Costs and pricing

How much does a Google Ads campaign cost in Quebec?

In Quebec, a Google Ads campaign involves two distinct costs: the media budget (paid directly to Google) and the management fee (paid to the agency). In 2026, a Quebec SMB generally plans $1,500 to $5,000/month in media budget and a management fee of 15 % to 30 % of spend, or a monthly retainer of roughly $800 to $3,500 (indicative ranges — to be confirmed for your project). The realistic minimum for gathering usable data sits around $500 to $800/month in media.

Updated July 1, 2026

These two envelopes must never be confused: the money paid to Google buys the clicks, while the management fee pays for the strategy, setup, optimisation and monitoring of your campaigns.

Media budget vs management fee: the two envelopes to plan

This is the most important distinction — and the most often misunderstood.

  • The media budget is what you pay Google every time someone clicks your ad. You set it, you control it, and it goes entirely to the platform.
  • The management fee pays for the agency's work: keyword research, ad copywriting, account structure, conversion tracking, A/B testing and monthly reporting.

A media budget without professional management usually leads to waste (irrelevant clicks, keywords that are far too broad). Management without enough media budget does not generate enough data to optimise. The two go together.

What does agency management cost?

In Quebec, agencies bill Google Ads management under three main models (indicative ranges — to be confirmed for your project):

  1. Percentage of media spend: generally 15 % to 30 % of the advertising budget, often with a monthly floor.
  2. Fixed monthly retainer: roughly $800 to $3,500/month depending on account complexity, number of campaigns and level of reporting.
  3. Performance-based model: a base fee plus a commission on conversions or revenue generated.

The more complex your account (several campaigns, several regions, Shopping, Performance Max), the higher the management fee — but good setup pays for itself quickly by lowering your cost per acquisition.

Typical CPCs: what a click costs in your sector

Cost per click (CPC) varies enormously by sector. Across all sectors, the average CPC sat around $4 to $4.50 in 2025-2026, with an expected increase of 7 % to 12 % for 2026 (indicative ranges based on French-language market data — to be confirmed for your sector in Quebec).

A few benchmarks by sector (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project):

  • Legal services and insurance: among the most expensive, with clicks that can exceed $10 in highly competitive markets.
  • Dental and healthcare: high CPC (around $6 to $7), offset by good conversion rates.
  • Home improvement / renovation: very competitive, roughly 55 % above average.
  • Arts, culture and entertainment: among the lowest CPCs on the market.

These figures explain why two businesses with the same media budget do not get the same number of clicks: a lawyer in Longueuil "buys" clicks at a far higher price than a cultural organisation in Brossard.

What is the realistic minimum budget in Quebec?

For an SMB on the South Shore or in the greater Montreal area, the realistic floor for testing Google Ads in 2026 sits around $500 to $800/month in media budget (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project). Below that threshold, Google does not gather enough data to optimise your bids.

The sweet spot for generating leads sustainably is more like $1,500 to $5,000/month in media for a growing SMB, on top of management fees. In daily terms, budget roughly $15 to $30/day for a local or niche business.

How to maximise your return

  • Target geographically: limit your ads to the areas you actually serve (Montreal, South Shore, Longueuil, Brossard, the Beauce) so you are not paying for clicks outside your territory.
  • Track conversions, not just clicks: a click is only worth something if it leads to a call, a form or a sale.
  • Combine with SEO: Google Ads delivers immediate results, organic search builds your long-term visibility.
  • Give the algorithm time: the first weeks are for gathering data; optimisation comes after.

Ready to invest intelligently in Google Ads?

At Bollé Communications, we set up and manage your Google Ads campaigns so every dollar works for you. Together we establish a realistic budget based on your sector and your market — without waste.

See our approach to Google Ads campaign management, Facebook and Instagram advertising and web marketing (SEO/SEA), or get in touch for an estimate built around your project.

Frequently asked questions

What budget do you need to start with Google Ads in Quebec?

A realistic minimum of $500 to $800/month in media budget gathers useful data; $1,500 to $5,000/month is ideal for a growing SMB (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project).

Are management fees included in the advertising budget?

No. The media budget goes to Google, the management fee goes to the agency. They are two separate costs to plan for.

How much does a click on Google Ads cost?

It depends on the sector: roughly $1 to $2 in low-competition sectors, up to more than $10 for legal or insurance (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project).

Is Google Ads profitable for a small business?

Yes, if campaigns are well targeted and monitored. Good setup lowers the cost per acquisition and makes even a modest budget profitable.

Google Ads or SEO: where should we start?

Google Ads delivers fast, measurable results; SEO builds lasting visibility. The ideal is to combine both in a coherent acquisition strategy.

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