The verdict in three sentences
For an architecture firm, the website is a commercial portfolio: it must showcase projects while loading in under 2.5 seconds. In 2026, a premium project costs 9,000 to 22,000 EUR net, optimised WebP/AVIF gallery and self-service CMS included. A credible quote details design, development, content, SEO and hosting; a low-cost quote almost always hides one of these.
How to read a premium website quote
A good quote is not a lump sum but a breakdown. Here is the 2026 reading grid for a 15,000 EUR net project and what each line must guarantee.
| Line item | Share | Net amount | What a good quote specifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| UI/UX design | 25 % | 3,750 EUR | Mockups, design system, responsive |
| Development | 30 % | 4,500 EUR | Optimised gallery, animations, CMS |
| Content & photos | 18 % | 2,700 EUR | Project copy, image optimisation |
| SEO & performance | 15 % | 2,250 EUR | Core Web Vitals, schema, indexing |
| QA & training | 7 % | 1,050 EUR | Multi-device tests, handover |
| Year 1 hosting | 5 % | 750 EUR | CDN, backups, SSL |
Low-cost vs premium quote: the traps
An architecture portfolio handles heavy images. Without optimisation the site crawls and Google downranks it. 2026 comparison between a low-cost offer and a premium project.
| Criterion | Low-cost (< 3,000 EUR) | Premium (9,000-22,000 EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Image format | Unoptimised JPEG | WebP/AVIF, lazy loading |
| LCP (load) | 4-6 s | < 2.5 s |
| Self-service CMS | Rarely | Yes |
| Technical SEO | Absent | Included |
| Bespoke design | Template | Yes |
| Timeline | 2-3 weeks | 6-9 weeks |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years | 4-5 years |
| Maintenance/month | Not planned | 90-250 EUR |
Mini case study
Lea, partner at an architecture firm in Toronto (9 staff), had a 2,500 EUR template site: 5.1 s LCP, 4 MB JPEGs, no ranking for "architect Toronto". She invests 14,000 EUR net in a premium site with an AVIF gallery and CMS. LCP drops to 1.8 s, the firm reaches page one on three target queries and receives 9 qualified project enquiries in the first quarter, versus 2 before. A single design contract covers the investment several times over.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Why must my architecture portfolio load so fast?
Because images are heavy and Google penalises LCP beyond 2.5 s. A slow site loses visitors and slips in rankings: WebP/AVIF optimisation is essential.
Can a 2,000 EUR template do the job?
To start, yes, but limits show fast: unoptimised images, no SEO, generic design. For a firm selling high-end work, the mismatch costs credibility.
Do I need a CMS to publish my projects?
Yes: a CMS lets you add a project with its photos without a developer. That keeps the portfolio alive and feeds SEO.
What does maintenance cost for a premium site?
Between 90 and 250 EUR a month depending on traffic and changes: security, backups, CDN and small content updates.
What timeline for a premium architecture site?
6 to 9 weeks: time to process visuals, build the optimised gallery and tune performance. Collecting project photos is often the limiting factor.
Let's scope your project. Premium showcase site for an architecture firm, optimised gallery and self-service CMS, indicative budget 9,000-22,000 EUR net, go-live within 6 to 9 weeks. 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.
