The verdict in three sentences
A site's purchase cost (the quote) often weighs only 15 to 20 % of its total lifetime cost. In 2026, a properly operated B2B website easily reaches 45,000 to 55,000 EUR over 3 years, dominated by SEO and maintenance, not the build. Running a site as an asset means budgeting the TCO from day one, not just the initial invoice.
TCO model over 36 months
Here is an order-of-magnitude 2026 breakdown for an ambitious, acquisition-oriented B2B website.
| Item | Unit cost | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build | 8,000 EUR | 8,000 EUR |
| Managed hosting | 60 EUR/month | 2,160 EUR |
| Maintenance retainer | 200 EUR/month | 7,200 EUR |
| SEO / content | 800 EUR/month | 28,800 EUR |
| Ad-hoc evolutions | 3,000 EUR/year | 9,000 EUR |
| Domain / SSL | 40 EUR/year | 120 EUR |
| Total TCO 3 years | — | ~55,280 EUR |
SEO alone accounts for more than half the TCO. It's the first item to arbitrate based on your acquisition strategy.
Breakdown and recurring-cost reduction levers
The build is one-off; the recurring spend is what commits you. Here's where to act without breaking performance.
| Item | Share of TCO | Reduction lever |
|---|---|---|
| SEO / content | ~52 % | Insource writing, keep the agency on strategy |
| Build | ~15 % | Scope tightly, avoid over-design |
| Evolutions | ~16 % | Prioritize a backlog, group by sprint |
| Maintenance | ~13 % | Pick a fitting plan, not premium by default |
| Hosting | ~4 % | Share resources if traffic is moderate |
Never cut the security maintenance: an unpatched flaw costs far more than a monthly plan. Instead reduce outsourced SEO by building internal capacity.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a 60-employee industrial SME in Lyon, discovers that her site, approved at 8,000 EUR, actually costs 1,060 EUR/month all-in (hosting, maintenance, SEO, smoothed evolutions). Over 3 years that's ~46,000 EUR. By insourcing SEO writing (partially reassigning an existing content officer), she brings the SEO line from 800 to 350 EUR/month, saving 16,200 EUR over 3 years, while keeping the agency on strategy and tech. Her TCO drops below 40,000 EUR with no traffic loss.
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FAQ
Why is the TCO so much higher than the initial quote?
Because the build is one-off while hosting, maintenance, SEO and evolutions are recurring. Over 3 years these flows far exceed the upfront investment.
Which item weighs most in the TCO?
SEO and content, often more than half the total when organic acquisition is a goal. It's also the most optimizable item through insourcing.
Can we lower maintenance without risk?
You can choose a standard plan over premium, but never drop security updates and backups. A breach costs more than a year of maintenance.
How should a CFO budget a website?
Think in all-in monthly cost over 36 months, not purchase price. Ask your provider for a costed TCO projection before signing.
Does the TCO drop after 3 years?
The build is amortized, but recurring costs continue and a rebuild usually occurs between years 3 and 5. Plan a new investment cycle at that horizon.
Let's scope your project. Send us your scope and acquisition goals: we'll deliver a costed 3-year TCO projection and the levers to cut recurring spend. 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.
