The verdict in three sentences
When a manufacturer hires 60 technicians a year, relying on job boards is expensive and attracts candidates who know neither the company nor its trades. An employer branding careers site connected to the ATS, with JobPosting structured data for Google and job videos, costs 20,000 to 50,000 CAD and ships in 8 to 12 weeks. Manufacturers that have built one report a 30 to 50% lower cost per application and better-qualified applicants.
The must-have sections of the specification
A good spec defines measurable goals before describing pages. For example: 40% of applications coming from the site within 12 months, a visit-to-application conversion rate of 4 to 6%, and a mobile application time under 3 minutes.
| Section | Expected content | Priority | Estimated impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade pages | One page per job family (maintenance, machining, quality, logistics) with a 60 to 90 s video | Essential | + 25 to 40% time on page |
| ATS-connected jobs | Automatic sync, 15 to 30 active openings | Essential | No double entry for HR |
| JobPosting structured data | Each job tagged for Google for Jobs | Essential | + 20 to 35% organic visibility |
| 3-minute mobile application | Optional resume, LinkedIn import, short form | Essential | Drop-off rate halved |
| Apprenticeship and career-change paths | Dedicated pages, college and Skilled Trades Ontario partnerships | Recommended | Pool of 15 to 25 apprentices a year |
| Employee stories | Portraits and videos with written consent | Recommended | Credibility, LinkedIn shares |
| Key figures and benefits | Starting pay, shifts, benefits, transit access | Recommended | Fewer off-target applications |
| AODA accessibility | WCAG 2.0 AA compliance | Recommended | Legal requirement for larger Ontario organisations |
In a tight market like the Greater Toronto Area, showing a starting pay range (for example 26 to 32 CAD an hour for an entry-level maintenance technician) is one of the triggers for applying, and Ontario now requires pay ranges in publicly advertised jobs.
Budget and ATS choice in 2026
The careers site does not replace the ATS: it showcases it. The connector choice drives part of the budget.
| ATS or source | Indicative 2026 subscription | Site connector (CAD) | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workable | 250 to 700 CAD per month | 2,500 to 4,500 | Easy API, built-in multiposting |
| Teamtailor | 450 to 1,300 CAD per month | 2,500 to 5,000 | Full API, native career pages |
| Greenhouse | 900 to 2,500 CAD per month | 3,500 to 6,500 | Structured hiring, strong reporting |
| Workday or SAP SuccessFactors | Included in group HRIS | 6,000 to 14,000 | For groups already equipped |
| General job boards (comparison) | 450 to 900 CAD per posting | N/A | Instant visibility, recurring cost |
| Site scope | Budget (CAD) | Timeline | |
| 8-page careers site, 1 ATS connector, 3 videos | 20,000 to 27,000 | 8 weeks | |
| 15-page site, 6 job videos, apprenticeship path | 28,000 to 38,000 | 10 weeks | |
| 25-page bilingual site (English and French), 10 videos, multiple plants | 40,000 to 50,000 | 12 weeks | |
| Video shoot (per day, 3 to 4 videos) | 4,000 to 7,000 | 1 day + 2 weeks editing | |
| Maintenance and updates | 400 to 900 per month | Monthly |
Mini case study
Michelle, HR director of a metal fabrication company in Toronto (450 employees), hires 60 technicians a year. She currently posts on job boards at an average of 650 CAD per posting, two postings per role, and gets 25 usable applications per role: 78,000 CAD a year, or 52 CAD per application.
After a 34,000 CAD careers site connected to Teamtailor, 45% of applications come from the site and Google for Jobs. Job board spend drops to 43,000 CAD a year. Cost per application falls to about 29 CAD, 44% less. The 35,000 CAD annual saving pays for the site in under twelve months, before counting faster hires on hard-to-fill roles.
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FAQ
How much does an employer branding site for a manufacturer cost?
Between 20,000 and 50,000 CAD in 2026, depending on pages, videos and languages. A video shoot costs 4,000 to 7,000 CAD per day.
Why tag jobs with JobPosting structured data?
It lets jobs appear in Google for Jobs with pay, location and contract type. We see 20 to 35% more organic applications on tagged jobs.
Do we need to change ATS to launch the site?
No, in most cases the site connects to the existing ATS through an API or XML feed. The connector costs 2,500 to 6,500 CAD depending on the tool.
How long before we can measure results?
The first direct applications arrive at launch, but the full effect is measured over 6 to 12 months. Track the source of every application in the ATS from day one.
Should salaries be shown on job postings?
Yes: since 1 January 2026, Ontario requires employers with 25 or more employees to include pay or a pay range in publicly advertised jobs up to 200,000 CAD. Postings with a range also get noticeably more applications.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your hiring volumes, your ATS and your priority trades and we will price the careers site, the videos and the connector, on an 8 to 12 week schedule. 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.
