The verdict in three sentences
Between two agencies, quotes can differ by 1 to 3x for the same brief: price alone tells you nothing about value. Ten criteria really decide, including verifiable references, code ownership, delay penalties and the cost of maintenance (20 to 30% of total cost per year). An agency at a 400-650 EUR day rate with a clear contract beats a low quote with no guarantees.
The ten selection criteria
Compare on a grid, not on gut feel. Here are the 2026 criteria and their suggested weight for an SME buyer.
| Criterion | Suggested weight | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiable references | 15% | Can I call 2 clients? |
| Sector fit | 10% | Have you done my industry? |
| Method & milestones | 10% | How do you handle approvals? |
| Code ownership | 10% | Do I own the code? |
| Maintenance | 15% | Annual cost, response times |
| Timeline & penalties | 10% | Penalties if late? |
| SEO & performance | 10% | Core Web Vitals commitment? |
| Price & transparency | 15% | Per-phase breakdown |
| Dedicated team | 5% | Who works on my project? |
| Reversibility | 5% | Can I leave with my access? |
Price, day rate and total cost of ownership
The initial quote is only part of the cost. Think in 3 years, maintenance included.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Agency day rate | 400-650 EUR excl. VAT | By seniority |
| SME brochure site | 8,000-18,000 EUR excl. VAT | Custom |
| Annual maintenance | 20-30% of initial cost | Security, changes |
| 3-year total cost | 1.6 to 2x initial quote | Maintenance included |
| Delay penalty | 0.5-1%/week | Put it in the contract |
| Migration on exit | 1,500-5,000 EUR | If code not reversible |
An 8,000 EUR quote with no code ownership or reversibility can cost more over 3 years than a well-scoped 11,000 EUR quote.
Mini case study
Julien runs a trading company and gets three quotes for his site: 7,500, 11,000 and 21,000 EUR excl. VAT. He applies his grid. The 7,500 EUR offer keeps code ownership and quotes no maintenance; the 21,000 EUR offer is oversized. He picks the 11,000 EUR one, code delivered, maintenance at 2,900 EUR/year and delay penalties. 3-year total: 11,000 + 8,700 = 19,700 EUR. The 7,500 EUR offer, with an estimated 4,000 EUR future migration plus remediation, would have caught up while leaving him without guarantees.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Why do agency quotes vary so much?
Scope interpreted differently, team seniority, custom vs template, and maintenance included or not. A precise brief sharply narrows these gaps.
Do I own the code after the project?
Only if the contract says so. Require assignment of sources and access (hosting, domain, CMS) in writing.
What day rate should I expect in 2026?
Between 400 and 650 EUR excl. VAT depending on seniority and service type. A very low rate often hides inexperience or opaque subcontracting.
Should there be delay penalties?
Yes, 0.5 to 1% of the amount per week of delay is a reasonable standard. They align interests and protect your go-live date.
How do I check references?
Ask to call two recent clients in a similar context. A serious agency agrees without hesitation and gives you reachable contacts.
Let's scope your project. Send us your brief and your three quotes, and we will help you compare on equal scope, maintenance included. 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.
