How much does it cost to maintain a website?

The cost of building a website is only the beginning. Many business owners, bloggers, and online store operators forget about the ongoing costs of maintaining a website, which appear monthly or annually. These expenses determine whether your website remains stable, secure, and visible in Google.

Website maintenance does not have to be expensive, but neglecting it can lead to serious problems. Slow loading times, downtime, lack of updates, or data loss are real risks. That is why it is important to understand what costs to expect and what exactly affects the final amount.

In this article, we analyze real prices, examples, and the key factors that influence the cost of maintaining a website. This will help you plan your budget more effectively and avoid unnecessary expenses.

What makes up the cost of website maintenance?

The cost of website maintenance is the sum of several fixed and variable elements. Some of them are mandatory, while others depend on the scale of the project and your expectations. Even a simple brochure website generates regular costs.

It is important to understand that maintenance goes beyond hosting and a domain. It also includes security, updates, and performance optimization. The more complex the website, the broader the scope of required work.

The most common elements affecting maintenance costs include:

• hosting and server infrastructure
• domain registration
• SSL certificate
• system and plugin updates
• backups
• technical support

Each of these elements can cost from a few to several hundred euros per year or per month. In the following sections, we will examine them in detail to help you identify where you can save money and where cutting costs is not advisable.

How much do hosting and domain cost per year?

Hosting and a domain are the foundation of every website. Without them, your website simply does not exist online. Fortunately, these are among the most predictable expenses.

A domain name is relatively inexpensive and usually paid once per year. Standard domains such as .com or .co.uk typically cost between 10 and 40 EUR annually, depending on the registrar and promotions.

Hosting, however, comes with a wider price range. The cheapest plans can cost as little as 30 to 50 EUR per year, but they are often insufficient for business websites or SEO-focused projects. A reliable hosting solution usually costs between 100 and 400 EUR per year.

The most common hosting options include:

• shared hosting
• VPS servers
• dedicated servers
• managed WordPress hosting

Choosing the right hosting solution directly impacts website speed, security, and search engine rankings. It should be treated as an investment rather than an expense.

Do SSL certificates and security generate additional costs?

Website security is one of the most underestimated maintenance costs. An SSL certificate is now a standard requirement, and without it, browsers may mark your website as unsafe. This significantly affects user trust.

Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates such as Let’s Encrypt. For simple websites, this solution is usually sufficient. However, e-commerce websites and platforms processing sensitive data often require paid SSL certificates.

In addition to SSL, security-related costs may include:

• protection against cyberattacks
• regular system updates
• uptime monitoring
• automated backups

Depending on the level of protection you choose, these costs can range from zero to several hundred euros per year. Neglecting security can result in far greater financial losses.

How much do updates and technical support cost?

A website is a living system that requires regular care. Updates to the CMS, plugins, and themes are essential for security and performance. Outdated software is one of the most common causes of website hacks.

If you have the technical skills, you can manage updates yourself and minimize costs. In practice, many businesses choose ongoing technical support to save time and avoid risks.

Technical maintenance services typically include:

• CMS and plugin updates
• post-update testing
• bug fixes
• on-demand technical support

Monthly maintenance packages usually start at around 30 EUR and can exceed 120 EUR per month, depending on the scope of services. The more comprehensive the support, the higher the cost.

How do maintenance costs depend on the type of website?

The type of website has a major impact on its maintenance costs. A simple brochure website is significantly cheaper to maintain than an e-commerce store or a high-traffic platform.

Corporate websites typically require basic technical support and stable hosting. Online stores generate additional costs related to security, payment system updates, and performance optimization.

The most common types of websites include:

• brochure websites
• corporate websites
• blogs
• e-commerce stores
• portals and content platforms

The more features, integrations, and users a website has, the higher the maintenance costs. It is important to realistically assess your needs to avoid both overpaying and underinvesting.

How much does website maintenance really cost per year?

When all elements are combined, it is possible to estimate the real annual cost of website maintenance. Looking at costs on a yearly basis makes sense, as many fees are billed annually.

Below is an example cost breakdown for different types of websites:

Website type	Minimum annual cost	Average annual cost	Extended option
Brochure website	70 EUR	140 EUR	300 EUR
Corporate website	120 EUR	300 EUR	600 EUR
Blog	100 EUR	250 EUR	500 EUR
E-commerce store	300 EUR	600 EUR	1 500 EUR

As shown above, the cost range is wide. It depends on whether you use professional support, how important security and performance are to you, and whether the website actively supports sales.

If you want your website to be professionally maintained, optimized for SEO, and secure, it is worth working with an experienced team. You can explore example service scopes related to website maintenance and development here.

A well-planned website maintenance budget helps prevent stress, unexpected downtime, and additional costs in the future. It is an investment that directly affects your brand image and online effectiveness.