How much does a website cost in Canada?

"How much is a website?" is the first question almost every business owner asks us, and the honest answer is: it depends on what the website needs to do. A one-page site for a new trade business and an online store with thousands of products are very different projects. This guide explains what drives the price, so you can compare quotes properly.

What you are actually paying for

A website price usually covers some or all of these:

• Design: how the site looks, on phones as well as computers.
• Development: building the pages, forms, booking tools and anything custom.
• Content: writing the words, sourcing photos, and setting up each page for search.
• Hosting and security: the server, the SSL certificate (the padlock in the browser) and backups.
• Domain name: your web address, renewed every year.
• Support: updates, fixes and small changes after launch.

When two quotes look very different, it is usually because one of them leaves some of these out.

The five things that change the price most

1. Number of pages. Each service, location and landing page takes design and writing time.
2. Custom features. Online booking, quote calculators, client logins and payments add development time.
3. E-commerce. Product pages, shipping, taxes and payment set-up make a store a bigger project than a brochure site.
4. Content. If you already have the text and photos, the project is faster. If we write it and plan it for search, that is extra work, and usually worth it.
5. Integrations. Connecting your CRM, email marketing or phone system so leads arrive where your team already works.

What our websites cost

Our websites start from a one-time $499, including a free domain name for the first year. Hosting, the SSL certificate and ongoing support are billed separately, monthly or yearly, and we quote them with your website so you know the full cost up front. Every site is quoted for your goals after a free 30-minute call, so you only pay for what you need. You can see the details on our web development page and our pricing page.

What every quote should include

Whoever you hire, make sure the quote answers these questions:

• Do I own the website and its files when the project is finished?
• Is it built mobile-first and tested on phones?
• What is included in hosting, and what happens if the site goes down?
• Are basic search settings included: page titles, descriptions, a sitemap and Google Search Console?
• How many rounds of changes are included?
• What does it cost each year after launch?

A cheap website is not always the cheapest

A site that loads slowly, does not show up on Google or makes it hard to get in touch costs you enquiries every month. When you compare quotes, compare what each site will help you earn, not only what it costs.

If you would like a clear price for your project, book a free 30-minute call. You will leave with options, a timeline and a price, whether you work with us or not.