How to choose a web agency in Quebec: the 2026 guide

The 5 criteria for assessing a web agency

1. A relevant portfolio, not just a pretty one

A good-looking portfolio is not enough. Look for work in your sector, or for companies of a comparable size. An agency that has already delivered sites in your field understands your challenges, your target customers and your industry's best practices. Also check client reviews (Google, Clutch) and, ideally, ask to speak with one or two current clients.

2. Real local and regulatory expertise

Working with a Quebec agency is not only a question of proximity. Law 25 (protection of personal information), Law 96 (use of French) and accessibility rules shape the very architecture of your site. An agency that ignores them will have you fixing things later, at a high price. Being locally rooted also means in-person meetings, an understanding of the market here, and billing in Canadian dollars with no exchange-rate surprises.

3. Transparent pricing

A serious agency gives you a detailed quote that breaks out design, development, content integration, basic SEO and recurring fees. Hourly rates observed in Quebec:

• Experienced freelancer: $60 – $120 / hour (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project)
• Small local agency: $80 – $120 / hour (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project)
• Established agency: $120 – $250 / hour (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project)

A flat-fee quote with no breakdown at all is a signal worth watching.

4. Clear support and maintenance

A website is not a one-and-done project. Ask what is included after launch: fixes, security updates, hosting, backups and response times. Plan a realistic annual maintenance budget, often $800 to $1,500 for an SMB brochure site and more for a transactional site (indicative range — to be confirmed for your project). Also check who holds the credentials (domain name, hosting, code): they must belong to you.

5. An accessible team

Ask to meet the project manager, the developer and the strategist who will actually work on your account — not just the sales rep. The quality of communication up front usually predicts the quality of the collaboration.

Questions to ask before signing

• Can you show me 2–3 projects in my sector, with concrete results?
• Who exactly will work on my project, and can I meet them?
• How do you handle Law 25 and Law 96 compliance?
• Is the quote itemised? What are the recurring fees (hosting, maintenance, licences)?
• Who owns the domain, the hosting and the source code?
• What is a realistic timeline, and what happens if it slips?
• What support is offered after launch, and at what rate?

Red flags to watch for

• An abnormally low price ("complete website for $500"): usually a generic template, with no strategy and no compliance.
• No mention of Law 25 or accessibility: a sign of shallow local expertise.
• Refusal to give you the credentials to the domain, hosting or code: you stay captive.
• A vague quote, with no breakdown or written schedule.
• No direct contact with the technical team before signing.
• Guaranteed SEO results ("guaranteed first position on Google"): nobody can guarantee a ranking.

How long does a web project take in Quebec?

Timelines vary with complexity (indicative ranges — to be confirmed for your project):

• Simple brochure site (1–5 pages): 2–4 weeks
• Mid-size brochure site (5–15 pages): 4–8 weeks
• E-commerce site: 6–16 weeks
• Complex custom site: 12–24 weeks

With the right partner, a web project becomes an investment

At Bollé Communications, we have supported local businesses for more than 20 years (founded in 2003), with teams on Montreal's South Shore (Beloeil) and in the Beauce (Saint-Georges). We work in French first, but also in English and Spanish, with transparent pricing and concrete attention to compliance (Law 25, Law 96).

Looking for a local partner who speaks your language — literally and otherwise? See our services, browse our work or get in touch for a clear, jargon-free quote.