The verdict in three sentences
A foreign investor weighing Toronto against Chicago and Boston forms a first opinion of the business climate in ten minutes on the investment promotion agency's website. If sector guides, quantified incentives and a qualified contact form are missing, or if the site fails a screen reader, the agency loses the credibility it is trying to build. An institutional site compliant with AODA and WCAG 2.1 AA, in English and French, can be scoped with Kolonell at FCFA 2.5 to 15 M+ (about CAD 5,600 to 33,700+) depending on complexity, the rest on quote, over 4 months.
The content investors actually expect
Visitors to an investment promotion site are mostly corporate development directors, funds, chambers of commerce and business journalists. They want verifiable data, named contacts and clear procedures. Each priority sector deserves a dedicated page with figures, tax incentives, available sites and a contact.
| Priority sector | Key page content | Downloadable format | KPI to track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial services and fintech | Talent pool, regulators, office costs | 20-page PDF guide | Meeting requests |
| Life sciences | Research hospitals, clinical trials, grants | Sector profile | Downloads |
| Advanced manufacturing | Industrial land, energy costs, workforce | PDF guide | Qualified forms |
| Clean energy | Projects, procurement framework, incentives | Project file | Investor contacts |
| Tech and AI | Universities, venture capital, salaries | Sector profile | Newsletter sign-ups |
| Food processing | Supply chains, export access, land | Project catalogue | Site visit requests |
The contact form must qualify: sector, planned amount (under USD 1 M, USD 1 to 10 M, over USD 10 M), timeline, country of origin. The agency can then sort serious requests and commit to a reply within 72 hours, a promise worth displaying.
AODA and WCAG 2.1 AA: a legal requirement in Ontario
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, public sector organisations must meet WCAG 2.0 AA, and most RFPs now ask for WCAG 2.1 AA. Accessibility also improves SEO and mobile readability.
| WCAG 2.1 AA criterion | Concrete requirement | Estimated 2026 cost | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contrast | Minimum 4.5:1 ratio for text | Included in the design | Automated tool |
| Keyboard navigation | All menus and forms usable without a mouse | 3 to 5 % of budget | Manual test |
| Alt text | Images, charts and maps described | Included in copywriting | Editorial review |
| Accessible PDFs | Tagged guides, screen-reader friendly | CAD 350 to 700 per guide | NVDA test |
| Forms | Labels and explicit error messages | Included | User testing |
| Final audit | Compliance report and remediation plan | CAD 3,500 to 7,000 | Independent auditor |
Budget and tender: how to scope
Budgets seen in 2026 for this type of site in Canada range from CAD 120,000 to 300,000, including hosting and maintenance over 2 to 3 years. The RFP should split lots clearly to compare bids.
| Lot | Indicative 2026 range | Share of budget |
|---|---|---|
| Design, UX and accessible brand system | CAD 20,000 to 45,000 | 15 to 20 % |
| Bilingual CMS development with approval workflow | CAD 45,000 to 110,000 | 35 to 40 % |
| Writing and translating 6 sector guides | CAD 15,000 to 40,000 | 12 to 15 % |
| Accessibility and security audit | CAD 10,000 to 25,000 | 10 % |
| Hosting, maintenance and training over 3 years | CAD 25,000 to 70,000 | 20 % |
Kolonell works on a custom basis at FCFA 2.5 to 15 M+ for design and development, with the rest of the scope priced on quote.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Megan, communications director of a public investment agency in Toronto, has CAD 180,000. Her old site receives 40 forms a year, 6 of them serious projects. The new site, with sector guides and a qualified form, reaches 120 forms with 25 qualified in year one. If a single USD 5 M project lands through this channel, the CAD 180,000 investment equals under 3 % of the capital attracted. The CMS approval workflow also cuts news publishing time from 10 days to 2.
FAQ
Is WCAG compliance mandatory in Ontario?
Yes, AODA requires WCAG 2.0 AA for public sector websites, and fines can reach CAD 100,000 per day for organisations. An audit costs CAD 3,500 to 7,000.
Do we need a full French version?
For investor pages, guides and procedures yes, about 80 % of content, to reach Quebec and francophone European and African investors. Local news can stay in English only.
How long does the project take?
Allow 4 months: 4 weeks of discovery and UX, 8 weeks of development, 4 weeks of content, testing and audit.
Who updates the site after launch?
The communications team, trained on the CMS in 2 sessions, with a two-level approval workflow before publishing.
Can Kolonell bid on the tender?
Yes, alone or with a local partner, with references, schedule and a detailed financial offer per lot.
Let's scope your project. Share your RFP or priority sectors: we price design and development at FCFA 2.5 to 15 M+, WCAG audit included, over a 4-month 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.
