The verdict in three sentences
For an executive search firm in Los Angeles, a board chair or CHRO visits the site before the first call: if it shows no identifiable partners, no practice areas with depth and no search process, it costs you mandates. A redesign runs USD 20,000 to 60,000 at a mid-size local agency (2026 ballpark), against a fixed Kolonell grid of USD 2,900, 4,900 or 8,900. The main risk is not visual: it is lost search visibility and careless handling of candidate data, both of which are prepared before launch.
Five signs your current site is costing mandates
Search clients (boards, CEOs, CHROs, investors hiring for portfolio companies) look for proof of seniority and discretion. Candidates look for open roles and a simple way to send a resume. A site built in 2018 often fails both audiences.
- Partner pages are a headshot and two lines, with no sectors or functions placed.
- Practice areas list ten industries in one sentence each, which convinces nobody in entertainment, tech or healthcare, three heavy markets in Los Angeles.
- The process (calibration, slate, assessment, post-placement follow-up) is explained nowhere.
- The candidate form asks for date of birth, photo and current salary, which is a problem under California law.
- The site cannot be used with a keyboard or a screen reader.
Never publish client names or placements without written consent: discretion is part of what you sell.
What does a redesign cost in Los Angeles in 2026?
Ranges from typical agency quotes, 2026 ballpark, excluding photography and specialist copywriting unless stated.
| Provider | Range | Usual timeline | Often included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles freelance developer | USD 5,000 to 15,000 | 6 to 10 weeks | Design and build, copy supplied by the firm |
| Mid-size local agency | USD 20,000 to 60,000 | 10 to 16 weeks | Strategy, design, CMS, partial copywriting |
| High-end brand agency | USD 60,000 to 150,000+ | 4 to 6 months | Identity, content, video, workshops |
| Kolonell Starter | USD 2,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Core site, native English copy, project manager in your time zone |
| Kolonell Growth | USD 4,900 | 3 to 4 weeks | Full partner and practice pages, SEO structure |
| Kolonell Premium | USD 8,900 | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote |
All three Kolonell tiers include a project manager reachable in Pacific Time, native English copywriting and 3 months of support. A secure candidate area, a client portal or an ATS integration are on quote, as is maintenance after the 3 included months. Tier details are on the international offer.
Timeline and risks: what to prepare before launch
Once content is ready (bios, practice copy, process), production takes 3 to 4 weeks at Kolonell, 4 to 6 on Premium. Most of the firm's effort comes earlier: getting every partner to sign off on a bio often takes longer than the design.
| Risk | What happens | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Lost search visibility | Old URLs return errors, traffic on partner names drops | URL inventory, 301 redirect map, Search Console checks |
| Lost content | Articles and bios not migrated | Page-by-page migration sheet signed off before cutover |
| Candidate data | Over-collecting form, resumes kept indefinitely | Minimal fields, notice at collection, defined retention period |
| Accessibility | ADA Title III website claims | WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA target, keyboard and screen reader testing |
| Non-compliant newsletter | Visible unsubscribe and postal address, in line with the CAN-SPAM Act | |
| Downtime | Site unavailable during DNS switch | Launch on a quiet day, TTL lowered in advance |
On candidate data, California law (the CCPA as amended by the CPRA) also covers job applicants and generally requires a notice at the point of collection. Have your counsel review the form and the retention policy. This is not legal advice.
Questions to ask, and when a local agency is the better choice
Before signing, ask any provider:
- Who writes the practice pages, and how are partners interviewed?
- Who builds the redirect map and who checks it after launch?
- How does the candidate form limit the data collected?
- What accessibility level is targeted and how is it tested?
- What does maintenance cost after the included period?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
A Los Angeles agency remains the better choice if you want weekly in-person workshops, video shot on site with your partners, or a full rebrand. If you need a clear, fast and credible site on a controlled budget, a fixed grid is often enough.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Sunset Ridge Partners, a six-partner executive search firm in Century City focused on media and tech. A local agency quotes USD 35,000 for a redesign. The alternative reviewed: Kolonell Growth at USD 4,900, plus a partner photo shoot at USD 1,800 (market assumption) and an external accessibility audit at USD 1,500 (market assumption). Total: 4,900 + 1,800 + 1,500 = USD 8,200.
Gap with the local quote: 35,000 minus 8,200, so USD 26,800. The firm keeps part of that sum for a future ATS integration, priced on quote.
FAQ
Can we list open searches on the site?
Yes, if the client agrees and the listing stays anonymized when requested. A page of 5 to 15 current roles is often enough to bring in useful unsolicited applications.
Should we name clients or placements?
Only with written consent. Many firms prefer to describe 3 to 5 types of search per practice, without names, which shows expertise without breaking confidentiality.
How much time should we plan overall?
Allow 2 to 4 weeks to gather bios and copy, then 3 to 4 weeks of production, 4 to 6 on Premium. That is roughly 6 to 10 weeks end to end.
Will search traffic drop after a redesign?
A temporary dip of a few weeks is common, even with a redirect map. It stays limited if 100% of useful old URLs point to an equivalent new page.
When does the Premium tier make sense?
When you search for clients outside the United States and want pages in several languages. Premium at USD 8,900 is the multilingual tier, with languages set in the quote.
Let's scope your project. A redesign of your firm's site with partner pages, practice areas and a compliant candidate form, on Growth or Premium, delivered in 3 to 6 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.
