The verdict in three sentences
Before asking for quotes on a Toronto law firm website, write a two to four page requirements document: without it, three agencies quote three different projects and prices vary fivefold. A precise document sets goals, pages, integrations listed one by one, a WCAG 2.2 AA target, data protection rules for forms and domain ownership. As a benchmark, Kolonell's fixed grid runs from USD 2,900 (Starter) to USD 8,900 (Premium), against a 2026 ballpark of CAD 15,000 to 60,000 (about USD 11,000 to 43,000) in typical Toronto agency quotes.
What should the requirements document cover?
Here is the checklist to complete before any request for proposals. It works for a firm on Bay Street, in Yorkville or in North York, whether it practices corporate, real estate, immigration or family law.
1. Goals and audiences
- One quantified primary goal (for example, consultation requests per month) and two secondary goals at most.
- Audiences: businesses, individuals, newcomers, referring lawyers.
2. Pages and templates
- Page list: home, one template per practice area, lawyer profile, firm page, resources or articles, contact.
- Number of lawyer profiles and practice areas, to be counted.
3. Content and approval
- Who writes, who reviews, who signs off on professional conduct compliance.
- Law Society of Ontario rules on marketing legal services apply: no invented results, no promised outcomes, care with specialization claims. Stay general and have it checked.
4. Languages
- English only, or English and French. At Kolonell, a second language falls under Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote).
5. Integrations, one line per tool
- Client portal link, intake CRM, booking, article feed, retainer payment tool. Each integration is listed separately so quotes are comparable; complex integrations are on quote.
6. Accessibility
- WCAG 2.2 AA target. The AODA applies to Ontario organizations above certain thresholds; check whether your firm is covered.
7. Data protection for forms
- PIPEDA governs personal information in private-sector commercial activity.
- Minimal form: name, contact, area of law, preferred time slot. No detailed account of the dispute.
- A clear notice that submitting the form does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
- Marketing email compliant with CASL.
8. Hosting and ownership
- Domain, hosting and analytics accounts in the firm's name.
9. SEO migration if a site exists
- Inventory of every URL, 301 redirect map, Search Console monitoring for 30 days.
10. Acceptance criteria, timeline and budget
- Written criteria: forms tested, accessibility score, redirects checked, mobile load time.
- Target launch date and budget range.
This is not legal advice.
Vague brief or precise brief: how does it change quotes?
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2026 ballpark figures, based on typical local agency quotes in Canadian dollars, converted approximately into USD (indicative rate of about 0.72).
| Brief item | Vague wording | Precise wording | Typical spread between quotes (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | A modern website | 22 pages, 6 templates listed | 8,000 to 46,000 narrowed to 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Languages | Maybe French | English and French, 22 pages each | A 3,000 to 12,000 gap removed |
| Integrations | Connected to our tools | Portal link, intake CRM, booking, three lines | 5,000 to 25,000 of surprises avoided |
| Accessibility | Accessible | WCAG 2.2 AA, keyboard and screen reader tests | A 2,000 to 6,000 audit priced up front |
| Migration | Not mentioned | 85 URLs, 301 map as a deliverable | A hidden 1,500 to 5,000 cost made visible |
| Content | We will provide copy | Copy by the provider, partner review | A 2,000 to 8,000 gap clarified |
How do you compare three quotes?
Score each quote from 1 to 5 per criterion, multiply by the weight and divide by 5. Total out of 100.
| Criterion | Weight | Bay Street agency | Freelancer | Remote fixed-price studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage of the requirements | 30 | 5 → 30 | 3 → 18 | 4 → 24 |
| SEO migration and 301 map | 20 | 4 → 16 | 2 → 8 | 4 → 16 |
| WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility | 15 | 4 → 12 | 2 → 6 | 4 → 12 |
| Form data protection | 15 | 4 → 12 | 3 → 9 | 4 → 12 |
| Price and transparency | 10 | 2 → 4 | 4 → 8 | 5 → 10 |
| Timeline | 10 | 2 → 4 | 3 → 6 | 5 → 10 |
| Total out of 100 | 100 | 78 | 55 | 84 |
A Bay Street agency is still the right call if you want a custom client portal, photo shoots at your offices or weekly in-person support. The grid helps you decide on written evidence.
How does the Kolonell grid map to the checklist?
| Checklist item | Starter USD 2,900 | Growth USD 4,900 | Premium USD 8,900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages and templates | Compact site, a few practice areas | Practice areas and lawyer profiles, resources | Custom design, extended structure |
| Languages | One language | One language | Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) |
| Copywriting | Native English included | Native English included | Native English or French included |
| WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility | Testing included | Testing included | Testing included |
| Migration and 301 map | If a site exists | If a site exists | If a site exists |
| Complex integrations | On quote | On quote | On quote |
| Timeline and support | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months | 3 to 4 weeks, 3 months |
A project manager reachable in Toronto's time zone runs the project. Details are on the international website offer page.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Priya Natarajan, managing partner of Harbourline Legal LLP, a fictional North York firm in immigration and real estate law, first sends a two-line brief. The three quotes range from CAD 11,000 to 64,000, about USD 8,000 to 46,000: a USD 38,000 spread that makes comparison impossible.
She then writes the requirements document (about 6 hours of work): 22 pages, English and French, three integrations listed, 85 URLs to redirect. The new quotes range from about USD 9,500 to 31,000, a spread cut to USD 21,500, and Premium at USD 8,900 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote) covers the scope except integrations, priced separately on quote.
FAQ
How long does the requirements document take to write?
Plan 4 to 8 hours for a partner and an office administrator. That time often narrows the spread between quotes by several thousand dollars.
Does the contact form need a specific notice?
Yes: state that submitting it does not create a lawyer-client relationship, and ask only for name, contact, area of law and time slot; four fields are enough. Have a partner approve the wording.
Does the site need to be in French in Toronto?
It is not a general requirement in Ontario, unlike Quebec. A bilingual site falls under Premium at USD 8,900 (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote).
Does the AODA apply to our firm?
It applies to Ontario organizations above certain staff thresholds; confirm with your counsel. Targeting WCAG 2.2 AA in all three tiers, from USD 2,900 to 8,900, covers the technical goal.
How many quotes should we request?
Three are enough, scored on the same 100 point grid. Beyond five, the review time often outweighs the benefit.
Send your requirements document and request a free quote for a line by line reply.
Let's scope your project. A Toronto law firm website scoped on your requirements document, from USD 2,900 to 8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
