Make the portal earn its place
Start with the repeated handoff that causes the most friction: intake, approvals, status updates, documents, or follow-up. The portal should reduce work for both sides.
Micro app use case
Client Portal Development: Scope, Cost & Permissions
A client portal is useful when email threads and shared documents are creating avoidable work or confusion.
The short answer
Businesses where email threads and shared documents are creating avoidable back-and-forth with clients. Starting project price: $997 for a focused handoff; $1,997 for an account-based portal. Teams with low client volume where email is still manageable. Final scope and price are confirmed before work begins.
By Luna Studio · Service framework, not market research ·
A focused workflow
Clear scope
Mobile-first UX
Search-ready structure
A useful next step
Scope before sales
Know what you are buying.
Small businesses whose repeated client intake, status updates, or approvals are getting lost across email threads.
Not a fit: Teams with an occasional handoff that a shared document already handles, or a requirement for unverified regulatory compliance.
- What does this first release include?
- The $997 tier can scope a focused handoff workflow. Authenticated client accounts, durable files, tenant isolation, permissions, and broader product requirements move into a confirmed full-stack scope, starting at $1,997. Deliverables: A map of the client and staff handoff; Explicit status and approval states; Access and data-retention requirements; A first-release scope with acceptance checks.
- When should we use existing software instead?
- Use the portal built into your existing practice, project, or field-service software if it meets access, export, and workflow needs. Do not rebuild messaging and file storage without a clear operational reason.
- What determines the project price?
- Starting project price: $997 for a scoped workflow; $1,997 for an account-based product foundation. User roles, tenant isolation, document storage, migrations, integrations, notifications, approval history, and ongoing support. Final scope and price must be approved before implementation.
- What data and permissions are required?
- Define who owns each record, who can see it, who may approve it, what files are allowed, and when data is removed. Accounts require server-side authorization for every operation; sensitive or regulated data requires additional review.
- What can this service not promise?
- A public status page is not a secure portal. The contractor demo illustrates structured intake only; it is not a demonstration of authenticated portal security or compliance.
- Who owns the site and maintains it?
- Confirm source-code and design rights, third-party licenses, repository access, credentials, deployment, and handoff in the agreement. Use business-owned domain and vendor accounts where possible. Hosting, domains, paid tools, content changes, and ongoing support are separate responsibilities and recurring costs; no unlimited maintenance is implied.
Replacing an existing site or workflow?
Inventory current URLs, content rights, form destinations, vendor access, and data export options before choosing a redesign or migration. Agree the redirects, backup, validation, launch, and rollback plan first. No third-party platform support or data transfer is assumed until its access and export capabilities are reviewed.
The demo is original illustrative work by Luna Studio, not a client result. Our service framework reflects proposed implementation scope, not market-average pricing or independently tested software comparisons. About the studio in Córdoba, Argentina.
Before you decide
Is this the right fit?
Who it's for
Businesses where email threads and shared documents are creating avoidable back-and-forth with clients.
What's included
- A single place for intake, status, files, or approvals
- A workflow scoped to your highest-friction handoff
- A design built for both client and team use
Starting at
$997 for a focused handoff; $1,997 for an account-based portal
Not a fit when
Teams with low client volume where email is still manageable.
Next step
Identify the one handoff that causes the most repeated friction.
Still not sure which tier fits? Use the free website scope calculator or read the website scope & pricing report.
Design for the real operating rhythm
Map what a client sees, what the team updates, and what happens when information is missing. A narrow first release is easier to adopt and improve.
Frequently asked
Before you start
Direct answers to help you choose the right next version.
What can a small business client portal include?
Intake forms, status, files, approvals, messages, and structured next steps are common starting points.
Do client portals require a full app?
A focused handoff workflow can start as a Custom Web App at $997. A true client portal with logins, saved records, and access permissions requires a confirmed full-stack scope, starting at $1,997. Final pricing depends on roles, files, integrations, and migration.
What does this first release include?
The $997 tier can scope a focused handoff workflow. Authenticated client accounts, durable files, tenant isolation, permissions, and broader product requirements move into a confirmed full-stack scope, starting at $1,997. Deliverables: A map of the client and staff handoff; Explicit status and approval states; Access and data-retention requirements; A first-release scope with acceptance checks.
When should we use existing software instead?
Use the portal built into your existing practice, project, or field-service software if it meets access, export, and workflow needs. Do not rebuild messaging and file storage without a clear operational reason.
What determines the project price?
Starting project price: $997 for a scoped workflow; $1,997 for an account-based product foundation. User roles, tenant isolation, document storage, migrations, integrations, notifications, approval history, and ongoing support. Final scope and price must be approved before implementation.
What data and permissions are required?
Define who owns each record, who can see it, who may approve it, what files are allowed, and when data is removed. Accounts require server-side authorization for every operation; sensitive or regulated data requires additional review.
What can this service not promise?
A public status page is not a secure portal. The contractor demo illustrates structured intake only; it is not a demonstration of authenticated portal security or compliance.
Your next step
Tell us about your project: Client Portal Development: Scope, Cost & Permissions
Tell us what you offer, who you serve, and how you want to receive inquiries. We will review your request to define the scope; submitting does not confirm an appointment or a final price.
Public website — starting at $397Focused web app — starting at $997Full stack SaaS — starting at $1,997
Starting project prices. Content, tools, hosting, and maintenance are confirmed with your scope.
Scope, limits, and examples
Starting prices do not guarantee a final total, delivery date, search ranking, or business result. Hosting, tools, additional content, and maintenance require scope confirmation. Product examples are concepts, not testimonials or verified client case studies.
Next step