The verdict in three sentences
A client portal MVP (authentication, document space, tickets) ships in London for 12,000 to 20,000 EUR net in 6 to 8 weeks. A full portal with billing, online payment, project tracking and notifications reaches 35,000 to 55,000 EUR net over 12 to 16 weeks. The right call is not the total price but the phasing : ship a profitable core first, then add the high-value blocks.
What each functional block costs
A client portal is never a monolith : it is an assembly of modules, each with its own cost. Here is the practical 2026 order of magnitude for a senior full-stack agency (Next.js, PostgreSQL database, European hosting).
| Functional block | Range EUR net | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication + role management | 2,500 - 4,500 | 1 week |
| Document space (upload, versions, sharing) | 3,000 - 6,000 | 1.5 weeks |
| Ticket / support system | 3,500 - 7,000 | 2 weeks |
| Billing + PDF generation | 4,000 - 8,000 | 2 weeks |
| Online payment (Stripe/SEPA) | 3,000 - 6,000 | 1.5 weeks |
| Project tracking (milestones, statuses) | 5,000 - 10,000 | 2.5 weeks |
| Email + in-app notifications | 2,000 - 4,000 | 1 week |
| Analytics dashboard | 4,000 - 9,000 | 2 weeks |
Naively adding these lines gives a ceiling ; in practice, sharing the technical core reduces the bill by 15 to 25 % when several blocks are ordered together.
MVP vs full platform : which level to target
The classic trap is ordering the full version upfront, then discovering that 40 % of features are never used. The comparison below frames both extremes and the recommended middle ground.
| Criterion | MVP | Standard | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget EUR net | 12,000 - 20,000 | 22,000 - 35,000 | 35,000 - 55,000 |
| Timeline | 6 - 8 weeks | 9 - 12 weeks | 12 - 16 weeks |
| Modules included | Auth, docs, tickets | + billing, payment | + project tracking, analytics, API |
| Target users | 20 - 100 | 100 - 500 | 500+ |
| Hosting / month | 60 - 120 EUR | 120 - 250 EUR | 250 - 500 EUR |
| Annual maintenance | 2,000 - 4,000 EUR | 4,000 - 8,000 EUR | 8,000 - 15,000 EUR |
Our 2026 recommendation : start at MVP or Standard, measure real usage for 3 months, then fund high-value modules (project tracking, analytics) based on adoption data rather than assumptions.
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Mini case study
Claire runs a 45-person technical services SME in central London. Her clients send requests by email : she estimates the lost time at 12 hours per week split across two managers (loaded cost 32 EUR/h). That is 384 EUR/week, roughly 18,400 EUR/year.
She orders a Standard portal at 28,000 EUR net : auth, documents, tickets and billing. From month 4, admin time drops to 4 hours/week, saving 256 EUR/week or 12,300 EUR/year. Add the reduced late-payment chasing (online payment : -9 days average delay, order of magnitude), and the return on investment lands in 20 to 24 months, excluding indirect commercial gains.
FAQ
What is the realistic minimum budget to start ? Expect 12,000 EUR net for a credible MVP with secure authentication, document space and tickets. Below that, you get a prototype, not a production tool.
How long until go-live ? An MVP goes to production in 6 to 8 weeks, a full platform in 12 to 16 weeks, intermediate acceptance milestones included.
What hosting and maintenance cost should I plan ? Between 60 and 500 EUR/month hosting depending on traffic, plus 2,000 to 15,000 EUR/year maintenance covering security, updates and minor evolutions.
Custom build or existing SaaS ? Below 50 users with standard needs, a SaaS at 15-40 EUR/month/user may suffice. Beyond that, or with specific business rules, custom becomes profitable within 2 to 3 years.
Do I own the code ? Yes : at Kolonell the source code is delivered and belongs to you, with no proprietary licence lock-in or hidden access fees.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your priority modules (documents, billing, tracking) and target user count : we frame an MVP budgeted between 12,000 and 35,000 EUR net. 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.
