The verdict in three sentences
Recurring cost is the most often forgotten line: over 3 years it can equal the price of the redesign itself. A 15,000 EUR redesign comes with roughly 20,000 EUR of recurring cost (maintenance, support, hosting, SEO) over the period. Anticipating this total cost of ownership from the quote stage avoids nasty surprises and lets you choose between fixed-fee and time-and-materials.
The four recurring contracts
After go-live, a living site generates ongoing costs. Grouping them clarifies the picture and helps negotiate a global package. Here are the 2026 ranges.
| Contract | 2026 range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Corrective maintenance | 150 - 300 EUR/mo | Bugs, security updates, backups |
| Evolutive support | 350 - 700 EUR/mo | New pages, changes, improvements |
| Managed hosting | 60 - 150 EUR/mo | EU server, CDN, monitoring, SSL |
| SEO | 400 - 900 EUR/mo | Content, backlinks, rank tracking |
Not all are mandatory. Corrective maintenance and hosting are essential; support and SEO depend on your ambition. A stable showcase site may need only maintenance + hosting, i.e. 210 to 450 EUR/month.
Fixed-fee vs time-and-materials: which to choose?
Two models coexist for support. Fixed-fee gives budget visibility, time-and-materials gives flexibility. Here is the 2026 comparison.
| Criterion | Monthly fixed-fee | Time-and-materials |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 350 - 700 EUR/mo | Day rate 500 - 680 EUR |
| Predictability | High | Variable |
| Flexibility | Capped volume | On demand |
| Ideal for | Regular changes | One-off needs |
| Commitment | 6-12 months | None |
| Response time | Priority | Per schedule |
Fixed-fee suits a company evolving its site every month. Time-and-materials suits a stable site with occasional needs: you pay only what you use, at the 500 to 680 EUR day rate in New York.
Total cost of ownership over 3 years
This is the figure that should drive the buying decision. Here is a realistic example for a premium showcase site.
| Line item | Cost over 3 years |
|---|---|
| Initial redesign | 15,000 EUR |
| Maintenance (250 EUR/mo) | 9,000 EUR |
| Hosting (100 EUR/mo) | 3,600 EUR |
| SEO (300 EUR/mo) | 10,800 EUR |
| Total cost of ownership | ~38,400 EUR |
The redesign represents only 39 % of the 3-year total. Recurring cost (maintenance, hosting, SEO) weighs 61 %. A director who budgets only the redesign underestimates the real investment by more than half.
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Mini case study
Isabelle, head of a consulting firm in New York (16 staff), paid 15,000 EUR for her redesign without planning for recurring cost. A year later she finds unbudgeted costs: 250 EUR/month maintenance, 100 EUR hosting, 300 EUR SEO, i.e. 650 EUR/month. Over 3 years that is 23,400 EUR, more than the redesign. By anticipating from the start, she would have negotiated a global maintenance + hosting package at 320 EUR/month instead of 350, saving 1,080 EUR over 3 years and avoiding any rushed trade-off.
FAQ
Is maintenance really mandatory?
Yes for the corrective and security part: 150 to 300 EUR/month. Without updates, the site becomes vulnerable and degrades. Evolutive support, however, is optional depending on your needs.
What is the difference between maintenance and support?
Maintenance fixes (bugs, security, backups). Support evolves (new pages, features). The first is essential, the second depends on your ambition to evolve.
Fixed-fee or time-and-materials for a stable site?
Time-and-materials. You pay only per use, at the 500 to 680 EUR day rate in New York. Fixed-fee is only worthwhile if you evolve the site every month.
Should SEO be a separate contract?
Yes, it is a distinct discipline. Budget 400 to 900 EUR/month. It is optional but it is the lever that grows traffic and therefore the redesign's ROI.
How do I budget total cost of ownership?
Add redesign + recurring cost over 3 years. For a premium site, count ~38,000 EUR total, of which 61 % is recurring. Budget it from the initial quote.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your requirement level (maintenance only or support + SEO) and your horizon: we will cost your 3-year total cost of ownership. 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.