<article><style>table.with-borders {width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;table-layout:fixed;word-wrap:break-word;}table.with-borders th, table.with-borders td {border:1px solid #ccc;padding:8px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;}table.with-borders th {background-color:#A0BEB9;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;}table.with-borders td:first-child {font-weight:bold;}</style><section id="in-brief" style="background-color:#A0BEB9; border:0.5px solid black; margin-bottom:1rem; padding:1rem;"><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong><ul><li><strong>Creating alone</strong> is never truly "free": 40-120h of your time = significant opportunity cost</li><li><strong>AI is revolutionizing creation</strong>: 5-10 days of work for a decent result (no miracle in 24h)</li><li><strong>In Luxembourg, an agency website starts at €5000</strong> minimum for a professional result</li><li><strong>Gemini = best budget choice</strong>: generates text, images AND videos realistically (all-in-one free)</li><li><a href="https://vmerci.lu/blog/sme-packages-digital-luxembourg-2025-guide-complet">SME Packages Digital grants</a> fund up to 70% of agency costs</li></ul></section><h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2><p>You're launching your business in Luxembourg and need a website. Three possible paths: create it yourself, get help from artificial intelligence, or delegate to a professional agency. But which option should you choose? And more importantly, how do you evolve from one solution to another as your business grows? This guide gives you the keys to making the right choice based on your current and future situation.</p><h2 id="why-a-website-is-non-negotiable-in-2025">Why a website is non-negotiable in 2025</h2><p><strong>Luxembourg market reality:</strong></p><p>Before choosing a service provider, 85% of Luxembourgers search online. Without a digital presence, you simply don't exist for them.</p><p><strong>Luxembourg-specific challenges:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mandatory multilingualism</strong>: FR/DE/EN minimum</li><li><strong>Fierce competition</strong>: multinationals vs local SMEs</li><li><strong>Strict GDPR</strong>: Luxembourg's CNPD doesn't mess around</li><li><strong>Demanding audience</strong>: professionalism expected from the first click</li></ul><hr><h2 id="option-1-create-your-website-yourself-diy">Option 1: Create your website yourself (DIY)</h2><h3>Recommended tools</h3><p><strong>🏆 Our recommendation: Webflow</strong></p><ul><li>Professional design without coding</li><li>Simplified maintenance vs WordPress</li><li>Excellent performance and SEO</li><li>Reasonable learning curve</li></ul><p><strong>Alternatives based on your needs:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Wix/Squarespace</strong>: simpler but long-term limitations</li><li><strong>Shopify</strong>: essential for e-commerce (online store)</li><li><strong>Framer</strong>: between Webflow and Wix, very trendy in 2025</li></ul><blockquote><p>⚠️ <strong>We discourage WordPress</strong> for beginners: complex maintenance, plugins to manage, risky regular updates, frequent security flaws. Webflow = simplicity + power.</p></blockquote><h3>The true cost of "free"</h3><p><strong>The zero-cost illusion:</strong></p><p>Many think "I'll make my website for free this weekend". Wrong.</p><p><strong>Financial budget:</strong></p><ul><li>Domain name: €10-30/year</li><li>Webflow hosting: €0-200/year</li><li>Premium template: €50-200</li><li>Images/media: €0-200</li><li><strong>Total: €60-430/year</strong></li></ul><p><strong>But the real cost is YOUR TIME:</strong></p><table class="with-borders"><thead><tr><th>Task</th><th>Time needed (beginner)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Learning the tool</td><td>10-20h</td></tr><tr><td>Design and structure</td><td>15-30h</td></tr><tr><td>Content writing</td><td>10-20h</td></tr><tr><td>Adding photos/media</td><td>5-10h</td></tr><tr><td>Basic SEO optimization</td><td>10-20h</td></tr><tr><td>Testing and corrections</td><td>10-20h</td></tr><tr><td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td><td><strong>60-120 hours</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>Real cost calculation:</strong></p><p>If your time is worth €50/h (consultant, skilled craftsman):</p><ul><li>80h × €50 = <strong>€4000 hidden cost</strong></li><li>"Free" website at €200 = <strong>really €4200</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Those 80 hours, you could have invested them in:</strong></p><ul><li>Business prospecting and client development</li><li>Producing and delivering your services</li><li>Improving your product offering</li><li>Rest and work-life balance</li></ul><h3>Training effectively</h3><p><strong>Free resources:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>YouTube</strong>: Webflow tutorials in French (Webflow University channel)</li><li><strong>Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce</strong>: digital training for entrepreneurs</li><li><strong>Webflow University</strong>: complete free course (English)</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended paid training:</strong></p><ul><li>Webflow course: €200-500</li><li>ROI if you plan to manage long-term</li></ul><h3>✅ Create yourself if you check ALL these boxes</h3><ul><li>Budget < €500 AND no access to financing</li><li>You have 60-120h available in the next 2 months</li><li>You enjoy learning tech (otherwise it'll be hell)</li><li>Simple showcase site without e-commerce</li><li>You're not pressed for time</li></ul><hr><h2 id="option-2-create-with-artificial-intelligence">Option 2: Create with artificial intelligence</h2><h3>AI: your creative assistant (not your replacement)</h3><p><strong>Major change in 2025:</strong></p><p>AI no longer just creates the site structure, it also generates content: text, images, even videos.</p><h3>AI tools to create your website</h3><p><strong>Complete website generation:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Framer AI</strong>: site generated in a few prompts</li><li><strong>Durable</strong>: site created in 30 seconds</li><li><strong>10Web</strong>: for those who still want WordPress</li><li><strong>Webflow + Relume</strong>: AI for Webflow (best compromise)</li></ul><p><strong>📝 Text, images AND videos: Google Gemini (our recommendation)</strong></p><p><strong>Why Gemini for small budgets?</strong></p><ul><li><strong>All-in-one free</strong>: text + images + videos in one tool</li><li><strong>Ultra-realistic media</strong>: generated images and videos look more authentic</li><li><strong>Google integration</strong>: docs, sheets, gmail</li><li><strong>Natural writing</strong>: excellent in French</li><li><strong>€0</strong> vs €20/month for ChatGPT Plus</li></ul><p><strong>What Gemini generates:</strong></p><ul><li>✍️ <strong>Text</strong>: web pages, descriptions, articles</li><li>🎨 <strong>Images</strong>: realistic photos, illustrations, visuals</li><li>🎥 <strong>Videos</strong>: short clips for your site</li><li>🔍 <strong>Integrated web search</strong>: updated information</li><li>🎙️ <strong>Podcasts</strong>: audio generation from your content</li></ul><p><strong>Alternatives:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>ChatGPT Plus (€20/month)</strong>: excellent for text and images too</li><li><strong>Claude</strong>: better for long and nuanced content (text only)</li><li><strong>Ideogram (free/paid)</strong>: if you want specific high-quality images</li></ul><blockquote><p>💡 <strong>Tip</strong>: ChatGPT and Gemini already generate excellent images. No need for a separate tool to start.</p></blockquote><h3>Recommended workflow with AI</h3><p><strong>Step 1: Structure generation (1-2h)</strong></p><ul><li>Use Framer AI or Webflow + Relume</li><li>Prompt: "Create a website for [your activity] with pages: Home, Services, About, Contact"</li><li>Review and adjust the proposed structure</li></ul><p><strong>Step 2: Content generation with Gemini (3-5h)</strong></p><ul><li>✍️ <strong>Text</strong>: "Write me a homepage for a [profession] in Luxembourg highlighting [benefits]"</li><li>🎨 <strong>Images</strong>: "Generate a professional image representing [concept]"</li><li>🎥 <strong>Videos</strong>: "Create a 15-second video presenting [service]"</li><li>Customize, humanize, adjust tone</li></ul><p><strong>Step 3: Integration and refinement (2-5h)</strong></p><ul><li>Add AI-generated content to your site builder</li><li>Adjust design, colors, fonts</li><li>Test on mobile and desktop</li></ul><p><strong>Step 4: Multilingual (Luxembourg specificity) (3-7h)</strong></p><ul><li>Use DeepL for FR/DE/EN translations</li><li>Review translations (never 100% automatic)</li><li>Hire native speaker if budget allows (€200-500)</li></ul><p><strong>Total time with AI: 9-19h vs 60-120h DIY</strong></p><h3>Realistic budget with AI</h3><table class="with-borders"><thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Cost</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Domain + hosting (Webflow/Framer)</td><td>€100-300/year</td></tr><tr><td>Gemini</td><td>€0 (free)</td></tr><tr><td>ChatGPT Plus (optional)</td><td>€20/month</td></tr><tr><td>DeepL Pro for translations</td><td>€0-10/month</td></tr><tr><td>Native proofreading FR/DE/EN</td><td>€200-500 (one-time)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>TOTAL Year 1</strong></td><td><strong>€300-1100</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>+ Your time: 9-19h (vs 60-120h full DIY)</strong></p><h3>✅ Choose AI if you check these boxes</h3><ul><li>Budget €300-1000 available</li><li>You have 10-20h to dedicate (not 60-120h)</li><li>You want a decent result quickly (7-14 days)</li><li>You know how to supervise AI (critical eye required)</li><li>Simple or medium-complexity website</li></ul><hr><h2 id="option-3-use-a-professional-web-agency">Option 3: Use a professional web agency</h2><h3>Why pay €5000-15000 for a website?</h3><p><strong>What you really buy:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Time</strong>: you focus on your business, not on learning Webflow</li><li><strong>Expertise</strong>: SEO, UX, conversion, performance = years of experience</li><li><strong>Quality</strong>: pro design that inspires confidence</li><li><strong>Support</strong>: maintenance, updates, debugging</li><li><strong>Results</strong>: a site that generates business, not just looks good</li></ul><p><strong>Real Luxembourg prices (2025):</strong></p><table class="with-borders"><thead><tr><th>Type of site</th><th>Luxembourg price</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Professional showcase site</td><td>€5000-8000</td></tr><tr><td>Multilingual site + SEO</td><td>€8000-12000</td></tr><tr><td>E-commerce site</td><td>€8000-25000</td></tr><tr><td>Custom web application</td><td>€15000-50000+</td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote><p>⚠️ <strong>Beware of agencies under €5000</strong>: often template-based, limited support, result not suited to Luxembourg market. Luxembourg specificity: high costs BUT quality accordingly.</p></blockquote><h3>How to choose your agency?</h3><p><strong>5 key criteria:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Portfolio</strong>: Do they have Luxembourg references? Sites that look like what you want?</li><li><strong>Technology</strong>: Webflow/Shopify or old WordPress? Modern = easier evolution.</li><li><strong>SEO expertise</strong>: Do they talk about SEO, GA4, conversion? Or just "pretty"?</li><li><strong>Communication</strong>: Do they respond quickly? Understand your business? Transparent?</li><li><strong>Support</strong>: What after delivery? Training? Maintenance included or extra?</li></ol><p><strong>Red flags (run away):</strong></p><ul><li>Promises "Site ready in 48h"</li><li>Refuses to show portfolio</li><li>No clear contract</li><li>Hyper-aggressive commercial pressure</li><li>Prices too good to be true (&lt; €2000 for pro site)</li></ul><h3>SME Packages Digital: 70% financed</h3><p><strong>The gift from the Luxembourg state:</strong></p><p>SME Packages Digital = government grant covering <strong>up to 70% of digital project costs</strong> for eligible Luxembourg SMEs.</p><p><strong>Concrete example:</strong></p><ul><li>Website cost: €8000</li><li>SME Packages Digital subsidy: €5600 (70%)</li><li>Your real cost: <strong>€2400</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Conditions:</strong></p><ul><li>SME &lt; 250 employees established in Luxembourg</li><li>Certified provider (check list on <a href="https://guichet.public.lu">guichet.public.lu</a>)</li><li>Application BEFORE starting project</li></ul><blockquote><p>💡 <strong>With SME Packages Digital, an €8000 agency site costs you €2400</strong>. Compare that to DIY where your time alone costs €4000.</p></blockquote><p><strong>More info:</strong> <a href="https://vmerci.lu/blog/sme-packages-digital-luxembourg-2025-guide-complet">Complete SME Packages Digital Guide</a></p><h3>✅ Choose agency if you check these boxes</h3><ul><li>Budget €5000+ (or €2000+ with SME Packages Digital)</li><li>Your time is too valuable to learn DIY</li><li>You need a professional, trustworthy result</li><li>Medium to complex website (e-commerce, multilingual, custom features)</li><li>You want support and evolution</li></ul><hr><h2 id="the-evolution-plan-when-to-switch-from-one-option-to-another">🗺️ The evolution plan: when to switch from one option to another</h2><p><strong>Your site must evolve with your business.</strong> Here's when and how to migrate.</p><h3>Phase 1: Launch (0-6 months) → DIY or AI</h3><p><strong>Your situation:</strong></p><ul><li>You're testing the market</li><li>Revenue &lt; €5000/month</li><li>Time available to learn</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended solution:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>DIY Webflow</strong> if you love tech and have 60-120h</li><li><strong>AI (Framer + Gemini)</strong> if you want to go faster (10-20h)</li></ul><p><strong>Objective:</strong> Exist online, validate your offer, generate first leads.</p><h3>Phase 2: Growth (6 months - 2 years) → AI or Agency</h3><p><strong>Your situation:</strong></p><ul><li>Revenue €5000-20000/month</li><li>Your time becomes scarce</li><li>You need more conversions</li></ul><p><strong>Migration signals:</strong></p><ul><li>Your DIY site looks "amateur" vs competition</li><li>You lose deals because of a non-professional site</li><li>You spend time on maintenance instead of selling</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended solution:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Upgrade with AI</strong>: improve design, add features (Webflow + AI)</li><li><strong>OR migrate to agency</strong>: complete redesign if budget allows (€5000-8000)</li></ul><h3>Phase 3: Maturity (2+ years) → Professional Agency</h3><p><strong>Your situation:</strong></p><ul><li>Revenue &gt; €20000/month</li><li>Established team</li><li>Brand image becomes critical</li></ul><p><strong>Migration signals:</strong></p><ul><li>Your site is a bottleneck for growth</li><li>International or B2B expansion</li><li>Need advanced features (API, automation, integrations)</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended solution:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Complete redesign with pro agency</strong>: €8000-15000+</li><li>Custom Webflow or custom app if specific needs</li><li>Ongoing support and SEO optimization</li></ul><p><strong>With SME Packages Digital: €8000 site = €2400 for you</strong></p><h3>Migration costs</h3><table class="with-borders"><thead><tr><th>Migration</th><th>Cost</th><th>Time</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DIY → AI upgrade</td><td>€300-1000</td><td>10-20h</td></tr><tr><td>DIY/AI → Agency</td><td>€5000-8000</td><td>4-8 weeks</td></tr><tr><td>Agency redesign</td><td>€8000-15000</td><td>6-12 weeks</td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote><p>💡 <strong>Migration tip</strong>: Keep your domain, redirect URLs, don't lose SEO. A good agency handles this.</p></blockquote><hr><h2 id="common-mistakes-to-avoid">❌ Common mistakes to avoid</h2><h3>❌ Mistake 1: "I'll redo it later"</h3><p><strong>Why it's a mistake:</strong><br>A neglected site scares away clients. "Later" never comes, and you lose deals.</p><p><strong>Solution:</strong><br>Launch imperfect but professional. Improve iteratively. Imperfect site &gt; no site.</p><h3>❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting SEO from the start</h3><p><strong>Why it's a mistake:</strong><br>Beautiful site invisible on Google = €0 generated. SEO should be integrated from V1.</p><p><strong>Solution:</strong><br>Learn SEO basics (title, meta, H1/H2, loading speed) OR pay agency to do it.</p><h3>❌ Mistake 3: Blindly trusting AI</h3><p><strong>Why it's a mistake:</strong><br>AI generates generic, sometimes incorrect content. Publication without review = credibility loss.</p><p><strong>Solution:</strong><br>AI = first draft. ALWAYS reread, verify, personalize before publication.</p><h3>❌ Mistake 4: Choosing the cheapest agency</h3><p><strong>Why it's a mistake:</strong><br>Pro site at €500 = guaranteed scam. You'll have a botched result to redo = total loss.</p><p><strong>Solution:</strong><br>Compare 3 agencies, check their work, read reviews. Realistic minimum budget: €2000.</p><h3>❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting multilingualism from the start</h3><p><strong>Why it's a mistake:</strong><br>In Luxembourg, monolingual = you cut off 60% of the market. Adding later = costly partial redesign.</p><p><strong>Solution:</strong><br>FR/DE/EN minimum from V1, even with limited budget = essential texts translated.</p><hr><h2 id="conclusion-invest-according-to-your-real-priorities">Conclusion: invest according to your real priorities</h2><p><strong>Creating a website in 2025 is no longer binary</strong> (do it vs delegate). It's a spectrum with several smart options depending on your starting point.</p><p><strong>Our recommendation based on your profile:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>You're testing an idea</strong> → DIY with Webflow (+ YouTube/Chamber of Commerce)</li><li><strong>You're validating your market</strong> → AI to accelerate (Framer + Gemini + Midjourney)</li><li><strong>You're building to last</strong> → Agency for excellence (custom Webflow)</li><li><strong>You're launching e-commerce</strong> → Shopify with pro support</li></ul><p><strong>And above all: don't be afraid to evolve.</strong><br>Start DIY if needed, but migrate to pro as soon as your business justifies it. A good website isn't an expense, it's your company's most profitable investment.</p><hr><section id="faq"><h2 id="faq-website-creation-luxembourg">FAQ: Website creation Luxembourg</h2><h3>How long to create a website yourself?</h3><p>60-120 hours for a beginner (including learning). Plan 3-4 weeks at 15-20h/week. It's NEVER "a weekend", except for an ultra-simple landing page. Your time has value: 80h × €50/h = €4000 hidden opportunity cost.</p><h3>Why Webflow rather than WordPress?</h3><p>Webflow = simplified maintenance, no plugins to manage, native security, excellent performance by default. WordPress = complex for beginners, risky updates, frequent security flaws. For 90% of Luxembourg SMEs, Webflow is superior.</p><h3>Can AI really create my entire website?</h3><p>Yes and no. AI creates the structure, basic design, and generates content (text with Gemini, images with Midjourney). BUT: you must supervise, adjust, personalize. Plan 7-14h of work even with AI (vs 60-120h full DIY). AI accelerates, it doesn't replace your business expertise.</p><h3>Shopify or WooCommerce for my online store?</h3><p>Shopify for 95% of cases: simple, secure, scalable, 24/7 support. WooCommerce (WordPress) only if very specific needs AND you have technical skills. For a Luxembourg entrepreneur starting in e-commerce: Shopify hands down.</p><h3>How much does an agency website really cost in Luxembourg?</h3><p><strong>Luxembourg reality: from €5000 for a professional agency website.</strong> Pro showcase site: €5000-8000. Multilingual SEO site: €8000-12000. E-commerce: €8000-25000. Anything offered below €5000 is generally not professional agency work. With SME Packages Digital (70% funded), an €8000 site costs you €2400. Don't just compare price: compare time saved, quality and revenue generated.</p><h3>Gemini or ChatGPT to create my content?</h3><p>Our current preference: <strong>Gemini</strong>. Free, excellent in French, Google integration. ChatGPT Plus (€20/month) is also very good. To start with limited budget: Gemini. If budget OK and need advanced features: ChatGPT Plus.</p><h3>When should I redo my existing site?</h3><p>Signals: outdated design (&gt; 3-5 years), not mobile-friendly, slow, declining SEO, losing customers to competition. An obsolete site costs more than a redesign (lost customers). Invest in a redesign as soon as your site hinders your growth.</p><h3>Should I create a multilingual site in Luxembourg?</h3><p>YES, absolutely. FR/DE/EN minimum to reach 95% of the market. A monolingual site in Luxembourg = you abandon 60% of potential customers. Cost: +30-50% vs monolingual. It's an investment, not an option.</p><script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How long to create a website yourself?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"60-120 hours for a beginner (including learning). Plan 3-4 weeks at 15-20h/week. It's NEVER 'a weekend', except for an ultra-simple landing page. 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