If you've asked this question and gotten a vague non-answer, that's because most designers are afraid to talk about pricing openly. We're not. Here's how websites are actually priced in Ontario, and what you get at each level.
| Tier | Typical range (CAD) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Template / DIY | $500–$5,000 + platform fees | 3–5 pages, pre-built theme, basic setup |
| Custom build | $3,000–$20,000 | 5–8+ pages, custom design, SEO, you own everything |
| Web application | $25,000+ | Custom functionality, backend, database |
Tier 1: Templates and DIY
A template or DIY website is the lowest-cost option: a pre-built design with your content dropped in, typically $500–$5,000 plus ongoing platform subscription fees.
This covers do-it-yourself website builders (Squarespace, Wix, Shopify Lite) and "template installs" — where a designer sets up a pre-built WordPress theme with your content dropped in.
What you get: Something that looks okay on desktop, might look okay on mobile, and functions as a basic online brochure. Generally 3–5 pages. No custom design work. No SEO foundation. No performance optimization.
Who it's right for: A new business that needs a placeholder presence while they figure things out. Or a business where the website really isn't a meaningful part of how customers find them.
The hidden cost: If your business grows and the site can't keep up, or if it never generates a single lead, you're rebuilding it in 18 months anyway.
Tier 2: Custom Builds
A custom website is designed and built from scratch to your specific requirements, typically $3,000–$20,000 in Ontario depending on scope and complexity.
This is where real web design lives. Custom design, custom code, built to your specific requirements. A good custom site at this tier is fast, mobile-first, SEO-ready, and actually designed rather than assembled from parts.
Within this tier:
- Entry-level custom — 5–8 pages, clean custom design, local SEO built in, you own everything. The right fit for most service businesses in the Ottawa Valley.
- Mid-range custom — More pages, more complexity. Multi-location, bilingual, e-commerce lite, integrations, case studies, blog. For a business that depends on online leads.
- Full custom — Full brand build included, complex functionality, scroll animations, custom CMS.
Tier 3: Web Applications
A web application is custom-built software that runs in the browser, starting around $25,000 in Ontario and scaling with complexity.
Custom booking systems, SaaS platforms, member portals, marketplaces, anything with a real backend and a database. Not really a "website." A software product that happens to live on the web. Most small businesses don't need this.
What Actually Drives the Cost
Designers charge more for:
- Number of pages — more pages, more work, straightforward
- Design complexity — a generic layout costs less than a distinctive visual identity
- Content — if you can't provide your own copy and photos, someone has to write and source them
- Custom functionality — anything beyond "display content and accept a form submission" adds time
- Languages — a bilingual site is two sites sharing one codebase
- Ongoing maintenance — some designers bundle this, some don't
Where Kingsbury Creative Fits
We work with local businesses in the Ottawa Valley. Our two tiers reflect that.
- Foundational site — for new businesses that need a clean, fast, functional start. 4–5 pages, mobile-first, local SEO basics, you own everything. Scoped to match where you are right now.
- Custom build — for established businesses that need a site to do real work. Custom design, bilingual-ready, full SEO implementation, case studies, blog, whatever the project needs.
One Thing Worth Knowing
A cheap website isn't a bargain if it doesn't generate leads. The real question isn't how little you can spend — it's what this site needs to do, and what's the right scope to get there.
If you're not sure what you need, we'll tell you honestly. No pressure to buy the bigger option if the simple one is the right fit.
Built here. Built right. Get in touch.