The verdict in three sentences
A website for an airport ground handling and air cargo company operating at JFK and Newark costs roughly USD 44,000 to 120,000 as a 2026 market ballpark, and most of the spread comes from one line: the air waybill tracking module, at USD 15,000 to 40,000 on its own. A credible quote itemises each line in working days, separates airline partner pages from cargo pages and states the monthly maintenance fee. Airlines and freight forwarders judge you on real capabilities and hours, clear security and screening information and fast responses to rate requests.
Who this website is really for
A New York ground handler sells ramp services, passenger handling, aircraft loading and cargo warehouse operations to foreign airlines, freighter operators and forwarders. Station managers and procurement teams look at the website before an RFP or a site visit. They want to see warehouse square footage, cold chain capacity, screening capabilities, warehouse hours at each airport and someone who answers within the day.
Security content needs care. If you participate in the TSA Certified Cargo Screening Program, say so and explain what it means for shippers, but never publish procedural details. Your security manager should sign off every page that touches screening, access control or the security identification display area.
The itemised quote
Here is how a properly itemised quote should look. Figures are 2026 market ballparks for a New York agency, excluding sales tax where applicable.
| Line item | Working days | Price range (USD) | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery workshops with operations | 3 to 6 | 3,000 to 8,000 | Sitemap, audiences, content inventory |
| UX and visual design | 6 to 12 | 6,000 to 15,000 | 8 to 12 approved templates |
| Service pages for JFK and Newark | 8 to 15 | 8,000 to 18,000 | Ramp, passenger, cargo and cold chain pages |
| Air waybill tracking module | 15 to 35 | 15,000 to 40,000 | Search by AWB, statuses, history |
| Airline partner and case pages | 3 to 6 | 3,000 to 8,000 | Partner logos with written permission |
| Copy, photography and ramp video | 4 to 12 | 4,000 to 15,000 | Copy, shoot with airport access approvals |
| Build, QA and launch | 5 to 14 | 5,000 to 16,000 | Testing, performance, accessibility checks |
| Total | 44 to 100 | 44,000 to 120,000 |
The tracking module is the line to challenge. If it pulls statuses from your warehouse management system through an API, expect the top of the range plus testing time with your software vendor. If agents update statuses manually, the lower end is often enough for year one.
Recurring costs to agree upfront
| Recurring item | 2026 market ballpark | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and security | USD 400 to 1,200 per month | Backups, updates, monitoring |
| Hosting | USD 50 to 300 per month | Higher if tracking traffic is heavy |
| Accessibility review | USD 2,000 to 6,000 per year | WCAG 2.1 AA is the usual reference under ADA claims |
| WMS API licence | Varies by vendor | Ask your vendor before signing |
| Capability and hours updates | 1 to 2 hours per month | Should sit inside maintenance |
| Activity report | Weekly | Rate requests received, uptime |
Over three years, maintenance alone adds USD 14,400 to 43,200. Read that number next to the build price, not after you sign.
Kolonell's prices as a nearshore option
Kolonell's prices are public. A Growth site of 8 to 12 pages with a blog costs EUR 1,830 to 3,050 (1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA), and a simple custom application for AWB tracking costs EUR 3,810 to 6,100. Maintenance Standard is EUR 114 per month. For a US team, the trade off is a remote delivery and time zone gap against a much lower build cost.
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Illustrative example: Danielle, VP of sales at a ground handler with warehouses at JFK and Newark, receives three quotes: USD 38,000, 72,000 and 115,000. Laid against the table above, the cheapest omits the tracking module and accessibility testing, while the most expensive includes a full WMS integration she will not need until year two.
She signs at USD 70,000 with manual status updates. Her target is 4 new forwarder accounts handing over 15,000 kg a month each, at a handling margin of USD 0.08 per kg: 4 x 15,000 x 0.08 = USD 4,800 margin per month. The site pays back in about 15 months, before maintenance.
FAQ
Why do quotes range from USD 44,000 to 120,000?
The tracking module (USD 15,000 to 40,000) and on airport photography drive most of the gap. A quote without working days per line cannot be compared fairly.
Do we need AWB tracking at launch?
Not always. A status request form answered within 2 hours can carry you for 6 to 12 months, until you handle several hundred AWBs a month.
What can we publish about cargo screening?
Your program participation, equipment types and audits you have actually passed, never procedures. Have your security manager approve every page before launch.
How long does the project take?
Plan for 44 to 100 working days, so 10 to 20 calendar weeks with approvals. Airport access for the photo shoot often takes 2 to 4 weeks on its own.
Should accessibility be in the quote?
Yes. Budget USD 2,000 to 6,000 for testing against WCAG 2.1 AA and ask your counsel how the ADA applies to your site.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your airports, services and monthly AWB volume, and we will send an itemised quote with working days and recurring costs. 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.
