The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, redesigning a communication agency's website in Amsterdam costs between 7,000 and 17,000 EUR, over 6 to 10 weeks. For an agency, the site is the first proof of its craft: the stake is a portfolio that sells, with immersive case studies and a flexible CMS. The choice between custom WordPress and a headless CMS shapes both budget and creative freedom.
Custom WordPress vs headless CMS
Both approaches deliver a premium site, but with different logics. Here is the costed comparison for an Amsterdam agency.
| Criterion | Custom WordPress | Headless CMS (Sanity/Strapi) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 budget (EUR) | 7,000 - 12,000 | 11,000 - 17,000 |
| Timeline | 6 - 8 weeks | 8 - 10 weeks |
| Front-end creative freedom | Good | Total |
| Performance (PageSpeed) | 80 - 92 | 92 - 99 |
| Content editing | Very simple | Simple (dedicated UI) |
| Maintenance cost/year | 12 - 15% of project | 12 - 15% of project |
| Ideal for | Controlled budget | Advanced animations |
Annual maintenance runs at 12 to 15% of the project cost, i.e. 950 to 2,550 EUR/year for an 8-17,000 EUR site. It covers security, backups and portfolio evolutions.
Cost per page and impact on contact rate
The portfolio and case studies carry the most weight, because they are what convert. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude per page type.
| Page type | 2026 unit cost (EUR) | Sales role |
|---|---|---|
| Home (animated) | 1,900 - 3,700 | First impression |
| Immersive case study | 950 - 1,900 | Proof of craft |
| Services page | 550 - 1,100 | Framing the offer |
| About / team | 450 - 850 | Trust |
| Optimised contact | 450 - 950 | Conversion |
| Blog / news | 550 - 1,300 | SEO & expertise |
A successful redesign typically lifts the contact rate from 1.5% to 2.5-3%, nearly doubling inbound enquiries at equal traffic.
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Mini case study
Julien, director of a 12-person communication agency in Amsterdam, invests 13,500 EUR in a headless redesign with 6 immersive case studies. Before, his site converted 1.5% of 2,500 visits/month, i.e. 37 contacts. After, the rate rises to 2.8%, i.e. 70 contacts (+33). From those enquiries, the agency signs on average 2 extra new clients per quarter at an 8,500 EUR average budget. That's +17,000 EUR per quarter, with the investment covered within the first quarter after launch.
FAQ
WordPress or headless for an agency? Headless if you want advanced animations and total creative freedom (11-17,000 EUR). Custom WordPress if budget is the priority and editing must stay very simple (7-12,000 EUR).
How much is an immersive case study? Between 950 and 1,900 EUR per study in 2026, depending on animation and content depth. It is the most profitable element of an agency site.
What is the real annual cost after delivery? Maintenance is 12 to 15% of the project, i.e. 950 to 2,550 EUR/year. Add hosting (20-50 EUR/month) and any evolutions.
How long does the redesign take? 6 to 10 weeks in 2026. The critical point is producing case-study content: anticipate it to hold the timeline.
Does the new site really improve leads? Yes: a well-run redesign lifts the contact rate from 1.5% to 2.5-3%, nearly doubling enquiries at constant traffic.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of case studies, your WordPress/headless preference and your budget: we design a portfolio that turns visitors into clients. 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.
