The verdict in three sentences
Collectors in the Bay Area look up a gallery or an adviser the way they would check a fund: artist names, current and past exhibitions, art fair presence, the team behind the advice, then a discreet way to inquire. A gallery site lives or dies on image quality, authorised content and a clean inquiry path, not on custom code, so most of the budget should go to photography and accurate texts rather than to the build itself. For a gallery or advisory practice, Growth at $4,900 usually covers the core, and Premium at $8,900 is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote, when you court collectors abroad.
What a collector checks before writing to you
Buyers type an artist's name, a show title or "art advisor San Francisco" and land on your site with a narrow question. Can I trust this gallery with this artist? Is the work still available? Who will I talk to?
| Page | Collector question | What you need first |
|---|---|---|
| Artists | Do you really represent this artist? | Artist consent, approved bio and images |
| Exhibitions | What is on now, what was shown before? | Install shots with photographer credit |
| Available works or viewing room | Can I see details and ask for the price? | Image rights, "price on request" wording |
| Art fairs | Where can I meet you next? | Confirmed participation only |
| Advisory services | How do you help build a collection? | Clear scope, fee approach described generally |
| About and team | Who is behind the eye? | Real bios, no invented placements |
| Visit and contact | When can I come to the space? | Hours, accessibility details, appointment form |
Only list artists you actually represent or work with, and only show works you are authorised to publish. Never mention past sales, collectors or museum placements unless they are public and approved. "Price on request" is normal in this market and does not hurt you, provided the inquiry form is fast and the reply comes within a day.
The legal frame deserves a quick check with counsel. Anti-money-laundering rules for art market participants exist in the EU and the UK, which matters if you sell to buyers there, and US rules for the sector have been under review. In California, CCPA/CPRA can apply to your contact and newsletter data if your business meets its thresholds, CAN-SPAM covers marketing email, and ADA Title III website accessibility suits are frequent: image-heavy gallery sites need real alt text and should target WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA. This is not legal advice.
San Francisco quotes vs a fixed grid
Prudent 2026 ballpark from typical Bay Area agency quotes and public studio rate pages.
| Who builds it | 2026 build cost (USD) | Typical delivery | Good at | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance designer-developer | $5,000 to $15,000 | 6 to 12 weeks | Visual taste, flexibility | Single point of failure |
| Gallery-site template service | $1,500 to $4,000 setup plus subscription | 2 to 4 weeks | Fast start | Look shared with many galleries |
| Mid-size San Francisco studio | $25,000 to $70,000 | 10 to 16 weeks | Custom design, project management | Copy often not included |
| Premium design firm | $80,000 to $200,000+ | 4 to 8 months | Brand work, art direction | Out of scale for most galleries |
| Kolonell Growth | $4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Full structure, native copy | Integrations on quote |
| Kolonell Premium | $8,900 | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote | Custom features on quote |
Starter at $2,900 suits an independent adviser with a focused site. Every tier includes a project manager reachable in Pacific time, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks (Premium 4 to 6) and 3 months of support. A connection to your gallery inventory software, a private collector area or online sales are quoted separately. Tier details are on the international offer.
Hidden lines and the three-year total
| Line | 3-year amount (USD) | Who pays whom |
|---|---|---|
| Website build, Growth | 4,900 | Kolonell fixed price |
| Exhibition and install photography, several shows | 3,000 to 9,000 | Photographer, market assumption |
| Image rights or licensing beyond artist-provided files | 0 to 2,000 | Depends on agreements |
| Accessibility review of templates | 1,500 to 4,000 | Third party, market assumption |
| Translation for overseas collectors | 1,000 to 3,500 | Third party, market assumption |
| Hosting and domain, 36 months | 700 to 1,800 | Market assumption |
| Maintenance after the 3 included months, 33 months | 3,300 to 9,900 | Market assumption, Kolonell maintenance on quote |
| Indicative total | 14,400 to 35,100 |
Photography is the line galleries underestimate most. A new show every six to eight weeks means 15 to 20 shoots over three years, and the site is only as good as those images.
When a local studio is worth the premium
Pick a San Francisco studio if you want an art director in the room for every exhibition launch, if your gallery is undergoing a full rebrand with a printed identity, or if your program depends on experimental web pieces made with artists. A local team can also coordinate photography on site. For most galleries and advisory practices, those needs are occasional, and a fixed-price site plus a trusted local photographer covers them.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Ask every provider:
- How will we add a new exhibition, and how long does it take us?
- How are image sizes handled so that pages stay fast on mobile?
- How do you write alt text for artworks without misdescribing them?
- Where is inquiry data stored, and who can export it?
- What exactly is outside the fixed price?
Mini case study
Illustrative example, fictional practice: Hollis & Vane, a gallery and art advisory in Dogpatch with two partners and a registrar. A mid-size studio quotes $42,000. They choose Growth at $4,900, budget $2,500 for install photography of their next show and $1,800 for an accessibility review. First-year total: $9,200. The $32,800 difference pays for roughly ten more photographed exhibitions and a fair season's printed material, with a reserve left.
FAQ
How much does an art gallery website cost in San Francisco in 2026?
Mid-size local studios typically quote $25,000 to $70,000, premium firms $80,000 and up. Kolonell's grid is $2,900, $4,900 or $8,900, with photography and other third-party costs listed separately.
Should we display prices?
Many galleries use "price on request", which is standard in the market. What matters is replying to inquiries within 24 hours and keeping availability up to date.
Can we show works by artists we sold once?
Only with authorisation from the artist or rights holder and, for private sales, the buyer's discretion respected. One unauthorised image can cost a relationship worth far more than the site.
How long does the project take?
Growth is delivered in 3 to 4 weeks and Premium in 4 to 6. Gathering approved artist bios and images often takes 1 to 2 weeks, so start early.
Do we need an accessibility review?
Given the number of ADA Title III website suits in the US, it is prudent. A review typically costs $1,500 to $4,000 and focuses on alt text, contrast and forms.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your program, your artists and your inquiry process, and we will confirm the tier and a 3 to 6 week schedule. 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.
