The verdict in three sentences
An architecture studio targeting developers and public sector clients must show documented projects, not an image gallery. The realistic 2026 budget is around GBP 12,000 to 30,000 all in (site, photography of 3 to 4 projects, hosting), delivered in 5 to 10 weeks. A single commission won with help from the site usually repays the investment several times over.
What convinces a developer or public client
A developer in Southwark or a public client shortlisting practices through a framework looks at four things in under two minutes: completed projects with real photography (not just CGIs), the scope of services (RIBA stages covered), key figures (area, construction value, programme) and the team with its ARB registration and RIBA chartered status.
Each project page should include: client (if cleared), location, area in m², construction value, duration, RIBA stages delivered, 8 to 15 photos and a plan or section. Add a downloadable PDF credentials document: it is what procurement panels ask for.
London prices in 2026
| Option | 2026 price | Timeline | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Squarespace or Format template | GBP 200 to 500 per year | 2 to 4 weeks | Generic look, little control |
| London freelancer | GBP 2,500 to 8,000 | 3 to 6 weeks | Little work on project pages |
| Studio-focused agency | GBP 10,000 to 35,000 | 6 to 10 weeks | Premium pricing |
| Kolonell Growth (portfolio, project pages, local SEO) | 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA (EUR 1,830 to 3,050) | 5 to 7 weeks | Content supplied by the studio |
| Kolonell Premium (animations, multilingual, credentials PDF) | 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA (EUR 3,050 to 5,340) | 6 to 8 weeks | For studios with international ambitions |
Freelancer and agency prices are 2026 orders of magnitude observed in London. Kolonell rates follow our official grid, delivered remotely.
Additional costs to plan for
| Item | 2026 price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Professional architectural photography | GBP 1,200 to 3,500 per project | Once per completed project |
| Drone shots (CAA-compliant operator) | GBP 500 to 1,200 per project | Depending on site |
| High-performance hosting and domain | GBP 150 to 600 per year | Annual |
| Kolonell Basic maintenance | 35,000 FCFA per month (EUR 50) | Monthly |
| Project page copywriting (if outsourced) | GBP 150 to 400 per page | One-off |
| Translation for international clients | GBP 80 to 150 per page | One-off |
The technical point most often overlooked: architecture photos are heavy. Without WebP or AVIF compression and lazy loading, a project page exceeds 10 MB and loads slowly on mobile. Aim for under 2 MB per page.
Mini case study
Illustrative scenario: Oliver, partner at a 6-person architecture studio in Hackney, plans a Kolonell Growth site at 1,600,000 FCFA (about EUR 2,440, GBP 2,100), photography of 4 projects at GBP 2,000 each (GBP 8,000), hosting at GBP 300 and maintenance at EUR 50 per month (about GBP 520 a year). First-year cost: about GBP 2,100 + 8,000 + 300 + 520 = GBP 10,920.
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A 1,800 m² residential scheme at GBP 3,000 per m² represents GBP 5.4 million of construction. At 7% fees, the commission is worth GBP 378,000. If the site helps win a single commission of that size within 18 months, the investment is covered more than 30 times.
FAQ
How much does an architect's website cost in London in 2026?
Budget GBP 2,500 to 8,000 with a freelancer and GBP 10,000 to 35,000 with a specialist agency. Add GBP 1,200 to 3,500 per project for professional photography.
How many projects should we show?
Six to ten well-documented projects beat thirty images without context. Start with 4 photographed projects and add 2 to 3 a year.
Can we show CGIs of unbuilt projects?
Yes, in a clearly separate "competitions and studies" section. Public clients give more weight to completed projects with real photography.
Should the site be multilingual?
It is worth it if you pursue clients in the EU, the Gulf or Africa. Each additional language adds roughly 20 to 30% to the budget.
What timeline for a portfolio site?
Between 5 and 10 weeks. The bottleneck is almost always the photo shoots and project write-ups, which take 2 to 3 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Send us your list of completed projects and target clients (developers, public frameworks, international): we price the site, photography and maintenance with a firm schedule. 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.
