How much does a website cost in 2026?

“How much does a website cost?” is the first question every business owner asks, and the answer they usually get is “it depends.” That's true — but it doesn't help you decide. So here are real numbers for the Greek market in 2026: a serious business brochure site typically runs €800 to €2,500, a solid online store €1,500 to €6,000+, and a custom platform starts around €4,000–€5,000 and climbs from there. Below, you'll see exactly what decideswhere in that range you land, what sits behind the numbers, and why the “€500 in 3 days” offer is almost always a trap.

The three main categories — and what you pay for in each

1. A brochure website

A handful of pages: home, services or products, about, contact. It's your business card online — the first thing a customer meets before they ever call you. With a ready-made template and your own copy, it can be built for a few hundred euros. With a design made for your brand, professional copy, proper photos and basic SEO, you're realistically looking at €1,200–€2,500. The difference isn't “looks” — it's whether the site brings in calls or just sits there.

2. An online store (e-shop)

Now you add products, a cart, online payments, shipping and invoicing. A serious store in Greece runs from €1,500 to €6,000 and up, depending on how many products you have, which integrations you need (couriers, accounting/ERP, tax reporting) and how custom you want the experience. See what we build and howif a store is where you're headed.

3. A custom platform or app

A booking engine, a subscription service, an internal management tool, a marketplace — anything off-the-shelf products don't cover. Cost usually starts at €4,000–€5,000 and scales with functionality. This isn't an expense; it's an investment — the tool becomes an asset that works for you every single day.

What actually moves the price

Two “5-page” websites can differ by 3x in price and both be right. Here's what shifts the number:

• Design: a template you'll spot on 500 other businesses, or something drawn from scratch for your brand? The second costs more because it's work, not a click.
• Content: who writes the copy and prepares the photos? If you hand it over ready, you save; if it has to be written from zero, that's separate work — and often the most important part.
• Features: forms, bookings, online payments, multiple languages, integrations with other systems. Every “can it also do…” carries a development cost.
• SEO: a site that merely “exists” isn't enough — people have to find it on Google. That's a skill, not a checkbox.
• Speed & technical quality: a properly built site loads in seconds on a phone. It never shows up on the quote, but it shows up in your sales.

The yearly costs they forget to mention

The build is a one-off; the website itself lives and needs upkeep. Ask about these up front, or they'll surprise you later:

• Domain: the name (e.g. yourbusiness.gr) — a small yearly cost (€10–€15), but make sure it's registered in your name, not the developer's.
• Hosting: where the site lives, typically €5–€30/month. Bargain-basement hosting means a slow site — and a slow site loses customers.
• Professional email: [email protected] earns trust; a Gmail address doesn't.
• Maintenance & security: updates, backups, SSL. Everyone forgets these until the day the site goes down or gets attacked.
• Changes after launch: what does it cost to add a page or update prices next year?

Realistically, running costs for a simple site land around €100–€300 a year — a small amount, as long as you know it exists.

Why “€500 in 3 days” is usually a trap

A proper website needs a conversation about what you actually need, then design, copy, build, testing and SEO. None of that happens in three days for €500 — unless someone hands you a template with a swapped logo and “lorem ipsum” filler. The classic traps you pay for later:

1. Domain and hosting in the developer's name. The day you want to leave, you discover you own nothing — and you're held hostage.
2. Zero SEO. The site is pretty but invisible on Google. You paid for a shop window on a street with no passers-by.
3. No support afterwards. Something breaks, nobody answers — or they answer with a new charge for every tiny change.
4. “Free” with a catch. The site is free, but you're locked into an expensive monthly plan for years.

What to check before you commit

1. Ask to see real, live work — not screenshots in a portfolio.
2. Ask who holds control — domain, hosting and content should all be yours.
3. Get a written quote stating what's included, what isn't, and a timeline.
4. Ask about “afterwards” — who answers when something breaks, how fast, and at what cost.

The bottom line

A website isn't an expense — it's your salesperson working 24 hours a day, no wages, no days off. The right question isn't “how much does it cost?” but “how many customers will it bring me?” A cheap site nobody finds on Google ends up costing more than a good one — because you paid and got nothing back.

Frequently asked questions

Why did someone quote €400 and you quote €1,500?You're almost certainly not talking about the same thing. Ask both of us, in writing, what exactly is included — the difference becomes obvious fast.
Do I pay once or every month? The build is a one-off. Separately, you have yearly running costs (domain, hosting, email) and optional maintenance.
Can I start small and grow?Yes — and it's often the smartest move. Start with a proper brochure site and add a store or bookings when you genuinely need them. Here's what we do, or just get in touch.