The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, an SME corporate website in Berlin costs between 12,000 and 40,000 EUR (excl. VAT) depending on page count, CMS and number of languages. A realistic timeline is 8 to 14 weeks with a dedicated project manager. The budget is driven by tiers: each block (headless CMS, extra language, portal) adds cleanly onto the base, keeping the quote readable and the ROI measurable on qualified lead generation.
The 2026 budget tiers
A corporate site is built in layers. Here is the tier grid observed in Berlin.
| Tier | Scope | 2026 budget (EUR excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 8-15 pages, premium design | 12,000 - 18,000 |
| + Headless CMS | Governance, approval workflow | + 4,000 - 7,000 |
| + Multilingual FR/EN/DE | 3 languages, hreflang | + 3,000 - 6,000 |
| + Portal / client area | Auth, gated content | + 5,000 - 12,000 |
| EU hosting | Managed, GDPR | 40 - 120 /month |
| Maintenance | Security, changes | 150 - 400 /month |
A median Berlin project — 12 pages, headless CMS, EN/DE — lands around 22,000 to 28,000 EUR, then 250 to 350 EUR/month recurring. Adding a third language or a portal pushes toward the top of the range.
Included / excluded per tier: what to check
Quote gaps often come from what is included. Here is the breakdown to demand.
| Element | Base | + Headless CMS | + Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design system | Included | Included | Included |
| Approval workflow | No | Included | Included |
| Roles and permissions | No | Basic | Advanced |
| Accessibility (WCAG AA) | Partial | Full | Full |
| Security audit | No | Option | Included |
| Dedicated project manager | Partial | Full time | Full time |
Always demand a "dedicated project manager" line: on corporate work it is 10 to 15 % of budget but it guarantees the 8-14 week timeline.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a wine-trading SME in Berlin (32 staff, 9M EUR turnover), compares three quotes of 12,000, 26,000 and 40,000 EUR for a FR/EN/DE corporate site to win European importers. She picks the median 26,000 EUR quote (base + headless CMS + three languages). Her goal: generate 15 qualified importer contacts/year, knowing an average contract is worth 45,000 EUR/year. With a cautious 8 % conversion rate, 15 leads yield 1.2 contracts, i.e. 54,000 EUR of recurring revenue — the site pays for itself in year one, maintenance included (4,200 EUR/year). Claire approves and budgets 30,000 EUR to keep a QA margin.
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FAQ
Why does corporate cost 2 to 3 times more than a showcase?
The premium comes from governance (approval workflow), full accessibility and multilingual. These blocks are 30 to 40 % of budget but non-negotiable for a large account.
Is a headless CMS essential?
Not always, but as soon as multiple departments publish content, it prevents editorial chaos. Expect 4,000 to 7,000 EUR extra, repaid by publishing time saved.
Which hosting stays GDPR compliant?
Managed EU hosting at 40 to 120 EUR/month guarantees data localisation and performance. It is a frequent tender criterion in 2026.
How long until go-live?
Between 8 and 14 weeks depending on languages and internal approval weight. Multilingual typically adds 2 to 3 weeks.
How do I measure corporate ROI?
Track qualified contacts generated and their average contract value. A 26,000 EUR site pays off once it brings 1 to 2 significant contracts, often within a year.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your scope (pages, languages, portal, CMS), indicative budget and deadline: we build a tiered, line-readable quote. 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.
