How much does a website actually cost in Ottawa?

Ask five Ottawa web designers what a website costs and you'll get five different numbers, anywhere from a $300 template to $15,000 for something custom. That range isn't companies just making up numbers, it usually comes down to a handful of things that actually change what goes into building the site. Here's what those are, and roughly what to expect.

What actually changes the price

Custom design versus a template. A template with your logo dropped in is fast and cheap because the design work is already done, and already used by thousands of other businesses. A custom design is built around your business specifically, which takes more time and costs more.

Number of pages and features. A simple 3-page site is a different job than an 8-page site with booking, a blog, or an online store built in.

Copywriting and photography. If you need someone to write the words too, not just design around what you hand them, that's additional work.

SEO and analytics setup. A site that's actually set up to be found on Google, proper page titles, structured data, analytics wired in correctly, takes more setup than a bare site with none of that.

Fixed price versus hourly. An hourly rate with no cap means you don't actually know the final number until it's done. A fixed-price quote means you know the number before any work starts.

Realistic Ottawa price ranges

Based on what we see and quote for locally:

• $1,500 to $2,500: a focused 3-page site to get a business online and taking calls. Good for a business that just needs a professional presence.
• $3,000 to $5,000: a custom 5 to 8 page site with proper SEO foundations and lead capture, the range most established small businesses land in.
• $5,000+: larger custom builds, e-commerce, or booking systems, and ongoing marketing bundled in.
• $150+/month: ongoing WordPress maintenance, separate from the build itself.

How to spot a lowball quote

If a quote is dramatically below everyone else's, ask what specifically is included. Often it's a stock template with your logo swapped in, no copywriting, no SEO setup, and no support once it launches. That's not necessarily dishonest, but it's a different product than a custom site, and it's worth knowing which one you're actually comparing prices against.

Why we quote fixed price, not hourly

We give a written, fixed-price proposal before any work starts, based on the packages above. You know the number going in, and it doesn't move once you've approved it. If your project genuinely changes scope partway through, that's a conversation, not a surprise invoice. You can see our current packages on the Ottawa web design pricing page.

Common questions

Why do website quotes vary so much in Ottawa?
Mostly because of what's included: custom design versus a template, how many pages, whether copywriting and SEO are part of it, and whether the price is fixed or billed hourly with no cap.

Is a $300 website worth it?
Usually not for a business that depends on the site for leads. Those prices typically mean a stock template with minimal customization and no ongoing support, which often costs more later in lost leads and rebuild work.

If your current site is more the problem than the price, this one's worth a read too: 5 signs your website needs a redesign.