The verdict in three sentences
A bilingual English and French website for a Toronto consulting firm realistically takes 9 to 16 weeks, and the step that breaks most schedules is partners reviewing practice area copy. To launch before a client event, start discovery at least 13 weeks out and book partner review slots on day one. If time is shorter, a packaged first version such as Kolonell Premium (1,200 to 2,300 EUR, 21 to 30 days) lets you meet the date.
Phase by phase plan
The plan below fits a 15 to 25 page site with 5 to 8 practice areas, partner bios and an insights section, in English and French. Budgets run from 25,000 to 70,000 CAD depending on the provider, 2026 estimate. Ontario organisations with 50 or more employees must meet WCAG 2.0 AA under AODA, and most firms now target WCAG 2.1 AA.
| Phase | Duration | Weeks (13 week scenario) | Deliverable | Who must be available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery | 1 to 2 weeks | W1 to W2 | Sitemap, audiences, key messages | Managing partner, two 2 hour workshops |
| Design | 2 to 3 weeks | W3 to W5 | Home, practice area and bio templates | Committee of 2 to 3 partners |
| English copy | 3 to 5 weeks | W4 to W8 | Approved copy per practice area | Each partner, 3 to 5 hours |
| French adaptation | 1 to 2 weeks | W8 to W9 | Reviewed French pages | French speaking partner or reviewer |
| Build | 3 to 5 weeks | W6 to W11 | Site on staging | Marketing lead |
| Accessibility and QA | 1 to 2 weeks | W12 to W13 | AODA checks, fixes, launch | All partners for final read |
Overlapping copy with design is what keeps the plan at 13 weeks instead of 18.
The most common delays
| Cause of delay | Typical slip | Estimated frequency | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice area copy waiting on partners | 2 to 4 weeks | Very common | Agency writes after a 45 minute interview |
| Too many people approving designs | 1 to 2 weeks | Common | Committee of three, max |
| French translation started late | 1 to 3 weeks | Common | Translator booked in week 1 |
| Headshots not taken | 1 to 3 weeks | Common | Photo session in week 3 |
| Accessibility issues found at QA | 1 to 2 weeks | Common | Accessible components from the design phase |
| Repositioning mid project | 3 to 6 weeks | Occasional | Freeze key messages at end of discovery |
Two common delays stacked can turn an 11 week project into 16.
Working back from your event
If your client event is in late November, go live at least one week before, allow two weeks of QA, four to five of build and five of copy partly in parallel. Discovery must start in early September. After October 1, only a packaged first version or a reduced 8 to 10 page site is realistic.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a real client: Priya, managing partner of a 30 person strategy consultancy on Bay Street, wants a new site for an event in 10 weeks. Her agency quotes 48,000 CAD over 15 weeks. She launches a Kolonell Premium first version at 2,000 EUR in 25 days with home, six practice areas and partner bios, then has the agency deliver the full bilingual site after the event. The interim version costs about 6 percent of the agency budget and keeps the event date safe for 120 invited clients.
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FAQ
How long does a consulting firm website take in Toronto?
Nine to sixteen weeks for 15 to 25 pages in English and French. A packaged first version ships in 21 to 30 days.
Which phase takes longest?
Practice area copy, 3 to 5 weeks, because it depends on partner availability. Letting the agency write after a 45 minute interview saves about 2 weeks.
Do we have to meet AODA?
If your organisation has 50 or more employees in Ontario, yes, at WCAG 2.0 AA, with fines possible for non compliance. Building accessibility in from design costs far less than fixing it at QA.
Is a French version necessary in Toronto?
Not legally for a private firm, but useful for federal and Quebec clients. It adds 15 to 25 percent to the content budget.
What budget should we expect?
Between 25,000 and 70,000 CAD depending on provider and practice areas. Copywriting is often 20 to 30 percent of the total.
Let's scope your project. Give us your event date, practice areas and partner count, and we will send a week by week plan with budget. 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.
