The verdict in three sentences
A premium showcase website for an architecture firm runs between 9,000 and 22,000 EUR (about 13,000-32,000 USD) in 2026, depending on page count, gallery sophistication and animation depth. The custom project gallery (+2,500 to 6,000 EUR) and a qualified contact funnel are the two line items that actually win bids. In operation, budget 150 to 400 EUR/month for maintenance and 25 to 90 EUR/month for hosting to keep the site fast and secure.
What a premium site covers and what it costs
An architecture firm sells aesthetics and rigor: the site must embody both in the first second. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a 12-25 page project.
| Line item | 2026 range (EUR) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium 12-25 page site | 9,000 - 22,000 | Custom design, responsive, technical SEO |
| Custom project gallery | 2,500 - 6,000 | Project pages, filters, high-def zoom |
| Art direction + mockups | 2,000 - 5,000 | Brand, 3-5 key mockups |
| Copywriting / project storytelling | 1,500 - 4,000 | 8-15 written project pages |
| Photo / editorial integration | 800 - 3,000 | WebP/AVIF optimization, lazy load |
| Contact + qualification form | 1,000 - 2,500 | Quote funnel, anti-spam, alerts |
Agency positioning explains the price gap. In 2026, an agency day rate ranges from 450 to 750 EUR for a senior design + dev profile, versus 300-450 EUR for a junior studio or experienced freelancer.
| Provider | 2026 day rate (EUR) | Typical timeline | Finish level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium agency | 550 - 750 | 8 - 12 weeks | Very high, bespoke |
| Mid-tier studio | 400 - 550 | 6 - 10 weeks | High |
| Senior freelancer | 350 - 500 | 6 - 12 weeks | High but variable |
| Template + integration | 200 - 350 | 3 - 5 weeks | Decent, undifferentiated |
Total cost of ownership: beyond the initial quote
A premium site is a living commercial asset. The 2026 recurring budget breaks down as follows.
| Recurring item | 2026 range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 150 - 400 EUR/month | Monthly |
| Hosting | 25 - 90 EUR/month | Monthly |
| Domain + SSL | 15 - 40 EUR/year | Annual |
| Adding project pages | 250 - 600 EUR | On demand |
| Partial redesign | 2,000 - 5,000 EUR | Every 2-3 years |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Expect an 8 to 12 week timeline from kickoff to launch for a well-run 12-25 page project, with two to three validation cycles.
Mini case study
Helen, partner in a 9-architect firm in Toronto, invests 16,000 EUR in an 18-page site with a custom gallery, plus 250 EUR/month maintenance. Over the prior twelve months the firm received 30 qualified inquiries per year. With the new conversion-optimized site she sees +40%, or 12 additional inquiries. If the firm converts 1 in 4 at an average fee of 25,000 EUR, that is 3 additional projects = 75,000 EUR in potential revenue. The site pays for itself with the first signature.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a truly premium result? Below 9,000 EUR, you stay in semi-custom territory. Genuinely differentiating bespoke work starts at this threshold and rises to 22,000 EUR depending on gallery and animations.
How much is the custom project gallery? Between 2,500 and 6,000 EUR depending on the number of project pages, filters, high-def zoom and full-screen display. It is the highest-return item for an architect.
What timeline should I plan for? Budget 8 to 12 weeks for 12-25 pages, including scoping, mockups, build, copy and QA. A tight 6-week plan is possible but reduces revision rounds.
What does annual upkeep cost? Between 150 and 400 EUR/month maintenance plus 25 to 90 EUR/month hosting, roughly 2,100 to 5,900 EUR/year for a maintained, secure site.
Is SEO included? Technical SEO (speed, structure, tags) is generally included. Ongoing editorial SEO (blog, local content) is billed separately, often 300 to 800 EUR/month.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count, how many projects go in the gallery and your indicative budget, and we will scope a premium site that converts your bids. 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.
