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Advice·April 1, 2026· [ Sjoerd Ligtvoet](https://codavo.nl/en/about)

# Getting a website built: what to look for

What should you look for when getting a website built? From costs to technology - an honest overview so you make the right choice.

You want a website built. But where do you start? There are hundreds of options: from free website builders to agencies charging tens of thousands of euros. In this article, I'll help you make the right choice.

## What kind of website do you need?

Before reaching out to a developer or agency, it helps to know what you need. Broadly, there are three categories:

**Brochure website**: An online business card. A few pages about your business, services, and contact details. Suitable if you mainly want to be findable.

**Website with functionality**: Think booking systems, client portals, payments, or a blog with content management. This goes beyond just informational.

**Web application or SaaS**: A complete tool or platform. User accounts, dashboards, integrations with external systems. This is software, not a website.

The choice you make here determines the investment, timeline, and technical approach.

## What to look for

### 1. Code ownership

With template builders like Wix and Squarespace, you depend on the platform. Stop paying, and your website disappears. With custom work, you own everything: the code, the design, the content.

**Always ask:** who owns the source code after delivery?

### 2. Speed and performance

A slow website costs you customers. Google measures load times and uses them for rankings. Template sites often score poorly here due to bloated platform code.

Custom sites built with modern technology (like [**Nuxt**](https://nuxt.com) and [**Cloudflare**](https://cloudflare.com)) load in less than a second. That difference shows in your conversion rate.

### 3. Search engine visibility (SEO)

Not every website is easy to find. Pay attention to:

- Do you get control over meta titles and descriptions?
- Is the site technically built correctly for search engines?
- Can you easily request changes without technical knowledge?

At Codavo, I build SEO in from the start. Not an afterthought, but part of the foundation.

### 4. Scalability

Your business grows (hopefully). Can your website grow with it? A template site quickly reaches its limits. A well-built custom site can evolve into a complete web application.

### 5. Maintenance and support

What happens after launch? Do you get support? Can you make changes yourself? How much does maintenance cost per year?

With [**Codavo**](https://codavo.nl/en/websites), you get 30 days of support after delivery for websites and 3 months for web applications. After that, ongoing maintenance is available.

### 6. Communication and process

Are you talking to the person building your website, or to an account manager? Direct communication prevents misunderstandings and saves time.

## What does a website cost?

The investment depends on what you need:

| **Type** | **Investment** | **Timeline** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Template (Wix/Squarespace) | €0 - €500/year | Instant |
| Custom website | From €2,500 one-time | 2-4 weeks |
| Web application | From €5,000 one-time | 4-8 weeks |
| Web agency | From €10,000 | 3-6 months |

Read more about costs in [**what does a custom website cost in 2026?**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/custom-website-cost)

## Template, custom, or agency?

The choice depends on your situation:

- **Template**: if you're just starting and only need a simple presence
- **Custom**: if you want to stand out, need specific functionality, or want to grow
- **Agency**: if you need a team of 10+ specialists for a large project

For most entrepreneurs, custom is the best investment. You get exactly what you need, without overpaying.

See the [**full comparison between custom and templates**](https://codavo.nl/en/compare/templates) or read [**template vs custom: when is it worth it?**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/template-vs-custom)

## Next step

Want to know what a website for your business costs? [**Book a free call**](https://codavo.nl/en/contact). In 30 minutes we'll discuss your needs and I'll give you a first direction. No obligations.

[**5 signs your business needs a web application**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/do-you-need-a-webapp) [**The hidden costs of a cheap website**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/hidden-costs-cheap-websites)