The verdict in three sentences
For an executive search firm in Houston, the real cost of a website goes beyond the build quote: partner portraits, practice area copy and an accessibility review all add up. A Houston agency typically quotes $15,000 to $45,000 for this scope, while the Kolonell fixed grid starts at 2,900 USD (Starter) and reaches 4,900 USD (Growth). The gap comfortably funds third-party costs, provided the firm supplies its own material: partner bios, publishable mandates and a privacy policy.
What does an executive search firm website really cost in Houston?
The figures below are 2026 ballpark ranges based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages. They cover a firm site with partner pages, practice areas, open mandates and a candidate form.
| Option | Build cost (2026 ballpark) | Typical timeline | Often excluded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston freelancer | $3,000 to $9,000 | 4 to 8 weeks | Copywriting, project management, support |
| Local agency (Galleria, Midtown) | $15,000 to $30,000 | 8 to 12 weeks | Photography, accessibility audit |
| Premium Houston agency | $35,000 to $80,000 and up | 12 to 20 weeks | Integrations, maintenance |
| Kolonell Starter | 2,900 USD | 3 to 4 weeks | Gated areas, integrations (on quote) |
| Kolonell Growth | 4,900 USD | 3 to 4 weeks | Gated areas, integrations (on quote) |
| Kolonell Premium (multilingual tier) | 8,900 USD | 4 to 6 weeks | Languages set in the quote |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in Houston's time zone, native English or French copywriting and 3 months of support. The full offer is on the international page. A client portal, an ATS connection or a candidate area with logins is priced on quote.
What the site must prove to two audiences
An executive search firm speaks to two readers with different questions. The board of an oil and gas group or an energy transition player wants to know whether your partners understand its sector and whether discretion is assured. The candidate, often a sitting vice president, wants to reach you without leaving an unnecessary trail.
| Page | Audience | What it must demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Practice areas (energy, petrochemicals, healthcare, industrials) | Boards, CEOs, CHROs | Real sector knowledge, types of roles handled |
| Partners | Clients and candidates | Seniority, background, sectors covered |
| Search process | Clients | Stages, usual timelines, replacement guarantee if you offer one |
| Confidentiality | Clients and candidates | How names and files are protected |
| Open mandates (anonymized) | Candidates | Title, sector, location, no client name |
| Submit a resume | Candidates | Minimal data, retention period, deletion right |
| Contact and offices | Everyone | Houston address, direct line |
One caution: never display placements or client logos without written consent. In executive search, discretion is part of the product.
Hidden costs and total cost over 3 years
The build quote is only part of the spend. The United States has no single federal privacy law, and Texas, like other states, has its own rules, so the candidate form should collect only what is needed and state a retention period. ADA Title III website accessibility suits are frequent, and targeting WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA is the prudent practice. Outreach emails to candidates fall under CAN-SPAM. This is not legal advice.
| 3-year line item | Local agency (market assumption) | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Build | $22,000 | 4,900 USD |
| Partner portraits | $1,500 to $3,000 (market assumption) | $1,500 to $3,000 (market assumption) |
| Accessibility audit | Often included or $2,000 (market assumption) | $1,500 (market assumption) |
| Legal review of the privacy policy | $1,000 to $2,500 (market assumption) | $1,000 to $2,500 (market assumption) |
| Support | Per contract | 3 months included |
| Maintenance after the included period | $250 to $600 per month (market assumption) | On quote |
With maintenance at $300 per month over 33 months (market assumption), or $9,900, and taking the midpoint of each range, the Kolonell scenario totals about $20,300 over 3 years versus about $37,900 for the local agency scenario (market assumption).
When a Houston agency is the better choice
To be fair: if your firm needs weekly in-person workshops with the partners, a video shoot in your offices or a full rebrand (name, logo, tone), an agency based in Houston is a better fit. The same applies if you want a deep ATS integration at launch with a budget above $40,000. For a solid, fast and compliant editorial site, the fixed grid is the more rational option.
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Questions to ask any provider: who writes the practice area pages? Is the WCAG target written into the contract? Where are resumes stored, and for how long? Who owns the domain and the logins? What does a change cost after launch?
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Bayou Ridge Partners, a 6-partner firm focused on energy and industrials, receives a local quote of $28,000. It chooses Kolonell Growth at 4,900 USD, adds portraits at $1,800 (market assumption) and an accessibility audit at $1,500 (market assumption), for $8,200 in total. The gap with the local quote is $19,800, which the firm puts toward two publishable sector studies.
FAQ
How long does it take to launch the site?
Kolonell delivers in 3 to 4 weeks for Starter and Growth, 4 to 6 weeks for Premium. A Houston agency often quotes 8 to 12 weeks.
Can we publish our client names?
Only with written consent from each client. Most firms show sectors and role types rather than names.
Can the candidate form accept resumes?
Yes, with minimal data, a stated retention period (for example 24 months) and a deletion link. A candidate area with logins is priced on quote.
What happens after the 3 months of support?
Maintenance is on quote. In the market, expect $250 to $600 per month (market assumption) depending on update volume.
Do we need a Spanish version in Houston?
For some industrial roles, a Spanish version can help. That is the job of the Premium tier at 8,900 USD, the multilingual tier with languages set in the quote.
Let's scope your project. A firm site with partner pages, practice areas and a candidate form usually fits the Growth tier, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. 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.
