The verdict in three sentences
For a dermatology-led aesthetic clinic in Quebec City, the right provider is the one that handles three local issues well: a site that is fully available in French, Quebec's Law 25 on personal information, and the advertising rules of the professional orders. A Quebec City agency earns its fee if you want meetings at the clinic and directed shoots on site; a remote studio working Eastern Time with native French and English copywriting delivers the same site in 3 to 4 weeks. Kolonell's international grid runs from USD 2,900 to USD 8,900, against roughly CAD 10,000 to 35,000 for a local agency.
Which criteria should separate a Quebec City agency from a remote studio?
In Quebec City, a clinic led by a dermatologist sees both patients referred for skin conditions and aesthetic clients (lasers, peels, injectables). The site must separate those two journeys clearly, present the medical team and lead to a consultation request without friction. If you are an English-speaking owner in Quebec City, the French requirement below matters even more, because your provider has to write the main version in a language you may not proofread yourself. Weight your criteria before asking for quotes.
| Criterion | Suggested weight | Quebec City agency | Remote studio (Kolonell) | How to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality French medical copywriting | 20% | Variable | Native copywriting included | Ask for a sample treatment page |
| Law 25 compliance (cookies, policy, forms) | 20% | Depends on agency | Consent banner and policy planned | Require the list of cookies and tools |
| Domain, hosting and code ownership | 15% | Depends on contract | In your name, written into the contract | Handover clause |
| Booking integration | 15% | Yes | Standard embed included | Demo with your software |
| On-site meetings and photos | 15% | Strong | You book a local photographer | Real cost of a half day |
| Delivery | 10% | 8 to 14 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks | Written schedule |
| Price | 5% | CAD 10,000 to 35,000 | USD 2,900 to 8,900 | Detailed quote |
Price carries only 5% here on purpose: a non-compliant or poorly written site costs far more than a gap between quotes.
What does each option cost over three years?
Ranges are a 2026 ballpark based on typical quotes from Quebec City and Montreal agencies. One US dollar is about 1.37 to 1.40 Canadian dollars in 2026.
| Cost line over 36 months | Quebec City freelancer | Quebec City agency | Montreal agency | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build | CAD 3,000 to 9,000 | CAD 10,000 to 35,000 | CAD 20,000 to 55,000 | USD 4,900 (about CAD 6,700 to 6,900) |
| English version | CAD 1,500 to 3,000 | CAD 2,000 to 5,000 | CAD 3,000 to 6,000 | Native copywriting, scope dependent |
| Photo half day | CAD 600 to 1,500 | Often bundled | CAD 1,500 to 3,000 | CAD 600 to 1,500, local photographer |
| Hosting and maintenance | CAD 3,600 to 7,200 | CAD 7,200 to 18,000 | CAD 9,000 to 21,600 | Assumed CAD 3,600 to 7,200 |
| 3-year total | CAD 8,700 to 20,700 | CAD 19,200 to 58,000 | CAD 33,500 to 85,600 | About CAD 10,900 to 15,600 |
The Kolonell total excludes the English version, which is priced by page count. Tier details are on the international websites page.
When is the Quebec City agency clearly the better choice?
It is the better choice if you are rebuilding the clinic's whole visual identity and want in-person workshops, if you plan regular video shoots with the dermatologist, if the agency also runs your campaigns and newsletter with a physical presence, or if several partners must sign off on every step around a table. If you already have a brand, recent photos and a clear treatment list, a remote studio is enough.
Questions to ask both types of provider:
- Who is responsible for the list of cookies and tracking tools installed on the site?
- Do our consultation forms pass through a server in Canada, and who has access?
- Who reviews treatment pages against our professionals' codes of ethics?
- How do you separate the medical dermatology journey from the aesthetic one?
- What exactly do we receive at the end of the contract: domain, code, accounts, content?
Which rules shape an aesthetic clinic website in Quebec?
Language. The Charter of the French Language requires a business's commercial publications in Quebec, websites included, to be available in French. An English version can be added for tourists and English-speaking clients, but it does not replace French.
Personal information. Law 25 requires, among other things, a designated person in charge of personal information protection, a clear published privacy policy and consent for tracking technologies that are not necessary. Keep forms short: name, contact details, reason for consultation, no detailed medical history.
Advertising. In Canada, advertising prescription drugs to the public is restricted, which covers botulinum toxin: talk about the consultation and the concern, not a brand-name product. The codes of ethics of Quebec's professional orders, including the Collège des médecins and the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers, also regulate advertising, including testimonials and before-and-after photos, so have pages reviewed before publication.
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Accessibility. No general rule imposes a web accessibility standard on private Quebec clinics, but WCAG 2.1 AA is a sensible target. This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dr. Tremblay, a dermatologist, runs a clinic in Sainte-Foy with three nurses and two lasers. A Quebec City agency quotes CAD 28,000 plus CAD 300 a month. The remote route costs USD 4,900 (about CAD 6,800), a CAD 1,400 photo half day and CAD 150 a month for hosting and updates.
- Quebec City agency over 36 months: 28,000 + (300 x 36) = CAD 38,800
- Remote studio over 36 months: 6,800 + 1,400 + (150 x 36) = CAD 13,600
- Difference: CAD 25,200
If an aesthetic consultation converts into CAD 600 of treatments on average, the difference equals about 42 converted consultations. Dr. Tremblay can put part of it toward a one-off legal review of her Law 25 setup.
FAQ
Can a remote studio write real Quebec French?
Yes, if the copywriting is native and adapted to local vocabulary (courriel, prise de rendez-vous, témoins). At Kolonell, native French copywriting is included from the Starter tier at USD 2,900.
Does the site have to be in French?
Yes, for a business established in Quebec, the Charter of the French Language requires a French version. An English version can be added, and clinics often see 15 to 30% tourist or English-speaking traffic.
Can we publish before-and-after photos?
Only with written consent and within the applicable code of ethics. Plan a small gallery of 6 to 10 unretouched cases with a note that results vary.
Who should own the domain and the code?
The clinic, from day one. Require the domain, hosting and repository in your name in the contract, with a handover within 5 business days.
How long should we plan for?
Kolonell delivers in 3 to 4 weeks once content is approved, with 3 months of support included. A local agency typically plans 8 to 14 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your treatments, languages and booking software and we will return a fixed scope, a budget from USD 2,900 and a 3 to 4 week plan. 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.