How much does a custom website cost? What’s behind every quote

It’s the first question in almost every conversation, and the honest answer is “it depends”. But it depends on concrete things that can be explained. Here’s what sits behind the price of a custom website, where the money goes and how I quote my projects, so you come to the first call knowing what to ask.

Why two “identical” websites don’t cost the same

A website made from a template and a page builder can be online in a few days. A custom website starts from a blank page: it’s designed for your brand and your content, and built to load fast, rank well and let your team edit it without breaking it.

From the outside, both are “a website”. Inside, the difference is the one between renting a suit and having one made: both dress you, but only one was cut for you.

Where the budget goes

• Strategy and structure. Understanding what the site has to achieve, for whom and with what content. It’s the least visible part and the one that saves the most work later.
• Design. Art direction, typography, how everything moves and how it looks on a phone. On a custom website you don’t pick a template: every type of page is designed.
• Development. Building that design so it’s fast, accessible and easy to maintain. This is where animations, integrations (bookings, a shop, forms) and the connection to the content management system come in.
• Content. Copy, photos and video. Nothing shapes how a website is perceived more, and nothing is more underestimated. If it has to be produced, it’s a separate line in the budget.
• Languages. Every language adds translation, proofreading and its own SEO work. It isn’t just duplicating pages.
• Launch. Domain, redirects from the old site so you don’t lose your Google rankings, performance, analytics and legal pages.

What drives the cost up (and what shouldn’t)

Mostly, whatever multiplies the work: many different page types, custom features (bookings, private areas, configurators), several languages and content that has to be produced from scratch.

What shouldn’t add to it is being able to edit it. If every change of copy goes through a developer, over the years the site costs more than it did to build. That’s why every website I make includes a content management system your team uses to change copy, photos and projects without touching the code.

How I quote each project

I don’t work with fixed rates, because no two projects are alike. I usually build three kinds of website, and each one is quoted on its own:

• Custom WordPress. A bespoke theme built with native blocks, without a page builder getting in the way. For teams who already work with WordPress and want a fast, well-made site.
• Cinematic website. Custom design and build with Astro and a content management system, in two languages and with the SEO sorted. For brands that live by their image and need to look like nobody else.
• Website + film. All of the above plus the footage that fills it: film and photography shot on location with Nomadict Media.

After a first conversation I send you a written quote, with what it includes and the timeline. The price depends on what you’ve read above: page types, languages, integrations and content.

How to make the most of your budget

• Come with the content thought through, even if it isn’t finished: what you want to say, and to whom.
• Prioritise. A few pages done really well beat many done halfway. The rest can come in a second phase.
• Ask about afterwards: who edits it, what it costs to maintain and what happens if you want to change something a year from now.
• Be wary of quotes that come without questions. If someone gives you a price without knowing what you need, they’re selling you a template.

In short

A custom website is an investment you notice in how people see you, and in how little it ties you down afterwards. If you’re thinking about yours and want to know what it would cost, tell me about the project or book a 30-minute call.