The verdict in three sentences
A 35-consultant strategy firm should budget USD 30,000 to 80,000 in New York or GBP 20,000 to 50,000 in London for a corporate website of 25 to 40 pages, adding 20 to 30 % for a second language. The quality of the proposals you receive depends directly on the precision of your RFP: a priceable scope, clear content ownership and scoring criteria announced upfront. A weighted scorecard (price 30 %, references 25 %, methodology 25 %, timeline 20 %) stops you from picking the cheapest agency that then delivers late.
The scope to describe, page by page
Agencies price what they understand. A vague RFP produces quotes from USD 15,000 to 120,000 for the same need, impossible to compare. Describe each template, its volume and its content source.
| Functional block | Typical volume | Budget New York (USD) | Budget London (GBP) | To specify in the RFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home and positioning | 1 page | 4,000 to 9,000 | 2,500 to 5,500 | Key message, firm metrics, approved client logos |
| Expertise and industry pages | 8 to 14 pages | 7,000 to 16,000 | 4,500 to 10,000 | Shared structure, case studies, lead partner contact |
| Insights and publications | 1 template + 30 migrated articles | 5,000 to 12,000 | 3,000 to 7,500 | Topic filters, gated PDFs, lead capture |
| Team and partners | 1 list + 35 profiles | 3,000 to 8,000 | 2,000 to 5,000 | Photos, bios, LinkedIn links |
| Careers section | 3 to 5 pages | 4,000 to 10,000 | 2,500 to 6,500 | Openings, candidate journey, ATS link (Greenhouse, Workday) |
| CMS, SEO, WCAG accessibility | Cross-cutting | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 9,000 | Editorial roles, AA level, structured data |
| Second language | All pages | +20 to 30 % | +20 to 30 % | Translation supplied or included |
Add a content appendix: who writes, who approves, by which date. In 7 projects out of 10, delays come from the client firm delivering copy 4 to 6 weeks late, not from the agency.
The vendor scorecard
Publish the scorecard in the RFP. Serious agencies tailor their response, the others filter themselves out.
| Criterion | Weight | What you score | Max points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 30 % | 3-year total cost (build + maintenance), not just the build | 30 |
| References | 25 % | 2 consulting or law firm sites delivered since 2024, verifiable client contact | 25 |
| Methodology | 25 % | Workshops, deliverables per phase, content management, QA | 25 |
| Timeline | 20 % | Credible detailed plan over 12 to 16 weeks, milestones | 20 |
| Pass/fail gate | Yes/No | Code ownership, data hosting location, GDPR or CCPA compliance | Excluded if no |
Practical tip: ask for the 3-year price. An agency at USD 35,000 with USD 1,200 monthly maintenance costs USD 78,200 over 3 years, more than a USD 50,000 offer at USD 500 per month (USD 68,000).
Typical timeline and overall budget
| Phase | Duration | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| RFP and agency selection | 3 to 4 weeks | Signed contract |
| Discovery, sitemap, wireframes | 2 to 3 weeks | Approved sitemap |
| UI design | 2 to 3 weeks | 8 to 12 template mockups |
| Development and CMS integration | 4 to 6 weeks | Staging site |
| Content entry and translation | 2 to 3 weeks (in parallel) | 25 to 40 live pages |
| QA and launch | 1 to 2 weeks | Production site |
Excluding the RFP stage, plan 12 to 16 weeks. A September launch means publishing the RFP by the end of March at the latest. Nearshore agencies working in English and French typically quote 40 to 60 % below Manhattan or Shoreditch studios for the same scope, with comparable timelines.
Mini case study
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Rachel, partner at a 35-consultant strategy firm in Midtown Manhattan, receives five proposals. Offer A costs USD 42,000 + USD 950 per month; offer B costs USD 58,000 + USD 420 per month. Over 3 years, A totals USD 76,200 and B USD 73,120, so B is actually cheaper. B scores 23/25 on references (two consulting firms delivered) versus 14/25 for A, and commits to 13 weeks versus 18. Final score: B 84 points, A 71 points. Rachel picks B, and the French version for the Paris office, at +25 %, is included in the initial scope to avoid a second project.
FAQ
What budget for a consulting firm website in New York or London?
Plan USD 30,000 to 80,000 in New York or GBP 20,000 to 50,000 in London for 25 to 40 pages with expertise, insights and careers. Firms above 100 consultants with several offices often exceed USD 100,000.
How much does a second language cost?
A second language adds 20 to 30 % to the build budget, roughly USD 6,000 to 24,000. Professional translation alone runs USD 0.14 to 0.25 per word.
How many agencies should we invite?
Three to five agencies are enough. Beyond that, reviewing proposals takes more than 15 partner hours for a marginal gain.
Should the RFP impose a technology?
Impose requirements (performance, WCAG 2.1 AA, editorial autonomy) rather than a tool. Let the agency propose WordPress or a headless CMS and justify its choice over 3 years.
How long between RFP and launch?
Allow 15 to 20 weeks overall: 3 to 4 weeks of selection, then 12 to 16 weeks of build. Staying on schedule depends mostly on content delivery.
Let's scope your project. Send us your RFP or current sitemap: we will reply with a priced scope, a 3-year budget and a 12 to 16 week 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.
