The verdict in three sentences
Without a brief, every vendor prices a different project and you're no longer comparing anything. A good brief runs 4 to 8 pages: objectives, audiences, sitemap, content, features, budget, timeline and acceptance criteria. Expect 6,000 to 15,000 EUR for an SME brochure site, plus 2,000 to 4,000 EUR if copywriting is required.
The essential brief sections
| Section | Expected content | Impact on quote |
|---|---|---|
| Objectives | Leads, brand, recruiting | Drives design and SEO |
| Audiences | Personas, sectors, regions | Tone, languages, content |
| Sitemap | 6 to 10 pages listed | Basis for pricing |
| Content | Supplied vs to be produced | +2,000-4,000 EUR if copywriting |
| Features | Form, blog, booking | +500-3,000 EUR each |
| Design | Existing brand or to create | +1,500-4,000 EUR if new |
| Technical | CMS, hosting, GDPR | Maintenance and support |
| Acceptance | Sign-off criteria | Secures delivery |
The 2026 budget and timeline template
| Item | Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping + sitemap | 800 – 1,500 EUR | 1 week |
| UI design (mockups) | 2,000 – 4,500 EUR | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Build + development | 2,500 – 6,000 EUR | 2 – 3 weeks |
| Copywriting (if included) | 2,000 – 4,000 EUR | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Acceptance + go-live | 700 – 1,500 EUR | 1 week |
| Total SME brochure | 6,000 – 15,000 EUR | 5 – 8 weeks |
Always specify who supplies the content: it's the number-one cause of slippage. A fully turnkey site with copywriting and photos costs 30-40% more than one where you deliver finished text.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Sophie, director of a thermal engineering firm in Lyon (12 staff), receives three quotes of 5,000, 9,000 and 14,000 EUR — incomparable. She writes a 6-page brief: 8 pages, contact form, portfolio page, SEO blog, copywriting to be produced, existing brand. The quotes come back at 8,500, 9,200 and 10,000 EUR: the spread shrinks from 9,000 to 1,500 EUR. She picks the 9,200 EUR offer with formal acceptance and 180 EUR/mo maintenance, saving roughly 4,800 EUR versus the most expensive initial quote — while knowing exactly what she's buying.
FAQ
How many pages for an SME brochure site? Usually 6 to 10: home, services (2-3), about, portfolio, blog, contact. Beyond 12 pages you leave the simple-brochure category and the budget climbs toward 12,000-15,000 EUR.
Who should supply the content? Decide it in the brief. If you supply text and photos you save 2,000-4,000 EUR; otherwise budget that line and add 1-2 weeks.
What goes in the acceptance criteria? Verifiable items: mobile responsive, load time < 2.5s, tested forms, GDPR compliance, browser compatibility. They gate the final payment.
Should maintenance be in the brief? Yes: ask for the maintenance rate (150-500 EUR/mo) and its scope. It's as important a selection criterion as the build price.
How long to write a good brief? 3 to 8 hours of internal work, or a half-day workshop with a vendor. It's the highest-ROI investment in the whole project.
Let's scope your project. Send us your draft brief — or start from our template: we'll structure and price it on equal scope. 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.
