Small business web design: agency or turnkey website?
An agency builds a custom website; a turnkey website starts from a template already designed for your trade. Both have their place. Here is how they really compare, and when each one is the right choice.
The comparison, point by point
| Web agency | Turnkey website | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $2,500 to $8,000 for a simple business site | $0 |
| Yearly cost | $800 to $1,500 (hosting, plugins, maintenance) | $208 to $832, all included |
| Deadline | 2 to 4 weeks for a business site, 6 to 16 weeks for a store | Live the same day |
| Design | Unique, custom-made | A template designed for your trade, in your colours (Pro and Pro+) |
| Changes | Yourself if you learn the tool, otherwise billed by the hour | Yourself, anytime, right on the page |
| Maintenance and security | Often an extra maintenance contract | Included |
| Custom features | Anything is possible, budget permitting | The template's features: services, hours, gallery, contact, online store (Pro+) |
| Ownership | Depends on the contract: have it state who owns the code | Your domain name belongs to you; the site runs on our platform as long as your subscription is active |
Our prices are in Canadian dollars, plus applicable taxes. See the full price comparison
When to choose which
An agency, if…
- your brand must be unique and distinctive
- you need specific features: booking connected to your calendar, a link to your management software, a customer portal
- you sell hundreds of products or internationally
- you have a budget of $5,000 or more, and time for a project lasting several weeks
A turnkey website, if…
- you want to present your business: services, prices, hours, photos, contact
- you want to be online this month, not in two months
- you want to change your text and photos yourself, without paying every time
- you prefer a small monthly amount to a big upfront bill
Choosing an agency? 5 questions to ask before you sign
Whatever you choose, these questions will save you from bad surprises.
-
1
Who owns the code and the domain name? The domain should be in your name. Get it in writing who owns the site.
-
2
What does maintenance include, and at what price? Security updates, backups, fixes: ask for the yearly cost, not just the upfront price.
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3
How much does a change cost after delivery? And will you be able to edit your own text and photos?
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4
Can I see sites similar to mine, and talk to clients? A portfolio of comparable projects and verifiable references.
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5
What are the deliverables and the schedule? A clear contract stating what is delivered and when. Have your text and photos ready: they are the most common cause of delays.
Our turnkey plans
.com or .ca domain, hosting and security certificate included, no setup fees. Cancel anytime.
Standard
$25 /month
- Custom domain (.com / .ca)
- Single page
- SSL certificate
- Edit directly on the page (text, photos, lists)
- Add, remove, move blocks
- Bilingual site, French / English
- Testimonials: form on your site, approval before display
- Management page
- 48h email included · priority or phone optional
Pro
$35 /month
- Everything In Standard
- Multi-page site
- Color customization (Design)
- Trade-specific interactive tools (estimators, calculators, configurators)
- Full management area
Pro+
$90 /month
- Everything In Pro
- Online store
- Cart and Stripe payments
- Coupons and promotions
- Order management
- Sales statistics
- Management area + e-commerce
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an agency build a better website?
For a unique design or custom features, yes. To present a local business (services, hours, photos, contact), a template designed for your trade does the job, for a fraction of the price.
How long does an agency take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks for a simple business site, and 6 to 16 weeks for an online store. Delays often come from the text and photos you have to provide.
Can I start with a turnkey website and move to an agency later?
Yes. Your domain name belongs to you: it follows your site when you change providers.
Who makes the changes?
With our turnkey website, you do, anytime and at no cost: click a text or a photo and change it. With an agency, either you learn its tool or every change is billed.
Price and timeline sources: Agence Pragmatik (July 2026), Shortkut (2026).