The verdict in three sentences
For a 12-person M&A advisory boutique in London, the website exists to build credibility with founders and CEOs about to entrust it with the sale of their business, often the transaction of a lifetime. A budget of 30,000 to 90,000 GBP in 2026 covers a premium site with 60 filterable tombstones, sector pages and an encrypted document area. Regulatory rigour, with accurate FCA disclosures and financial promotion rules respected, is part of the message: a sloppy site raises doubts about the quality of the advice.
Tombstones: the most scrutinised proof
A founder considering the sale of a business with 25 million GBP in revenue typically speaks to three to five advisers. On your site, they look for one thing: have you closed deals comparable to theirs, in their sector and size bracket. A static references page with logos is no longer enough.
| Tombstone database filter | Example values | What the founder concludes |
|---|---|---|
| Deal type | Sell-side, capital raise, MBO, buy-side | Your expertise covers their need |
| Sector | Industrials, healthcare, software, distribution, B2B services | You know their likely buyers |
| Enterprise value band | 10 to 30 M GBP, 30 to 100 M GBP, over 100 M GBP | You play in their league |
| Counterparty type | Trade buyer, private equity, family office | Your network |
| Year | 2019 to 2026 | Your deal flow is current |
| Cross-border dimension | Overseas acquirer, overseas target | Your international reach |
Every published tombstone needs written consent from the client and counterparties. For confidential deals, an anonymised entry such as sale of a precision engineering business, 40 M GBP enterprise value remains possible if the client agrees.
How much the website costs in 2026
The ranges below reflect quotes from London agencies specialising in financial and professional services.
| Component | Description | Budget ex. VAT (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium art direction | Identity, typography, team photography | 8,000 to 20,000 GBP |
| Core site | 20 to 30 pages, CMS | 10,000 to 28,000 GBP |
| Database of 60 filterable tombstones | Data model, filters, data entry | 4,000 to 12,000 GBP |
| Sector pages | 6 to 8 sectors with market data | 3,000 to 8,000 GBP |
| Encrypted document area | Named access, two-factor authentication, access log | 4,000 to 15,000 GBP |
| Compliance review of content | FCA disclosures, financial promotions, UK GDPR | 1,000 to 7,000 GBP |
| Total project | Depending on scope | 30,000 to 90,000 GBP |
The document area does not replace a professional virtual data room for due diligence. It is used to share teasers, information memoranda and NDAs with shortlisted buyers before the data room opens.
Compliance and confidentiality: the rules to respect
| Topic | Obligation or best practice | Risk if missing |
|---|---|---|
| FCA status | Firm reference number, regulated entity name, registered office | Doubt about the legitimacy of the business |
| Financial promotions | Fair, clear and not misleading, no promised valuations | Breach of the financial promotion rules |
| Tombstones | Written client consent, no inside information | Confidentiality breach, market abuse exposure under UK MAR |
| Personal data | UK GDPR privacy notice, form consent | ICO action, loss of trust |
| Document area security | Encryption, two-factor authentication, access log | Leak of a sale process |
| Hosting | UK or EU servers, backups | Failure to meet client requirements |
A content review by your compliance officer or counsel before launch takes 2 to 4 days and prevents most mistakes.
Mini case study
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Catherine, partner at a 12-person boutique in London, closes 8 sell-side mandates a year with an average success fee of 350,000 GBP. She invests 60,000 GBP ex. VAT in a site with 60 tombstones and a document area. If the site helps convert just one extra mandate every two years, the average gain reaches 175,000 GBP a year, almost three times the investment. Even a 5-point rise in the conversion of 40 first meetings a year means two additional mandates.
FAQ
Should every completed deal be published?
No, only those with written client consent, often 60 to 80 % of a boutique's deals. Others can appear in anonymised form if the client agrees.
Should fees be shown?
It is rare in the industry, since success fees range from 1 to 5 % of enterprise value depending on deal size. A description of the fee structure, retainer plus success fee, is enough.
Is the document area a data room?
No, it handles preliminary exchanges with 10 to 30 shortlisted buyers. For due diligence, a specialised virtual data room remains essential.
How long does it take to launch?
Allow 10 to 14 weeks, including 3 to 4 weeks to collect tombstone consents and 2 to 4 days of compliance review.
Does the site need other languages?
For a boutique working with overseas acquirers, which concerns 30 to 50 % of UK mid-market deals, a second language such as French or German can help. Each extra language adds 15 to 20 % to the budget.
Let's scope your project. Share the number of deals to publish, your sectors and your confidentiality constraints, and we will scope a premium site with indicative budget and launch plan. 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.
