The verdict in three sentences
The build price (7,000-12,000 CAD) is only 40-55% of the real 3-year cost. Once hosting, maintenance, SEO and a light refresh in year 3 are added, the TCO climbs to 18,000-24,000 CAD. Budgeting TCO upfront prevents abandoning a site that "costs too much to run" 18 months after launch.
Detailed 3-year TCO in Toronto (2026)
| Line item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build (amortised) | 9,000 | — | — |
| Hosting | 360 | 360 | 360 |
| Maintenance & security | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| SEO retainer | 1,800 | 1,800 | 1,800 |
| Light refresh | — | — | 2,400 |
| Annual subtotal | 12,360 | 3,360 | 5,760 |
3-year TCO ≈ 21,480 CAD in this median scenario (range 18,000-24,000 CAD depending on SEO level and refresh scope).
Where forgotten costs hide
| Forgotten cost | 2026 order of magnitude | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Domain renewal | 25 CAD/year | Annual |
| Premium SSL certificate | 120 CAD/year | Annual |
| Content production | 300 CAD/article | One-off |
| Major CMS upgrades | 600-1,200 CAD | Every 18 months |
| FR/EN translation | 500 CAD/language | One-off |
| Pro photography/visuals | 800 CAD | One-off |
These lines, missing from initial quotes, often represent 10-15% of TCO. Anticipating them turns a credible budget into a realistic one.
Mini case study
Michael, principal of a B2B engineering firm in Toronto, only looked at the build price (9,000 CAD). Consolidating the 3-year TCO, he finds a real cost of 21,480 CAD, i.e. 2.4x the build price. He then opts for a lighter SEO retainer (1,000 CAD/year instead of 1,800) and defers the year-3 refresh, bringing TCO down to ~17,000 CAD. Informed call: he keeps the SEO budget only for the 6 months he actively prospects.
FAQ
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Why does TCO exceed 2x the build price?
Because hosting, maintenance and SEO are recurring: over 3 years they total 10,000-13,000 CAD, more than the initial build. A website is never a one-off cost.
Can TCO be cut without degrading the site?
Yes: consolidate hosting, scope maintenance to essentials and run SEO only during prospecting periods. You can save 15-25% without hurting performance.
Is the year-3 refresh mandatory?
No, but a refresh (2,400 CAD) avoids visual and technical obsolescence. Otherwise, at minimum plan for CMS security updates.
How to budget content?
Budget 300 CAD/article and 500 CAD/language for translation. If you publish 1 article/month, add 3,600 CAD/year to TCO.
What is the most underestimated line?
The SEO retainer: 1,800 CAD/year looks optional but it's what makes the site pay off. Cutting it often means paying for a site nobody finds.
Let's scope your project. Share your horizon and SEO ambitions, and we'll build your 3-year TCO in CAD, line by line. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
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.