The verdict in three sentences
For an insurance brokerage in Montreal, the choice between a local agency and a remote studio comes down to three points: content compliance with the rules of the AMF and the Chambre de l'assurance de dommages, the quality of the quote request form and compliance with Quebec Law 25 on personal information. A Montreal agency makes sense if you want in-person meetings, a video shot at your office and ongoing marketing support. If what you need is a clear, fast bilingual site that generates qualified quote requests, a remote studio with a project manager reachable on Eastern time does the job for $2,900 to $8,900.
Which criteria separate the two models?
A brokerage website is not a decorative storefront. It has to explain products (home, auto, commercial, liability, life and health), reassure visitors about the firm's status and turn a visit into a quote request. Here are the criteria that really matter.
| Criterion | Local agency in Montreal | Remote studio (Kolonell type) |
|---|---|---|
| Time-zone overlap | Full, Eastern time | Project manager reachable on your hours, scheduled calls |
| In-person meetings | Possible at your office | Video calls only |
| French and English copywriting | Native, often Quebec French | Native French and English included, Quebec review optional |
| Team video and photos | Coordinated on site | Local photographer to book, brief provided |
| 2026 ballpark | $7,000 to $25,000 | $2,900 to $8,900, fixed grid |
| Timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Domain, hosting, code ownership | Check it, sometimes kept by the agency | In the client's name, written into the contract |
| Included support | Varies | 3 months |
The local ranges are a 2026 ballpark based on typical quotes and public rate pages of Montreal agencies, converted from Canadian to US dollars. A freelancer often lands between $2,500 and $6,500, but rarely with a complete compliance and Law 25 scope.
When a Montreal agency is the better choice
To be candid: in some cases, the local agency is worth its price.
- You want a permanent marketing partner (campaigns, newsletters, social media), not just a website.
- Your leadership insists on approving every stage in office meetings.
- You plan a series of expert videos filmed on your premises.
- Your network of regional offices requires in-person workshops with several teams.
If, on the other hand, you already know what you sell and your team photos exist or can be done by a local photographer for $800 to $1,500, a remote studio is enough. Kolonell, for instance, delivered the website of TR Signing Group, a signing services company in New Jersey, remotely: a professional services profile close to yours. The plans are detailed on the international website offer.
What a brokerage site must include, and the Quebec framework
| Site need | Concrete requirement | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Product pages | Home, auto, commercial, life and health, one page each | Starter |
| Quote request form | Qualifying questions, express consent, minimal fields | Starter |
| Regulatory notices | Firm name as registered, license number, link to the AMF register | Starter |
| Bilingual version | French first, full English | Growth |
| Team and expertise pages | Bios, titles, specialties | Growth |
| Client portal link | Button to the existing tool (portal itself on quote) | Growth |
| Sector content | Guides by risk type, pages by region | Premium |
On the local framework, stay factual. Quebec Law 25 notably requires a clear privacy policy, a designated person in charge of protecting personal information and express consent for non-essential cookies. The Charter of the French Language requires commercial websites aimed at Quebec to be available in French. Firms are registered with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and representatives' advertising is governed by ethics rules: have your compliance officer review the marketing content before launch. Target WCAG 2.1 AA for accessibility. This is not legal advice.
Questions to ask both types of provider
- Will the domain, hosting and code be in our name from handover?
- Where is quote form data stored, and for how long?
- How does the cookie banner comply with Law 25?
- Who writes the product pages, and is the compliance review built into the schedule?
- What does a new form or a new product page cost after launch?
- What happens if we switch providers in two years?
Need a professional website?
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Mini case study
Illustrative example. Martine, a partner at a 12-person property and casualty brokerage on the Plateau, compares two offers. The local agency quotes $19,000 plus $300 per month for maintenance, so 19,000 + 36 × 300 = $29,800 over three years. The remote studio offers the Premium plan at $8,900, to which she adds $1,200 for local team photos and $175 per month after the three included months: 8,900 + 1,200 + 33 × 175 = $15,875. If the new form generates only 4 extra quote requests per month and one in four becomes a client worth $600 in annual commission, the gain reaches 12 × 600 = $7,200 per year.
FAQ
Can a remote studio write in Quebec French?
It writes in native French and adapts the industry terms (soumission, damage insurance broker, endorsement). Plan for a 2 to 3 hour internal review for expressions specific to your clientele.
How long does the launch take?
Plan on 3 to 4 weeks with a remote studio if the regulatory copy is approved quickly. The compliance review often adds 1 week, whichever provider you choose.
Does the site have to be in French?
Yes, the Charter of the French Language requires a French version for a commercial site aimed at Quebec. A full English version adds roughly 20 to 30% to the copywriting budget.
Can we integrate our client portal?
The site can show a secure link to your existing portal, which takes less than a day. A custom-built portal is priced separately, on quote.
What does maintenance cost after launch?
The 2026 ballpark in Montreal is between $150 and $400 per month. At Kolonell, the first 3 months of support are included.
Let's scope your project. A bilingual brokerage site with a Law 25 compliant quote form, from $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.