The verdict in three sentences
For a translation and interpreting agency working with 20 to 200 freelance translators, whether in Montpellier, Dublin, Berlin or Montreal, the website must first generate qualified quote requests from legal departments, labs and manufacturers. A multilingual showcase site costs EUR 5,000 to 9,000 excl. VAT, a site with an instant per-word quote after file upload EUR 13,000 to 24,000, and a client portal linked to the TMS adds EUR 15,000 to 30,000. In every case, document confidentiality and EU hosting are non-negotiable.
Three levels of website, three commercial promises
The showcase site presents specialisms (legal, medical, technical), language pairs, certifications (ISO 17100, sworn translators) and a contact form. The instant quote site lets prospects upload a Word, PDF or InDesign file: the system counts words, applies the rate grid per language pair and domain, and shows a price and turnaround in under 30 seconds. The client portal then gives access to project history, invoices and deliverables.
| Level | Key features | 2026 budget (excl. VAT) | Timeline | Hosting and maintenance per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multilingual showcase | 15 to 30 pages, FR/EN/ES | EUR 5,000 to 9,000 | 5 to 7 weeks | EUR 800 to 1,400 |
| Instant per-word quote | Upload, word count, rate grid | EUR 13,000 to 18,000 | 8 weeks | EUR 1,800 to 3,000 |
| Quote + online payment | Card deposit, purchase order | EUR 18,000 to 24,000 | 9 to 10 weeks | EUR 2,400 to 3,600 |
| Client portal connected to TMS | Project tracking, invoices, deliverables | + EUR 15,000 to 30,000 | + 6 to 10 weeks | EUR 3,500 to 6,000 |
| Interpreting module | Interpreter booking, day-rate quotes | + EUR 4,000 to 8,000 | + 3 weeks | included |
| OCR for scanned PDFs | Word count on image documents | + EUR 2,500 to 5,000 | + 2 weeks | API cost per use |
These are 2026 ballpark figures for agencies in southern France; Dublin, Berlin or Montreal agencies usually quote 20 to 50 % higher (roughly USD 18,000 to 35,000 for the instant quote level). The TMS connector (Phrase, XTM, memoQ server, Plunet) often accounts for 40 % of the portal budget: first check that your tool exposes a documented API.
Confidentiality and hosting: the criterion that wins large accounts
A law firm or pharmaceutical company will send an assignment agreement or a clinical trial protocol. Their procurement team will ask where files are stored, for how long, and who can access them.
| Requirement | 2026 minimum level | Large-account level | Indicative extra cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting | EU, GDPR processing agreement | France, ISO 27001 or HDS certified | EUR 0 to 2,400 per year |
| Encryption | HTTPS, encrypted storage | Per-client encryption, separate keys | EUR 1,500 to 4,000 |
| Retention period | Auto-deletion at 90 days | Configurable per client | EUR 800 to 1,500 |
| Translator access | Temporary link | Freelance portal with access log | EUR 3,000 to 6,000 |
| Confidentiality clause | NDA checkbox | E-signed NDA | EUR 600 to 1,200 |
| Machine translation | Disabled by default | Private EU-hosted engine | by volume |
The point that loses tenders is almost always machine translation: if your instant quote sends text to a public engine to estimate complexity, a legal buyer will rule your agency out. Word counting must happen on your own server.
Mini case study
Nicolas, managing director of a translation agency in Montpellier (EUR 1.4 million turnover, 90 freelance translators, 3 project managers), receives 160 quote requests a month. Each takes a project manager 20 minutes: 53 hours a month. He chooses the instant quote with online payment for EUR 21,000 excl. VAT. After six months, 65 % of requests are priced automatically: 34 hours saved each month, about EUR 1,400 at EUR 41 per loaded hour. More importantly, response time drops from 4 hours to 30 seconds, and the quote conversion rate rises from 22 % to 29 %. With an average order of EUR 650, 11 more orders a month means EUR 7,150 in monthly revenue: the site pays for itself in under 4 months.
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FAQ
How much does a translation agency website cost in 2026?
Allow EUR 5,000 to 9,000 excl. VAT for a multilingual showcase site. With an instant per-word quote and online payment, the budget rises to EUR 13,000 to 24,000.
Does the instant quote work on scanned PDFs?
Yes, with an OCR module at EUR 2,500 to 5,000 excl. VAT. Without OCR, those files fall back to manual quoting, which usually affects 15 to 25 % of requests.
Do we need health-data certified hosting for medical translation?
It becomes necessary in France if you store identifiable health data on behalf of clients. It costs about EUR 1,200 to 2,400 more per year than standard EU hosting.
Can the portal connect to our existing TMS?
Yes if the TMS offers an API, which the main market tools do. The connector represents EUR 6,000 to 12,000 excl. VAT within a EUR 15,000 to 30,000 portal.
How long does it take to launch?
A showcase site goes live in 5 to 7 weeks, an instant quote site in 8 to 10 weeks. The client portal adds 6 to 10 weeks depending on the TMS.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your languages, domains, monthly quote volume and TMS, and we will propose a scope between EUR 5,000 and 54,000 with a firm 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.
