What does a website cost as a freelancer?
A one-page landing page starts from €499, a business website with 3-5 pages from €899, both excluding VAT. For most freelancers the business website is the right choice: a homepage, a services page, an about page and contact. The price depends on the number of pages, on what you already have ready in text and photos, and on extras such as a second language. You get a fixed price in writing before I start, and I stick to it.
How quickly can my website be live?
A landing page is often live within a week. A business website with 3-5 pages usually takes 1-2 weeks. What sets the pace is how quickly you supply text and photos: if they are ready at the start, it goes fast. If you have no text yet, it takes longer. The quote comes with a schedule based on that.
I have no text, photos or logo yet. Can I still start?
Yes. Then we go through what each page needs at the intake: your services, your customers and why they end up with you. Writing the text is included in the quote, so you know the cost up front. Photos you arrange yourself; if you do not have them yet, I build the site so they can be added easily later. A logo is not a requirement: your name in a fitting typeface is enough for many freelancers to start with.
Can I deduct my website from tax?
Yes. A business website counts as a business expense, and if you are VAT-registered you reclaim the VAT on the invoice. Whether you deduct the build in one go or depreciate it over several years is something to settle with your accountant.
Website builder or custom-built: which is smarter for a freelancer?
It depends on how long you need the site. For a trial of a few months, a website builder like Wix or Squarespace is quick and cheap. If you stay in business longer, the monthly fees add up and you are tied to a template you cannot take elsewhere. A custom-built site is a one-off cost from €499, after which you only pay for hosting (€10-€25/month) and your domain name (€10-€15/year). If in doubt, start with a landing page: I extend it once your business grows.
Can I update or extend the site myself later?
Yes. If you want to change text, prices and photos yourself regularly, I connect a CMS so you can do that without touching the code; if little changes, you send me the edit. If you later grow from one service to several, I add pages without the site having to be rebuilt; a landing page can grow into a business website that way. If you would rather hand off the upkeep, I take it over with Standard maintenance (€99/month); Basic (€49/month) covers updates, backups and monitoring. Even without a maintenance plan I stay reachable for questions after launch.
Which freelancers do you build websites for?
For freelancers in every field: coaches, consultants, photographers, therapists, tradespeople, copywriters and trainers. For Etta Coaching, for example, I built a business website that explains the offer and collects enquiries. What differs per trade is mainly the contact route: a tradesperson wants to be called, a coach wants to schedule an introductory call. We discuss that at the intake and I set the site up accordingly.