The verdict in three sentences
For a wholesale nursery, the website that pays is the one letting landscapers, growers and vineyards reserve stock before the planting season without waiting for a call back. On the market, a rebuild like this costs 8,000 to 25,000 GBP over 8 to 12 weeks, including 2,500 to 7,500 GBP for trade accounts (2026 market ballpark). In our fictional case, moving from 12 to 50 online reservations a month pays back the project within one season.
The fictional company and its starting point
Illustrative example, a fictional company never presented as a real client: Pennine Vines and Trees, a 30 person nursery near Manchester, grows grapevines for England's expanding vineyard sector alongside hedging and specimen trees for landscape contractors. Rachel, its managing director, sees that 75 % of reservations still arrive by phone and email, with frequent errors on variety, size and delivery window.
| Indicator | Before the rebuild | Target after the rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Products and grades online | 60, in a PDF price list | 320, filterable |
| Online reservations per month in season | 12 | 50 (assumption) |
| Admin time per phone reservation | 18 minutes | 4 minutes of checking |
| Order errors per season | About 25 | Fewer than 5 |
| Mobile share of visits | 60 % | Mobile first reservation flow |
| Delivery zone queries | Answered by phone | Postcode checker for zones across England |
These are working assumptions. Replace them with your own figures before building the business case.
The rebuild budget, line by line
| Line | Scope | 2026 market ballpark |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery and workshops | Buyer journeys, reservation rules, deposits | 800 to 2,500 GBP |
| Design | Desktop and mobile mockups | 1,500 to 4,000 GBP |
| Catalogue | 150 to 400 products and grades, seasonal availability | 2,000 to 6,000 GBP |
| Trade accounts | Price tiers, reservation history, invoices | 2,500 to 7,500 GBP |
| Delivery zones | Postcode rules, minimum orders per zone | 600 to 2,000 GBP |
| Testing and launch | QA, redirects from the old site | 400 to 1,500 GBP |
| Maintenance | Per month | 100 to 350 GBP |
Rachel also compares Kolonell's prices: Premium tier with booking from 3,050 to 5,340 EUR, client area about 230 EUR, extra pages about 40 EUR each, Standard maintenance at 114 EUR a month. For live availability across 320 products she also prices a simple custom application at 3,810 to 6,100 EUR.
Before and after numbers
For readability the table converts Kolonell's EUR prices at an indicative rate of 0.85 GBP per EUR.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chosen rebuild (Premium 4,500 EUR, simple reservation app 4,800 EUR, client area 230 EUR) | 9,530 EUR, about 8,100 GBP |
| Standard maintenance for 12 months (114 x 12) | 1,368 EUR, about 1,160 GBP |
| Year one cost | about 9,260 GBP |
| Admin hours saved: 38 reservations x 14 minutes x 6 season months | 53 hours |
| Value of those hours at 28 GBP fully loaded | 1,484 GBP |
| Margin on new reservations: 25 trade orders x 900 GBP indicative margin | 22,500 GBP |
Even if only half the new orders materialise, extra margin covers year one more than once. Timing matters as much as budget: the site must be live before autumn, when contractors and vineyards plan winter and spring planting.
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Illustrative example on the same basis: Rachel tests two scenarios. A Manchester agency at 19,000 GBP plus 250 GBP a month brings year one to 22,000 GBP, with payback slipping into the second season. The 9,260 GBP option is covered in the first season if 11 new trade orders come through (11 x 900 GBP = 9,900 GBP of indicative margin).
FAQ
Do we need live stock levels?
Indicative availability updated weekly is often enough. Live sync with your nursery software can add 2,500 to 6,500 GBP to the project.
Should we take deposits online?
They help secure early reservations, for example 20 to 30 % of the order value. Check VAT treatment of deposits with your accountant before switching it on.
How long does such a rebuild take?
Plan 8 to 12 weeks on the market. Start in spring so the site is live before autumn reservations open.
How do trade accounts differ from a normal shop?
They show customer specific price tiers, credit terms and order history instead of public retail prices. On the market they cost 2,500 to 7,500 GBP depending on rules and integrations.
What should maintenance cost?
Between 100 and 350 GBP a month as a 2026 ballpark. Kolonell's Standard maintenance is 114 EUR a month.
Let's scope your project. Send us your product count and seasonal reservation volume, and we will price the rebuild and trade accounts with a launch date aligned to your season. 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.