The verdict in three sentences
An Antwerp broker whose clients mostly speak Dutch and expect face-to-face meetings is better off with a local agency that knows the sector's Dutch tone. A remote studio makes sense when a large share of clients read French or English (port logistics, trading houses, expats) and the site scope is clear. Either way, regulatory pages and forms matter more than design, and marketing content must be reviewed before going live.
Which criteria really matter for an Antwerp broker?
Antwerp brokers serve very different profiles: logistics and transport companies around the port (where marine cargo insurance is a world of its own), trading companies, including in the diamond district, SMEs, and families in Berchem or Het Eilandje. Each audience expects a different language and level of detail.
| Criterion | Why it matters for a broker | Antwerp agency | Remote studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native Dutch | Main language of local clients | Included | Independent Dutch copywriter (third-party cost) |
| French and English | Port clients, traders, expats | Varies | Native French or English copy included at Kolonell |
| Face-to-face meetings | Workshops with partners and the compliance officer | Easy | Video calls, project manager reachable in your hours (CET) |
| Quote request forms | Personal, sometimes sensitive data | Depends on agency | Minimal fields, secure document upload on quote |
| Regulatory pages | Status, complaints, privacy | Often familiar | Structure provided, content approved by your compliance |
| Build price | Budget of a 3 to 20 person firm | EUR 7,000 to 22,000 | EUR 2,700 to 8,200 |
| Ownership of domain and code | Exit without lock-in | To check | To check, written clause |
Local ranges are a 2026 ballpark based on typical quotes from Antwerp agencies; a freelancer is more likely at EUR 2,500 to 7,000, and some broker software vendors offer site templates at around EUR 50 to 150 per month.
When is the Antwerp agency clearly the better choice?
If more than three quarters of your clients are Dutch-speaking households, if your partners want to review every page in meetings at your office and if your site must connect to portfolio management software installed by a local integrator, the Antwerp agency is the rational choice. It understands the sector's Dutch vocabulary and can organise a team photo shoot in half a day.
The remote studio fits when your client base is mixed, when you want a fixed price and launch in 3 to 4 weeks. At Kolonell, Starter costs EUR 2,700, Growth EUR 4,500 and Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) EUR 8,200, with 3 months of support. For instance, Kolonell built the site of TR Signing Group (trsigninggroup.com), a signing services company in New Jersey: a professional services site with forms and service pages. Tier details are on the international offer page.
Which regulatory pages should you plan, and who signs them off?
Insurance intermediaries are registered with the FSMA, and the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) frames the information owed to clients. The GDPR applies, supervised by the Belgian Data Protection Authority. The site must never promise a premium, a saving or a claim outcome. This is not legal advice.
| Site element | Content | Signed off by |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Registration and intermediary status, worded generally and accurately | Compliance officer |
| Complaints page | Internal procedure and contact of the relevant ombudsman service | Compliance officer |
| Privacy notice | Purposes, legal bases, retention periods, rights | Data protection officer or counsel |
| Cookie banner | Consent before any non-essential cookie | Provider and DPO |
| Quote request form | Minimal fields, no health data by default | Compliance and provider |
| Claims guidance | Steps, documents, contacts, no promised outcome | Claims handler |
| Marketing pages | No promise of premiums or savings | Compliance review before go-live |
For accessibility, aim for WCAG 2.1 AA and check with counsel whether the European Accessibility Act, applicable since June 2025, covers any online sale to consumers.
What does each option cost over three years?
Assumption: Dutch, French and English site, 20 to 25 pages per language.
| 3-year cost item | Antwerp agency | Remote studio (Kolonell Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Trilingual build | EUR 16,000 | EUR 8,200 |
| Dutch copywriting | Included | EUR 1,500 (independent Dutch copywriter) |
| Compliance review of content (third-party consultant) | EUR 900 | EUR 900 |
| Team photos, half day (third-party local photographer) | EUR 600 | EUR 600 |
| Maintenance and hosting (market assumption EUR 110/month) | 36 months: EUR 3,960 | 33 months: EUR 3,630 (Kolonell: on quote after 3 months) |
| Indicative total | EUR 21,460 | EUR 14,830 |
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Secure document upload is not counted: it is often included by the agency and on quote at Kolonell.
Questions for both: is the .be domain in the firm's name? Where is form data stored? Who writes the Dutch? Is the code handed over at the end of the contract? How do you update the complaints page without a developer?
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Pieter Janssens, managing partner of an 8-person brokerage in Berchem, serves port logistics companies and families. 40% of his clients read French or English. Local trilingual quote: EUR 16,000. Remote option: EUR 8,200 plus EUR 1,500 for an independent Dutch copywriter, so EUR 9,700, a gap of EUR 6,300. He picks the studio, sets aside EUR 900 for the compliance review and fixes launch at 4 weeks.
FAQ
Which tier covers a trilingual site?
Premium at EUR 8,200, the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote. Native Dutch copywriting is a third-party cost of about EUR 1,200 to 1,800.
Can clients upload documents through the site?
Yes, through a secure upload, on quote at Kolonell. Keep the form to the 6 to 8 fields genuinely needed for a first quote.
Should the FSMA status appear on the site?
Information on your intermediary status must be clear and easy to find, often in the footer and on a dedicated page. Have your compliance officer approve the wording, usually 1 to 2 hours of review.
Can the site show savings achieved by clients?
No, no promise of premiums or savings. Describe your method instead, for example a 3-step policy review.
How long until launch?
3 to 4 weeks at Kolonell once content is approved, against 6 to 10 weeks on average for a local agency.
Let's scope your project. A brokerage site in Dutch, French and English with clear regulatory pages and lean forms, budget EUR 4,500 to 8,200, delivered in 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.