The verdict in three sentences
The build cost (8,000-14,000 EUR) is visible; the rest of the budget (maintenance, hosting, SEO, enhancements) is three times heavier over three years. The realistic total cost of ownership of a B2B site in Dublin lands between 25,000 and 55,000 EUR over 36 months. Budgeting for the build alone guarantees reactive trade-offs and a 30-50% drift on fixes.
The 2026 TCO grid
Here are 2026 ranges for a B2B SMB in Dublin, excluding tax. SEO is optional but often decisive.
| Item | Monthly range | Over 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Build (amortized) | -- | 8,000-14,000 EUR |
| Maintenance retainer | 150-350 EUR | 5,400-12,600 EUR |
| Managed hosting | 30-120 EUR | 1,080-4,320 EUR |
| SEO (optional) | 600-1,500 EUR | 21,600-54,000 EUR |
| Enhancements/year | -- | 9,000-18,000 EUR |
| Domain + SSL | 5-15 EUR | 180-540 EUR |
| TCO excluding SEO | -- | ~25,000-55,000 EUR |
If switched on, SEO doubles the budget but remains the top lead driver. Many SMBs start it in year two, once the site is stable.
What skipping the retainer costs
Without a maintenance contract, every incident is billed per unit at emergency rates. The comparison is stark.
| Scenario | With 250 EUR/month retainer | Without (pay-per-fix) |
|---|---|---|
| Security updates | included | 400-800 EUR/intervention |
| Blocking bug fix | included, within 24 h | 500-1,200 EUR, variable delay |
| Verified backups | included | often absent |
| Small enhancements | 2 h/month included | 90-120 EUR/h |
| Observed annual cost | 3,000 EUR | 4,000-6,000 EUR + risk |
At equal incident volume, skipping the retainer costs 30-50% more, on top of lost business when the site goes down.
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Mini case study
Sarah is CFO of a 40-person industrial SMB in Dublin. She had budgeted 12,000 EUR for "the site." Factoring in true TCO (build 12,000 + retainer 250 EUR/month + hosting 60 EUR/month + one annual 4,000 EUR enhancement), the three-year budget reaches 12,000 + 9,000 + 2,160 + 12,000 = 35,160 EUR. By provisioning 977 EUR/month from the start, she avoids emergency trade-offs and smooths the spend across the fiscal year.
FAQ
Why is the build only a third of TCO? Because a site lives, updates and evolves: maintenance, hosting and enhancements often double the initial cost over three years.
Is a maintenance retainer really essential? Yes for any site that generates business. Without it, pay-per-fix work and unpatched vulnerabilities cost more than the monthly plan.
Should SEO be part of TCO? SEO is optional but it is the top lead engine. Budget 600-1,500 EUR/month if you target serious organic growth.
How do I avoid budget surprises? Ask for a three-year TCO quote upfront, with maintenance, hosting and an enhancement budget priced separately.
What monthly provision should I target? For a standard B2B site excluding SEO, provisioning 700-1,000 EUR/month comfortably covers three-year TCO.
Let's scope your project. Share your scope and goals and we'll build a line-by-line three-year total cost of ownership grid. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
