Choose a showcase website if you sell a service or know-how, a catalogue website if you present a product range without online sales, and an e-commerce website if your customers can order and pay without talking to you. This simple rule covers 90% of situations. The rest of this article details the criteria, prices and timelines of each package to help you decide.
The three packages at a glance
| Criterion | Showcase website | Catalogue website | E-commerce website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Present, reassure, get a contact | Display a range, generate quotes | Sell and collect payment online |
| Typical pages | Home, services, about, contact | Families, product sheets, quote request | Categories, sheets, cart, customer account |
| Starting price | €850 | €1,190 | €1,850 |
| Timeline | 2 to 3 weeks | 3 to 5 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Day-to-day management | A few minutes a month | Occasional product additions | Orders, stock, shipping, after-sales |
The showcase website: to sell a service or know-how
Craftsman, firm, consultant, restaurant, estate agency: your customer wants to know who you are, what you do, where you are and how to reach you. A five to eight page showcase website answers these four questions, with a form, a WhatsApp button and a map. Well ranked in your city, it becomes your first source of leads.
Choose it if your offer sells after a conversation (quote, appointment, visit) and if you have fewer than twenty services to present.
The catalogue website: to present a range without selling online
Manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, supplier to professionals: your prices depend on quantities, the customer or the configuration. A catalogue website presents hundreds of references with filters, detailed sheets, downloadable documentation and one-click quote requests. Products are imported from an Excel file or your management software.
Choose it if you sell B2B, if your prices are not public or if online sales logistics are not ready.
The e-commerce website: to sell and collect payment online
Retailer, brand, creator: your products have a fixed price and can be shipped. An e-commerce website on WooCommerce or Prestashop handles the cart, secure payment, shipping costs, stock, promotions and follow-up emails. It is the most profitable package, but also the one that requires the most day-to-day organisation.
Choose it if you can prepare and ship orders every week and if you have a budget to drive traffic (SEO, advertising, social media).
Common mistakes
- Launching a shop without logistics. An e-commerce site without regular shipments disappoints customers and damages your image. Start with a catalogue with quote requests.
- Multiplying the pages of a showcase website. Beyond twenty services, navigation becomes confusing: move to a catalogue.
- Forgetting content. Whatever the type of website, the text is what drives rankings. Plan copywriting from the quote stage.
- Neglecting evolution. A well-built showcase website turns into a catalogue, then a shop, without starting over. Tell your agency from the start.
Key takeaway: the type of website follows your sales process, not the other way round. If the customer buys after a conversation, showcase. If they compare a range, catalogue. If they order alone, e-commerce.
What about the budget?
Starting prices range from €850 for a showcase website to €1,850 for a shop. To understand what makes a quote vary, read how much a website costs in 2026. All three packages are delivered optimised for SEO and can be looked after by our maintenance centre. You can also browse our work to see each type of website in action, then ask us for a free quote.