The verdict in three sentences
For a Frankfurt jeweller or luxury watch retailer, a credible new website costs 25,000 to 90,000 EUR with a local agency in 2026, against 4,500 EUR (Growth) or 8,200 EUR (Premium) on Kolonell's fixed grid, Premium being the multilingual tier for German and English. The price gap is real, but the site's value lies in what it proves: authorised dealer status as actually granted, after-sales service, private appointments and discretion. Budget as well for what no grid covers: photography, brand approval of imagery, translation and legal review.
What does a jewellery and watch website really cost in Frankfurt?
The ranges below are 2026 ballparks drawn from typical agency quotes in the Rhine-Main region and public agency rate pages. They are not survey results.
| Option | Upfront budget (2026 ballpark) | Typical timeline | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance designer and developer | 6,000 to 15,000 EUR | 6 to 10 weeks | Adapted theme, little strategy | Availability, continuity |
| Local Frankfurt agency | 25,000 to 60,000 EUR | 3 to 5 months | On-site workshops, bespoke design | Long feedback loops |
| Luxury or brand agency | 60,000 to 150,000 EUR and up | 4 to 8 months | Advanced art direction | Budget, dependency |
| Kolonell Starter | 2,700 EUR | 3 to 4 weeks | Essential showcase site | Deliberately short scope |
| Kolonell Growth | 4,500 EUR | 3 to 4 weeks | Full site, appointment booking | Content to supply |
| Kolonell Premium | 8,200 EUR | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote | German translation is third party |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks (4 to 6 for Premium) and 3 months of support. Gated areas, client portals and integrations (point of sale, CRM, stock) are on quote. Tier details are on the international offer.
What the site must prove before a client books a viewing
A client searching 'brand name + Frankfurt', 'offizieller Konzessionär' or a certified pre-owned watch compares three or four houses on a phone before calling. Watch and jewellery brands often impose strict digital guidelines on their dealers: logos, photos and copy may only be used within the authorisation actually granted.
| Page | What it must prove | Sector constraint |
|---|---|---|
| House and history | Heritage, address, craftsmanship | Verifiable facts only |
| Brands carried | Authorised dealer status | Imagery approved by each brand |
| Certified pre-owned | Inspection, papers, warranty terms | Warranty as actually offered |
| After-sales service | Servicing, sizing, engraving | Realistic turnaround times |
| Private appointment | Discreet salon, fast reply | Form with minimal data |
| Interest list | Sign-up without allocation promise | No delivery date promised |
| Impressum and privacy | Legal identity, GDPR, BDSG | Reviewed by your lawyer |
Online sale of some brands may be restricted by the distribution agreement: a shop module is decided with the brand and priced on quote. The site must also meet the Impressum duty under German law and the GDPR as supplemented by the BDSG, overseen by the state data protection authorities. This is not legal advice.
Hidden costs and the three-year total
| Item | 2026 ballpark | Who invoices it |
|---|---|---|
| Product and boutique photography | 3,000 to 10,000 EUR | Third-party photographer |
| German translation of content | 1,500 to 4,000 EUR | Third-party translator |
| Legal review of Impressum, privacy, terms | 800 to 2,500 EUR | Your lawyer |
| Brand approval rounds | 2 to 4 weeks of delay | Internal time |
| Point of sale, CRM or stock integration | On quote | Depends on the system |
| Maintenance after the 3 included months | 150 to 600 EUR per month (market assumption) | On quote at Kolonell |
| Hosting and domain | 20 to 80 EUR per month (market assumption) | Host |
The real cost of a luxury site is never the build price alone. Over three years, maintenance and content can weigh as much as the build.
When a Frankfurt agency is the better choice
To be fair: a local agency makes sense if a brand requires a provider from its approved list, if you run monthly shoots in the boutique, or if the site must talk to your till and stock from day one within a twelve-month roadmap. It also makes sense if your team wants in-person workshops at every stage. Otherwise, a remote studio with a clear scope and a fixed price is often enough.
Questions to ask any provider: who handles imagery approval with the brands? Does the appointment form store data in Europe, and for how long? Who writes the German version? What does a change cost after launch? Do you own the site, code and content included?
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Mini case study
Illustrative example: Lindqvist Juwelen, a fictional independent Frankfurt jeweller, compares two options over three years.
- Kolonell Premium: 8,200 EUR, plus photography 6,000 EUR, German translation 2,500 EUR and legal review 1,500 EUR, giving 18,200 EUR. Add maintenance at 300 EUR a month over 33 months (market assumption, on quote), giving 9,900 EUR. Total: 28,100 EUR.
- Local agency: 48,000 EUR with German copy included, plus photography 6,000 EUR and legal review 1,500 EUR, giving 55,500 EUR. Maintenance at 600 EUR a month over 33 months (market assumption), giving 19,800 EUR. Total: 75,300 EUR.
The gap is 47,200 EUR over three years. It only counts if both sites prove the same things to clients: authorised status, service and discretion.
FAQ
Can we show the logos of the brands we carry?
Only within your distribution agreement and each brand's digital guidelines. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for approvals, often longer than the design work itself.
Can we sell watches online?
It depends on the brands: some restrict online sales by their dealers. An online shop is priced on quote once the brand agrees, and the site can start by selling certified pre-owned pieces or in-house creations.
How long does it take to launch?
Allow 3 to 4 weeks on Starter or Growth and 4 to 6 weeks on Premium, once content is ready. Shoots and brand approvals are the real critical path.
Does the 8,200 EUR price cover everything?
It covers design, native English or French copywriting, the project manager and 3 months of support. Photography, German translation, legal review and integrations sit outside, adding 5,000 to 15,000 EUR depending on your choices.
Do we need an Impressum and a GDPR notice?
A German commercial site must provide an Impressum and clear information on data processing, especially for the appointment form. Have your lawyer review these pages, for a 2026 ballpark of 800 to 2,500 EUR.
Let's scope your project. A Frankfurt jewellery and watch house site on the Growth or multilingual Premium tier, live in 4 to 6 weeks once content is approved. 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.
