The verdict in three sentences
Over three years, a B2B website costs double its opening quote in 2026: a EUR 20,000 build generates EUR 25,000 to 70,000 of run. The dominant recurring items are SEO (EUR 6,000-18,000/year) and maintenance/support (EUR 2,400-7,200/year). Thinking in TCO, not purchase price, is the only way to budget correctly on a three-year plan.
Build vs run: the 2026 TCO structure
A site's cost splits into initial investment (build) and operating cost (run). Here is the structure for a mid-market B2B site.
| Item | Type | 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build (design + dev) | Build | 20,000 (one-off) |
| Hosting + CDN | Run | 600 - 2,400 / yr |
| Maintenance / support | Run | 2,400 - 7,200 / yr |
| Ongoing SEO | Run | 6,000 - 18,000 / yr |
| Licences (CMS, tools) | Run | 500 - 3,000 / yr |
| Enhancements / new pages | Run | 3,000 - 8,000 / yr |
| Total run | Run | 12,500 - 38,600 / yr |
SEO is the most variable item: technically optional but commercially decisive. Cutting it leaves the site invisible.
Amortisation over three years
Spreading cost over 36 months gives a realistic view of the annual budget.
| Year | Build | Run | Annual total (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 20,000 | 12,500 - 38,600 | 32,500 - 58,600 |
| Year 2 | 0 | 12,500 - 38,600 | 12,500 - 38,600 |
| Year 3 | 0 | 12,500 - 38,600 | 12,500 - 38,600 |
| 3-year total | 20,000 | 37,500 - 115,800 | 45,000 - 90,000 (typical) |
In a controlled scenario (moderate run), the 3-year TCO lands around EUR 45,000-90,000. The build then weighs only 25-40 % of the total.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of an industrial SME in Lyon, wants to budget a site over her three-year plan. Build: EUR 20,000. Chosen run: hosting 1,200, support 4,800, SEO 9,000, licences 1,500, enhancements 4,000, i.e. EUR 20,500/year. 3-year TCO: 20,000 + (20,500 x 3) = EUR 81,500. Presented this way, she avoids the classic mistake of provisioning only the EUR 20,000 quote, which would have left a EUR 61,500 hole in the plan.
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FAQ
Why does run cost as much as build?
Because a living site needs security updates, content, SEO and enhancements. A site left untouched loses its visibility and ROI within 12-18 months.
Can TCO be reduced without hurting results?
Yes: bring some content in-house, choose a CMS without heavy licences, and prioritise SEO on high-potential pages. Run can be cut by 20-30 %.
Is SEO really essential in the TCO?
Commercially yes, for a lead-generation site. Without ongoing SEO, the site depends on paid media, often more expensive per conversion.
How much to provision per year after year 1?
2026 order of magnitude: EUR 12,500-38,600/year of run depending on SEO ambition and enhancement pace.
Should the site be rebuilt after 3 years?
Not automatically: with a good design system and regular enhancements, a site lasts 4-5 years. A full redesign is justified mainly with rebranding or a strategy shift.
Let's scope your project. Share your budget horizon and SEO ambitions, and we will build your 3-year TCO with detailed build and run. 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.
