Why prices vary so much
A static landing page and a full webshop have nothing to do with each other, even though both are called 'a website'. The gap is like the gap between a leaflet and a magazine. When an agency says 'we build websites from 10,000 NOK', ask what they actually deliver for that price. Often the answer is a template with a swapped logo. That isn't necessarily bad, but it isn't the same as a website built for your business.
Three factors drive price more than anything else:
- How much has to be built from scratch (template vs. custom)
- How much functionality the site needs (static content vs. user logic)
- How much design work it requires (off-the-shelf component library vs. unique visual identity)
Price brackets: what you actually get
10,000 to 30,000 NOK
A starting point for small businesses, freelancers and projects that mainly need to exist online.
You typically get:
- One to three static pages
- Standard layout, often based on a template or component set
- Contact form
- Mobile-friendly design
- Hosting setup
For a local tradesperson, hairdresser or small consultancy this can be entirely sufficient.
30,000 to 80,000 NOK
Now it gets more interesting. You move from 'we have a website' to 'we have a website that does its job'.
You typically get:
- 5 to 15 pages
- Custom design that matches your brand
- Contact form integrated with CRM or email
- Blog or news functionality
- Search engine optimization
- Analytics setup (Google Analytics, tracking)
This is the standard range for businesses that need a serious digital presence without advanced features.
80,000 to 150,000 NOK
Now we're talking about a website that doesn't just present, it delivers.
You typically get:
- Full webshop with payment (Stripe, Vipps, Klarna)
- Product catalog and inventory management
- Customer accounts and login
- Integrations with external systems (CRM, email marketing, accounting)
- More advanced design and animation
If you sell something online, or if the website is a central part of your business model, this is where you should be.
150,000 to 300,000+ NOK
At this level we're talking about web applications more than websites.
You typically get:
- Custom customer dashboards
- Live statistics and reporting tools
- Complex integrations across multiple systems
- API development and backend logic
- Multi-user solutions
This isn't for most businesses, but if you're building a SaaS product or an internal tool, this is where you end up.
What actually drives the cost
Most agencies talk in rough packages. Here's what actually makes a website cost more:
- Custom design: if you want something that doesn't look like everyone else, design work is required. It takes time, and time costs money.
- Functionality beyond static content: search, filtering, user login, payment. Each adds hours.
- Integrations: every external service you connect (CRM, email, accounting, inventory) is its own small development job.
- Content: if the agency has to write copy and shoot photos, it costs. If you supply everything ready, you save.
- Animation and microinteractions: the polish that makes a site feel alive. Nice to have, not free.
- Accessibility (WCAG): if you sell to public sector or have strict requirements, the site needs to be accessible. That takes extra testing.
Hidden costs to ask about
The price an agency quotes is rarely the final cost. Ask specifically about:
- Hosting: where is the site hosted, what does it cost per month or year, and is it included in the price?
- Maintenance: what does it cost to update content after launch? Monthly retainer or hourly?
- Domain: do you own the domain, or is the agency listed as the owner? (You should own it.)
- Code ownership: do you own the code, or are you locked to the agency? Important if you ever want to switch.
- SSL certificate: is it included? (Yes, it should be free in 2026.)
- Backup: who handles backups, and how often?
- Security updates: if the site is built on WordPress or another platform with plugins, those need updating. Who does it?
Templates vs. custom: what you actually need
It's a myth that custom is always better. It's also a myth that templates are always cheaper in the long run. The truth sits somewhere in between.
Templates work if
You're a small business with a limited budget, you don't have strong design opinions, your content is relatively simple, and you're comfortable with looking similar to other sites.
Custom works if
You have a strong visual identity to reflect, you need functionality not found in off-the-shelf templates, the site is central to your sales process, or you're thinking long-term and want something that scales.
We don't use templates ourselves, but we sometimes recommend them to clients where it obviously fits better. Not every project justifies custom work.
WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or custom?
Big question. Short version:
- WordPress: the most-used platform in the world. Powerful, but needs maintenance. Plugins go stale, security holes appear, and the site slows down over time. Good for blogs and simpler business sites.
- Wix and Squarespace: drag-and-drop builders. Very easy to use, but limited flexibility. You don't own the code, and you can't move the site later. Good for projects that don't need to grow.
- Custom (Next.js, React): more work to build, but much faster, more flexible, and easier to maintain over time. Good for businesses that take their website seriously.
There isn't one right answer. We build on Next.js because it gives us control and performance, but we'll say it straight: if you need a simple static page and don't have the budget for custom, Squarespace is a fine place to start.
How to think about budget
- Treat the website as an investment, not a cost. If the site brings in 100,000 NOK in new customers in year one, it's fine that it cost 50,000 to build.
- Set aside 10 to 20 percent extra for maintenance in year one. Things you want to change always come up after launch.
- Don't pay for functionality you don't need yet. Build something simple now and extend later, rather than paying for a complex system you don't use.
What separates a good agency from a bad one
Red flags:
- They give you a quote without asking what the site is supposed to do
- They won't tell you what's actually included in the price
- They want to lock you into a monthly retainer you can't exit
- They own the domain and code, not you
- They have no client references to show
Green flags:
- They ask questions before giving answers
- They give you a fixed price with a clear scope
- They explain technical choices in a way you understand
- They show you the work as it progresses
- They're upfront about what isn't included