The verdict in three sentences
For a freight forwarder in the port of Rotterdam, a bilingual website with quote requests and shipment tracking by bill of lading (B/L) number costs EUR 3,800 to 6,900 excl. VAT in 2026, delivered in 8 weeks. The second language is not a luxury: around 40% of foreign prospects (shippers, carriers, overseas agents) browse in a language other than your local one. The site pays off as soon as it replaces part of the unqualified email and WhatsApp traffic with complete quote requests.
Features that matter for a freight forwarder
An importer looking for a forwarder in Rotterdam wants to know in under a minute whether you handle their cargo type, their lane (Rotterdam to the Ruhr, to Northern France, short sea to the UK) and with what lead time. Pages must therefore be organised by service and by flow, not by org chart.
| Feature | EUR 3,800 version | EUR 6,900 version |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | Two languages, translated content | Two languages, content adapted per market, SEO in both |
| Service pages | Customs, groupage, haulage, 6 to 8 pages | 12 to 15 pages per service, lane and cargo type |
| Quote request | Structured form: origin, destination, container type, Incoterm | Multi-step form with attachments and automatic routing to the right sales rep |
| Shipment tracking | Status lookup by B/L number, updated manually | Status synced from the forwarding software, email and WhatsApp notifications |
| Client portal | No | Secure access to documents: declaration, invoice, release note |
| WhatsApp Business button | Yes | Yes, with routing by service |
| Timeline | 6 to 7 weeks | 8 to 10 weeks |
Tracking by B/L number is the feature that cuts inbound calls the most: a client who sees "in customs clearance" or "ready for pickup" no longer needs to chase your team.
Full 12-month budget
| Item | EUR 3,800 version | EUR 6,900 version |
|---|---|---|
| Website build | EUR 3,800 | EUR 6,900 |
| Translation and adaptation | Included | Included with industry proofreading |
| Hosting and backups | EUR 38/month, i.e. EUR 456 | EUR 76/month, i.e. EUR 912 |
| Maintenance | EUR 115/month, i.e. EUR 1,380 | EUR 185/month, i.e. EUR 2,220 |
| Domain name and SSL certificate | EUR 25 to 45/year | EUR 25 to 45/year |
| First-year total | EUR 5,661 to 5,681 | EUR 10,057 to 10,077 |
Hosting at EUR 38 to 76 per month covers a fast server with a CDN, essential for the site to load quickly from Rotterdam, Antwerp or Shanghai. The higher version includes the connection to the forwarding software, which alone accounts for EUR 1,200 to 1,800 of the budget.
What the second language brings in
A forwarder often loses international enquiries without knowing it: a prospect who lands on a single-language site leaves for a competitor within seconds. The figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude for a mid-sized forwarder.
| Indicator | Single-language site | Bilingual site with quote form |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly visits | 900 | 1,600 |
| Share of visits in the second language | 8% | 40% |
| Quote requests per month | 12 | 35 |
| Share of complete (usable) requests | 40% | 80% |
| Average quote response time | 24 to 48 h | 4 to 8 h |
| Shipment status calls per week | 60 | 25 |
Mini case study
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Mark Jansen, sales director of a freight forwarder in the port of Rotterdam, currently receives 12 quote requests per month, 5 of them usable, and signs 2 new clients monthly. He chooses the EUR 5,800 version with a multi-step quote form and B/L tracking. After 6 months, he receives 35 requests, 28 of them complete, and signs 6 new clients per month. With an average first-year margin of EUR 535 per client, the 4 extra clients represent EUR 2,140 of additional margin per month. The site pays back in under three months, not counting the 35 tracking calls avoided each week.
FAQ
How much does a freight forwarder website cost in 2026?
Budget EUR 3,800 to 6,900 excl. VAT depending on the level of integration, plus EUR 38 to 76 of monthly hosting. Maintenance runs between EUR 115 and 185 per month.
Is tracking by B/L number hard to set up?
A version with manual updates by your team is simple and included from EUR 3,800. Automatic sync with your forwarding software adds EUR 1,200 to 1,800.
Why a bilingual website?
Around 40% of a forwarder's foreign prospects browse in a second language. Without it, those enquiries go to a competitor before any first contact.
How long does it take to launch?
The typical timeline is 8 weeks, including 2 weeks to write and translate the service pages. The most complete version can take up to 10 weeks.
Can the website be paid in instalments?
Yes, payment usually comes in three instalments: 40% at kickoff, 40% at mockup approval and 20% at launch. Bank transfer, card and, for African clients, Wave or Orange Money are accepted.
Let's scope your project. Describe your services, lanes and forwarding software, and we will price a bilingual site between EUR 3,800 and 6,900 excl. VAT delivered in 8 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.
