The verdict in three sentences
For an executive search firm placing leaders in aerospace, technology or financial services, the website is the first credibility test a CHRO or CEO runs before any meeting. The market budget in Dublin and comparable European cities sits between 10,000 and 25,000 EUR excluding VAT for a premium brochure site, plus 3,000 to 8,000 EUR for a GDPR-compliant confidential candidate portal. A single assignment won through the site, billed at 25,000 to 45,000 EUR, pays back the investment.
What your clients and candidates look for on the site
A CEO looking for a new operations director does not read your pages like a junior candidate. They check three things: your knowledge of their sector (programmes, certifications, supply chain issues), the seniority of your consultants and your method. The candidate wants to be sure an unsolicited application will never reach their current employer.
The site therefore serves two audiences with two different promises: proof of expertise for the client, discretion for the candidate. In practice that means detailed sector pages, consultant profiles with real track records, a method page explaining the steps of an assignment (mapping, direct approach, shortlist, assessment, onboarding) and a separate candidate journey, with no public form exposing sensitive data.
| Component | 2026 market range (EUR excl. VAT) | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Custom design and digital brand guidelines | 3,000 - 7,000 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Sector pages (aerospace, tech, finance) | 1,500 - 4,000 | 2 weeks |
| Consultant profiles and method page | 1,000 - 2,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Confidential candidate portal (encrypted CV upload) | 3,000 - 8,000 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Full second language version | 1,500 - 3,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Technical SEO and launch content | 1,500 - 4,000 | ongoing |
| Total premium brochure site | 10,000 - 25,000 | 8 to 12 weeks |
These figures are 2026 market estimates for an agency or independent studio in a European capital. An 8-consultant firm usually lands in the middle of the range.
Confidentiality and GDPR: the point that makes the difference
European data protection authorities, including the French CNIL, recommend keeping CVs no longer than 2 years after the last contact with the candidate, unless they explicitly agree to a longer period. Your site must enforce this technically, not only in the privacy notice. A serious candidate portal includes timestamped consent, automatic deletion, EU hosting and access restricted by consultant.
| Requirement | Simple option | Robust option | Indicative market cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV upload | Form sending an email | Encrypted upload to a dedicated portal | 0 vs 2,000 - 4,000 EUR |
| Retention period | Manual deletion | Automatic purge at 24 months | 500 - 1,500 EUR |
| Consent | Checkbox | Timestamped, logged consent | 300 - 800 EUR |
| Hosting | Shared hosting outside the EU | Server in Ireland or the EU | 20 - 150 EUR per month |
| Access to files | Shared mailbox | Roles per consultant, two-factor login | 1,000 - 2,500 EUR |
| ATS connection | None | Sync with your recruitment software | 1,500 - 4,000 EUR |
The form that emails a CV is still the most common and the riskiest practice: the document travels unencrypted, lands in several inboxes and is never deleted. For a firm approaching sitting executives, a leak can cost an entire client relationship.
The website as an assignment generation tool
Search assignments are mostly signed through networks, but the site shortens the decision cycle. A CHRO hesitating between three firms compares your sector pages, your publications and the clarity of your method. A monthly article on the talent market (shortage of certification engineers, programme director pay) builds authority on queries that larger national competitors handle poorly.
If you want support on this, Kolonell offers monthly SEO in three plans: Essential at 100,000 FCFA per month (about 150 EUR), Growth at 200,000 FCFA (about 300 EUR) and Premium at 350,000 FCFA (about 530 EUR). For the build, the Kolonell grid runs from 800,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA (1,220 to 1,830 EUR) for a Starter site, 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA (1,830 to 3,050 EUR) for Growth and 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA (3,050 to 5,340 EUR) for Premium. A secure candidate portal is a custom application, starting at 2,500,000 FCFA (3,810 EUR).
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Mini case study
Julien, founder of an 8-consultant search firm, invests 18,000 EUR in a premium site with a candidate portal, plus 1,800 EUR per year for hosting and maintenance. His average fee is 35,000 EUR per assignment. If the site helps sign one extra assignment per year, first-year return is 35,000 - 19,800 = 15,200 EUR. On top of that, automatic CV deletion and per-consultant access save about 3 hours a week of manual inbox sorting, close to 140 hours a year.
FAQ
How much does an executive search firm website cost in 2026?
The market range is 10,000 to 25,000 EUR excluding VAT for a premium bilingual brochure site. Add 3,000 to 8,000 EUR for a confidential candidate portal.
How long can we keep CVs received through the site?
Regulators recommend 2 years maximum after the last contact, unless the candidate agrees to longer. An automatic purge costs about 500 to 1,500 EUR to set up.
Should we publish client names and filled positions?
Rarely, because confidentiality is part of your promise. Better to present 5 to 10 anonymised assignment profiles (role, sector, company size, shortlist delivered in 4 to 6 weeks).
Does the site need a second language?
Yes if you work with international groups. A full second language version costs 1,500 to 3,500 EUR and takes 1 to 2 weeks.
What timeline should we plan for launch?
Plan 8 to 12 weeks, including 3 to 4 for design and as many for the candidate portal. The first SEO article can go live in week 10.
Let's scope your project. Send us your sectors, number of consultants and confidentiality requirements: we will price the scope, budget and an 8 to 12 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.
