The real price ranges
In Quebec, an agency usually charges between $1,000 and $5,000 to build a site, and it can go much higher for a large custom project. A freelancer can cost less, but it varies a lot. At the other end, the platforms where you build the site yourself run monthly, often $15 to $50, but you do the work. A site built for you, hosting included, on a monthly model like ours, sits around $20 a month with nothing big to pay up front.
What drives the price up
The price climbs with the number of pages, a fully custom design, an online store, the copywriting and the photo shoot. A simple showcase site to present your shop costs far less than a selling platform with payments and inventory. Before you ask for quotes, it pays to know what you actually need.
The cost people forget: upkeep
The amount to build the site is only part of it. After that comes hosting every year, the domain name, security updates, and someone to make changes when your hours or services change. Plenty of people pay $2,000 for a nice site, then let it sit because the smallest change costs money. A site that's never updated does nothing for you.
Big payment up front or monthly?
Both models exist. Paying a large sum once is fine if you have the budget and a specific need. The monthly model, hosting and changes included, spreads the cost and keeps your site alive without surprises. For a small business or a shop on the Côte-Nord, monthly is often simpler to manage, because there's no steep bill all at once and no hidden fees along the way.
What it's worth to you
The real question isn't just the price, it's what the site brings you. A single new customer a month who found you through your site often pays for the subscription several times over. Look at the cost, but also look at what it saves you: calls just to repeat your hours, customers who can't find you, and looking less serious next to a competitor who does have a site.