budget roughly 15% of the build cost annually for maintenance and security updates. A website without maintenance ages quickly and becomes a security risk.
How to compare quotes correctly
The biggest pitfall when comparing quotes is that they rarely cover the same scope. A €1,200 quote without copywriting, without SEO, and without a testing phase is not a cheaper alternative to a €3,000 quote that includes all of that. They are two different projects.
Before you accept a quote, check that these elements are clearly stated:
- Number of pages and which features are included
- Who writes the copy and who supplies the images
- Whether basic SEO optimisation is included
- How many feedback rounds are included
- What happens after launch: support, maintenance, updates
If anything is unclear, always ask for a detailed breakdown. An agency that is transparent about its pricing structure will give you that information without hesitation.
At BOUT LAST WEEK, we work with clear quotes where every component is stated, from design to maintenance. Get in touch if you want to know exactly what a website would cost for your SME.