The website cost in the Netherlands for a small business in 2026 ranges from almost nothing for a DIY builder to €15,000 or more for a full agency project — but most small businesses need something between €300 and €2,500, plus roughly €100–€700 a year to keep it running. This guide breaks down where the money actually goes, what you should and shouldn't pay for, and how to compare quotes without getting burned.
We're a small studio in Amsterdam that publishes its prices openly, so you'll find links to our current packages along the way — and we'll tell you honestly when you don't need us at all.
The short answer: website prices in 2026
| Option | One-time cost | Yearly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) | €0 | €150–€500 | Testing an idea, very tight budget |
| Freelancer | €500–€2,500 | €100–€600 | Simple 1–5 page sites |
| Small fixed-price studio | €300–€2,500 | €100–€1,800 | Small businesses that want it done right, fast |
| Full-service agency | €3,000–€15,000+ | €1,000+ | Larger companies, complex platforms |
Ranges are typical market prices in the Netherlands, excluding 21% VAT. Your quote will depend on scope.
What actually drives the price
Two websites that look similar can differ in price by 10×. These are the factors that move the number:
1. Number of pages
A one-page landing site is quick to build. Every extra page means more design, more copy and more testing. Most small businesses do well with five pages: Home, About, Services, Contact and one extra (pricing, portfolio or FAQ).
2. Template vs custom design
A premium WordPress theme adapted to your brand is fast and affordable. A fully custom-coded design costs more but loads faster, looks unique and has no page-builder bloat. Neither is "wrong" — it depends on how much your website has to sell for you.
3. Who writes the content
This is the cost most people forget. If you supply your own text and photos, the price stays low. If the agency writes SEO copy, sources images and translates pages, the price grows — but so does the chance the site actually brings in customers.
4. Features
Contact forms and Google Maps are standard. Online booking, payments, member logins, webshops and multilingual setups each add real work. For a Dutch business, a second language (Dutch + English) is often worth it.
5. Revisions and project management
Large agencies bill for meetings, account managers and long approval cycles. A small studio with a fixed scope skips most of that, which is a big part of why it's cheaper.
Real example: fixed packages instead of hourly quotes
Most small business websites fit into one of three shapes:
- A landing page: one focused page with a contact form. Live in days, ideal for a new business or a single offer.
- A standard five-page site: WordPress with a premium theme adapted to your brand, SEO setup and Google Analytics. The right choice for most small businesses.
- A custom-coded site: a bespoke design with no purchased theme or page builder — faster and more unique, but still editable by you.
We sell all three as fixed-price packages with the scope agreed in writing, and keep the current prices, delivery times and add-ons (copywriting, logo, extra language, hosting setup) on our web development page. Use them as a benchmark when you compare other quotes.
The yearly costs nobody quotes upfront
The build is a one-time cost. These keep coming back every year:
- Domain name (.nl or .com): €10–€20 per year.
- Hosting: €50–€250 per year for a small WordPress site. Shopify and Wix include hosting in their monthly plan (usually €200–€500 per year).
- Business email: €0–€70 per user per year.
- Maintenance: WordPress needs updates, backups and security checks. Doing it yourself is free but risky; a care plan typically costs €50–€150 per month. You can find our care plans here.
- Plugins and licences: €0–€200 per year, depending on what you use.
Rule of thumb: budget around 20–30% of the build cost per year to keep a website healthy.
DIY vs freelancer vs agency: which one should you choose?
Choose a DIY builder if you're testing an idea, have more time than money, and are comfortable writing your own copy. It's genuinely fine to start here.
Choose a freelancer or small studio if you want a professional site that brings in customers, without paying for an agency's overhead. Ask for a fixed price and a written scope.
Choose a full-service agency if you need a complex platform — logins, dashboards, integrations with your other systems — or a large multi-department website.
7 questions to ask before you sign a website quote
- Is the price fixed, or billed by the hour? Hourly billing is how €2,000 projects become €6,000 projects.
- What exactly is included? Number of pages, revisions, copywriting, images — get it in writing.
- Who owns the website, domain and hosting? It should all be in your name. No exceptions.
- Can I edit the site myself? You should be able to change a price or a photo without calling anyone.
- What happens after launch? Ask about maintenance costs before you start, not after.
- Is basic SEO included? Page titles, meta descriptions, a sitemap and Google Search Console setup should be standard.
- Is VAT included in the price? Business quotes in the Netherlands are usually excluding 21% BTW.
How to avoid overpaying
- Start smaller than you think. A strong five-page site beats a weak twenty-page site. You can always add pages later.
- Write your own first draft. Even rough notes on your services and customers save hours of billed work.
- Check your current site first. If you already have a website, it may only need fixing, not rebuilding. Our free Website X-ray checks speed, mobile, titles and HTTPS in about five seconds.
- Compare scope, not just price. A €500 quote with no SEO, no revisions and no handover can cost you more than an €800 quote that includes them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple website cost in the Netherlands?
A simple one-page website typically costs between €250 and €800 when built by a professional, excluding VAT. A five-page small business website usually costs €700–€2,500.
Is a website a tax-deductible business expense?
In most cases, yes. A website for your business is generally a deductible business cost in the Netherlands, and larger amounts may be depreciated over several years. Check with your accountant for your specific situation.
How long does it take to build a website?
A landing page can be live in a few days. A five-page small business website usually takes one to two weeks, provided the content is ready. Waiting for text and photos is the most common cause of delays.
Do I need WordPress, Shopify or Wix?
WordPress is the most flexible choice for most service businesses. Shopify is the easiest option for selling products online. Wix suits very small sites you want to manage entirely yourself.
Why are agency quotes so much higher?
Agencies carry overhead: account managers, offices, meetings and multiple approval layers. That's worth it for complex projects, but most small businesses are paying for structure they don't need.
Next step
Not sure what your project should cost? Book a short web consultation — we'll recommend a package and give you a clear plan. Or run your current site through the free Website X-ray first.
Next step
Want this done for your business?
Tell us what you need. You get a fixed scope and a public price, usually within a day.
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