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How much does website maintenance cost in Canada?

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Most small business websites in Canada cost roughly $50 to $500 a month to maintain. With us, Website Care plans start at US$29 a month. A simple brochure site sits at the lower end; sites with online booking, integrations or an online store cost more, because there is more to update, secure and test. On top of that, budget for your domain renewal each year.

Here is what you are paying for, what changes the price and how to avoid paying for maintenance you do not need.

What website maintenance includes

Good maintenance covers the work that keeps your site safe, fast and bringing in enquiries:

  • Hosting: the server your website runs on.
  • SSL certificate: the padlock in the browser, renewed automatically.
  • Software and plugin updates, tested so nothing breaks.
  • Security monitoring: firewall, malware scanning and protection from attacks.
  • Backups, ideally daily, with quick restores.
  • Uptime monitoring, so someone knows when the site goes down.
  • Small content changes: new photos, prices, opening hours or a new page.
  • Support: someone to call when something goes wrong.

Typical costs by type of website

Type of websiteTypical monthly costWhat drives the cost
Simple brochure siteLower end, around $50–$150Hosting, updates, backups and occasional text changes
Business site with booking, forms or CRMMiddle, around $150–$300More integrations to keep working and more frequent changes
Online storeHigher, from about $300Payments, stock, security and more testing after every update

These are typical ranges, not quotes. The best way to know your own cost is to ask for a quote that lists exactly what is included.

Source code on a laptop screen during a website update
Source code on a laptop screen during a website update

One-off and yearly costs to plan for

  • Domain renewal, every year.
  • Emergency fixes if a site breaks or is hacked without a maintenance plan, usually charged by the hour.
  • A redesign every few years, as your business and customers' expectations change.

DIY, freelancer or agency?

OptionCostWhat to watch for
Do it yourselfLow cash cost, but your timeMissed updates and no help when something breaks
FreelancerUsually lower monthly feesAvailability when they are busy, ill or on holiday
Agency or managed hostingMonthly plan, quoted up frontMake sure the plan lists exactly what is included

What happens if you skip maintenance

  • Security risk: outdated software is one of the most common ways websites get hacked.
  • Broken forms: an update can stop your contact form working, and you lose enquiries without knowing.
  • Slower pages, which lose visitors and can hurt your Google rankings.
  • An expired domain or SSL certificate can take your site offline or show visitors a security warning.

How we look after websites

Our Website Care plans start at US$29 a month, month to month, with US$59 and US$99 plans that add monthly content changes and priority support. See them on our managed IT services and hosting page. They include:

  • Fast NVMe hosting with SSL
  • Daily backups and uptime monitoring
  • Firewall, malware and DDoS protection
  • Website updates
  • A free domain with annual hosting
  • 24/7/365 support for managed hosting clients

Every new website we build also comes with 30 days of post-launch support. We can take over hosting and maintenance for sites built by someone else too, and in the GTA we look after IT services in Brampton offices as well.

Our Website Care plans compared

Care BasicCare PlusCare Pro
PriceUS$29/moUS$59/moUS$99/mo
Hosting with SSLYesYesYes
Daily backups and uptime monitoringYesYesYes
Security and software updatesYesYesYes
Content changes each month—1 hour3 hours
Monthly speed check—YesYes
Email support—Within 1 business dayPriority
Monthly report——Yes

How to keep maintenance costs down

  • Pay yearly if your provider offers a discount for it.
  • Remove plugins and features you do not use; less software means fewer updates.
  • Batch content changes into one request a month instead of many small ones.
  • Choose a provider that bundles hosting, SSL and backups, instead of paying for each separately.

If you are planning a new site, see how much a website costs in Canada as well, so you can budget for both.

Add Nanoqode as a preferred source on Google
Nanoqode teamDigital marketing & IT team

The designers, developers and marketers of Nanoqode, a Canadian digital marketing agency with offices in Canada and the US.

How much does it cost to maintain a website for a small business?

Most small business websites in Canada cost about $50 to $150 a month to maintain if they are simple brochure sites, $150 to $300 with booking or integrations, and from $300 for an online store. Our Website Care plans start at US$29 a month.

What is included in website maintenance packages?

A good package includes hosting, the SSL certificate, software updates, security monitoring, daily backups, uptime monitoring and some time for small content changes. Always ask for the list in writing.

How much does it cost to maintain a website domain?

A standard .ca or .com domain usually costs about $15 to $30 a year to renew. Premium domains cost more. Our Website Care plans include a free domain with annual hosting.

Is website maintenance a monthly cost?

Usually, yes. Hosting, security and updates are ongoing, so most providers charge monthly, with a discount for paying yearly. Our plans are month to month.

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