In our agency 10 years ago we build such websites, it would cost 3000-5000 dollars max. Just with PHP and a simple self build CMS. Including a simple responsive design. We also hosted around 250 of such websites on a single dedicated server. It was very very fast.
I totally agree with this, normally it should be the cost of any content website for clients. The site is fast, and we just need to deploy on one dedicated server or for free with simple maintenance cost per month these days.
We still do the same for small clients, with application building with us and want a content page for their blogs.
