The verdict in three sentences
A commercial real estate advisory in Melbourne needs a site that proves market knowledge, a real team and genuine listings to occupiers, landlords and investors who compare three firms before any call. Local Melbourne agencies typically quote AUD 20,000 to 120,000 (about USD 13,000 to 78,000) for this kind of build, while Kolonell's fixed grid runs USD 2,900 (Starter), 4,900 (Growth) and 8,900 (Premium). Over three years, the gap comes less from the build itself than from hidden costs: photography, research content, listing integrations and maintenance.
What the site of a CRE advisory has to prove
Corporate occupiers looking for 2,000 square metres in Docklands, a landlord repositioning a B-grade building on Collins Street, a fund manager weighing industrial assets in the west: each arrives with a different question, and each checks the same things. Does this firm know my submarket? Who exactly will I deal with? Are the listings current and real?
The pages that answer those questions:
| Page | What it must show | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Services by client type | Tenant representation, landlord leasing, investment sales, valuations if offered | One vague "Services" page |
| Submarkets | CBD, Southbank, Docklands, St Kilda Road, inner east, western industrial | Generic "Melbourne" copy |
| Listings | Current, real properties with accurate area, grade and status | Leased properties left online for months |
| Research and insights | Dated market notes on vacancy, rents, incentives | Reports with no date or author |
| Team | Named agents with licences, specialisms, contact details | Stock photos, first names only |
| Transactions | Only deals already public or approved by the client | Unapproved client names |
| Contact and enquiry | Short form by need (lease, buy, sell), phone, office address | One long generic form |
In Victoria, people who sell or lease property on behalf of others must hold the relevant estate agent licence, and licensing details often belong on the site. The Australian Consumer Law also applies to listing descriptions and claims about results. On data, the Privacy Act 1988 applies to many firms, though small businesses under AUD 3 million turnover can be exempt, with exceptions. This is not legal advice.
Real cost: local options vs the Kolonell grid
The local figures below are prudent 2026 ballparks drawn from typical Melbourne agency quotes and public rate pages, converted approximately at AUD 1 = USD 0.65. Kolonell prices are fixed in USD and are not converted.
| Option | Build price, 2026 | Timeline | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, Melbourne | AUD 5,000 to 15,000 (about USD 3,250 to 9,750) | 4 to 10 weeks | Theme-based design, little or no copywriting |
| Local agency | AUD 20,000 to 50,000 (about USD 13,000 to 32,500) | 8 to 14 weeks | Custom design, CMS, listings module |
| Premium agency, Melbourne | AUD 60,000 to 120,000 (about USD 39,000 to 78,000) | 12 to 24 weeks | Brand work, research section, CRM links |
| Kolonell Starter | USD 2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Focused site, native copywriting, project manager |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | More pages, insights section, submarket pages |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks (Premium 4 to 6) and 3 months of support. Premium suits firms serving overseas investors who expect content in their own language, with languages agreed in the quote. A live listings feed from your property CRM, an investor portal or a gated data room are on quote. Full details are on the international offer.
For a real estate reference, Kolonell built the site of Orven Properties, a real estate company in Dubai (orvenproperties.com).
Hidden costs and the three-year total
The build price is the visible part. Over three years, these lines often decide the real budget.
| Cost line (3 years) | Local agency, mid-range | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Build | about USD 26,000 (AUD 40,000) | USD 4,900 |
| Professional photography of listings and team | USD 2,000 (market assumption) | USD 2,000 (market assumption) |
| Research content written by your team | Internal time | Internal time |
| Listings feed integration | Often included or USD 3,000 to 6,000 | On quote |
| Hosting and maintenance | about USD 260 a month, 36 months: USD 9,360 (market assumption) | Included 3 months, then on quote; USD 150 a month for 33 months: USD 4,950 (market assumption) |
| Indicative total, excluding integration | about USD 37,360 | about USD 11,850 |
Arithmetic: 26,000 + 2,000 + 9,360 = 37,360; 4,900 + 2,000 + 4,950 = 11,850. These totals rely on market assumptions and will move with your scope.
When a local agency is the better choice
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
A Melbourne agency is worth its premium if you need a deep, two-way integration with your property management or CRM platform from day one, regular in-person workshops with the leadership team, on-site video production across several buildings, or a full rebrand alongside the site. It can also make sense if your firm is part of a network with its own approved local suppliers.
Questions to ask any provider:
- How are listings updated, and who removes leased or sold properties?
- Who writes the submarket pages, and from which sources?
- What happens to our URLs and rankings if we replace an existing site?
- Who owns the domain, code and content at the end?
- What does maintenance cost after the included period?
Mini case study
Illustrative example. "Yarra Bend Commercial", eight people advising tenants and landlords on office and industrial space, launches its own firm after leaving a national agency. It chooses Growth at USD 4,900 with pages for six submarkets, team profiles and an insights section. It adds listing and team photography at USD 2,000 (market assumption). Initial outlay: 4,900 + 2,000 = USD 6,900. A single tenant representation mandate on a 1,500 square metre lease, with a fee of AUD 30,000 (about USD 19,500), covers that outlay 2.8 times.
FAQ
How much does a commercial real estate website cost in Melbourne in 2026?
Local agencies typically quote AUD 20,000 to 120,000 (about USD 13,000 to 78,000) as a 2026 ballpark. Kolonell's grid is USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900, with integrations on quote.
Can the site show our live listings?
Yes. A simple listings section managed in the CMS fits within the tiers, while a live feed from your property CRM is on quote. Plan for someone to review listings at least weekly.
How long does it take?
Three to four weeks at Kolonell once content is ready, four to six for Premium. Local agencies often need 8 to 24 weeks.
Can we publish past transactions?
Only those already public or approved in writing by the client. Three to six well-documented, approved deals carry more weight than a long list of unverifiable names.
What about maintenance after launch?
Three months of support are included; afterwards maintenance is on quote. Market rates for comparable sites often sit around USD 150 to 300 a month (market assumption).
Let's scope your project. A CRE advisory site on Growth, with submarket pages and listings, 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.
