The verdict in three sentences
For a wealth management firm or family office in Miami, what moves quotes is rarely design: it is the compliance sign-off workflow, the languages and the links to the client portal and custodian. Put those three in writing, together with the list of regulatory pages, and the spread between quotes narrows sharply. A fixed grid such as Kolonell's (Growth $4,900, Premium $8,900, portal on quote) can then be compared line by line with Brickell agencies.
Which compliance items must the checklist name?
This is written for principals and COOs in Brickell, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne serving Latin American families, European clients and relocating executives. The SEC Marketing Rule governs, among other things, testimonials, endorsements and performance presentation for SEC-registered advisers; state-registered advisers answer to their state regulator. The checklist does not settle those questions: it states who decides them. This is not legal advice.
| Item | What to write | Who signs off |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance review | every page, article and bio approved before publishing, 2 rounds max | Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) |
| Regulatory pages | links to Form ADV, Form CRS where applicable, legal notices, privacy policy | CCO and outside counsel |
| Performance | no performance, no AUM, no rankings on the site | CCO |
| Testimonials | none, unless compliance decides otherwise in writing | CCO |
| Team bios | titles and designations actually held, verified | each principal |
| Archiving | export of published versions for your recordkeeping duties | operations |
| Newsletter | unsubscribe and postal address in line with the CAN-SPAM Act | marketing |
Which integrations, languages and technical requirements should you list?
- Languages. English and Spanish in most cases, Portuguese optional, French if your client base justifies it. Each language adds a compliance review round: put it in the timeline.
- Client portal. A link to the custodian's portal or your reporting software, never rebuilt inside the site. Separate line, on quote.
- Secure document exchange and e-signature. Separate lines, third-party tools linked.
- CRM and scheduling. One line each; name the tool you already use.
- Forms. Name, email, phone, type of inquiry: never account numbers, statements or ID documents in a public form. There is no single federal privacy law; state laws often have thresholds small firms do not reach, but data security is still expected.
- Accessibility. WCAG 2.2 AA, test report at acceptance; ADA Title III website accessibility suits are frequent in the US.
- Ownership. Domain, hosting, analytics and Search Console in the firm's name.
- Migration. If a site exists: URL inventory, 301 redirect map, keep the insight articles compliance already approved.
- Acceptance. Forms tested through to the CRM, portal links checked, language versions complete, no page live without a logged approval.
How does a precise brief change the quotes?
2026 ballpark, based on typical Miami agency quotes and public agency rate pages:
| Line | Vague brief | Precise brief | Typical effect on quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | "a premium site" | 16 pages, 5 templates | $9,000 to $70,000 vs $15,000 to $35,000 |
| Languages | "two languages" | full English and Spanish, Portuguese on 6 pages | $4,000 to $15,000 gap made visible |
| Compliance | not mentioned | 2 rounds per page, named CCO | 2 to 4 weeks of delay avoided |
| Client portal | "client area" | link to custodian portal, on quote | $0 to $40,000 ambiguity removed |
| Copy | "to be supplied" | 10 pages written by the vendor | $2,000 to $9,000 difference |
| Accessibility | absent | WCAG 2.2 AA and test report | $1,000 to $6,000 difference |
How do you score three quotes?
Illustrative example, scores out of 5, weighted:
| Quote | Compliance workflow (35%) | Multilingual plan (25%) | Integration clarity (20%) | Price vs scope (20%) | Total out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A, Brickell agency, $45,000 | 5 (1.75) | 4 (1.00) | 4 (0.80) | 2 (0.40) | 3.95 |
| B, national finance agency, $28,000 | 4 (1.40) | 3 (0.75) | 4 (0.80) | 3 (0.60) | 3.55 |
| C, fixed-grid Premium, $8,900 + portal on quote | 4 (1.40) | 4 (1.00) | 3 (0.60) | 5 (1.00) | 4.00 |
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A and C are 0.05 points apart: at that level, the decision comes down to the relationship and local presence, not the score.
How does the Kolonell grid map to the checklist?
The Kolonell international grid: Starter $2,900, Growth $4,900, Premium $8,900. Included: a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, 3 months of support. For a family office publishing in English and Spanish, the relevant tier is Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote). Client portal, document exchange, e-signature, CRM and SEO work stay on quote, as does maintenance after the 3 included months. Your CCO's review time comes on top of the 3 to 4 weeks. A Brickell agency remains the better choice if you want weekly in-person workshops or if your compliance function requires a vendor already approved by your group.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Isabel Montoya, COO of "Coral Meridian Family Office" in Coral Gables, is preparing a 14-page site in English and Spanish, with Portuguese on 6 pages. Known budget: Premium $8,900, plus an independent Portuguese reviewer (third-party cost) at 6 pages x $120 = $720, so $9,620, with the portal link on quote. Internal compliance time: 14 pages x 2 rounds x 45 minutes = 21 hours for the CCO, to block in the calendar before signing. Against Quote A at $45,000, the $35,380 difference easily funds those 21 hours and an outside counsel review if needed.
FAQ
Should the site show performance? Our template checklist says "none": it is the simplest option to approve. Any exception is for your CCO and the SEC Marketing Rule; plan at least 1 extra review round.
How many languages in Miami? Two in most cases, English and Spanish, plus a third on 5 to 8 key pages if Brazilian or French-speaking clients justify it. Each language adds roughly 30% to review time.
Is the client portal included in a fixed price? No. It is linked from the site, as a separate line on quote; rebuilding it would often cost more than $20,000 and double the security scope.
How long does the checklist take to write? Allow 6 to 10 hours, including the CCO's review. A 4 to 6 page document is enough.
How long until launch? At Kolonell, 3 to 4 weeks once content is ready, plus your compliance rounds. To compare on paper, request a free quote.
Let's scope your project. Send your page list, languages and approval workflow, and we will price it on the $4,900 to $8,900 grid with a 3 to 4 week delivery, compliance time excluded. 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.
