The verdict in three sentences
In Nairobi, a law firm that requests quotes with a half-page brief receives offers of roughly USD 1,500 to 12,000 in 2026, impossible to compare. A two to three page requirements checklist listing pages, content, languages, integrations, data protection requirements and acceptance criteria narrows the spread and makes negotiation rational. The same document then lets you score offers on a weighted grid and place Kolonell's fixed grid, $2,900 (Starter), $4,900 (Growth) and $8,900 (Premium).
Why write the requirements before asking for quotes?
In Westlands, Upper Hill or Kilimani, firms in corporate, commercial, employment or property law often consult three providers: a freelancer, a local agency and a remote studio. Without a shared document, each one prices a different project: one forgets the partner profiles, another adds a client portal you never asked for. The checklist fixes the scope; the quote becomes an answer rather than a pitch.
The checklist to complete before writing to agencies
- Goals and audiences: in-house counsel, foreign investors, individuals for property matters; one expected action per audience (contact, downloading a briefing note).
- Pages and templates: home, practice areas (one page each), advocate profiles, insights, careers, contact. State the number of pages and templates.
- Content and approval: who writes, who approves, who signs off compliance. Advocates, as members of the Law Society of Kenya, are subject to advertising rules: a partner reviews every statement about practice areas, expertise or matters before go-live. Never case results, rankings or unauthorised client names.
- Languages: English first, Swahili optional (Premium, the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote).
- Integrations, one line each: client portal or document exchange, CRM, consultation booking, newsletter, insights feed. The complex ones are priced on quote.
- Accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA target, checked at acceptance.
- Data protection: the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019 and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) govern collection. The intake form states that it does not create an advocate-client relationship; conflict check fields are limited to the parties' names and the nature of the matter in a few words, with no confidential attachments. This is not legal advice.
- Ownership: domain name, hosting and analytics accounts in the firm's name.
- Migration: if a site exists, a URL inventory and 301 redirect map required in the quote.
- Acceptance: a list of criteria (pages, tested forms, mobile scores, accessibility, redirects) and a fix window.
- Timeline and budget: target date and range, for example USD 3,000 to 7,000.
Vague or precise brief: what does it do to quotes?
2026 ballpark figures seen in typical agency and freelance quotes in Nairobi, expressed in USD:
| Item | Vague brief | Precise brief | Effect on quote spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | a modern website | 14 pages, 5 templates | from USD 1,500 to 12,000 down to 3,000 to 7,000 |
| Content | not stated | written by the provider, approved by a partner | no surprise copywriting lines of USD 800 to 2,000 |
| Languages | maybe Swahili | English only, Swahili in phase 2 | avoids a 30 to 50% gap |
| Integrations | a client area | outbound link to the existing tool | portal on quote, separate from the site price |
| Forms | contact form | listed fields, notice that no advocate-client relationship is created | fewer rounds at acceptance |
| Migration | missing | 60 URLs, 301 map supplied | traffic risk priced from the start |
| Accessibility | missing | WCAG 2.2 AA at acceptance | a verifiable criterion, not a promise |
How do you score three quotes?
Score each criterion out of 5, multiply by the weight, add up:
| Criterion | Weight | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit with the requirements | 30% | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Total cost over 3 years | 25% | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Timeline | 15% | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Ownership and exit terms | 15% | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Relevant references | 15% | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Weighted total out of 5 | 100% | 3.60 | 3.50 | 3.80 |
Quote A calculation: 0.30 x 4 + 0.25 x 3 + 0.15 x 3 + 0.15 x 4 + 0.15 x 4 = 1.20 + 0.75 + 0.45 + 0.60 + 0.60 = 3.60.
Where does Kolonell's grid fit in this checklist?
All three tiers cover items 1 to 4 and 6 to 11: a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Swahili falls under the Premium tier. Item 5 (portal, CRM, document exchange) and search work are on quote, on separate lines, as is maintenance after 3 months. As a professional services reference, Kolonell built the website of TR Signing Group, a signing services company in New Jersey. Tiers are detailed on the international offer page.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Illustrative example: Achieng Odhiambo, a partner at Kilima Ridge Advocates in Upper Hill, first sent a ten-line brief and got quotes from USD 1,500 to 12,000. With a checklist of 14 pages, 5 templates and an outbound link to the document exchange tool, she receives:
- Quote A, local agency: KES 800,000, about USD 6,200;
- Quote B, freelancer: KES 440,000, about USD 3,400;
- Quote C, Kolonell Growth: $4,900, link to the tool on quote.
The spread drops from USD 10,500 (12,000 minus 1,500) to USD 2,800 (6,200 minus 3,400). On the grid above, quote C scores 3.80 out of 5 and quote A 3.60: the firm negotiates on criteria, not on gut feeling.
FAQ
How long should a requirements checklist be?
Two to three pages are enough for a 10 to 20 page site. Beyond that, add one appendix per integration.
Should we share a budget with agencies?
Yes, a range such as USD 3,000 to 7,000 avoids off-target proposals. It does not stop you comparing the details.
What should the contact form say?
That it does not create an advocate-client relationship and that no confidential document should be attached. Three to five fields are enough.
Is Swahili included?
It falls under the Premium tier at $8,900, languages set in the quote. An English-only site starts at $2,900.
How long after choosing a quote?
Plan 3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell once the partners have approved the content.
Let's scope your project. Send your requirements, even incomplete: we price them line by line, from $2,900 to $8,900, with delivery in 3 to 4 weeks. 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.
