The verdict in three sentences
A workplace interior design firm in London should budget 6,000 to 11,000 GBP for a portfolio website, plus 3 to 4 days of photography at about 900 GBP a day. The site must present 25 projects with hard data (floor area, desk count, budget, timeline) to attract SME leaders signing fit-outs worth 50,000 GBP and more. A single project won through the site repays the investment several times over.
What an SME leader planning an office fit-out expects
A managing director or office manager preparing a move or refurbishment looks for proof: offices of comparable size, a cost per square metre, a timeline that was kept. A gallery of beautiful photos without context is not enough. Each project must tell the need, the constraint (occupied site, hybrid working, acoustics) and the result.
| Information per project | Why it converts | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Floor area and desk count | Prospects compare themselves | 420 m², 38 desks |
| Cost per m² | Sets expectations | 800 to 1,400 GBP/m² |
| Build duration | Reassures on organisation | 7 weeks, occupied site |
| Client sector | Proves sector expertise | Engineering firm, accountancy practice |
| Before and after | Shows the transformation | 4 to 6 photos per project |
| Challenge addressed | Differentiates | Acoustics, hybrid working, wellbeing |
Detailed budget
| Item | Range (GBP) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Art direction and mockups | 1,500 to 2,700 | Editorial grid that showcases images |
| Build and CMS | 2,100 to 4,000 | Project pages filterable by size and sector |
| Formatting 25 projects | 1,000 to 1,800 | Copy, data, before and after |
| Qualification form | 500 to 900 | Floor area, headcount, deadline, budget |
| Launch local SEO | 900 to 1,600 | "office fit out London", Google Business Profile |
| Website total | 6,000 to 11,000 | London market estimate 2026 |
| Photographer (3 to 4 days) | 2,700 to 3,600 | About 900 GBP a day, usage rights included |
Photography drives half of perceived quality. Shoots can be spread across the year as projects are handed over.
For ongoing local SEO, London agencies commonly charge 500 to 1,500 GBP a month. For reference, Kolonell's SEO plans are 100,000, 200,000 or 350,000 FCFA a month (about 150, 300 or 530 EUR).
5 to 7 week schedule
| Week | Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Workshop, selection of 25 projects, data collection |
| 2 | Art direction and mockups |
| 2 to 4 | Additional photo shoots |
| 3 to 5 | Build, project pages, form |
| 5 to 6 | Copywriting, SEO, QA |
| 6 to 7 | Launch, Google profile, lead tracking |
Mini case study
Hypothetical persona: Olivia, a workplace interior designer in London focused on SME offices. She invests 8,500 GBP in the website and 3,200 GBP in photography, 11,700 GBP in total, plus 700 GBP a month for local SEO (8,400 GBP a year).
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Her fees are about 12 % of a 70,000 GBP fit-out, i.e. 8,400 GBP per project. If the site generates 3 qualified enquiries a month and she wins 1 in 6, she lands 6 projects a year, or 50,400 GBP in fees. Against a first-year cost of 20,100 GBP, return exceeds 2.5 times in year one.
FAQ
Should budgets be shown on projects?
Yes, at least as a range per m². Enquiries are better calibrated and irrelevant meetings drop by about a third.
Are 25 projects too many?
It is a good volume if each is documented. Start with 12 to 15 complete projects and add the rest over the following months.
Can we use our own photos?
For details, yes. For hero shots, an architectural photographer at about 900 GBP a day covers 2 to 3 projects a day and lifts perceived positioning.
Is local SEO enough to generate enquiries?
It brings a steady base across the City, Shoreditch and Canary Wharf. Allow 4 to 6 months before stable rankings on key queries.
Is a second language useful?
For international firms relocating their European office to London, a French or German page can help. Allow 15 to 20 % extra budget per language.
Let's scope your project. A 25 project portfolio, photography, local SEO: we define scope, indicative budget and the 5 to 7 week plan. 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.
