Starting point
A simple website usually has one to five pages, presents the business, explains services, works on mobile, and makes contact easy. It can cost very little with a template, but the price changes when custom design, copy, technical SEO, speed, forms, analytics, integrations, and after-launch support enter the scope.
The difference lives in what users do not see
Two websites can look similar in a screenshot and behave completely differently. One loads fast, has hierarchy, sales-aware copy, clear calls to action, basic SEO, Search Console, careful responsive behavior, and a working form. The other places your logo on a template, depends on plugins, and ends when it is published. The difference is in what the user does not see but still feels: clarity, trust, and lack of friction.
How to decide well
Before investing, separate urgency from importance. A good digital decision should improve sales, trust, response time, or internal efficiency. If it touches none of those levers, it is probably well-dressed noise.
- DIY or low-cost platforms can cost 0-200 euros per year, but usually cost you 30-50 hours and limit personalization.
- A freelancer can range from 300 to 2,000 euros depending on experience, content, basic SEO, custom design, and support.
- An agency often starts around 1,500 euros because it includes strategy, design, development, testing, SEO, speed, and guidance.
- Compare criteria, not just numbers: template versus custom design, included copy, performance, SEO, forms, analytics, and support.
- Value your time. Doing it yourself also costs money if it delays sales, blocks decisions, or leaves you with a site that does not build trust.
What to ask before accepting a quote
Ask the scope to state which pages are included, who writes the copy, what happens with photos and images, how speed will be measured, what technical SEO is included, how many review rounds you get, whether analytics are configured, who maintains the site, and what happens if something breaks after launch. Also ask about domain, hosting, code ownership, access, and future dependency. If the answer is vague before you pay, it usually stays vague during the project.
| Who builds it | Typical price | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY / platform | 0-200 €/year | Template, hosting, and domain. A lot of your time and little personalization. |
| Junior freelancer | 200-600 € | Adapted template, basic responsive behavior, and form. |
| Experienced freelancer | 600-2,000 € | More careful design, basic SEO, copy, speed, and judgment. |
| Agency | 1,500-6,000 € | Strategy, design, development, SEO, testing, support, and guidance. |
Once the price range is clear, the next filter is how much of your own time you want to invest and how much guidance you need.
| Path | Your time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | 30-50 hours | Starting with no budget and validating a simple idea. |
| Freelancer | Occasional meetings | Businesses that need quality at a reasonable price. |
| Agency | Guided process | Projects where strategy, trust, SEO, and growth matter. |
What not to do
The usual mistake is buying an isolated piece with no strategy: a pretty template with no message, automation with no process, a campaign with no prepared page, or content written only to fill space. Cheap stops being cheap when it forces rework.
How we work on it
Before giving a fixed number, we turn the website into a real scope: page count, content, photos, forms, SEO, performance, review rounds, and maintenance. Then you can compare a 300-euro template with an 1,800-euro website without pretending they are the same product.
Share your website idea and we will review the scope before talking numbers.
Tell us your caseAbout Rubicon Labs
We are a digital product studio based in Galicia. We combine design, engineering, and strategy to build websites, systems, and automations that help businesses sell better and operate with less friction.
