The verdict in three sentences
An accounting firm WordPress site running 38 plugins that has been hacked twice in 18 months costs more to keep than to replace. A rebuild on a modern stack (Next.js or a headless CMS) costs EUR 7,000 to 13,000 ex VAT in Dublin in 2026, including migration of 120 articles and 301 redirects. The real return shows up in security, speed (Lighthouse above 90) and booked consultations, not in looks.
Why the firm's WordPress site has become a liability
The pattern is familiar: a site built in 2017 by a freelancer, a premium theme abandoned by its vendor, then plugins added one need at a time (forms, booking, caching, security, SEO, cookies, newsletter). Every plugin is an entry point. For a practice regulated by Chartered Accountants Ireland, the stakes go beyond image: the site often links to the client document portal, and a visible hack (redirect to a pharmacy spam site, defaced page) erodes the trust of 650 small business owners.
| Metric | Current WordPress | After rebuild (target) |
|---|---|---|
| Active plugins | 38 | 0 to 3 (headless CMS) |
| Security incidents over 18 months | 2 hacks | 0 targeted, smaller attack surface |
| Mobile Lighthouse score | 34 to 48 | above 90 |
| Load time on 4G | 5.8 s | under 1.8 s |
| Emergency fixes per year | EUR 1,200 | included in maintenance |
| Updates to monitor per month | 10 to 15 | 1 to 2 |
| GDPR compliance of forms | partial | logged consent, EU hosting |
The figure that usually wins the partners over: EUR 1,200 a year in emergency fixes, plus the hours the office manager spends reassuring worried clients. Over three years the old site already costs a third of a rebuild, with zero commercial improvement.
Rebuild pricing and scope in 2026
Budget depends mainly on three variables: the volume of content to migrate, integrations (booking, client portal, practice management software) and the level of SEO ambition. These are 2026 ballpark figures for a 10 to 20 person practice in Dublin.
| Item | 2026 range ex VAT | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Technical and SEO audit | EUR 600 to 1,200 | URL inventory, rankings, backlinks |
| Design and mockups (12 to 18 templates) | EUR 1,800 to 3,200 | firm branding, service pages |
| Development and headless CMS | EUR 2,800 to 5,000 | simple editing for staff |
| Migration of 120 articles and 301 redirects | EUR 900 to 1,800 | URL by URL mapping |
| Booking and GDPR forms | EUR 400 to 1,000 | partner calendar integration |
| QA, launch, training | EUR 500 to 800 | 2 sessions for the team |
| Total rebuild | EUR 7,000 to 13,000 | 6 to 9 weeks |
| Monthly maintenance | EUR 70 to 140 | backups, updates, monitoring |
Migrating the 120 articles on tax and payroll updates is the most underestimated item. Such content often drives 40 to 60% of a practice's organic traffic. A migration without a 301 redirect plan can halve visits within weeks. Every old URL must point to its new address, and outdated posts (2019 tax bands, Covid schemes) should be either updated or redirected to a topic page.
Typical 6 to 9 week schedule
| Week | Stage | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audit and scoping | inventory of 120 articles, redirect map |
| 2 to 3 | Mockups | home, services, team, contact approved |
| 3 to 5 | Development | staging site, CMS configured |
| 5 to 6 | Content migration | articles moved, SEO tags preserved |
| 7 | QA | mobile, forms, 301s, accessibility tests |
| 8 to 9 | Launch and follow-up | Search Console, 404 fixes |
The schedule almost always slips on the same point: partners signing off the service page copy. Naming one lead partner with half a day blocked in week 3 avoids a two-week delay.
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Aoife, partner in a 14 person accounting practice in Dublin, compares two options over three years. Keeping WordPress: EUR 1,200 a year in emergency fixes, EUR 600 in premium plugins, about 30 hours of internal time lost per year valued at EUR 60, so EUR 3,600 a year and EUR 10,800 over three years, with the risk of a third hack. Rebuilding: EUR 10,000 ex VAT once, then EUR 110 a month maintenance, so EUR 13,960 over three years. The net difference is EUR 3,160. The new site only needs to bring two extra engagements a year (a small business client averages EUR 2,400 in annual fees) to pay off from year two.
FAQ
Will we lose our Google rankings by leaving WordPress?
Not if the 301 redirect plan is complete and tested before launch. In practice there is a temporary 5 to 15% dip in visits for 2 to 4 weeks, then a return to the previous level or better thanks to the speed gain.
Can we publish articles ourselves after the rebuild?
Yes, a headless CMS offers a simpler interface than WordPress. A 2 hour training session is usually enough, and publishing an article takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Do we have to leave WordPress?
No. A slimmed down WordPress rebuild (5 to 8 plugins, custom theme) costs EUR 5,000 to 9,000 ex VAT. It makes sense if the team is attached to the tool, but security upkeep stays heavier.
Can the site connect to our client document portal?
Yes, through a secure link or single sign-on depending on the software. Budget EUR 400 to 1,500 ex VAT depending on the integration depth.
What does EUR 70 to 140 a month of maintenance cover?
Daily backups, updates, 24/7 uptime monitoring and 1 to 2 hours of monthly changes. The upper end includes a monthly SEO report.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current site address and we will price the rebuild, article migration and redirect plan, with an indicative budget of EUR 7,000 to 13,000 ex VAT and a 6 to 9 week timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
