The verdict in three sentences
For a language immersion school in Sandton running a German, Spanish or Mandarin track, the website has to win over two very different audiences: expatriate families comparing from Frankfurt or Shanghai, and Johannesburg families who want a language edge for their children. A local Sandton or Rosebank agency is worth it if you want regular filming and in-person workshops with the board, while a remote studio fits when the heart of the project is a solid bilingual structure and a clear admissions journey. Either way, get the ownership of the domain, code and content in writing, along with data handling that complies with POPIA.
How is an immersion school website different?
An immersion school sells a specific promise: the child will become functional in a second language without losing ground on the South African or international curriculum. Parents want to see how hours are split, who teaches in which language and which diploma or language certificate the child can aim for.
| Parent profile | What they look for first | Page that must answer |
|---|---|---|
| German-speaking expat family on a 3-year posting | Continuity with the home system, possible return | Track and pathways page, in German |
| English-speaking Sandton family | Language edge, results, pastoral care | Immersion method and split of hours |
| Family linked to a Chinese company | Mandarin track, hours, transport | Mandarin page, in English and Chinese |
| Parent arriving mid-year | Available places, placement test | Admissions and mid-year entry |
| Employer funding an expat's school fees | Terms, invoicing, contact person | Corporate and relocation page |
| Alumni or donor | News, foundation | Community and support |
This table shows why an immersion school almost always belongs on Premium at USD 8,900, Kolonell's multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote. A Growth site at USD 4,900 can be enough if only the track page is translated and the rest stays in English.
Which criteria decide between a local agency and a remote studio?
Rather than a single score, look for the situation that matches your school.
| School situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New campus or new track to film on an ongoing basis | Local agency | Video crew 20 minutes away, several times a term |
| Board wants to sign off each stage in a physical meeting | Local agency | In-person workshops in Sandton |
| Existing content, need for a fast bilingual rebuild | Remote studio | Delivery in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready |
| Budget set by the board before the tender | Remote studio | Fixed grid: USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900 |
| German or Mandarin copy reviewed by the track's teachers | Both | Internal review remains essential |
| Parent portal or link with school management software | Both, on quote | Depends on the tool the school uses |
Time difference is not the obstacle: Sandton is on UTC+2, and at Kolonell the project manager is reachable in your time zone. The real question is imagery logistics: a local agency can film a lantern festival or a Mandarin reading contest the same day, whereas with a remote studio the school books its own photographer or videographer.
How much should you plan for in 2026?
2026 ballpark, based on typical quotes and public rate pages of Johannesburg agencies. Rand converted at roughly ZAR 18 to USD 1, approximate.
| Item | Freelancer (Gauteng) | Local agency (Sandton, Rosebank) | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 20 page English site | ZAR 35,000 to 80,000 (about USD 1,900 to 4,400) | ZAR 90,000 to 220,000 (about USD 5,000 to 12,200) | Growth USD 4,900 |
| Site with a German, Spanish or Mandarin track | Rarely offered | ZAR 150,000 to 320,000 (about USD 8,300 to 17,800) | Premium USD 8,900, languages set in the quote |
| Professional translation per language | ZAR 8,000 to 20,000 | Often subcontracted, ZAR 15,000 to 35,000 | Native English copywriting included; other languages scoped in the quote |
| Delivery time | 6 to 12 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready |
| Support included | Varies | 1 to 3 months | 3 months |
| Monthly maintenance (market assumption) | ZAR 1,500 to 3,000 | ZAR 3,000 to 8,000 | On quote after the 3 included months |
The gaps come mostly from filming and the number of languages. Check that each quote states who translates, who reviews and how many pages are translated. The detailed scope of the offer is on the Kolonell international websites page.
When the local agency wins, and what to ask
The local agency is clearly the better choice if you are opening a new building and want a full video campaign, if your board requires a South African supplier, or if you want a content partner at every event of the track. It also wins when the school wants a billboard campaign and a website designed by the same team.
Questions to ask both types of provider:
- Is the domain registered in the school's name, with your own login?
- Do the code, translations and visuals belong to you on delivery?
- How are German, Spanish or Chinese pages tagged (hreflang, one URL per language)?
- Where is application form data stored, and for how long?
- How are pupil photos handled when a parent withdraws consent?
- Is the site tested to WCAG 2.1 AA, with keyboard and screen reader?
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On compliance: POPIA governs pupil and parent data collected through forms, and information about a child requires the consent of a competent person. Marketing messages remain subject to South Africa's general advertising rules: no promise of results the school cannot demonstrate. This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Katrin, head of admissions at Sandton Bilingual School (a fictional name), a German immersion track from Grade R to Grade 7 with a Mandarin workshop. Her English-only site gets about 900 visits a month during admissions season, with a 2% enquiry rate, so 18 enquiries.
- With 18 enquiries, 30% booking a tour and 50% enrolling, she gets about 2.7 families a month.
- Target with German pages and a Mandarin page: 3% enquiry rate, so 27 enquiries, about 4 families a month.
- Over a 5-month season, the gain is about 6 to 7 families.
Budget side: Premium at USD 8,900 with Kolonell, against a local quote of ZAR 220,000 (about USD 12,200) including a film shoot. Katrin can book a local videographer for a day and stay below the local quote. If her board insists on three physical meetings, the local agency remains a defensible choice.
FAQ
Do we need a full version of the site in every language?
No. Many schools translate 5 to 8 key pages (track, admissions, fees, contact) and keep the rest in English. That cuts translation cost by roughly 40 to 60%.
How much does an English and German school website cost?
With a local Johannesburg agency, budget ZAR 150,000 to 320,000 in 2026. At Kolonell, multilingual sites belong on Premium at USD 8,900, with languages set in the quote.
How long does an immersion school website take?
With Kolonell, 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, translations included if they arrive on time. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for review by the track's teachers.
Can application data go through a simple web form?
A simple enquiry form is fine. For full applications (reports, ID documents), secure admissions software is better, with integration on quote. Keep the public form to 6 to 8 fields.
How do I compare two quotes?
Put them in the same table: number of pages, languages, filming, support and monthly maintenance. Then request a free quote from Kolonell on the same scope to compare like for like.
Let's scope your project. An immersion school site with a German, Spanish or Mandarin track scopes between USD 4,900 and USD 8,900 depending on languages, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready. 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.