The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a corporate website that credibilizes a logistics group with buyers and candidates costs between EUR 20,000 and EUR 35,000 with an agency, versus EUR 8,000 to 18,000 with a senior freelancer. The gap is not about design but about the headless multilingual CMS, the careers area, the press room and Core Web Vitals above 90. Done well, the project delivers -30% tender response time and +40% qualified applications within a year.
Freelancer, agency or template: the real 2026 comparison
A transport group turns over millions and signs contracts on reputation. The site is not a brochure, it is a sales and HR tool. Here are the 2026 ranges for the European market.
| Option | Budget 2026 (ex. VAT) | Timeline | Multilingual | Careers/press area | Tender-ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress template | EUR 3,000 - 7,000 | 3-5 wks | Limited | Basic | No |
| Senior freelancer | EUR 8,000 - 18,000 | 6-10 wks | Yes (1-2 langs) | Light custom | Partial |
| Structured agency | EUR 20,000 - 55,000 | 8-14 wks | Yes (2-4 langs) | Full + workflow | Yes |
| In-house + vendor | EUR 30,000 - 70,000 | 12-20 wks | Yes | Full | Yes |
For a group that regularly bids on public and private tenders, the structured agency remains the default: it brings content governance, GDPR compliance and a technical base that holds up under load.
What really makes up the budget
The price breaks down into concrete line items. Understanding this structure lets you make trade-offs without surprises.
| Line item | Share | 2026 range (ex. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping + UX + sitemap | 12% | EUR 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Custom UI design | 18% | EUR 4,500 - 8,000 |
| Integration + headless CMS | 30% | EUR 8,000 - 14,000 |
| Multilingual + hreflang | 10% | EUR 2,500 - 4,500 |
| Careers + press area | 12% | EUR 3,000 - 5,500 |
| Technical SEO + Core Web Vitals | 10% | EUR 2,500 - 4,000 |
| QA + go-live | 8% | EUR 2,000 - 3,500 |
On top comes maintenance of EUR 250 to 900 per month (security, updates, EU hosting, minor changes). Over three years, this recurring cost represents EUR 9,000 to 32,000: budget it from the start.
Mini case study
Marc, communications director of a 320-employee transport group, responds to 18 tenders a year. His old site dated from 2018: no careers area, single-language, 4.2 s load time. He invests EUR 28,000 in a rebuild with a headless CMS, FR/EN versions and a press room.
After 12 months: the average time to assemble the "agency references" section of a tender drops from 6 h to 4 h (-33%), saving 36 hours across 18 files. On recruitment, qualified applications rise from 120 to 170 per year (+42%), cutting reliance on a recruitment firm on two management roles at EUR 4,500 each saved. The project pays for itself in under 14 months.
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FAQ
What does a logistics corporate website really cost in 2026?
Expect EUR 20,000 to 35,000 for a solid, multilingual, tender-oriented agency project. A senior freelancer goes as low as EUR 8,000-18,000 but with less governance and fewer load guarantees.
How long does it take to deliver?
Between 8 and 14 weeks depending on the number of languages and the complexity of the careers/press areas. Scoping and bilingual content production are often the real timeline driver, not development.
Does multilingual really raise the bill?
Yes, around 10% of the budget, or EUR 2,500 to 4,500 for a second language with clean hreflang handling. Each additional language mainly adds translation and editorial maintenance cost.
What maintenance budget should I plan?
Between EUR 250 and 900 per month depending on SLA level, security updates and EU hosting. Not budgeting it means letting the site decay within 18 months.
Does a good site actually change anything for tenders?
Yes: a structured references area and a fast site cut tender assembly time by roughly 30% and strengthen perceived credibility. That is a direct gain for sales teams.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your perimeter (number of pages, languages, careers or press area), your indicative budget and target deadline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
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.
