The verdict in three sentences
A multi-subsidiary group site is not a brochure site multiplied: it is a governed platform with a design system, an editorial workflow and WCAG AA compliance. In New York in 2026, the platform costs 60,000 to 180,000 EUR, plus design system and governance on top. Think in three-year total cost of ownership: content governance weighs as much as the build.
Cost lines of a 2026 corporate platform
A communications director must price line by line. Here is the 2026 New York breakdown.
| Line | 2026 range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-site platform | 60,000-180,000 EUR | Corporate + N governed subsidiaries |
| Design system delivered | 15,000-40,000 EUR | Components, tokens, docs |
| Editorial CMS workflow | 10,000-25,000 EUR | Multi-level approval |
| Content migration | 8,000-30,000 EUR | Depending on page volume |
| WCAG AA accessibility | 6,000-18,000 EUR | Audit + remediation |
| Managed hosting | 300-1,200 EUR/month | CDN, SLA, security |
| Maintenance & governance | 1,500-6,000 EUR/month | Support, changes |
Realistic timelines run from 5 to 10 months for a full platform, in sprints with weekly reviews.
Three-year total cost of ownership
The build price is only part of the commitment. Here are three 36-month TCO scenarios.
| Scenario | Build | Maintenance 36 mo | Hosting 36 mo | 3-year TCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate + 2 subsidiaries | 90,000 EUR | 72,000 EUR | 21,600 EUR | 183,600 EUR |
| Corporate + 5 subsidiaries | 140,000 EUR | 108,000 EUR | 32,400 EUR | 280,400 EUR |
| Group + 10 subsidiaries | 180,000 EUR | 180,000 EUR | 43,200 EUR | 403,200 EUR |
Maintenance and hosting often make up 45 to 55 % of three-year TCO: overlooking this line at quote time distorts the whole decision.
Governance and accessibility, the real differentiators
What sets a group platform apart from a simple site is the multi-level approval workflow (contributor, reviewer, publication) and WCAG AA compliance, often required by large accounts and mandatory in some sectors. The delivered, documented design system guarantees visual consistency between corporate and subsidiaries and cuts the cost of future changes by 20 to 30 %.
Mini case study
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Elodie, communications director of a 1,200-employee New York industrial group with 4 subsidiaries, must unify scattered sites. She selects a platform at 120,000 EUR with a design system (28,000 EUR) and editorial workflow (18,000 EUR). Over three years, adding maintenance of 3,000 EUR/month and hosting of 700 EUR/month, TCO reaches 289,200 EUR. Without a design system, each subsidiary change would cost about 25 % more, an estimated 40,000 EUR extra over the period. The design system, at 28,000 EUR, pays for itself by the second year of governance.
FAQ
How much does a multi-subsidiary group site cost in New York in 2026?
The platform alone ranges from 60,000 to 180,000 EUR depending on the number of governed subsidiaries. Adding design system, workflow and migration, a full project frequently exceeds 150,000 EUR.
Why is a design system indispensable?
It guarantees consistency between corporate and subsidiaries and cuts the cost of future changes by 20 to 30 %. At 15,000-40,000 EUR, it usually pays for itself by the second year.
What is a realistic timeline for such a platform?
From 5 to 10 months in sprints with weekly reviews, depending on the number of subsidiaries, content to migrate and required editorial governance.
Is WCAG AA compliance mandatory?
It is required by most large accounts and mandatory in some sectors. The audit and remediation cost 6,000 to 18,000 EUR depending on the number of templates.
What share of the budget is maintenance?
Over three years, maintenance and hosting often account for 45 to 55 % of total cost of ownership. A quote that shows only the build hides more than half the real commitment.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of subsidiaries, languages and target governance level, and we deliver a line-by-line breakdown, a three-year TCO and a 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.
