The verdict in three sentences
For an AIM-listed small-cap with 40 million GBP in revenue in London, a standalone investor relations section costs 12,000 to 30,000 GBP in 2026, and a full website rebuild with IR included runs 20,000 to 60,000 GBP. The challenge is twofold: publish regulatory announcements on time (in practice within 15 minutes of the RNS going out) and keep them online for at least 5 years, while making the company story readable for retail shareholders. The choice between a specialist IR agency and a web agency depends mainly on who will write the content.
The rules that shape the specification
UK MAR and AIM Rule 26 require AIM companies to maintain a website with specific, up-to-date information: business description, directors, country of incorporation, constitutional documents, the last 3 years of annual reports and half-year results, significant shareholders and a statement of the corporate governance code applied. Inside information must be disclosed without delay and kept on the issuer's website for at least 5 years.
| Requirement | 2026 source | Technical translation | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate publication of announcements | UK MAR art. 17 | Scheduled publishing, timestamps, live in under 15 minutes | Included in IR section |
| 5-year archive of inside information | UK MAR | Archive filterable by year and type | 1,000 to 2,500 GBP |
| Rule 26 disclosures, updated within 2 days of change | AIM Rules | Structured "AIM Rule 26" page with update date | 800 to 1,800 GBP |
| Financial calendar | Market practice | Calendar module with iCal export | 500 to 1,200 GBP |
| AGM information | Companies Act 2006, 21 days' notice | AGM page with notice and proxy documents | 600 to 1,500 GBP |
| Shareholder alerts | Market practice | Email subscription linked to RNS feed | 800 to 2,000 GBP |
| Delayed share price | Market practice | Data vendor widget | 600 to 2,400 GBP per year |
The critical point is process: who presses "publish" at 7:00 on a results morning? The back office must allow scheduling to the minute and sync with your Regulatory Information Service (RNS, EQS, Business Wire).
Specialist IR agency or web agency: comparison
| Criterion | Specialist IR agency | Generalist web agency |
|---|---|---|
| IR section budget | 20,000 to 40,000 GBP | 12,000 to 22,000 GBP |
| Equity story writing | Included, editorial advice | Supplied by the CFO or a consultant |
| Regulatory knowledge (MAR, AIM Rules) | Strong | Variable, check references |
| Announcement distribution | Often bundled with a subscription | Integration with your existing RIS |
| Technical quality, performance, SEO | Average, often a proprietary platform | Strong, custom build or open CMS |
| Annual subscription | 4,000 to 10,000 GBP | 2,000 to 5,000 GBP maintenance |
| Timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
A hybrid model often works well: a web agency builds the site and IR section, while an IR consultant writes the equity story and shareholder FAQ for 4,000 to 8,000 GBP.
Winning over retail shareholders
On AIM, retail investors often hold 20 to 40 % of the free float. They do not read the annual report cover to cover. What works: a "Key facts in 2 minutes" page with 5 headline numbers, a 3-minute CEO video after each results release, a shareholder area with email alerts, and a table of dividends paid since IPO.
Mini case study
Illustrative scenario: James, CFO of an AIM-listed industrial small-cap with 40 million GBP of revenue in London, publishes 14 announcements a year. Each one currently goes through a ticket with the incumbent web agency, billed at 150 GBP, with an average 2-hour delay.
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He chooses a full rebuild at 38,000 GBP including a self-managed IR section. Direct savings: 14 x 150 GBP = 2,100 GBP a year, plus the removal of late-publication risk. More importantly, with 600 shareholder email alerts signed up within 12 months, he has a direct channel for his AGM: if turnout rises from 38 % to 45 %, he secures special resolutions without paying 5,000 to 10,000 GBP for a proxy solicitation campaign.
FAQ
What does a standalone investor relations section cost in 2026?
Between 12,000 and 30,000 GBP depending on modules and RIS integration. Add 600 to 2,400 GBP a year for the share price widget.
How long must announcements stay online?
At least 5 years for inside information under UK MAR, and AIM Rule 26 requires the last 3 years of annual and half-year reports. A filterable archive keeps the section readable.
Do we need to update Rule 26 information quickly?
Yes, AIM companies must keep it current and show the date of last update. Plan a structured page your team can edit in minutes, not a PDF.
Can we publish ourselves on results morning?
Yes, if the back office supports minute-level scheduling and approval roles. It is the first thing to test in a demo before signing.
How long does a full rebuild take?
Between 8 and 12 weeks in 2026. Avoid going live within 4 weeks of annual results.
Let's scope your project. Send us your financial calendar and last year's list of announcements: we will scope the IR section, the budget and a schedule that fits your next reporting dates. 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.
