The verdict in three sentences
For an aerospace cluster in Montreal, a multilingual website with a capability directory of 220 members costs between 40,000 and 70,000 CAD in 2026. Success depends less on design than on data quality: processes, certifications (AS9100, Nadcap, Transport Canada approvals) and capacities, all kept up to date by the members themselves. A 4-month timeline is realistic, and part of the budget can be covered by public funding.
What a prime contractor looks for
A tier 1 buyer or an industrialisation manager at an engine maker wants to find, in a few clicks, a supplier able to machine titanium on 5 axes, AS9100 certified, within 150 km. An alphabetical list with a logo and a link does not meet that need. You need cross filters by process, material, certification, company size and region.
For the 220 members, the directory becomes a sales channel. For the executive director, it is a membership argument and a concrete indicator to present to the board and public funders.
| Directory feature | Simple version | Advanced version | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member profiles | Entered by cluster staff | Edited by each member with approval | 6,500 to 13,000 CAD |
| Filters | Sector and region | Process, material, certification, headcount | 5,500 to 11,000 CAD |
| Search | By name | Full text on capabilities | 3,000 to 7,000 CAD |
| Second language | Corporate pages | Full directory translated | 4,500 to 9,500 CAD |
| Member area | No | Documents, events, reserved opportunities | 6,500 to 13,000 CAD |
| Analytics | Global analytics | Views and contacts per member profile | 2,500 to 5,000 CAD |
Budget, tier by tier
The entry tier, around 40,000 CAD, covers a bilingual site, a directory with staff-entered profiles and essential filters. The mid tier, around 55,000 CAD, adds member editing with an approval workflow, full-text search and an events calendar. The top tier, up to 70,000 CAD, adds a full member area, a third language (Spanish or German for trade shows) and per-profile analytics.
| Tier | Budget before tax | Timeline | For which cluster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase and directory | 40,000 CAD | 3 months | Under 150 members, team of 2 to 3 |
| Collaborative directory | 55,000 CAD | 4 months | 150 to 300 members, frequent updates |
| Member platform | 65,000 to 70,000 CAD | 5 months | Private area, 3 languages, analytics |
| Hosting and maintenance | 250 to 650 CAD per month | Ongoing | Security, updates |
| Initial data collection | 4,500 to 9,500 CAD | 4 to 6 weeks | Questionnaire and follow-ups with 220 members |
On funding, provincial and federal economic development programs frequently support digital projects of industry clusters, with assistance rates that can reach 30 to 50 % of eligible costs depending on the program in force. Check filing deadlines before signing, as some programs require an application filed before any commitment.
The 4-month schedule
Month 1: scoping, taxonomy of processes and certifications, member questionnaire. Month 2: mock-ups, directory and filter development. Month 3: data import, editing opened to pilot members, translation. Month 4: acceptance testing, follow-ups with incomplete members, launch at a cluster event.
The main trap is taxonomy. If each member describes processes freely, filters do not work. You need a closed list of about 60 to 80 processes validated with three or four manufacturers before development.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Marie, executive director of a 220-member cluster in Montreal, currently has a project officer spend 6 hours a week answering prime contractors looking for suppliers, about 280 hours a year. With a filterable directory at 55,000 CAD, she estimates cutting that time by 60 %, saving 168 hours valued at 65 CAD per loaded hour: 10,920 CAD a year. With 40 % public funding, the net cost drops to 33,000 CAD, paid back in about 3 years on this line alone, not counting the effect on membership renewals.
FAQ
Do members really keep their profiles up to date?
Only if you help them. An automatic reminder every 6 months and a completion rate shown on the profile raise the update rate from about 30 % to 70 % as a rough estimate.
Do we need a full French version?
In Quebec, yes: French is required for public-facing content, and a full English version attracts US and European primes. Translating the full directory costs 4,500 to 9,500 CAD.
Can certifications carry an expiry date?
Yes, each certification can carry a validity date with a member alert 60 days before expiry. Allow about 2,300 CAD for this feature.
What public funding is available?
Programs vary from year to year; rates of 30 to 50 % of eligible costs are common for clusters. The application often has to be filed before signing the quote.
How do we protect member data?
Each member chooses what is public or reserved for the member area. The site complies with Quebec's Law 25 and PIPEDA, with a privacy officer and clear notices.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of members, expected filters and languages for an estimate between 40,000 and 70,000 CAD over 4 months, compatible with a public funding application. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
