The verdict in three sentences
For a wealth management firm or family office in Dublin, the website contract matters as much as the design, because it decides who owns the .ie domain, the code and the content on the day you change provider. Require a written page-by-page scope, payments tied to verifiable milestones and an acceptance stage that includes sign-off by your compliance lead before anything goes live. Add a processing agreement that meets GDPR Article 28 and a clear exit clause: without them, a €30,000 site can end up locked in with its agency.
This is not legal advice: have your solicitor review the contract before signing.
Which clauses should you require, and what does a typical agency contract say?
The table below compares what a typical Dublin agency contract often says, what to ask for, and Kolonell's fixed terms.
| Clause | Typical agency contract | What to require | Kolonell terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | "Website of around 10 pages" | Named page list, languages, forms, integrations | Page-by-page scope in the quote |
| .ie domain | Sometimes registered to the agency | Registered to the firm, admin access held by the client | In client name |
| Hosting | Agency account, recharged | Account in client name, or guaranteed transfer | In client name |
| Code and content | Licence to use | Assignment of rights on full payment, excluding third-party components | Code and content handed over |
| Payments | 50% upfront, 50% at launch | Milestones tied to approved deliverables | Milestones set in the quote |
| Acceptance | "Two rounds of amends" | Written criteria, testing, compliance sign-off | Acceptance on written criteria |
| Data processing | Often missing | GDPR Article 28 agreement | Provided on request |
| Exit | Not covered | Handover of access, code and documentation within 10 working days | Full handover at project end |
A practical point on .ie: the registry requires a connection to Ireland to register a name, which is no issue for a Dublin-based firm. Just make sure the registrant is the firm, not the agency or an employee.
How should milestones and acceptance be structured?
Payments should follow verifiable deliverables. Here is a typical schedule for a 12 to 18 page site, with compliance sign-off as a formal acceptance step.
| Milestone | Verifiable deliverable | Share of price | Kolonell timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | Scope, plan, processing agreement | 30% | Week 0 |
| Designs approved | Home page and 2 key templates | 30% | Weeks 1 to 2 |
| Copy written | Native English copy, regulatory wording in place | Included | Weeks 2 to 3 |
| Compliance review | Written sign-off from the compliance lead | Acceptance condition | Week 3 |
| Technical acceptance | Browser, mobile, form, accessibility and speed tests | 40% on acceptance | Weeks 3 to 4 |
| Support | Fixes and small changes | Included | 3 months |
Acceptance should rest on written criteria: every listed page exists, forms reach the right inbox, accessibility targets WCAG 2.1 AA, the site loads in under 3 seconds on mobile, no non-essential cookies are set before consent. Also define how change requests work: priced in writing before work starts, never quietly absorbed and then billed at the end.
What is specific to wealth management in Ireland?
- Marketing communications: firms regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland are subject to consumer protection rules, including the Consumer Protection Code, which require among other things information that is clear and not misleading. Wording on past performance, risk and regulatory status should be approved by compliance before publication. A single-family office serving only its family may not carry the same obligations: have your position checked.
- Personal data: GDPR and Ireland's Data Protection Act 2018 apply, supervised by the Data Protection Commission. Enquiry forms should stay minimal, with no collection of detailed financial information.
- Client portal: access to statements or reporting usually runs through the custodian's platform or a secure portal. A simple link from the site is often enough; a custom portal is priced on quote.
Kolonell uses a fixed grid: Starter €2,700, Growth €4,500, Premium €8,200, with a project manager reachable during your hours, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Details are on the international websites page. For comparison, a Dublin agency typically charges €12,000 to €45,000 for this kind of site, as a 2026 ballpark based on typical quotes and public rate pages of local agencies.
Mini case study
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*Illustrative example.* Siobhan runs a 15-person wealth management firm in Ballsbridge. Her current site was built six years ago; the .ie domain is registered to the former agency, which asks €1,800 to transfer it and charges €250 a month for maintenance.
For the new site she compares a local offer at €28,000 with 50% upfront, and the Premium plan at €8,200 paid over three milestones, with domain and hosting in her firm's name. Over three years the local offer with €250 a month maintenance costs 28,000 + 9,000 = €37,000. The Kolonell option costs €8,200, plus optional maintenance on quote after the 3 months of support. Even allowing €4,000 for changes over three years, the gap exceeds €24,000, and the firm keeps control of its assets.
FAQ
Who should be the registrant of the .ie domain?
The firm itself, with admin access held by a director. Transferring a badly registered name can cost several hundred euros and take 1 to 3 weeks.
Do we need a processing agreement with the web agency?
Yes: as soon as the provider hosts the site or can access form data, GDPR Article 28 requires a processor contract. It is usually 4 to 8 pages annexed to the main contract.
How many rounds of amends should we plan?
Two rounds per template is common practice, but acceptance should rest mainly on written criteria. Allow 3 to 5 working days in the plan for the compliance review.
What should the exit clause say?
Handover of domain, hosting, source code and content access within a defined period, for example 10 working days. It should apply even on early termination, once sums due are paid.
Can a client portal be added later?
Yes, a link to the custodian's platform can be added in a day. A custom portal is a separate application, priced on quote.
Let's scope your project. A 12 to 18 page wealth management site with a clear contract, milestones and compliance acceptance, from €2,700, 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.
