The verdict in three sentences
A premium brochure website for a Berlin SME costs between EUR 8,000 and EUR 18,000 (net) in 2026, for 8 to 15 pages and 6 to 10 weeks of production. Animation and motion design add EUR 2,000 to 4,000 (net) but transform brand perception in a competitive B2B market. A fixed price secures the budget; time-and-materials only makes sense if your project evolves continuously.
Breaking down a premium budget
A premium site isn't just design: it's a balance across four line items. Here's the typical 2026 split for a EUR 12,000 net budget.
| Line item | Share | Amount (net) | What's delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX / Design | 30% | EUR 3,600 | Mockups, design system, responsive |
| Development | 35% | EUR 4,200 | Integration, CMS, forms |
| Content / Copy | 15% | EUR 1,800 | Text, photos, optimization |
| On-page SEO | 12% | EUR 1,440 | Structure, tags, performance |
| Project management | 8% | EUR 960 | Steering, QA, training |
This breakdown explains why a "cheap" EUR 3,000 site always sacrifices two line items: content and SEO, precisely the ones that generate leads.
Fixed price vs time-and-materials
The billing model changes budget control and risk sharing.
| Criterion | Fixed price | Time-and-materials |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 total cost | EUR 8,000-18,000 net | EUR 450-750/day |
| Budget certainty | Yes, committed | No, variable |
| Overrun risk | On the agency | On the client |
| Ideal for | Defined scope | Evolving project |
| Typical timeline | 6-10 weeks | Depends on availability |
| Annual maintenance | EUR 1,200-3,000 | Billed as used |
For an SME with a clear scope (brochure site + blog + forms), fixed price is almost always the right choice: the price is firm and the agency carries the overrun risk.
Mini case study
Thomas Berger, director of a 45-employee industrial SME in Berlin, wants a site matching his high-end positioning. He chooses a fixed price at EUR 13,500 (net): 12 pages, motion design at EUR 3,000, on-page SEO included, annual maintenance at EUR 2,400. First-year total: 13,500 + 2,400 = EUR 15,900 (net). Target: 15 qualified quote requests/year via the site. At a 20% sales conversion rate and an average deal of EUR 25,000, that's 3 contracts, a return of over 4x the investment in the first year alone.
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FAQ
Why the EUR 8,000 to 18,000 gap?
The gap comes from page count, animation level, content depth and SEO. An 8-page site without motion lands around EUR 8,000-10,000; a 15-page site with motion and deep SEO reaches EUR 16,000-18,000 (net).
Is motion design really worth EUR 2,000 to 4,000?
In a B2B market where image matters, yes: it differentiates an SME from competitors and increases time on site. On a purely informational site, it's optional.
Do I pay VAT?
Yes, 19% in Germany. A EUR 12,000 net fixed price comes to EUR 14,280 gross, recoverable for a VAT-registered company.
What does maintenance cost afterwards?
Annual maintenance runs EUR 1,200 to 3,000 depending on complexity. It covers security, updates, backups and minor changes.
Fixed price or time-and-materials for an SME?
Fixed price in 90% of cases: defined scope, firm budget, risk carried by the agency. Time-and-materials is only justified for a truly evolving project steered in-house.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target page count, motion needs and an indicative budget: we break down UX, dev, content and SEO in a firm fixed price. 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.
