The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B trades or services firm in 2026, a template costs EUR 1,500 to 4,000, a semi-custom build EUR 4,000 to 9,000, and a fully custom site EUR 9,000 to 20,000. If your goal is to generate qualified quote requests, semi-custom is the best balance in 8 cases out of 10. Fully custom is only justified beyond 15 pages or with specific features (configurator, client portal, multi-branch).
Three levels, three budgets (2026)
| Approach | 2026 price | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress template | EUR 1,500 - 4,000 | 1 to 3 wks | quick presence, 5-8 pages |
| Semi-custom | EUR 4,000 - 9,000 | 3 to 5 wks | qualified leads, 8-12 pages |
| Fully custom | EUR 9,000 - 20,000 | 5 to 8 wks | premium image, specific features |
A firm that wants realistic quote requests targets semi-custom: distinctive design, service pages, mobile-optimised form.
The real decision: 3-year TCO
Purchase price is not the whole story. Here are common hidden costs and a 3-year TCO comparison.
| Line item | Template | Semi-custom | Fully custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | EUR 3,000 | EUR 6,500 | EUR 13,000 |
| Plugins/licences (yr) | 300 - 800 | 150 - 400 | 0 - 200 |
| Hosting (mo) | 15 - 40 | 15 - 40 | 20 - 50 |
| Maintenance (mo) | 60 - 120 | 80 - 150 | 120 - 250 |
| 3-yr TCO (est.) | ~EUR 6,900 | ~EUR 10,700 | ~EUR 19,000 |
The template looks half the price, but the gap shrinks with annual licences and a shorter lifespan (12-18 months vs 4-6 years).
Mini case study
Tom, owner of an 8-person renovation firm, is torn between a EUR 3,200 template and a EUR 6,800 semi-custom build. He currently gets 9 quote requests a month. The semi-custom site, better structured for local SEO, brings him 5 extra requests a month. At a 25 % close rate and an average EUR 9,000 job, that is about EUR 135,000 in extra annual revenue. The EUR 3,600 premium is absorbed by the first signed job.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Is a template enough for a small firm?
Yes for a basic presence. But to beat well-positioned local competitors, a semi-custom build with service pages and local SEO converts far better.
How much are a template's hidden costs?
EUR 300 to 800/year in premium plugins, themes and licences, plus update-conflict risk. Over 3 years that is EUR 900 to 2,400 often left out of the initial quote.
How long to go live?
1 to 3 weeks for a template, 3 to 5 semi-custom, 5 to 8 fully custom. Your photos and copy availability drives the schedule.
Is fully custom worth it for a small firm?
Rarely, unless you need something specific (quote configurator, client portal, multiple branches). Below that, semi-custom delivers 80 % of the result for 40 % of the price.
Can I upgrade the site later?
Yes: a well-built semi-custom site grows in stages (blog, reviews, new pages) without a rebuild, for EUR 500 to 2,000 per addition.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your services, service area and quote-request target, and we will propose a semi-custom scope between EUR 4,000 and 9,000. 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.
