The verdict in three sentences
A website tender specification for a London chamber of commerce must spell out the 40 to 80 page sitemap, the member directory, the document library, multilingual needs and the WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility target. Observed 2026 budgets range from 20,000 to 60,000 GBP depending on scope, with 6 to 10 weeks of procurement before kick-off. Require a 12-month warranty and code reversibility in the contract, or the chamber stays locked in to its supplier.
The essential sections of the specification
A chamber publishes for member businesses, inward investors, policymakers and the press. A vague specification produces bids that cannot be compared. This structure lets you score bids on a common basis.
| Specification section | Expected content | Suggested pages |
|---|---|---|
| Context and objectives | Chamber remit, audiences, success metrics | 2 to 3 |
| Sitemap | 40 to 80 pages, sections, templates | 2 to 4 |
| Features | Directory, documents, events, news, forms | 3 to 5 |
| Languages | Which pages are translated, who translates, publishing lead time | 1 |
| Accessibility and performance | WCAG 2.1 AA, page weight, mobile use | 1 to 2 |
| Hosting and security | UK or EU hosting, backups, certificates, CSP | 1 to 2 |
| Warranty, reversibility, training | 12 months, source code handover, editor training | 1 to 2 |
| Award criteria | Weighting of quality, price, references | 1 |
A 12 to 20 page document is enough. Beyond that, serious bidders spend more time reading than proposing, and capable small studios walk away.
Observed budgets and what moves them
The figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude seen on the London market for institutional projects. They are not the price list of any particular supplier.
| Scope | Observed budget (GBP, ex VAT) | Build time |
|---|---|---|
| 40-page site, news, contact | 20,000 to 27,000 | 10 to 12 weeks |
| 40 to 60 pages, events, public documents | 27,000 to 38,000 | 12 to 16 weeks |
| + searchable member directory | + 5,000 to 9,000 | + 2 to 3 weeks |
| + secure member area and gated documents | + 6,000 to 12,000 | + 3 weeks |
| + full WCAG 2.1 AA audit | + 2,000 to 4,500 | + 1 to 2 weeks |
| 80-page site with CRM integrations | 45,000 to 60,000 | 16 to 22 weeks |
| Annual hosting and support | 3,000 to 9,000 per year | 12 to 36 month contract |
The Procurement Act 2023, in force since 24 February 2025, matters if the chamber or its project is publicly funded: it reshaped procedures, notices and transparency duties. Many chambers are private bodies, but a grant-funded project may still have to follow public procurement rules. Check before publishing.
Procurement: a realistic 6 to 10 week calendar
- Weeks 1 to 2: internal sign-off of the specification and publication of the notice.
- Weeks 3 to 5: bid window, with a written clarification round.
- Weeks 6 to 7: quality and price evaluation, presentations from 3 bidders at most.
- Weeks 8 to 10: award, standstill period where applicable, contract and kick-off.
Suggested weighting: 60% quality (method, design concepts, institutional references, team), 30% price, 10% timeline and guarantees. Ask for an accessible institutional site the bidder has already delivered.
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Richard, chief executive of a London borough chamber of commerce (illustrative example), plans 60 pages, a directory of 1,800 members and a document library. He sets a budget of 36,000 GBP for the build, plus 5,500 GBP a year for hosting and support.
His three-year maths: 36,000 + 3 x 5,500 = 52,500 GBP. Today his team handles about 300 information requests a month by phone at 10 minutes each, or 50 hours. If the online directory and FAQ absorb 40% of those requests, 20 hours a month are freed for member services, or 240 hours a year.
FAQ
What budget should a London chamber of commerce plan for its website?
Observed 2026 budgets range from 20,000 to 60,000 GBP depending on page count, member area and integrations. Add 3,000 to 9,000 GBP a year for hosting and support.
Should we require WCAG 2.1 AA in the tender?
Yes, it is the reference expected by public funders and partners. A full audit costs 2,000 to 4,500 GBP and should be required before acceptance.
How do we guarantee code reversibility?
Require the source code in a repository owned by the chamber, technical documentation and admin access. Add a clause allowing another supplier to take over the site without licence fees.
Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply to us?
It applies to contracting authorities and, in some cases, to publicly funded projects. Since 24 February 2025 it replaces the previous regulations, so take advice if more than half of the project is grant-funded.
How long does the procurement take?
Allow 6 to 10 weeks from notice to contract. Add 1 to 2 weeks if the board must approve the award.
Let's scope your project. Send us your draft specification or sitemap, and we will help you frame the scope, indicative budget and delivery plan. 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.
