The verdict in three sentences
A precise RFP halves the number of back-and-forths with agencies and pulls quotes into a usable range. For a manufacturing SME in Berlin, expect 8,000 to 22,000 EUR for a showcase website of 8 to 15 pages, delivered in 8 to 12 weeks. The secret is not the budget but the weighted scoring grid that makes offers comparable item by item.
The real budget of an industrial website in 2026
A manufacturing SME (mechanical subcontracting, aerospace, equipment supplier) has specific needs: technical product sheets, documentation downloads, quote-request forms, client references. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude by tier.
| Tier | Pages | Budget EUR | Timeline | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 8-10 | 8,000-12,000 | 6-8 wks | Custom design, responsive, form, basic SEO |
| Standard | 10-12 | 12,000-16,000 | 8-10 wks | + documentation area, EN/DE bilingual, blog |
| Advanced | 12-15 | 16,000-22,000 | 10-12 wks | + simple configurator, CRM, animations, advanced SEO |
Add recurring line items often forgotten in first quotes: managed hosting (30-90 EUR/month), domain (15 EUR/year), and above all maintenance (application upkeep).
| Recurring item | 2026 range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Managed hosting | 30-90 EUR/month | monthly |
| Maintenance (fixes, security updates) | 200-450 EUR/month | monthly |
| Managed SEO | 400-900 EUR/month | monthly (optional) |
| SSL certificate | included | yearly |
| Daily backups | included in maintenance | daily |
The weighted scoring grid
This is the heart of the RFP. Without weighting, the buyer compares apples and oranges. Here is the recommended split for an industrial profile, where technical credibility matters as much as aesthetics.
| Criterion | Weight | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Design quality | 30% | Mockups, brand consistency, mobile UX |
| Technical soundness | 30% | Stack, performance (Lighthouse > 90), security, accessibility |
| SEO & visibility | 20% | Audit, structure, keyword plan, load time |
| Price & maintenance | 20% | 3-year total cost, transparency, reversibility |
Require in the RFP: mockups for at least 2 pages before signing, a numeric Lighthouse commitment, a GDPR clause (records, notices, compliant cookie banner) and a reversibility clause (return of code and access within 15 days).
Mini case study
Markus, director of a 38-employee sheet-metal SME in Berlin, launches a consultation with 4 agencies. His old site generated 3 quote requests per month. He sets a budget of 15,000 EUR for a Standard site and maintenance capped at 350 EUR/month.
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Return calculation: each new industrial client represents on average 22,000 EUR of annual orders. The new site, better ranked for "mechanical subcontracting Berlin", goes from 3 to 8 qualified requests per month. At a 12% conversion rate, that is roughly 1 new client per month. The site (15,000 EUR + 4,200 EUR annual maintenance) is paid back in under 2 months of additional billing.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget for a credible industrial showcase site in 2026?
Below 8,000 EUR you land on undifferentiated templates. For a manufacturing SME selling technical trust, the 8,000-12,000 EUR range is the reasonable floor.
How many vendors should I consult?
Between 3 and 5. Fewer, and you lack comparison points; more, and you dilute your analysis time. Three offers well compared via the weighted grid are enough to decide.
Is maintenance really essential?
Yes. Without it, CMS security updates are skipped and the site becomes vulnerable within 6 to 12 months. Expect 200 to 450 EUR/month depending on complexity.
How long does the build take?
An 8-to-15-page site ships in 8 to 12 weeks, including 2-3 weeks of design and 3-4 weeks of development. Leave a margin for content validation.
Should I impose the technical stack?
No, impose outcomes instead: Lighthouse score > 90, EU hosting, code reversibility. Let the agency pick its tools as long as those criteria are contractual.
Let's scope your project. Industrial showcase site of 8 to 15 pages, indicative budget 8,000-22,000 EUR, delivery in 8-12 weeks, maintenance included. 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.
