In architecture, your website is your first finished project. A client looking for a studio in Marbella doesn't walk into your office: they open your website and decide within three seconds whether your work is up to standard. A poorly put-together portfolio or a slow page sends projects worth hundreds of thousands of euros to another studio. Here's what an architect's website needs to convey quality and win commissions.
Why your website is your best calling card
Before asking you for a proposal, the client does their research. And the first thing they look at is your website:
- Architecture is judged by the eye. If your website looks neglected, the client assumes your projects are too.
- A good portfolio shortens the sale. Seeing real projects with quality photos answers the question no one asks out loud: "can you do what I need?".
- Marbella attracts high-end and international clients. Many come from abroad; if your website isn't in English, you lose that market.
- Your website works while you're on site. It explains how you work, your services and your value, at any hour.
What an architect's website must show, no question
This isn't a wish list: these are the elements that separate a studio that wins projects from one that loses them.
- A portfolio of real projects. Professional photos, plans and a short description of each build: what was asked for, what was delivered.
- Biography and team. Clients hire people. Show who's behind the studio and their track record.
- Clear services. Project design, site management, interiors, renovations. Make it clear what you offer without having to call.
- Easy contact. A short form or a WhatsApp button. Every extra step between "I'm interested" and "I'll write" is a project lost.
- An English version. On the Costa del Sol, a large part of your potential clients are international.
How to present your projects so they impress
A portfolio isn't a photo album: it's a sales argument. These details make the difference:
- Show the "before and after". A renovation is easier to understand when you see where it started and where it ended up.
- Explain the challenge of each project. A difficult plot, a tight deadline, a tight budget. Telling the story builds trust.
- Use quality photos, not screenshots. The image is your product; one dark photo subtracts more than ten good descriptions add.
- Group by type of work. Homes, refurbishment, new builds, interiors. Let the client go straight to what they're looking for.
From visitor to lead: capturing the right contact
The website doesn't end at "I like it": it has to turn the visit into a call or a message. To achieve that:
- A clear call to action. "Tell us about your project" repeated naturally, not hidden at the end.
- A short form. Name, phone and type of project. No endless questionnaires that people abandon.
- WhatsApp in one click. Many people prefer to write there rather than call. Make it easy.
- Visible coverage area. If you work in Marbella, Estepona or across the Costa del Sol, say so: it filters for the right clients.
Mistakes that scare off a high-value client
- A slow website or one that doesn't look good on mobile. The client opens your site on their phone on site or during a visit. If it takes more than 3 seconds, they leave.
- An outdated portfolio. Projects from ten years ago as your only calling card make the studio look idle.
- No prices or guidance. You don't have to publish exact fees, but you should give an idea of your rates and how you work.
- A website without HTTPS. If the browser says "not secure", a client handling large investments won't leave their details.
- Not measuring anything. Without knowing which pages people visit and where they come from, you're improving blind.
How much an architecture studio's website costs in Marbella
It's not an expense: it's the tool that brings in the projects. At Solaris we work with fixed prices, no surprises:
Basic Website
€180 one-off payment + VAT
- 1-page website with portfolio
- Responsive design (mobile-first)
- Project gallery and contact
- WhatsApp button and Google Maps
Professional Website
€350 one-off payment + VAT
- Up to 5 pages (projects, team, services)
- Portfolio with a page per project
- English version
- Advanced local SEO
Do the maths: one single project won thanks to a website that conveys quality already pays for the Professional website several times over.
Local SEO: get found when people search "architect Marbella"
The most polished website is useless if it doesn't appear on Google. Local SEO is what makes your studio show up on the map when someone searches for an architect in your area: optimising your Google Maps listing, getting reviews and ranking for the words your clients use. At Solaris it starts from €150/month + VAT, no lock-in.
Why Solaris for your studio
There are plenty of agencies in Marbella. We work differently:
- Specialists in local businesses on the Costa del Sol. We've built websites for real estate agencies and restaurants in the area; we understand the high-end market.
- Fixed, published prices. €180 or €350, with no "request a quote" and no surprises on the invoice.
- Delivered in 5-7 days. No months of waiting.
- We help you with Google Maps and reviews. We don't just build your website: we put it to work.
One honest note: no one can guarantee you the first position on Google. What we do is leave you with a website and a listing so well put together that you genuinely compete.