An average small business website in Canada runs $3,000–$15,000 for initial development, though the range stretches from under $1,000 for basic DIY builds to $50,000+ for custom enterprise solutions. The cost breaks down across design complexity, functionality requirements, content volume, and who builds it. Template-based sites using WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace with light customization land in the $2,000–$6,000 range. Semi-custom builds with original design but standard CMS platforms typically cost $6,000–$15,000. Fully custom coded sites with unique functionality start around $15,000 and scale based on scope. Key cost drivers include: - Number of unique page templates (homepage, service page, contact) - E-commerce functionality and product count - Third-party integrations (CRM, booking systems, payment gateways) - Content creation (copywriting, photography, video) - SEO setup and technical optimization - Custom features like calculators, portals, or configurators Most quotes exclude ongoing costs. Hosting runs $15–200 monthly depending on traffic and infrastructure. Security, updates, and monitoring add $100–300 monthly for managed services. Content updates, SEO refinements, and performance monitoring typically cost $200–500 monthly if handled by an agency. At Ottawa SEO Inc., we see the biggest cost variance come from content strategy and technical SEO integration. A $5,000 website with proper keyword research, schema markup, and conversion optimization outperforms a $20,000 site built without search intent in mind. We typically recommend clients allocate 30–40% of their website budget to strategy and SEO foundation rather than purely visual design. The real question isn't what a website costs but what return it generates. A $10,000 site that ranks for commercial keywords and converts at 4% pays for itself faster than a $3,000 site that looks good but drives no business. Focus on cost per acquisition and expected traffic volume, not just the invoice total.