The verdict in three sentences
An executive search firm should plan 6,000 to 15,000 EUR excl. VAT for a premium website and a further 3,000 to 6,000 EUR for a secure candidate area, with a timeline of 8 to 12 weeks. The site has to prove your sector expertise and placement quality without ever naming a client or a live mandate. GDPR compliance for CVs (EU hosting, consent, 24-month maximum retention) is a buying criterion for HR directors at large groups, not a technical footnote.
Attracting mandates without exposing clients
A chairman searching for a CFO or a CEO does not want a competitor to learn about it from your website. Your credibility must therefore rest on proof other than names:
- Sector practices described precisely: food manufacturing, retail, logistics, financial services.
- Anonymised mission types: "CFO for an 800-employee industrial group, revenue 180 M EUR, search closed in 11 weeks".
- Method indicators: average time to shortlist, 12-month retention rate, replacement guarantee.
- Partner profiles with operational background, publications and speaking engagements.
- Confidential brief form with encryption, which does not send content in plain text by email.
2026 budget: what each level costs
Indicative 2026 ranges, excluding VAT:
| Option | Upfront budget | Timeline | Recurring cost | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium WordPress theme + freelancer | 3,000 to 6,000 EUR | 4 to 6 weeks | 60 to 120 EUR/month | Weak CV security |
| Local web agency, premium site | 6,000 to 15,000 EUR | 8 to 12 weeks | 100 to 250 EUR/month | Candidate area optional |
| Agency + secure candidate area | 9,000 to 21,000 EUR | 10 to 14 weeks | 150 to 350 EUR/month | High budget |
| Off-the-shelf ATS with careers page (SaaS) | 0 EUR + 150 to 600 EUR/month | 2 to 4 weeks | 1,800 to 7,200 EUR/year | Little brand customisation |
| Kolonell, Premium site | 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA) | 8 to 10 weeks | 50 to 180 EUR/month | Candidate area priced separately |
| Kolonell, simple custom application | 3,810 to 6,100 EUR (2.5 M to 4 M FCFA) | 10 to 12 weeks | 110 to 180 EUR/month | Longer project |
EU hosting costs 20 to 60 EUR per month for a site of this size, database included.
GDPR and application security
| Requirement | Technical implication | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Data hosted in the EU | Server in Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam | 20 to 60 EUR/month |
| Explicit consent | Unticked box, retention period stated | Included in development |
| Retention limited to 24 months | Automatic purge or consent renewal | 400 to 900 EUR |
| Right of access and erasure | Delete button in the candidate area | 300 to 700 EUR |
| Encrypted CV storage | Encrypted storage, expiring download links | 500 to 1,200 EUR |
| Access log | Trace of who viewed which file | 600 to 1,500 EUR |
These points are often checked in supplier questionnaires from large groups. Documenting them on a dedicated page shortens your firm's vendor onboarding.
Mini case study
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Illustrative scenario: Eva, partner at a 6-consultant headhunting firm in Amsterdam, completes 28 mandates a year at an average fee of 32,000 EUR. Her current site generates no inbound briefs. By publishing 3 sector practice pages and 12 anonymised cases, she targets 2 additional inbound mandates a year, or 64,000 EUR in fees. With a 12,000 EUR site and a 4,500 EUR candidate area, the 16,500 EUR investment is covered by a single signed mandate. Even under a cautious assumption of one mandate every 18 months, the return is positive from year two.
FAQ
Can an executive search website name clients?
Only with written consent, and never for a live mandate. Common practice is to publish 10 to 20 anonymised cases with sector, company size and search duration.
How long can candidate CVs be kept?
European data protection authorities generally recommend no more than 2 years after last contact, unless the candidate agrees to longer. The site should purge or automatically renew consent after 24 months.
ATS or custom candidate area?
An off-the-shelf ATS costs 150 to 600 EUR per month and handles the flow. A custom area at 3,000 to 6,000 EUR makes sense if you want a premium brand experience and full control of your data.
What timeline for a premium site?
Allow 8 to 12 weeks, including 3 to 4 weeks writing practices and cases. The candidate area adds 2 to 4 weeks.
Should the site be bilingual?
In Amsterdam, English is essential and Dutch is recommended for local mid-market clients. A second language costs 1,500 to 3,500 EUR with an agency depending on content volume.
Let's scope your project. Describe your sector practices and confidentiality requirements: we will price a Premium site at 3,050 to 5,340 EUR, with an optional candidate area, delivered in 8 to 12 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.
