The verdict in three sentences
For a mid-market company, a credible corporate website quote sits between EUR 20,000 and EUR 45,000 in 2026; below EUR 12,000, be wary of the real scope. The gaps come from CMS build (EUR 5,000-15,000) and art direction (EUR 4,000-9,000), rarely design alone. A readable quote details every item; a vague all-in bundle is the main red flag.
Decoding the quote line items
A communications director comparing three offers must map each quote to the same grid. Here are the standard items of a 2026 corporate project and their ranges.
| Item | 2026 range (EUR) | What to demand |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping / UX / site map | 2,500 - 6,000 | Workshops, wireframes, journeys |
| Art direction | 4,000 - 9,000 | Concepts, key mockups, brand |
| CMS build | 5,000 - 15,000 | Templates, back office, roles |
| Accessibility (WCAG AA) | 3,000 | Audit + level-AA fixes |
| QA + training | 2,000 | Testing, fixes, onboarding |
A serious quote shows at least these five lines. If it only says corporate website build EUR 28,000, demand the breakdown before comparing.
Comparison grid of the three quotes
Put the offers side by side on the same criteria. The cheapest is not always the least risky.
| Criterion | Quote A (12,000) | Quote B (28,000) | Quote C (45,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX scoping included | No | Yes | Yes + workshops |
| Accessibility WCAG | No | Partial | Full AA |
| Number of templates | 4 | 9 | 15+ |
| Team training | 0 | 1 session | 3 sessions |
| Stated timeline | 8 wks | 12 wks | 16 wks |
| Warranty / support | 1 month | 6 months | 12 months |
Quote A looks attractive but the lack of accessibility and scoping generates hidden costs. Quote C is justified if the company has strong multilingual and regulatory accessibility needs.
Red flags to spot
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Some wording should alert you before signing. It signals overruns or a deliverable below expectations.
- All-in bundle with no detail: impossible to compare, often renegotiated mid-project.
- No accessibility: WCAG AA is now an expected standard; adding it afterwards costs 30 to 50 % more.
- No UX scoping: the vendor builds without an approved site map = costly back-and-forth.
- Timeline under 8 weeks for a full corporate site: unrealistic, often at the expense of QA.
Mini case study
Martin, communications director of a 380-employee Berlin mid-market company, arbitrates three quotes. He drops Quote A (EUR 12,000, no accessibility or scoping) and picks Quote B (EUR 28,000) after renegotiating an accessibility audit (+EUR 3,000). Controlled total: EUR 31,000, 12 weeks, 6-month support. By refusing Quote C's vague bundle, he saves EUR 14,000 while getting a compliant site. Included UX scoping halves mockup back-and-forth, saving 3 weeks on the initial schedule.
FAQ
Why such a gap between EUR 12,000 and EUR 45,000? Because the scopes differ entirely: number of templates, accessibility, multilingual, training and warranty length. At equal scope, the gap narrows sharply.
Is accessibility mandatory for a mid-market company? The legal obligation mainly targets the public sector and large firms, but AA level has become an expected standard and a tender criterion. Budget EUR 3,000 for the audit and fixes.
How do I compare quotes from different vendors? Map them all to one grid of 5 to 6 items. A quote refusing to detail its lines is a warning signal.
What timeline is realistic? Between 10 and 16 weeks for a full corporate site with scoping, art direction, CMS build and QA. Under 8 weeks signals reduced scope.
Should I include support in the comparison? Absolutely. A 1-month versus a 12-month warranty radically changes total cost over 2 years. Factor support (often EUR 250-500/month) into your calculation.
Let's scope your project. Corporate mid-market website with scoping, art direction, CMS and WCAG accessibility, indicative budget EUR 20,000-45,000, delivered within 10-16 weeks. 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.
