Web Design and Bespoke Website Creation

Custom websites for brands and projects that want to stand apart

Do you need a professional website custom-built around your business, your audience and your goals? In this article I explain what a website costs, what's included, and which factors drive the price of a fully custom project.

The cost of a website varies considerably with the specific needs of the business. There's a sea of options on the market these days, which is good in one sense: it has democratised access to web design. The downside is that it's hard to filter through and know which investment actually pays off in the long run.

What influences the cost of a custom website:

• ⏱️ Time needed for analysis, structuring and development
• 🖥️ Type of site (brochure site, online shop, portfolio, landing pages)
• 🌐 Domain (.pt, .com, .digital…)
• 📦 Hosting
• 🛠️ Technical support
• 📄 Number of pages and sections
• 🎨 Bespoke design (UX/UI)
• ⚙️ Specific functionality (forms, integrations, login, bookings, etc.)
• 📱 Mobile optimisation and technical SEO

What kind of site should I build for my business or project?

1. Brochure Website

A brochure site is the perfect fit for companies that need an online presence to present their services, brand values and contact options. In some cases it can include a blog for publishing new content.

• 🏷️ The economical option
• 💶 Price: €400 – €1050

2. Online Shop (E-commerce)

Online shops carry a different set of technical demands: they need specific integrations and features such as login, stock management, payment systems and a shopping cart. On top of that, it pays to have marketing mechanisms that drive conversion — newsletter signup forms, discount codes, loyalty platforms and promotion through affiliate marketing campaigns.

• 📦 Product, payment and shipping management
• 💶 Price: €1500 – €3000

3. Optimised Landing Page

Landing pages are single-page sites optimised to capture leads and sell specific products or services. Structured well from the outset, they're a powerful tool. They usually include a form for quote requests or sales enquiries, can give access to content such as e-books, courses or brochures, and can invite newsletter signups.

• 🎯 Built for campaign conversions
• 💶 Price: €200 – €600

Should I choose a freelancer or an agency?

The answer comes down to the budget available and what the business needs. There are pros and cons on both sides, and there's no single right approach to building a website. Having worked in agency environments myself, I kept running into practices that I didn't feel matched what clients actually needed — particularly small and medium business owners.

How does the website creation process work?

1. Strategic briefing
2. Market research and structuring
3. Wireframes and information architecture
4. Bespoke design
5. Development and testing
6. SEO optimisation and launch
7. Training and support

Drawbacks of building websites with agencies

1. Mismatched cost
   Agencies generally cost more because of team size, structure and the processes involved. With smaller agencies the opposite can happen: the price looks attractive, but the customisation gets lost along the way and you end up with a fairly generic website.
2. Longer delivery times
   Agency workflows can involve several stages and departments, which stretches out the overall project timeline.
3. A focus on standardised solutions
   Many agencies fall back on templates and off-the-shelf solutions to speed up delivery, which can compromise how bespoke the result is.
4. Communication through a middle layer
   The client usually speaks to a project manager rather than directly to whoever is responsible for the build.
5. Dependence on the agency for future maintenance
   It's common for a site to be handed over in a state where only the agency itself can — or knows how to — make future changes.
6. Limited ownership of the project
   In some cases the agency retains ownership of the source code, domain or design, limiting the client's freedom.

Drawbacks of building websites with freelancers

1. Vetting professionals can be harder
   Finding a qualified freelancer takes time, research and care to avoid inexperienced or less committed profiles.
2. Technical or creative limitations
   One person may not cover every area a project needs (design, front-end, back-end, SEO, UX).
3. No formal guarantee
   There's often no robust contract, ongoing support or guarantees after delivery.
4. Communication depends on one person
   If the freelancer is unavailable, communication and delivery can slow down because there is no wider team behind the project.
5. Limited scalability
   Freelancers may not be able to take on larger projects, such as complex online shops or system integrations.
6. Risk of disorganisation
   A lack of proper processes and tools can undermine how the project runs.

Why work with matilde digital ✨

1. You talk to me directly
   No middlemen. You're always in contact with the person planning, designing and building your site.
2. Agency experience with freelancer agility
   I bring the knowledge and strategic eye of years in agencies, with the flexibility and speed of a dedicated freelancer.
3. Projects built around you
   No generic solutions here. Every project is designed for you and your business.
4. Transparency and trust from day one
   You always know where we are, what's included and when you'll see results. No surprises.
5. Better value for money
   An accessible investment with professional quality — without the costs and complications of a large agency. And most importantly: no tricks to lock you in. You're free to continue your project with whoever you like. I'm transparent about additional costs such as the domain, stock imagery and hosting.
6. Everything you need in one place
   Strategy, design, development, SEO, support — I'm with you at every stage, from the start through to post-launch.
7. More speed, less bureaucracy
   I avoid heavy processes and unnecessary meetings. The focus is on making it happen, simply and effectively.
8. Fully focused on small and medium businesses
   I understand your needs, your challenges and what genuinely makes a difference for you online.
9. You're part of the process
   Your site isn't built behind closed doors. You follow along, give feedback, and together we create something that genuinely represents your business.
10. Ongoing support
    Once the site is live I'm still here to help you evolve, update and grow online — whenever you need it.