The verdict in three sentences
For an industrial machinery maker exporting 40% of its output, the website is no catalogue: it is a multilingual technical pre-sales tool. A well-structured 2026 RFP targets a budget of EUR 20,000 to 40,000, in 4 languages, with a product configurator and technical PDF sheets, for delivery in 12 to 18 weeks. The RFP's role: make 3 agency quotes comparable on an identical scope.
RFP structure and target budget
A good RFP describes the functional scope, languages, integrations and deliverables to avoid non-comparable quotes. Here are the 2026 line items and ranges to frame.
| Item | 2026 range (EUR) | To specify |
|---|---|---|
| Design & UX (25-40 pages) | 6,000 - 12,000 | Brand, mockups, responsive |
| Front-end + CMS development | 8,000 - 16,000 | Headless, 4-language i18n |
| Product configurator | 4,000 - 9,000 | Options, variants, PDF |
| Technical PDF sheet generation | 2,000 - 5,000 | Automated export |
| Translation (4 languages) | 4,000 - 8,000 | EN/DE/ES/+ |
| International SEO + hreflang | 2,000 - 4,000 | Multi-market |
| Maintenance | 400 - 800 /month | Security, evolutions |
A tight scope (25 pages, simple configurator) targets the lower end (~EUR 22,000); a rich configurator and 4 full languages justify the EUR 40,000 figure.
Weighted selection criteria to compare 3 agencies
The core of a successful RFP is a weighted scoring grid: it makes the decision objective and eases committee approval. Here is a typical 2026 grid.
| Criterion | Weight | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Technical expertise (configurator, i18n) | 30% | Similar references |
| Design & UX quality | 20% | Portfolio, test mockups |
| Budget & transparency | 20% | Itemised detail |
| Timeline & method | 15% | Schedule, sprints |
| Maintenance & support | 10% | SLA, responsiveness |
| International SEO | 5% | hreflang, performance |
Ask each agency to respond on the same scope and to include a paid test mockup of a key page: this often separates candidates better than a sales deck.
Mini case study
Elodie, marketing director of an industrial machinery maker in Dublin (40% export, DE and ES markets), issues an RFP to 3 agencies with a scope priced at EUR 30,000. The weighted grid highlights an agency at EUR 28,500, better rated on the configurator (30%) despite a price slightly above the lowest bidder. After go-live, the configurator generates 18 technical quote requests/month (versus 6 before), 4 of them export. At an average machine ticket of EUR 45,000 and an 8% conversion rate, that is about 1.4 extra machines/year, or EUR 63,000 in additional revenue: the site pays off with the very first order.
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FAQ
What budget should I plan for a machinery maker website in 2026?
Between EUR 20,000 and 40,000 depending on page count, languages (often 4) and configurator richness. A tight scope starts around EUR 22,000.
Why write an RFP before consulting agencies?
Because it makes quotes comparable on an identical scope and objectifies the decision via a weighted grid. Without it, you compare heterogeneous offers.
Is a product configurator essential?
For a maker selling machines with options, yes: it qualifies demand, cuts back-and-forth and generates automatic technical PDF sheets. Budget EUR 4,000 to 9,000.
How do I handle multilingual for export?
Via a headless CMS with native i18n and hreflang tags per market. Budget EUR 4,000 to 8,000 for 4 languages, technical translation included.
How long does this type of project take?
Between 12 and 18 weeks depending on the configurator, number of languages and committee approval. Technical translation and multilingual QA often extend the timeline.
Let's scope your project. Send us your RFP (or its draft), your target languages and your indicative budget: we respond on an identical scope. 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.
