How Much Does a Custom Website Cost in France? (2025 Guide)

It is the single most common question I get asked: “How much will a new website cost me?”

And honestly? It is usually the most frustrating part of the process for clients. You search online and find answers ranging from €500 to €50,000. You ask an agency, and they say "it depends."

While it does depend on what you need, you deserve a clearer answer than that.

As a freelance UX/UI and Web Designer in France, I believe in transparency. In this guide, I will break down exactly what you can expect to pay for a website in 2025, where your money actually goes, and why the "cheapest" option is often the most expensive in the long run.

The Short Answer: Price Ranges at a Glance

If you are looking for a quick estimate, here is the current market standard for a professional freelance designer in France (excluding huge agencies and cheap offshore templates).

• The "One-Pager" (Landing Page): €900 – €2,500
  • Best for: Launching a specific product, event, or personal portfolio.
• The Professional Showcase (5-10 Pages): €2,500 – €6,000
  • Best for: Small businesses, consultants, or startups needing a solid brand presence.
• The E-Commerce / Advanced Site: €5,000 – €15,000+
  • Best for: Selling products online, membership sites, or complex SaaS platforms.

Note: These are average ranges. A highly custom, interaction-heavy site (like the ones I build on Webflow or with custom code) requires more time and strategy.

What Are You Actually Paying For?

When clients see a quote, they often think they are paying for pages. But in modern web design, you are paying for strategy.

Here is the difference between a €500 template and a €5,000 custom project:

1. Strategy & UX (User Experience)

A cheap website looks "fine." A valuable website sells.Before I design a single pixel, I work on the User Experience. Who is your customer? What is their pain point? How do we guide them from the homepage to the "Buy" button?
‍You aren't paying for a pretty picture; you are paying for a sales funnel.

2. Custom Design vs. Templates

Many budget designers buy a €50 WordPress theme, change the logo, and hand it to you. The problem? Your site looks like thousands of others, and it is often bloated with slow code.
I design unique interfaces that align with your specific Brand Identity. This ensures your business looks memorable and legitimate.

3. SEO & Performance

Google hates slow websites. If your site takes 5 seconds to load, you lose 40% of your visitors immediately.
Part of my cost covers technical optimization: compressing images, writing clean code, and ensuring the site is mobile-responsive so you rank higher on Google.

4. Copywriting & Content Structure

Design without good content is just decoration. A higher budget usually allows us to collaborate on the structure of your text, ensuring your headlines grab attention.

Freelancer vs. Agency: Who Should You Hire?

This is a critical decision for your budget.

• Agencies: Great for massive corporations. They have huge teams (HR, Account Managers, Rent).
  • Pros: Scalability.
  • Cons: High overhead costs passed to you. A simple site might start at €15,000.
• Freelancers (Like Me):
  • Pros: You talk directly to the person building your site. No middleman. Faster turnaround.
  • Cons: Limited availability (I can only take a few clients at a time).
  • Cost: Usually 30-50% cheaper than an agency for the same (or better) quality work.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About

Regardless of who you hire, always budget for these annual recurring costs:

1. Domain Name: ~€15 / year (e.g., yourname.com).
2. Hosting: ~€150 - €300 / year. (Quality hosting is worth it for speed and security).
3. Maintenance: Websites are like cars; they need oil changes. Whether it is updating plugins or tweaking content, budget for a small maintenance retainer or set aside time to do it yourself.

Conclusion: Investment vs. Expense

If you view your website as an expense, you will naturally look for the cheapest price.
But if you view it as an investment a 24/7 salesperson that never sleeps the math changes.

A €500 website that brings in zero customers is a waste of €500.
A €5,000 website that brings in €50,000 in new business is a bargain.

Ready to build something that actually works?
‍Every project is unique. If you want a precise quote tailored to your specific goals, let's chat.

→ Get a Free Estimate for Your Project