Front-end and back-end development
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Web development covers everything built behind a site: page structure, code, databases and connections with the company's other tools. An SME does not always need bespoke work, but it always needs to know what it is buying and who owns what is delivered. ## Brochure site, e-commerce or business application Three families of projects, three cost models: - **Brochure site**: present the company and generate enquiries. Quick, 3 to 6 weeks. - **E-commerce site**: selling. Often better served by a dedicated platform than by custom development. - **Business web application**: replacing manual processes. A heavier investment, paid back by time saved. ## Keeping the total cost under control The price of development is not limited to the initial engagement. Add hosting, the domain name, maintenance, improvements and user training. A well-scoped project with functional batches delivered progressively limits this risk. ## The signs of a good partner A serious provider explains its technical choices in plain language, offers intermediate demonstrations, documents the handover and leaves you as owner of the code and accounts. Be wary of sites offered at 2,000 MAD that assume extras billed later.When this guide is for you
- You need a site whose features do not fit a standard theme or CMS
- You need to connect a site to an ERP, a CRM, billing software or a database
- Your business processes (quotes, bookings, case tracking, client portal) still run on Excel and WhatsApp
- You want control over performance, security and code ownership in the long term
Step by step
- Written specifications — Describe the users, the features, the integrations and the acceptance criteria. A written specification avoids endless modifications and disputes over delivery.
- Mockups and validation — Design the key screens (mobile first) and have them approved before any code is written. Finding a problem at this stage costs far less than after development.
- Technical architecture — Choose the stack (front end, back end, database, hosting) based on what can be maintained, not on trends, and document it.
- Development in iterations — Deliver working increments regularly so you can test, adjust and stay on budget.
- Testing, security and delivery — Test on mobile, check security (roles, inputs, backups) and hand over the code, accounts and documentation.
- Maintenance after launch — Plan for security updates, monitoring and a maintenance budget from the first year.
What it costs (in MAD)
| Service | Indicative price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bespoke brochure site | 15,000 – 50,000 MAD (approx. 1,400 – 4,500 €) | 5 to 15 pages, clean design, form and basic SEO |
| Brochure site with CMS | 8,000 – 25,000 MAD (approx. 750 – 2,300 €) | WordPress or Webflow, the team updates the content itself |
| Business web application (client portal, B2B portal) | 80,000 – 300,000 MAD (approx. 7,300 – 27,000 €) | User roles, data, dashboard, integrations |
| ERP or CRM integration | 15,000 – 60,000 MAD (approx. 1,400 – 5,500 €) | Depends on the number of APIs and the quality of existing data |
| Monthly maintenance | 1,500 – 8,000 MAD / month (approx. 140 – 730 €) | Updates, backups, security patches, support |
| Technical audit and performance overhaul | 6,000 – 20,000 MAD (approx. 550 – 1,800 €) | Often the first step before a full rebuild |
Indicative ranges for the Moroccan market in 2026, excluding tax. Prices vary with scope and provider.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting development without written specifications or approval of the mockups
- Choosing a technology because it is fashionable, without checking that the provider and your team can maintain it
- Underestimating the mobile testing phase and security fixes
- Accepting a site you cannot transfer: the code, domain name and hosting must stay in your name
- Forgetting maintenance after delivery: security updates are essential
- Planning 100 % of the budget for the build and 0 % for operation and improvements
Frequently asked questions
Bespoke or CMS for a brochure site?
For a classic brochure site, a CMS (WordPress, Webflow) is often faster and cheaper, because content updates stay with you. Bespoke development makes sense when you have specific features, business integrations or strict performance requirements.
What is the difference between a website and a web application?
A website broadcasts information to a broad audience. A web application exposes features and data to identified users: client portal, order tracking, case management. It requires more work on roles, security and databases.
How long does web development take?
A brochure site takes 3 to 6 weeks, a CMS site 2 to 4 weeks and a business application 3 to 9 months depending on complexity. These timelines assume that content and approvals are supplied at the right time.
Who should own the source code?
You. Require in the contract the delivery of the code, ownership of the domain name and access to the hosting and third-party service accounts. Without that, switching provider could cost you the entire site.
Will the site be optimised for Google and AI?
Development must include clean tags, fast rendering, structured data, a sitemap, redirects and text-readable pages. This is what lets Google and AI engines understand and cite your pages.
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