Business School Website Redesign RFP in Berlin: What to Specify

The verdict in three sentences

Redesigning the website of a private business school in Berlin costs between 50,000 and 95,000 EUR in 2026, and the gap mostly depends on the number of programme pages, the bilingual German and English setup and the depth of the admissions CRM integration. A vague RFP produces quotes you cannot compare, while a document structured in six blocks lets you decide within three weeks. The calendar rules: a site live before the main application window is worth far more than a perfect site delivered three months late.

The six blocks of an RFP that produces comparable quotes

The head of admissions often writes the brief alone, between fairs. This structure avoids back-and-forth with agencies and hidden options.

Ask agencies to answer block by block with a price and a timeline for each. You then compare lines, not lump sums.

Why the CRM and programme pages weigh the most

With an acquisition cost of 1,000 to 2,000 EUR per student (fairs, ads, international agents), a form that loses 20 % of leads costs more than the redesign itself. The site must push every request straight into the CRM, with programme of interest, source, language and degree level.

Also define who publishes what: each programme director edits their page, but approval stays with marketing.

The timeline to impose on agencies

For a launch before the main intake window, the RFP should go out about nine months ahead. Plan 3 weeks of consultation, 2 weeks of selection, then 18 to 22 weeks of build, as translation adds time. Require a dated milestone plan, 2 weeks of QA and a content freeze one month before launch. Add a penalty or discount clause if the launch date slips: it is the only milestone that really matters for admissions.

Mini case study

Julia, head of admissions at a private business school in Berlin (1,200 students, 350 new students a year), selects a 75,000 EUR quote. Her average acquisition cost is 1,500 EUR per student, so 525,000 EUR a year. By lifting visitor conversion from 0.8 % to 1.4 % and removing manual entry that lost about 10 % of leads, she expects 30 extra enrolments in year one. At 14,000 EUR of annual tuition, that is 420,000 EUR of revenue, more than five times the cost of the redesign, and 45,000 EUR of acquisition spend saved at constant volume.

FAQ

What budget should a Berlin business school plan for a website redesign?

Between 50,000 and 95,000 EUR in 2026 for 40 to 60 programme pages, German and English, and an integrated admissions CRM. The top of the range includes a full accessibility audit.

Should the RFP name a specific CRM?

Yes if the school already uses one, otherwise ask for a reasoned recommendation. Integration costs 9,000 to 18,000 EUR depending on the number of synced fields.

How long does a full redesign take?

Allow 18 to 22 weeks of build after agency selection. To hit the intake window, the RFP should go out about nine months before launch.

How do we avoid losing search rankings during the redesign?

List every current URL in both languages and require a complete 301 redirect plan. A poorly migrated redesign can lose 30 to 50 % of organic traffic for months.

Is accessibility mandatory for a private school in Germany?

The Accessibility Strengthening Act applies to many digital services since June 2025, and families expect it anyway. A WCAG AA audit typically costs 4,000 to 8,000 EUR.

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