The verdict in three sentences
A recruitment agency sells a talent pool and a method, to clients on one side and candidates on the other. In 2026 in Amsterdam, a showcase site with jobs portal, CV submission and client area costs between 5,000 and 12,000 EUR, delivered in 7 to 10 weeks. The real question isn't "how much" but "custom build or SaaS ATS" depending on your volume.
Custom build vs SaaS ATS
| Criterion | Custom site + portal | SaaS ATS + simple site |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost (2026) | 5,000 – 12,000 EUR | 1,500 – 3,000 EUR |
| Monthly subscription | ~0 (excl. maintenance) | 80 – 400 EUR/month |
| Brand customisation | full | limited |
| CV submission / matching | bespoke | standard included |
| Job-listing SEO | optimised | often weak |
| 3-year cost | 7,000 – 15,000 EUR | 4,400 – 17,400 EUR |
For an agency with high recurring hiring volume, custom becomes competitive from year 2-3, mainly thanks to job-listing SEO that captures free spontaneous applications.
Jobs portal cost and application gains
| Deliverable block | 2026 range (EUR) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Design + dual client/candidate journey | 1,200 – 2,500 | 1-2 wks |
| Development (8-12 pages) | 2,000 – 4,000 | 2-3 wks |
| Jobs portal + filters + CV upload | 1,200 – 3,000 | 2 wks |
| Secure client area | 800 – 2,000 | 1-2 wks |
| SEO 'recruitment + sector' | 600 – 1,500 | ongoing |
| Total project | 5,000 – 12,000 | 7-10 wks |
A well-ranked portal generates +25 to +50% spontaneous applications, cutting sourcing cost per assignment. Maintenance: about 15%/year.
Mini case study
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Emma, partner at a 6-consultant recruitment agency in Amsterdam specialising in industry, invests 9,000 EUR in a site with jobs portal and client area. Within 6 months, spontaneous applications via the site rise from 15 to 24 a month. This extra flow cuts paid sourcing (job boards) by about 4,500 EUR/year and shortens assignments. ROI is reached in the first year, before the employer-brand effect for her clients.
FAQ
Integrated jobs portal or link out to job boards? An integrated portal captures SEO on your own domain and brings candidates back to you. Job boards remain useful as a complement but don't build your own pool.
Is spontaneous CV submission worth it? Yes: it feeds your database even without an open role, speeding up future assignments. Include a GDPR-compliant form with consent and a clear retention period.
Is a secure client area necessary? Useful as soon as you run several hires per client: it centralises shortlists, reports and feedback. It's a strong differentiator against agencies with no tool.
How long to rank job listings? Well-structured job pages (title, sector, location) are indexed within days to weeks. Solid SEO on "industrial recruitment Amsterdam" builds over 4 to 8 months.
Custom build or ATS, how to decide? Below 30-40 hires/year, a SaaS ATS often suffices. Above that, or if brand and SEO are strategic, custom becomes more profitable over 3 years.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your sector specialism, annual hiring volume and whether you want a custom portal or an ATS. 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.
