When someone asks me what a website costs, the honest answer starts with a question back: do you want to own it, or do you just want it working? Because there are two very different ways to pay for a website, and neither one is a trick — they just suit different businesses.
So let me lay both out plainly, the way I'd explain it to you on a call.
Option 1: The monthly Website Plan
This is the low-commitment way in. You pay a small monthly fee — $69/month for a Starter, $129/month for a Business — and we build the site, put it online, host it, keep it updated, and make sure it stays working. Cancel anytime.
The thing to understand is what the monthly actually buys: it's a service, not a payment plan. You're not slowly buying the website in installments — you're paying to have it built and looked after, month to month, like leasing a well-maintained car instead of buying one. When something needs fixing, it's handled. You never think about hosting or updates. It just runs.
It suits you if you want to get online fast with almost nothing upfront, you'd rather someone else handle the technical upkeep, and you like the freedom to walk away whenever you want.
Clearing up the common confusion: the monthly plan does not mean you own the site after enough payments. It's ongoing service. Owning it is a separate choice — which brings us to option two.
Option 2: Own it outright
Here you pay a one-time price — from $2,497 for a Starter, $3,997 for a Business — and the website is yours. We hand over the full source code and content, and transfer your domain into your name, in writing. No lock-in, no monthly fee, no dependence on us being around.
One honest detail people miss: hosting is separate. Owning the site means owning the files and the domain — but a site still needs a server to live on. So you either add your own hosting (usually $10–20/month, paid straight to the host), or we're happy to keep hosting and maintaining it for you. Owning it doesn't mean hosting is free forever; it means nobody can hold your website hostage.
It suits you if you want full control and no ongoing commitment, you're comfortable arranging (or paying for) your own hosting, and you'd rather pay once than carry a monthly line item.
Side by side
| Monthly Website Plan | Own It Outright | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Very low ($69–$129/mo + small setup) | One-time, from $2,497 |
| Hosting & maintenance | Included — we handle it | Yours to arrange, or we host for you |
| Who owns the files | We do while you're on the plan | You do — code + domain transferred |
| Ongoing commitment | None — cancel anytime | None — it's yours |
| Best for | Getting online fast, hands-off upkeep | Full control, pay once |
Which should you actually pick?
If cash flow is tight or you just want to be online without thinking about the tech, start on the monthly plan. If you've got the budget and you want to own your asset outright with zero strings, buy it. There's no wrong answer, and plenty of businesses start monthly and buy later once things are rolling.
And one more thing worth mentioning to your accountant: for most businesses, a website — whether it's a monthly plan or a one-time build — is a tax-deductible business expense. Worth a quick ask at tax time.
Still not sure which fits? That's normal, and it's exactly the kind of thing I'll walk you through honestly. Have a look at the full pricing, or read what a website really costs in Canada for the bigger picture.
Two ways to pay — no excuses
Start from $69/month, or own it outright from $2,497. Either way, a real site working for you while you sleep.
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