How much does a website cost in 2026? Agency vs builder vs AI

"How much does a website cost?" has no single answer. A one-page presentation for a local service and an online shop with hundreds of products are different projects. You can, however, compare the main ways of getting a website and see what you pay for in each case: the one-off creation, the ongoing operation and your own time.

This article compares four options for a small business in 2026: an agency, a freelancer, a classic website builder and an AI website builder. The price ranges are a rough orientation, not a market survey. Prices differ by country, region and the scope of the project, so always ask for a specific quote.

What you actually pay for

Whichever way you choose, the total cost of a website consists of the same items:

• Creation: structure, copy, design, technical implementation.
• Domain: your address (yourbusiness.com), paid yearly to a registrar.
• Hosting: the server the website runs on, including a secure HTTPS connection.
• Changes and maintenance: new prices, services, photos, updates, security.
• Content: texts and photos. Someone has to write and take them, even if it is you.
• Your time: preparing materials, meetings, approvals, learning a tool.

When comparing quotes, add up all the items for at least two or three years. A cheap creation with expensive changes can end up costing more than a higher monthly fee with free edits.

Option 1: a website from an agency

An agency delivers a complete project: analysis, design, copywriting, development and often SEO and photography as well. For a small business, a presentation website from an agency typically costs from roughly a thousand euros to several thousand, and custom projects with special features cost more.

Advantages: a custom design, an experienced team, help with strategy and content. Suitable when the website is an important part of your business, you need specific functions (bookings, integrations, a shop) or you want to hand over the whole job.

Things to watch: delivery takes weeks or months. Changes after delivery may be charged per hour or through a maintenance contract. Ask who owns the domain and the website, and what happens if you end the cooperation.

Option 2: a freelancer

A freelancer is usually cheaper than an agency. A simple website might cost a few hundred euros, a larger one more. The quality ranges widely and depends on one person.

Advantages: a lower price, direct communication, flexibility.

Things to watch: availability (holidays, illness, other projects), who will make changes in a year, and whether you get access to the hosting and domain. Agree on these in writing.

Option 3: a classic website builder

Builders such as Wix, Squarespace, Webnode or Jimdo let you assemble a website from templates and sections yourself. You pay a monthly or annual fee, which usually includes hosting and HTTPS. Many have a free plan with limits (an address on the provider's domain, branding, fewer features).

Advantages: a low monthly price, everything in one place, edits whenever you want.

Things to watch: the price is low because the work is done by you. Choosing a template, writing texts, arranging sections and setting up SEO details can take days. Check what the plan includes, the price after the introductory period and what you can take with you if you leave.

Option 4: an AI website builder

An AI builder works like a website builder, but you do not start from an empty template. You describe your business and AI prepares the structure, copy and design. You then check the result, correct the facts and publish.

Advantages: the first version in minutes, a low entry price, no need to write everything from scratch.

Things to watch: AI does not know your real prices, qualifications or references; you have to check and complete them. AI actions often use credits, so look at what is included in the plan and what costs extra.

What it costs in OAZEE

In OAZEE you can create and publish your first single-page website free on an OAZEE address, and manual text edits are always free. Paid plans add your own domain, more pages and monthly credits (ZEE) for AI work:

• Start: €12.90 per month or €124 per year, 75 ZEE per month, own domain for one website.
• Pro: €24.90 per month or €239 per year, 200 ZEE per month, own domains for up to three websites.
• Business: €49.90 per month or €479 per year, 500 ZEE per month, own domains without a fixed limit.

Hosting, HTTPS and the technical basics for search engines are included. With an annual Pro or Business plan you get one new .cz or .eu domain free for the first year. Each AI action shows its price before you confirm it; current terms are on the pricing page.

Comparison at a glance

Agency

• Creation: roughly from a thousand euros to several thousand.
• Running costs: hosting, domain, paid changes or a maintenance contract.
• Your time: meetings, materials, approvals.
• Best for: larger projects, custom functions, handing over the whole job.

Freelancer

• Creation: typically from a few hundred euros.
• Running costs: hosting, domain, changes by agreement.
• Your time: materials and communication.
• Best for: a simple website with a reliable person you trust.

Classic builder

• Creation: your own time; a free plan or a low monthly fee.
• Running costs: subscription, domain.
• Your time: the most of all options (templates, texts, settings).
• Best for: people who enjoy building and editing the website themselves.

AI builder

• Creation: minutes; often a free start.
• Running costs: subscription, domain, credits for larger AI changes.
• Your time: checking facts, adding your own photos.
• Best for: small businesses that need a good website quickly and want to edit it themselves.

Example: a gardener comparing options

A gardener needs a simple website with services, area, a few photos and a contact form. The agency quote includes a custom design and copywriting, but the website will be ready in six weeks and every change of the price list goes through the agency. A freelancer is cheaper, but is busy until next month. In a classic builder, he would spend a few evenings choosing a template and writing texts.

With an AI builder he describes his services in a few sentences, gets a draft, corrects the prices, adds his own photos and publishes the website the same day on a free address. When he wants his own domain and a separate page for hedge trimming, he switches to a paid plan. This is a model example, not a real client case.

How to choose

Ask yourself three questions:

1. How unique does the website need to be? If you need special functions or a distinctive design, an agency or a freelancer makes sense.
2. Who will make changes? If you change prices and services often, choose a solution where you can edit the website yourself without extra fees.
3. How quickly do you need it? If you need a website this week, a builder or an AI builder is the realistic option.

If you want to start without paying, see how to make a website for free with AI. Many businesses combine options: they start with a quick website from an AI builder and later, when the business grows, order a custom project from an agency.

See what AI prepares for your business. Free.

Describe your services in a few sentences and get the first version of your website in minutes.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a simple business website cost?

It depends on who makes it. From an agency, roughly from a thousand euros; from a freelancer, from a few hundred euros; with a builder, the price of the subscription and your time. In OAZEE you can start for free and pay for a plan only when you need your own domain or more pages.

What are the yearly costs of a website?

At least a domain and hosting. Add changes, content updates and possibly paid tools. With builders, hosting is part of the subscription.

Is an AI website good enough for a business?

For many small businesses, yes, if you check the facts, add real photos and a clear offer. AI saves time on structure and copy, but the content must match your real business.

Can I switch from an AI builder to an agency later?

Yes. Your domain is yours, and you can point it to a new website. Keep your texts and photos; you can reuse them in a new project.