The verdict in three sentences
The right vendor is not the one who builds the prettiest site, but the one who makes you independent: code delivered, hosting in your name, clear maintenance. For a 15,000 EUR B2B redesign, the real gap between agency, studio and freelancer lies in post-launch support and warranty, not the mockup. These 10 quantified criteria turn an emotional decision into a rational choice.
The 10 decisive criteria, quantified
Score each vendor on these precise points. A candidate who dodges three of them disqualifies themselves.
| # | Criterion | 2026 market reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Source code ownership | 100% client, delivered on Git |
| 2 | Tech stack | Next.js/headless > frozen WordPress |
| 3 | Average redesign lead time | 8 - 12 weeks |
| 4 | Day rate | 450 - 800 EUR |
| 5 | Post-launch maintenance | 90 - 300 EUR/month |
| 6 | Warranty / SLA | 3 - 12 months, 99.9% uptime |
| 7 | Sector references | 2-3 comparable B2B cases |
| 8 | Hosting | EU, GDPR, in your name |
| 9 | Acceptance process | Sign-off + warranty period |
| 10 | Late-delivery penalties | Contractual clause |
Agency vs freelancer vs in-house
Each option has a distinct cost and risk profile. The right choice depends on your budget, deadline and ability to manage.
| Criterion | Agency | Freelancer | In-house team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redesign cost (EUR) | 12,000 - 30,000 | 6,000 - 15,000 | 25,000+ (salaries) |
| Lead time | 8 - 12 wk | 10 - 16 wk | variable |
| Continuity / bus factor | high | risky | high |
| Structured maintenance | yes | often no | yes |
| Multidisciplinary expertise | yes | limited | depends |
| Best for | critical project | tight budget | continuous volume |
A freelancer at 8,000 EUR can be excellent, but ask the bus factor question: what happens if they become unavailable six months after delivery?
Mini case study
Catherine runs a B2B services SME in Dublin and hesitates between a 9,000 EUR freelancer and a 16,500 EUR agency. She applies the 10 criteria. The freelancer fails on maintenance (no plan), SLA and continuity. The agency ticks 9/10. Over 3 years, she budgets agency maintenance at 200 EUR/month, i.e. 7,200 EUR, but secures availability, warranty and scalability. Total 3-year cost of ownership: agency 23,700 EUR vs an unpredictable freelancer. She chooses predictability.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Agency or freelancer for a B2B redesign?
Freelancer if the budget is tight and the project low-criticality; agency if continuity, maintenance and SLA matter. Above 15,000 EUR, an agency generally offers more security.
How do I make sure I own my code?
Require it in the contract: delivery to your Git repo, no dependence on a proprietary license. It is the first non-negotiable criterion.
What does annual maintenance cost?
Budget 90 to 300 EUR/month depending on complexity, i.e. roughly 10 to 20% of the site cost per year. A vendor without a clear maintenance offer is a red flag.
WordPress or Next.js for a B2B site?
WordPress remains relevant for a simple editorial site. For performance, security and scalability (multilingual, integrations), a Next.js/headless stack is often superior in 2026.
Do I need an SLA for a B2B brochure site?
Yes, as soon as the site generates leads. A 99.9% guaranteed uptime and a contractual response time prevent an outage on a campaign day from costing you prospects.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your budget, deadline and maintenance/SLA requirements: we tell you frankly whether agency, studio or freelancer fits your need. 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.
