The verdict in three sentences
A Dublin law firm that asks for website quotes without a written specification will typically see proposals from €7,000 to €40,000, because every agency imagines a different number of practice pages, profiles and integrations. A requirements checklist that names each page, each intake field, each integration and who signs off advertising wording usually narrows quotes to a band you can actually compare. Mapped against that checklist, the Kolonell fixed grid (€2,700 Starter, €4,500 Growth, €8,200 Premium) makes the in-scope and on-quote items visible line by line.
What goes into the specification?
Work through these ten headings and keep the answers in one shared document.
- Goals and audiences. Corporate clients in the Docklands, private clients, employers, property buyers: one sentence each on what they need to find in under a minute.
- Page list and templates. Home, one page per practice area (for example corporate, employment, family, property), solicitor profiles, insights, fees approach, contact. State the count: "6 practice pages, 14 profiles".
- Content ownership. Who drafts, which partner approves, and who checks advertising wording against the Law Society of Ireland guidance and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority rules before anything is published.
- Languages. English only, or English with an Irish-language version of selected pages.
- Intake form fields. Name, contact, matter type, opposing party name for a conflict check, and a clear statement that submitting the form does not create a solicitor-client relationship.
- Integrations, one line each. Practice management or CRM, booking, client portal link, secure document exchange, e-signature, newsletter. Complex ones are priced on quote.
- Accessibility target. WCAG 2.2 AA, with keyboard and screen reader testing.
- Data protection. Purpose and retention for every form, privacy notice, cookie consent, in line with the GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and guidance from the Data Protection Commission.
- Hosting, domain and SEO migration. Domain and hosting in the firm's name; if a site exists, a full URL inventory and a 301 redirect map.
- Acceptance criteria, timeline and budget. What "done" means, a go-live date and a budget range.
Advertising rules for Irish solicitors restrict certain claims, for example "no foal, no fee" style promises, and the exact wording belongs to your firm's own review. Never publish case results, rankings or client names you are not entitled to use. This is not legal advice.
How much does a precise brief change the quotes?
2026 ballpark drawn from typical Dublin agency quotes and public rate pages, not a survey.
| Item | Vague brief | Precise brief | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall spread | "A professional site" | 6 practice pages, 14 profiles, 4 templates | From about €7,000 to €40,000 to about €4,500 to €18,000 |
| Profiles | Not mentioned | 14 profiles, one template, photos supplied | Avoids €1,000 to €3,000 of extras |
| Intake form | "A contact form" | Conflict check fields and disclaimer listed | No redesign of the form at review stage |
| Document exchange | "Clients can send files" | Separate line, on quote | Quotes become comparable |
| Irish language | Not mentioned | 5 pages in Irish, translated by an independent translator | Translation shown as a third-party cost |
| Accessibility | "Accessible" | WCAG 2.2 AA with test report | 1 to 3 days visible in each quote |
| SEO migration | Not mentioned | 90 URLs listed, 301 map required | Rankings protected at launch |
Accessibility expectations are rising across the EU, including through the European Accessibility Act; check with your advisor whether and how it applies to your services.
How do you score three quotes?
Score each criterion from 1 to 5, multiply by the weight, divide by 5. Maximum 100. Illustrative scores only.
| Criterion | Weight | Quote A: Dublin agency, €24,000 | Quote B: freelancer, €7,500 | Quote C: Kolonell Growth, €4,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice pages and profiles | 25 | 5 (25) | 3 (15) | 4 (20) |
| Intake and conflict check fields | 20 | 4 (16) | 2 (8) | 4 (16) |
| Advertising wording review step | 15 | 4 (12) | 2 (6) | 4 (12) |
| SEO migration plan | 15 | 4 (12) | 2 (6) | 4 (12) |
| Price | 15 | 2 (6) | 4 (12) | 5 (15) |
| Ownership and exit terms | 10 | 4 (8) | 3 (6) | 5 (10) |
| Total | 100 | 79 | 53 | 85 |
If two quotes are within 10 points, ask both for a 30-minute walkthrough of their redirect map and intake form before deciding.
How does the Kolonell grid answer the checklist?
| Checklist item | Starter €2,700 | Growth €4,500 | Premium €8,200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice pages | Compact site, about 5 pages | Full practice structure, profiles, insights | Extended structure, advanced animation |
| Copywriting | Native English | Native English | Native English |
| Irish or other language | No | No | Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) |
| Intake form with disclaimer | Included | Included, with conflict check fields | Included, with conflict check fields |
| Portal, document exchange, e-signature, practice management | On quote | On quote | On quote |
| SEO migration | URL inventory, 301 map | URL inventory, 301 map | Plus deeper on-page SEO |
| Delivery and support | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months |
Each tier includes a project manager reachable in Irish business hours. Support after the 3 included months is on quote. For a professional services reference, Kolonell built the website of TR Signing Group (trsigninggroup.com), a signing services company in New Jersey. The full scope is on the international offer page.
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Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a client. Aoife is managing partner of "Corrib Hale Solicitors", a hypothetical firm of 6 solicitors near St Stephen's Green with employment and property practices.
- Writing the specification: 5 hours of her time.
- Scope: 5 practice pages, 9 profiles, intake form with conflict check fields, link to the existing client portal.
- Kolonell Growth: €4,500. Secure document exchange: on quote, planned for phase 2.
- Best-scoring local quote for the same scope: €21,000.
- Difference: 21,000 minus 4,500 = €16,500, with go-live in 4 weeks once profiles and photos are ready.
If Aoife later adds Irish-language pages, she moves to Premium at €8,200, an increase of €3,700, languages set in the quote.
FAQ
How long should a law firm's website specification be?
Three to five pages is usually enough. Ten headings, each answered in a short paragraph, let agencies quote within 1 week.
Does the intake form need a disclaimer?
Yes, it should state that submitting the form does not create a solicitor-client relationship, and avoid asking for confidential detail upfront. Kolonell includes this form from Starter at €2,700.
Can we publish case results?
Only within the advertising rules that apply to Irish solicitors and with any consents required, checked by your firm. Never invent results, rankings or client names: 0 unverified claims is the right target.
Is a client portal part of the website budget?
A link to your existing portal is simple. A custom portal, secure document exchange or e-signature are separate lines, on quote, and can easily exceed €10,000 when built from scratch.
Should the site be in Irish as well?
It is optional for a private firm. If you want Irish-language pages, Premium at €8,200 is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote.
Ready to compare proposals? Request a free quote and attach your specification.
Let's scope your project. Send your completed checklist and we will map it to the €2,700 to €8,200 grid, integrations listed line by line, with a 3 to 4 week plan. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
