The verdict in three sentences
For an orthodontic clinic in Quebec City, the website has to win over two audiences at once, parents of children aged 9 to 14 and adults considering clear aligners, in proper Quebec French and in line with Law 25 and the code of ethics of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec. A Quebec City agency makes sense if you are rebranding, shooting often or want in-person meetings at every stage. A remote studio is enough if your brand is established and you mainly need flawless copy, a smooth consultation request and a site delivered in weeks rather than a quarter.
Which criteria separate a Quebec City agency from a remote studio?
A useful vocabulary test when judging a provider: in Quebec, people say clinique dentaire rather than cabinet, courriel rather than mail, and rendez-vous; a writer who uses France-style terms on every page is producing text meant for France, not for your patients.
| Criterion | Quebec City agency | Remote studio | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time zone | Eastern Time, same day | Kolonell: project manager reachable in Eastern Time | Which fixed weekly slot? |
| Quebec French | Natural | Varies by studio; native French copywriting at Kolonell | Can you show a text written for Quebec? |
| Clinic shoot | Easy, CAD 1,200 to 3,500 per day | Quebec City photographer hired separately, CAD 700 to 1,800 per half day | Who owns the photo rights? |
| In-person meetings | Possible at every stage | Video calls | Who approves, and how fast? |
| Consultation request and practice software | Experience varies | Experience varies | Have you integrated our software before? |
| Domain, hosting, code | Sometimes kept by the agency | Sometimes kept by the studio | Is everything in our name from the start? |
| Timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | Kolonell: 3 to 4 weeks | What makes the timeline slip? |
What does each option cost over three years?
2026 ballpark, based on typical Quebec City agency quotes and public Montreal agency rate pages, for a 15 to 20 page site with an English version and an online consultation request (roughly CAD 1.37 per USD).
| 36-month item | Quebec City agency | Montreal agency | Remote studio (Kolonell Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | CAD 7,000 to 20,000 | CAD 10,000 to 28,000 | USD 4,900, about CAD 6,700 |
| English version | CAD 1,500 to 3,500 | CAD 1,500 to 4,000 | Included, native copywriting |
| Clinic photos | CAD 1,200 to 3,500 | CAD 2,000 to 4,500 including travel | Quebec City photographer, CAD 1,000 to 2,500 |
| Law 25 compliance (policy, cookie banner) | Often extra, CAD 500 to 2,000 | CAD 800 to 2,500 | Policy page and banner built into the site, legal text approved by your advisor |
| Maintenance | CAD 100 to 300 per month | CAD 150 to 400 per month | 3 months included, then CAD 100 to 250 per month at market rates |
| Estimated total | CAD 13,800 to 39,800 | CAD 19,700 to 53,400 | CAD 11,000 to 17,450 |
Kolonell's grid is fixed: Starter USD 2,900, Growth USD 4,900, Premium USD 8,900, with native French or English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Package details are on the international offer page; custom applications and search work are quoted separately.
When a Quebec City agency is clearly the better choice
A local agency wins if you are opening a second clinic, in Lévis or Charlesbourg for example, and need successive shoots; if your strategy relies on short videos filmed with the team every month; or if the partners want to approve every mockup around a table. It also has a real edge when the project includes signage, stationery and waiting room design.
A remote studio fits when one person decides, your photos are less than two years old and the main issue is content: treatment pages, answers for parents and a simple consultation request.
What an orthodontic clinic website must respect in Quebec
- Treatment pages: fixed braces, clear aligners, interceptive treatment for children, retention, with indicative durations (often 12 to 30 months) and steps;
- Consultation request: a short form, child or adult choice, availability; detailed health information is better collected at the clinic or through a secure tool;
- Law 25: publish a clear privacy policy and the title and contact details of the person in charge of personal information protection, and turn off by default any technology that can identify, locate or profile visitors;
- Charter of the French Language: the website of a business established in Quebec must be available in French; the English version comes in addition;
- Professional advertising: the dentists' code of ethics governs advertising, including testimonials, comparisons, guaranteed results and use of the orthodontic specialist title; have the clinic approve content before launch;
- Accessibility: no precise requirement for a private clinic, but WCAG 2.1 AA remains the sensible target.
This is not legal advice.
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Illustrative example: Dr. Catherine Bélanger, orthodontist in Sainte-Foy, three chairs, about 60% of patients under 18. A Quebec City agency quotes CAD 16,000, plus CAD 2,500 for English, CAD 1,200 for Law 25 compliance and CAD 200 per month. The remote option: Kolonell Growth at about CAD 6,700, English included, CAD 1,500 for photos, then CAD 150 per month for 33 months.
- Quebec City agency over 3 years: 16,000 + 2,500 + 1,200 + 7,200 = CAD 26,900
- Remote studio over 3 years: 6,700 + 1,500 + 4,950 = CAD 13,150
With a full treatment around CAD 6,000 to 8,000, the CAD 13,750 gap equals about two treatments. If Catherine has no new clinic or rebrand planned, the remote option covers her needs.
FAQ
Can a remote studio write in Quebec French?
Yes, if the writers are native French speakers and receive a glossary approved by the clinic. A 1 to 2 day review by the clinic is usually enough to fix the last terms.
Does Law 25 require a cookie banner?
It requires technologies that can identify, locate or profile visitors to be off by default, which in practice means a consent mechanism. Allow half a day to one day of integration.
Can we publish patient testimonials?
The code of ethics strictly governs testimonials in dentists' advertising. Check with the ODQ before publishing any, even one.
How long does it take?
3 to 4 weeks at Kolonell after content approval, versus 8 to 14 weeks on average at an agency.
Should we show the cost of treatment?
A range or payment terms, for example over 18 to 24 months, help parents plan. The wording must stay factual and in line with the Ordre's rules.
Let's scope your project. A bilingual 15 to 20 page orthodontic clinic site, Law 25 compliant, between USD 4,900 and 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.
