"The website will cost 2,500€ and will be ready in a month." Sounds great, right? But 6 months later you've paid 4,200€ and you're still waiting for some features to work properly. If this sounds familiar, you're not the only one.
87% of businesses exceeded their original website budget, with the average overrun being 68%. The problem isn't that agencies or freelancers are deliberately hiding information - it's just the industry standard to only talk about basic costs.
The truth is that setting up a professional website involves dozens of "small" expenses that add up quickly. From domains and SSL certificates to plugins and ongoing maintenance, each item has a cost that is often not mentioned in initial quotes.
In this detailed guide, we'll reveal all the possible costs of setting up a website - the obvious and the hidden. You'll see real-world examples, comparisons between different approaches, and how subscription models can eliminate most of these nasty surprises. By the end, you'll know exactly what to expect and how to plan your budget realistically.
The Anatomy of a "Cheap" Website: Why 1,500€ Becomes 4,000€
The Classic Offer and Hidden Add-ons
Imagine this situation: you get an offer for a "professional business website for 1,500€". Sounds reasonable. But let's take a look at what's included and what's not:
Included in the offer (1,500€):
- Design of 5 pages
- Basic WordPress installation
- Contact form
- Basic SEO
Not included (you will pay separately):
- Domain: 15€/year
- Hosting: 120€/year
- SSL certificate: 80€/year
- Premium theme: 100€
- Required plugins: 200-500€/year
- Content (copywriting): 800-1,500€
- Quality photos: 300-800€
- Google Analytics setup: 200€
- Initial maintenance: 100€/month
Real price first year: 3,315-4,415€
Why This Practice Is So Prevalent
Agencies and freelancers are not malicious - they just follow industry standards. Low initial rates attract clients, and the additional costs are gradually revealed as the work progresses.
The problem is that business owners make decisions based on incomplete information. When they find out the real cost, they are often already committed and can hardly give up.
Full Breakdown of All Possible Costs
Domain and Hosting Costs
Domain registration: 10-50€/year depending on the extension (.bg, .com, .eu)
Domain Support: Some providers add hidden fees for DNS management or transfer
Hosting plans:
- Shared hosting: 60-200€/year
- VPS hosting: 200-800€/year
- Managed WordPress hosting: 300-1,200€/year
- Dedicated server: €1,200-5,000/year
SSL certificate: 0-200€/year (some hosting plans include it for free)
CDN services: 50-300€/year for faster access from different locations
Design and Development Costs
Premium Themes: 50-200€ one time, but often require annual updates
Custom design: 1,000-5,000€ for a unique design as needed
Responsive design: If not included initially, may cost 500-1,500€ extra
UI/UX consulting: 200-500€ for user experience optimization
Revisions and correctionsA: Most agencies include 2-3 revisions, then charge 50-100€/hour
Functionality and Plugins
Premium plugins:
- SEO plugins: 100-300€/year
- Security plugins: 100-200€/year
- Backup solutions: 50-150€/year
- Email marketing integrations: 50-200€/year
- E-commerce functionality: 200-800€/year
Custom functionality: 500-3,000€ for specific needs such as calculators, booking systems, integrations
API integrations: 300-1,500€ for connecting to external systems (CRM, accounting software)
Content and Media
Professional copywriting: 50-150€ per page for quality content
SEO optimised content: 20-50% markup on standard copywriting
Professional photography: 500-2,000€ for a business photo session
Stock photos: 200-800€ for quality visual content
Video content: 1,000-5,000€ for professional promo videos
Graphic design: 300-1,000€ for logos, icons, banners
Marketing and SEO
Initial SEO: 500-2,000€ for technical SEO and keyword research
Google Analytics and Search Console setup: 200-500€
Social media integrations: 200-600€
Email marketing setup: 300-800€
Google Ads setup: 500-1,500€
Maintenance and Updates
Monthly maintenance: 50-300€/month for:
- Technical updates
- Security monitoring
- Backup services
- Small corrections
- Performance optimization
Annual revisions: 500-2,000€ for design and content update
Emergency support: 100-200€/hour for urgent problems outside working hours
Migrations and upgrades: 300-1,500€ when changing hosting or platform
Comparison of Different Payment Models
Traditional Model (Single Payment)
Advantages:
- Ownership of the code
- No current liabilities
- One-time investment
Disadvantages:
- High start-up costs
- Unforeseeable additional costs
- Responsibility for all problems
- Expensive maintenance
Typical costs:
- Year 1: €3,000-8,000
- Years 2-3: 1,000-3,000€/year
- Total for 3 years: 5,000-14,000€
Subscription Model
Advantages:
- Predictable monthly costs
- Support and updates included
- No large initial investment
- Professional management
Disadvantages:
- Ongoing monthly payments
- Dependence on supplier
- Higher cost in the long run
Typical costs (49-149€/month):
- Year 1: €588-1,788
- Years 2-3: €588-1,788/year
- Total for 3 years: 1,764-5,364€
Hybrid Model
How it works: Reduced one-time price + monthly maintenance
Typical costs:
- One-off: €1,500-3,000
- Monthly: 30-80€
- Total for 3 years: 2,580-5,880€
How to Avoid Hidden Costs
Questions You Should Ask
Before signing a contract:
- "What exactly does the price include?"
- "What are all the annual costs?"
- "How much is the monthly maintenance?"
- "What happens if I need changes?"
- "Are all necessary plugins included?"
- "Who will write the content?"
- "Are professional photos included?"
- "What does the guarantee cover?"
Request Detailed Breakdown
Professional suppliers will provide detailed information including:
- All one-off costs
- Annual subscriptions and licenses
- Estimated monthly costs
- Optional services with prices
Schedule 30% Buffer
Even with the best plans, actual costs are typically 20-30% higher than expected because of:
- Changes in requirements during the project
- Additional features that prove necessary
- External factors (changes in supplier prices)
Real Case Studies: When Hidden Costs Surprise
Case Study 1: Restaurant in Sofia
Initial offer: 2,000€ for website with online menu
Real costs first year:
- Basic website: €2,000
- Premium theme for restaurants: 150€
- Menu plugin: 200€/year
- Online reservations: 300€/year
- Professional food photos: 800€
- Copywriting for the menu: 400€
- Google Business optimization: 300€
- Monthly maintenance: 80€ x 12 = 960€
- Total: 5,110€ (155% more than expected)
Case Study 2: Consulting Company in Varna
Initial offer: 1,500€ for a corporate website
Additional costs:
- Blog functionality: 400€
- Client portal: 800€
- CRM integration: 600€
- Professional content: 1,200€
- Branding materials: 500€
- Total: €4,000 (167% more)
Case Study 3: Successful Subscription Model
Restaurant in Plovdiv chooses subscription:
- Monthly payment: 149€
- Includes: website, maintenance, updates, basic SEO
- First year: €1,788
- Saved costs: Over €3,000 compared to the traditional model
Frequently Asked Questions about Website Costs
Why are the offers so different between suppliers?
The differences come from the different service levels, functions involved and business models. Cheaper offerings often cover just the basics, while more expensive ones include full support and premium features.
Can I make a website myself and save money?
You can build a basic site with DIY platforms for 200-500€ per year, but the professional look, SEO and technical issues require expertise. The time you invest also costs money.
When does the subscription model pay?
Subscriptions are paid when you plan to keep the website for at least 2-3 years and want maintenance included. For short-term projects, a one-time payment may be more economical.
How do I check if the price is fair?
Compare at least 3 offers, but not just prices - look at what's included. Ask for references and check the supplier's previous projects.
What happens if I don't pay maintenance?
The website will continue to operate, but you will not receive security updates, backup services or technical support. This may cause security or functionality issues.
Can I change supplier later?
With traditional models, yes, but it can be expensive. With subscription services, it depends on the contract. Always check termination options before signing.
Which costs are actually necessary?
Domain, hosting, SSL and basic support are a must. Premium features depend on your needs, but don't sacrifice security or performance for savings.
How do I plan a budget for the coming years?
Plan on 20-30% of the initial investment annually for maintenance and upgrades. For subscription models, simply multiply the monthly amount by 12.
Conclusion: Transparency is the Key to the Right Solution
Hidden costs in websites are not inevitable - they are the result of insufficient transparency and planning. When you know what to expect, you can make an informed decision that fits your budget and needs.
Subscription models are not a panacea, but they offer transparency and predictability that many businesses value. Instead of worrying about hidden costs, you can focus on growing your business.
Ready for an honest, transparent offer? Our subscription plans include everything from domain and hosting to regular updates and technical support. Start from 49€/month without hidden costs or unpleasant surprises.
Request a free consultation and get a detailed breakdown of all costs before you commit. Transparency is the foundation of a good partnership.