The verdict in three sentences
In Adelaide, an architecture firm going after public or institutional work needs a website that reads like a submission: capability, team, references and a credentials PDF that are easy to find. As a 2026 ballpark, that redesign costs AUD 9,000 to 25,000 with a local agency (roughly USD 5,850 to 16,250), against USD 2,900 on Starter and USD 4,900 on Growth with Kolonell. The main risk remains losing traffic on existing project pages, handled with a URL inventory, a 301 map and 6 weeks of monitoring.
What does an institutional buyer look for on a practice website?
Procurement teams in education, health, defence or local government often look at the website before or during the assessment of a bid. Procurement rules vary by body and are not covered here; the structure below simply makes their reading easier.
| Page | Expected content | Who supplies it |
|---|---|---|
| Capability statement | Services, building types, team size, area served | The directors |
| Team and credentials | Roles, real qualifications, registration for architects | Each person, checked by a director |
| References by sector | Projects grouped by use: residential, heritage, education | The firm, with client consent |
| Method and project management | Phases, tools, quality control, described factually | The project director |
| Downloadable credentials PDF | Printable capability version, dated update | The firm; layout possible by an independent designer |
| Policies | Privacy, accessibility, any real internal policies | The firm |
| Careers | Architect and technologist roles, application process | The directors |
Everything on these pages must be real: no award, certification or years of experience are added unless the firm supplies them.
What does a redesign aimed at institutional work cost?
Local figures are ballparks from typical quotes and public rate pages of Adelaide agencies, converted approximately (AUD 1 is about USD 0.65).
| Provider | 2026 budget | Capability and team pages | Credentials PDF | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | AUD 3,000 to 8,000 (USD 1,950 to 5,200) | Depends on the theme | Rarely | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Local agency | AUD 9,000 to 25,000 (USD 5,850 to 16,250) | Yes | Often an option | 10 to 16 weeks |
| Kolonell Starter | USD 2,900 | Single capability page | Link to your PDF | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | Capability, team and sector reference pages | Dedicated download page | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | Extended structure, advanced templates, the multilingual tier (languages set in the quote) | Dedicated download page | 3 to 4 weeks |
Every tier of the international offer includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting and 3 months of support. Graphic layout of the PDF by an independent designer, if you want one, is a third-party cost.
A typical schedule: before kick-off, capability writing and credential gathering; week 1, URL inventory and design; week 2, capability and team pages built; week 3, project migration and redirects; week 4, director review and go-live.
Which risks matter for a bid, and how do you avoid them?
| Risk | Effect on a bid | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Title architect used for someone not registered | Credibility loss, regulatory issue | Check every team profile; the title is protected under state and territory Architects Acts |
| Outdated credentials PDF | Information conflicting with the site | Visible update date, single source |
| References without client consent | Possible dispute | Written consent per project, private houses without addresses |
| Project pages lost after the switch | Less visibility on existing searches | 301 map and Search Console for 6 weeks |
| Inaccessible site | Assessors struggle, exposure under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 | Target WCAG 2.2 AA, test keyboard and contrast |
| Over-intrusive form | Needless data to protect | Name, contact details, project type, area, rough budget |
The Privacy Act 1988, overseen by the OAIC, generally applies to businesses above AUD 3 million in turnover, with exceptions, and some government contracts may add their own requirements. Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading claims. Council development applications and heritage rules are described generally, never as advice. This is not legal advice.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
On quote: client portals, project extranets, BIM viewers, tender document rooms, CRM and a secure plan exchange channel, always linked or embedded.
When is an Adelaide agency the better choice?
If you are preparing a major bid with a local tender consultant, or want in-person support to write your capability material and organise photography, an Adelaide agency has a real advantage. Questions to ask: is the PDF download page included? Who checks the credentials displayed? Is the 301 map delivered? How is accessibility tested? What does a team profile added later cost?
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Fernhill Row Studio, a fictional four-person Adelaide practice designing high-end private houses and second homes, wants to position itself for education buildings. Its current site has 18 project pages, all private houses. It keeps 12 with written client consent and no addresses, merges 6 into 2 theme pages, and adds 5 pages: capability, team, method, careers, credentials download.
- Growth: USD 4,900
- Credentials PDF layout by an independent graphic designer (third-party cost, market assumption): AUD 2,000, roughly USD 1,300
- Total: 4,900 + 1,300 = USD 6,200
No work is promised: the site simply makes the submission readable. To price your own structure, request a free quote.
FAQ
Can a 4-person practice present credible capability? Yes, if it is factual: services, project types, tools, area served. Five accurate pages beat copy that inflates the size of the firm.
Should the credentials PDF repeat the whole site? No, 4 to 8 pages are often enough: capability, team, selected references, contact details. The update date should be visible.
Can we show private houses in an institutional submission? Yes, with each client's written consent and no address. In our example, 12 of 18 houses stay online.
How long does it take? 3 to 4 weeks of build once content is ready, then 6 weeks of redirect monitoring. Directors writing the capability statement often need 1 to 2 weeks before kick-off.
Is a document exchange portal with clients included? No, it stays on quote, on top of the USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 tiers.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the sectors you are targeting, the number of projects to migrate and your bid deadline. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
