The verdict in three sentences
In Galway, the prime market splits between Taylor's Hill and Salthill seafront homes, bought by medtech professionals and families from Dublin, and Connemara properties sought as second homes by Irish and European buyers. A local web agency makes sense if you need Irish-language content written by native speakers, or responsive shoots on a coast where the light changes by the hour. In other cases a remote studio delivers an equally solid site in 3 to 4 weeks, and you keep the budget for what sells a Connemara house: the pictures.
What does each option look like, week by week?
The difference shows first in the calendar. Here is a typical schedule for a prime agency site with 40 to 80 live listings and a feed to Daft.ie and MyHome.ie.
| Period | Local agency (Galway) | Remote studio |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Kick-off workshop in your office | 90-minute scoping call, questionnaire, CRM access |
| Weeks 2 to 3 | Brand platform, site map | Key page designs, native English copy |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Designs and revision rounds | Build, portal feeds, forms, launch |
| Weeks 5 to 8 | Development, agency video shoot | Support and adjustments (3 months included) |
| Weeks 9 to 12 | Testing, on-site training, launch | Neighbourhood and village pages added over time |
| Usual total timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
A longer timeline is not a flaw: it often includes brand strategy and video production. The question is whether you need those right now.
When is the Galway agency clearly the better choice?
- You sell in the Gaeltacht and want Irish-language pages written by native speakers rather than translated. A remote studio writes native English or French, not Irish.
- Your coastal listings need weather-led shoots: heading out when the light returns over Roundstone or Clifden takes someone on the ground.
- You want an agency brand film and team portraits shot in the same month as the site.
- Your team insists on weekly face-to-face meetings.
A remote studio is enough if you already have a photographer for your listings and the brief is a fast mobile site, complete listing pages with the BER rating, pages on Connemara villages and lead capture connected to your CRM. Our international website offer covers that scope, with a project manager on Irish time.
What does each option cost over three years, and what should you own?
2026 ballpark ranges, based on typical quotes from west of Ireland agencies and public agency rate pages.
| Cost line | Local agency (2026 ballpark) | Kolonell remote studio |
|---|---|---|
| Website build | €8,000 to €22,000 | €4,500 (Growth) or €8,200 (Premium) |
| Hosting and maintenance | €70 to €180 per month | 3 months of support included, then hosting in your name (€15 to €50 per month) |
| Changes in years 2 and 3 | Retainer or hourly rates | On quote, prudent budget €1,000 to €2,500 per year |
| Irish-language pages | Possible with a native writer | Local writer to budget separately |
| Photo and video per listing | €350 to €800 | €350 to €800 (local supplier) |
| Indicative 3-year total (excl. photography) | €10,500 to €28,500 | €7,000 to €14,900 |
Whichever provider you choose, require: domain and hosting in your name, assignment of code and content, full lead export, admin access and a handover document. Your forms fall under GDPR and your listings under Irish property advertising rules (the BER rating in particular). This is not legal advice.
Quick checklist before you sign
- Do you need native Irish-language content?
- How many shoots a year need weather-led flexibility?
- Has the provider already connected a CRM to Daft.ie and MyHome.ie?
- Does the contract cover code ownership and a documented handover?
- Is the project manager reachable on Irish time?
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Mini case study
Illustrative example. Ciarán runs a three-negotiator prime agency in Galway, with a third of his sales in Connemara. A local agency quotes €15,000 plus €150 per month, so €20,400 over three years. He goes hybrid: Premium at €8,200 with a remote studio, hosting at €35 per month over 33 months (€1,155), €1,200 of changes per year in years 2 and 3, and €900 for six pages written in Irish by a Galway writer. Total: €12,655. The €7,745 gap funds around ten coastal shoots a year at €700. He starts by requesting a free quote to validate the Daft.ie feed.
FAQ
Can a remote studio write in Irish?
Not to native-speaker quality. The simplest route is to give 4 to 8 pages to a local writer, for a budget of a few hundred euros.
How many pages do we need to cover Connemara?
One page per key area (Clifden, Roundstone, Oughterard, Spiddal) is enough to start, so 4 to 6 pages. Each one presents listings, access and local life.
Should the site target European buyers?
If a meaningful share of your buyers comes from continental Europe, a plain-English page on the buying process helps. A full French version usually adds 15 to 25% to the initial budget.
How soon will the site generate enquiries?
Listing enquiries arrive from launch thanks to the portals. Organic search traffic to neighbourhood pages usually takes 3 to 6 months to build.
Is the Starter plan enough?
Starter at €2,700 suits a showcase site without portal feeds. With 40 or more synced listings, start on Growth at €4,500.
Let's scope your project. A Galway prime agency site with portal feeds, Connemara pages and lead capture, between €4,500 and €8,200, delivered 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.
