The verdict in three sentences
A 15-lawyer corporate firm should plan EUR 21,000 to 33,000 (about GBP 18,000 to 28,000) for a credible bilingual website, the EUR 12,000 to 47,000 range covering everything from a simple practice-area site to a full editorial platform. The budget is justified by three items that EUR 4,000 sites neglect: carefully crafted partner profiles, an editorial CMS for two insights a month and inbound enquiry tracking by practice area. All within the SRA rules, which strictly frame what you can publish.
What each budget level includes
Clients of a corporate firm (general counsel, CFOs, investment funds) visit the website after a referral, to check expertise and choose which partner to call. The site therefore reassures and routes; it does not sell.
| Level | 2026 budget excl. VAT | Scope | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | EUR 12,000 to 18,000 | 10 to 15 pages, 4 to 6 practice areas, team, contact, one language | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Established firm | EUR 21,000 to 33,000 | 25 to 40 pages, 8 to 12 practice areas, detailed profiles, insights, EN + FR | 10 to 14 weeks |
| Flagship | EUR 35,000 to 47,000 | 60+ pages, deals and credentials, newsletter, client portal, 3 languages | 14 to 20 weeks |
| Partner photography | EUR 1,800 to 4,700 | portraits and office shots, rights assigned | 1 day |
| Legal translation | EUR 0.15 to 0.25 per word | specialist translator, about 15,000 words | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Practice area copywriting | EUR 350 to 700 per page | legal copywriter, partner sign-off | 4 to 6 weeks |
Translation is often underestimated: 15,000 words at EUR 0.20 come to EUR 3,000, and unedited machine translation is spotted instantly by a native-speaking general counsel.
Regulatory constraints to build in from day one
In England and Wales, the SRA Code of Conduct and the SRA Transparency Rules frame law firm communication. Marketing is allowed, but it must not be misleading or promise outcomes.
| Rule | Impact on the website | Compliance cost |
|---|---|---|
| SRA digital badge | must be displayed on the website | none if planned |
| Regulatory information | SRA number, firm structure, registered office, indemnity insurance | half a day of drafting |
| Complaints procedure | published, with Legal Ombudsman details | dedicated page |
| No misleading results | success rates and amounts recovered must be accurate and fair | partner review |
| Client references | only with written client consent, confidentiality | consent management |
| Price transparency | mandatory for some services, optional for corporate work | dedicated page if relevant |
| Cookies and forms | UK GDPR, consent, limited retention | 1 to 2 days |
A provider who has never worked for law firms will miss half of these points. Ask for two law firm sites in their references.
The editorial CMS and enquiry tracking
Publishing two articles a month, 24 insights a year, builds a body of content that attracts precise searches ("warranty and indemnity clause", "shareholders agreement tag-along"). The CMS must let an assistant publish without a developer, with sign-off by the authoring partner. For inbound enquiries, a form that asks for the practice area and routes automatically to the right partner, combined with a monthly dashboard, shows which content generates which matters. Budget EUR 2,300 to 4,700 for this module within the overall project.
Mini case study
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James, managing partner of a 15-lawyer firm in the City of London, invests EUR 28,000 in a bilingual website with 10 practice areas, 6 partner profiles and an insights module. His average matter is worth EUR 30,000 in fees. Before the redesign, the site generated 2 qualified enquiries a month and about 1 signed matter every six months. With 24 insights a year and a form routed by practice area, the realistic target is 5 enquiries a month and 1 signed matter per quarter, i.e. 4 matters and EUR 120,000 in annual fees attributable to the website. The investment pays back with the first additional matter.
FAQ
Can a law firm list its clients on its website?
Only with their written consent, because of confidentiality duties. Many firms present anonymised deals ("sale of an industrial mid-cap, EUR 45m") rather than names.
Does a London corporate firm need a second language?
Once 15 to 20% of your matters involve a foreign client or counterparty, yes. Budget EUR 3,500 to 6,000 for legal translation and layout.
How much does law firm website maintenance cost?
Count EUR 180 to 470 a month for hosting, security, backups and 2 to 3 hours of changes. Updating profiles when partners join is usually included.
Can a law firm run paid Google ads?
Yes, advertising is allowed as long as it is accurate and not misleading. On corporate law searches in London, cost per click often exceeds EUR 10 to 20.
What timeline should a 15-lawyer firm expect?
Ten to 14 weeks, of which 3 to 5 weeks depend on partners' availability to approve copy. That is the main source of delay on this type of project.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your practice areas, number of partners and target languages: we price the website, copywriting and translation within regulatory rules, with an indicative budget and a 10 to 14-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.
