The verdict in three sentences
For an agency placing 150 professionals a year in Dublin, a website with a job board and online applications costs between 12,000 and 30,000 EUR in 2026, delivered in 8 weeks. The core of the investment is the job and application module (about 6,000 EUR), which feeds a searchable candidate database instead of an overflowing inbox. With fees of 15 to 20 % of annual salary per placement, one or two extra placements a year pay back the site.
What a recruitment agency website needs in 2026
In Ireland, candidates browse jobs on mobile, often through a link shared on LinkedIn or WhatsApp. Client companies judge the agency's credibility on its website before handing over a mandate. The site has to serve two audiences with two separate journeys.
| Feature | Purpose | Estimated 2026 cost (EUR) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brochure pages (agency, expertise, sectors, team) | Reassure client companies | 3,500 to 7,000 | Essential |
| Job board + filters (sector, location, contract) | Publish 20 to 60 live roles | 3,500 | Essential |
| Application form with CV upload and cover letter | Replace email applications | 2,500 | Essential |
| Candidate database with keyword search and status | Find a profile in 30 seconds | 3,000 to 5,500 | Strongly advised |
| Email job alerts by sector | Bring talent back | 1,500 | Advised |
| Employer area to submit a hiring need | Generate mandates | 2,500 to 4,500 | Option |
| LinkedIn and WhatsApp sharing for each job | Free distribution | Included | Essential |
The combined job board + application module therefore comes to about 6,000 EUR, the most profitable line in the project.
Three budgets depending on your volume
Budget depends mainly on the number of live jobs, the need for a candidate database and the employer area. The ranges below are 2026 orders of magnitude for Dublin, including first-year hosting and domain.
| Package | Scope | Budget (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 8-page brochure + job board + online application | 12,000 to 15,000 | 6 weeks |
| Standard | Essential + candidate database + email alerts | 17,000 to 22,000 | 8 weeks |
| Advanced | Standard + employer area + mandate dashboard | 24,000 to 30,000 | 10 weeks |
| Secure hosting (CVs stored) | Daily backups, HTTPS | 900 to 1,500 per year | Recurring |
| Maintenance | Updates, small changes | 250 to 600 per month | Recurring |
CVs are personal data: under GDPR, overseen in Ireland by the Data Protection Commission, you need a lawful basis, a defined retention period and secure hosting. Add a consent checkbox and automatic deletion after 24 months.
The payback calculation for a Dublin agency
A professional placement in Dublin typically involves an annual salary of 55,000 to 90,000 EUR. The agency bills 15 to 20 % of that amount.
| Indicator | Before the site | After 12 months (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Applications received per month | 180, by email and LinkedIn | 320, through the form |
| Screening time per application | 4 minutes | 1.5 minutes |
| Average time to present a shortlist | 15 days | 9 days |
| Placements per year | 150 | 158 to 165 |
| Average fee per placement | 12,000 EUR | 12,000 EUR |
Mini case study
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Aoife, managing director of a recruitment agency in Dublin, places 150 professionals a year at an average fee of 12,000 EUR (17.5 % of a 68,600 EUR salary). She picks the Standard package at 20,000 EUR. Screening 320 monthly applications drops from 4 to 1.5 minutes per file: about 13 hours saved each month for her two consultants.
If the candidate database closes just 2 extra placements in the year, it generates 24,000 EUR in fees, so the site is paid back within 12 months. Every additional placement after that is margin.
FAQ
How much does a recruitment agency website cost in Dublin in 2026?
Expect 12,000 to 30,000 EUR depending on scope. The most requested package, with candidate database and email alerts, sits around 17,000 to 22,000 EUR.
Do we need a candidate database from day one?
Yes, from 100 applications a month. Without keyword search, profiles received 3 months ago are lost, although they often make up 30 % of shortlists.
How long does it take to go live?
About 8 weeks for the Standard package, including 2 weeks of QA. Your sector descriptions and first 10 job ads should be ready by week 4.
How do we protect candidates' CVs?
HTTPS hosting, individual logins for each recruiter, explicit consent and automatic deletion after 24 months. This baseline costs 900 to 1,500 EUR a year.
Can jobs be shared on LinkedIn and WhatsApp?
Each job has a shareable link with a clean preview. In practice, 40 to 60 % of applications arrive through these shares.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your volume of jobs and applications: we will price the site, candidate database and employer area with a delivery schedule. 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.
