The verdict in three sentences
In St Helier, many practices already work with a provider based off the island, which makes the choice between a local agency and a remote studio more open than elsewhere. For a private dental practice with one or two chairs, a remote studio on UK time covers the essentials, as long as you book an island photographer. A Jersey agency is still the best choice if you want workshops at the practice, frequent filming or a contact who knows the local community, and in every case the contract must keep the .je domain and the code in your name.
Island agency, mainland agency or studio: which criteria matter?
Dentistry in Jersey is essentially private: patients compare fees, monthly care plans and availability, often on their phones between meetings in the finance sector. The patient base also includes families from the Madeiran and Polish communities, plus some French-speaking visitors. So the site has to show fees, booking and, where it matches your patients, a few pages in Portuguese or Polish.
| Criterion | St Helier agency | Mainland UK agency | Remote studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time zone | Same | Same | Same to 1 hour apart (studio on GMT) |
| Meetings | At the practice, no charge | Video, or a visit billed at £250 to £500 | Video call, 45 to 60 minutes |
| Local market knowledge | Strong | Weak | Weak to medium, offset by your brief |
| On-site photography | Local network | Island photographer or travel | Island photographer, briefed |
| Copywriting | Native British English | Native British English | Native English; French version possible, on quote |
| Price for a 12 to 20 page site | £7,000 to £16,000 | £6,000 to £14,000 | £2,300 to £6,900 (Kolonell grid) |
| Ownership of the .je domain | To set in the contract | To set in the contract | To set in the contract |
What does each option cost over three years?
2026 ballpark, based on typical quotes from island and mainland agencies and freelancers' public rates; the island market often carries a premium linked to the cost of living. Kolonell's international grid is fixed: Starter £2,300, Growth £3,900, Premium £6,900, with a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. See the international website offer.
| Item | St Helier agency | Mainland agency | Freelancer | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build | £7,000 to £16,000 | £6,000 to £14,000 | £2,500 to £5,500 | £3,900 |
| Photography at the practice | Included or £500 to £1,000 | £500 to £1,000 | £500 to £1,000 | £500 to £1,000 (island photographer) |
| Visits and workshops | Included | £500 to £1,500 in travel (2 to 3 visits) | Included | Video, included |
| Maintenance, 36 months | £2,500 to £5,400 | £2,200 to £5,000 | £1,100 to £2,900 | Months 1 to 3 included, then £1,300 to £3,000 at market rate |
| 3-year total | £9,500 to £22,400 | £9,450 to £22,000 | £4,100 to £9,400 | £5,700 to £7,900 |
A useful finding: once travel is counted, a mainland agency costs almost as much as an island one, without the benefit of proximity.
When is the island agency the better choice, and which rules apply?
To be fair, the St Helier agency wins if you want meetings at the practice without setting up video calls, if you regularly film your team, or if you rely on its local network for partnerships and events. It also knows island patients' habits, which helps with tone. A remote studio is enough when you have a precise brief, recent photos or a trusted photographer, and a budget under £8,000 over three years.
Rules and good practice to require from any provider:
- Data protection: the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 applies, overseen by the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner. Medical history is sensitive data: secure forms, restricted access.
- Advertising: alongside the island's own registration requirements, GDC standards for registrants are a prudent reference; before and after photos need written consent and no misleading editing.
- Fees: show up-to-date ranges and explain your monthly care plan.
- Cookies: collect consent for non-essential cookies.
- Accessibility: aim for WCAG 2.2 AA.
This is not legal advice.
Questions to ask: is the .je domain registered in the practice's name? Where is form data hosted? Who do we call on a Saturday morning if online booking fails? What does adding Portuguese pages cost?
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Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dr Tom Le Brocq practises alone in a private surgery in St Helier, with a dental nurse and a hygienist. An island agency quotes £9,500 plus £110 a month. He compares it with Kolonell's Growth plan at £3,900, an island photographer at £700 and maintenance at a market rate of £60 a month after month three.
Over three years: agency 9,500 + 110 x 36 = £13,460; studio 3,900 + 700 + 60 x 33 = £6,580. Gap: £6,880. With a monthly care plan at £25, or £300 a year per patient, the gap equals 23 patient-years of membership. He goes with the studio and adds three Portuguese pages on quote.
FAQ
Can a studio off the island understand the Jersey market?
Yes, if your brief is precise: fees, patient profile, competitors. A 60 minute kick-off workshop usually covers it.
Do we need a .je domain?
It builds local trust and costs in the region of a few tens of pounds a year. It must be registered in the practice's name.
How long should we plan for?
Kolonell delivers in 3 to 4 weeks once content is in. A local agency usually quotes 8 to 12 weeks.
Is a French version worth it?
For French-speaking visitors, three to five pages are enough. Native French copywriting is part of Kolonell's skill set, priced on quote.
Can online booking connect to the practice software?
Often, through the vendor's online booking module. Allow 1 to 3 days of integration, on quote.
Let's scope your project. A private dental practice website in Jersey, between £2,300 and £6,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks with an island photographer we brief for you. 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.