Redesign vs Rebuild for an Accounting Firm Website in Montreal (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

If your accounting firm's website runs on a CMS less than 5 years old, with decent SEO traffic but a dated look, a visual redesign at 5,000 to 8,000 EUR excl. tax (about 7,500 to 12,000 CAD) is enough. If the site dates from 2018, converts under 1% and offers no useful tool to prospects, a rebuild with calculators at 12,000 to 20,000 EUR excl. tax (about 18,000 to 30,000 CAD) is the only option that truly changes enquiry volume. The deciding question is simple: is the problem the packaging, or the lack of a reason to contact you?

Decision criteria

Before comparing quotes, run the diagnosis. The criteria below cover most firms with 10 to 30 staff.

If you tick 4 or more criteria in the right-hand column, a redesign amounts to repainting a facade on weak foundations. The money saved will be spent two years later.

Comparing both options in 2026

Calculators are the main lever for an accounting firm. A founder comparing sole proprietorship and incorporation, or an owner weighing salary against dividends, will gladly leave an email to receive the breakdown. That is a qualified prospect with a specific project.

These are 2026 estimates for a specialised agency. Calculators must be updated every year with the budget: plan 800 to 1,500 EUR per year to refresh rates, thresholds and brackets.

Protecting existing rankings

The main fear with a rebuild is losing rankings. It is managed with an inventory of indexed URLs, a page-by-page 301 redirect plan and Search Console monitoring for 3 months. Done well, migration causes a temporary 10 to 20% traffic dip for 4 to 8 weeks, followed by growth from the new pages.

Mini case study

Sophie, partner at an 18-person accounting firm in Montreal, gets 900 visits a month on a 2018 site generating 7 enquiries monthly (0.8%). She chooses the rebuild at 16,000 EUR excl. tax with three calculators, plus 200 EUR per month for maintenance, a first-year total of 18,400 EUR.

After 6 months, traffic reaches 1,400 visits and conversion 3%, or 42 enquiries a month. With a 15% close rate and an average engagement of 2,400 EUR per year, the firm signs about 6 new clients a month, adding over 14,000 EUR in recurring annual fees each month. The site pays for itself in under two months of full activity.

FAQ

Do calculators create liability for the firm?

They must display a notice stating they are indicative estimates, not advice. The follow-up meeting is precisely where the client's real situation is validated.

Can calculators be added to a redesign?

Yes, for 2,000 to 4,000 EUR excl. tax per calculator, but on an old CMS the integration is often fragile. Beyond two calculators, a rebuild becomes the more rational choice.

How long before SEO results show?

Allow 3 to 6 months for new local pages and calculators to rank. Enquiries from calculators usually arrive in the first month through existing traffic.

Are there professional conduct rules to follow?

Yes, accountants' marketing is regulated by their professional order: accurate information, no disparaging comparisons, full legal notices. An agency used to the sector builds these rules in from the copywriting stage.

What should we do with the old blog?

Keep and update articles that receive traffic, and redirect the others to related pages. Typically, 20% of articles bring 80% of visits.

Let's scope your project. Send us your current site address: we run the 6-criteria diagnosis and price either a redesign at 5,000 to 8,000 EUR excl. tax or a rebuild with calculators at 12,000 to 20,000 EUR excl. tax. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.