Website Redesign Grants: Funding Programs for Quebec Businesses

Quick summary

Here are the funding programs available to modernize your website, and the strategies that give you the best odds of being approved.

• Several programs cover up to 50% of your costs: PSCE, CERI, CanExport SME and ESSOR fund a substantial share of a website redesign, with amounts reaching as high as $250,000.
  
  
• Structure your project before you apply: grants require complete documentation, measurable objectives and prior approval before you commit to any spending.
  
  
• Match the program to your goal: PSCE for marketing within Quebec, CanExport SME for international markets, CERI for innovation, and ESSOR for broader digital transformation.
  
  
• Meet the specific eligibility criteria: be a legally incorporated SME, employ fewer than 500 people, and report revenue between $100,000 and $100 million.
  
  
• An outdated website seriously damages your credibility: 94% of first impressions are design-related, and 88% of users never come back after a bad experience.
  
  

A grant-funded website redesign is a strategic investment that turns your digital presence into a lasting growth engine for your Quebec business.

Jump straight to a section

1. What an outdated website really costs you
   
   
2. Eligibility criteria for a website grant
   
   
3. PSCE grant: marketing and export
   
   
4. CERI grant: scale-up and productivity
   
   
5. CanExport SME grant: international visibility
   
   
6. Fonds C Desjardins: support for innovation
   
   
7. ESSOR program: diagnostic and implementation
   
   
8. CyberPerformance: your website redesign partner
   
   
9. Conclusion
   
   
10. FAQ

Here are the funding programs available to modernize your website, and the strategies that give you the best odds of being approved.

• Several programs cover up to 50% of your costs: PSCE, CERI, CanExport SME and ESSOR fund a substantial share of a website redesign, with amounts reaching as high as $250,000.
  
  
• Structure your project before you apply: grants require complete documentation, measurable objectives and prior approval before you commit to any spending.
  
  
• Match the program to your goal: PSCE for marketing within Quebec, CanExport SME for international markets, CERI for innovation, and ESSOR for broader digital transformation.
  
  
• Meet the specific eligibility criteria: be a legally incorporated SME, employ fewer than 500 people, and report revenue between $100,000 and $100 million.
  
  
• An outdated website seriously damages your credibility: 94% of first impressions are design-related, and 88% of users never come back after a bad experience.
  
  

A grant-funded website redesign is a strategic investment that turns your digital presence into a lasting growth engine for your Quebec business.

1. What an outdated website really costs you
   
   
2. Eligibility criteria for a website grant
   
   
3. PSCE grant: marketing and export
   
   
4. CERI grant: scale-up and productivity
   
   
5. CanExport SME grant: international visibility
   
   
6. Fonds C Desjardins: support for innovation
   
   
7. ESSOR program: diagnostic and implementation
   
   
8. CyberPerformance: your website redesign partner
   
   
9. Conclusion
   
   
10. FAQ

Are you looking for website redesign grants to help pay for a new site? A number of financial aid programs now exist specifically to support your digital transformation. Several of them cover up to 50% of the expenses tied to your digital project, with amounts reaching as high as $250,000.

These business grants also cover a wide range of costs: digital infrastructure, the adoption of new technologies and implementation plans. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), for example, was built specifically to help businesses use e-commerce to serve their customers better. Other programs such as CanExport SME provide financial assistance of up to 50% of eligible costs, between $10,000 and $50,000, while the ESSOR program can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses for a maximum of $100,000.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses that want to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands out for its transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes and improvements. We also provide detailed task tracking through Asana. The CDAP program has now ended, but we still offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for a website redesign project.

What an outdated website really costs you

A dated website is far more than a cosmetic problem. In a world where 94% of first impressions are design-related, an obsolete site can seriously undermine your digital presence and, by extension, the growth of your business. Before we even get to website redesign grants, let us look at why this work quickly becomes a necessity rather than an option.

The hit to your credibility

Your website is often the first point of contact with a prospect. An out-of-date design or limited functionality can instantly damage your professional image. In fact, 75% of consumers judge a company's credibility primarily on its website. An obsolete site quietly sends several negative messages:

1. An impression of neglect or a lack of professionalism
   
   
2. Doubt about your ability to stay current in your own field of expertise
   
   
3. The perception of a business that does not invest in its own development

Dated websites also tend to carry security flaws, which can compromise not only your own data but your customers' as well. A situation like that can permanently ruin your reputation, especially now that personal data protection has become a priority.

Losing potential customers

Beyond image, an outdated website carries direct commercial consequences. The numbers leave little room for debate: 88% of users never return to a site after a bad experience. In practice, that means:

1. A high bounce rate (visitors who leave your site immediately)
   
   
2. Less time spent on your pages
   
   
3. A low visitor-to-customer conversion rate

Older sites are also rarely built for mobile devices, even though more than 60% of internet traffic now comes from smartphones. That mismatch automatically costs you a considerable share of potential customers.

Modern sites also come with features that have become standard: online payment, automated appointment booking, social media integration, all tools that make it easier to convert a prospect. Without them, you place needless obstacles between your services and the people who want to buy them.

Struggling to rank online

An obsolete website puts you at a serious disadvantage in your organic SEO strategy. Google and the other search engines consistently favour:

1. Fast sites (load speed is a core ranking factor)
   
   
2. Responsive sites (built for every device)
   
   
3. Secure sites (with an SSL certificate)

1. Sites that deliver a good user experience

Without those modern technical foundations, your site gets buried deep in the search results, leaving you practically invisible to potential customers. Against competitors who are investing in their digital presence, that position quickly becomes untenable.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands apart through our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes and are never tied to our agency.

We also provide detailed project tracking through Asana, a well-established management tool that lets our clients follow their project in real time. The CDAP grant program has now ended, but we offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to modernize their online presence.

Fortunately, several business grant programs are still available to help you finance your digital transformation and clear these hurdles. That financial assistance is an ideal opportunity to invest in a tool that has become indispensable to your commercial development.

Eligibility criteria for a website grant

To land website redesign grants, you first need to understand the eligibility criteria, which vary from one program to the next. Funding is never automatic and calls for careful preparation. Here are the fundamental conditions to meet if you want to maximize your chances of accessing this financial assistance.

Qualifying as an eligible SME or business

Access to grants is generally restricted to certain types of organizations. Depending on the program, you may be eligible if you are:

1. A for-profit business legally incorporated in Quebec or Canada with an establishment in Quebec
   
   
2. A social economy enterprise or a non-financial cooperative

1. An SME with fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees

1. An organization that reported revenue between $100,000 and $100 million in Canada in its last fiscal year

That said, some categories of business are often excluded from grant programs. Chains, franchises, registered charities and non-profits, multi-level marketing representatives and brokerage firms (real estate, investment, insurance) are generally not eligible for certain grants.

Businesses that resell online or ship directly through a third-party supplier are also often excluded. Under some programs, retailers, food service businesses, transportation services, daycare services, hair salons, beauty salons and bars do not qualify.

Bringing a properly structured project

One of the deciding factors in winning a grant is the quality and the structure of your website redesign project. Before you commit to any expense, your project generally has to be approved by the team running the program.

To count as structured, your project must:

1. Fall within clearly defined categories of eligible activities
   
   
2. Demonstrate a commitment to investing in advanced digital technologies
   
   
3. Be thoroughly documented to maximize the odds of approval
   
   
4. Present a realistic implementation plan with measurable objectives

We often see that a simple refresh of an existing site does not qualify under certain grants. Search engine optimization (SEO) and the implementation of e-commerce solutions, on the other hand, are frequently covered by these assistance programs.

Meeting each program's specific conditions

Every grant program has its own particular requirements, and they have to be followed to the letter.

Under some programs, the maximum amount that can go toward hardware and related software is capped at 20% of the total grant, roughly $480 on a $2,400 grant. Others require applicants to have been operating for at least 12 months before the submission deadline.

Some grants also require:

1. A minimum headcount (sometimes 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada)
   
   
2. Demonstrated financial capacity (working capital, revenue, investments)

1. A commitment to maintain the digital adoption strategy for six months after the work is completed

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands apart through our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes.

We also provide detailed task tracking through Asana, which lets our clients follow their project as it progresses. The CDAP program has now ended, but we offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to modernize their online presence.

In the next section, we take a closer look at the PSCE grant, a program built specifically to support marketing and export activity among Quebec businesses.

PSCE grant: marketing and export

The Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation (PSCE), Quebec's marketing and export support program, was a remarkable opportunity for businesses looking to modernize their digital presence. PSCE ended on March 31, 2025. A renewal may follow, so watch for it and check the most recent terms before committing to anything.

Goals of the program

PSCE was divided into several streams supporting different aspects of business development. Stream 1, the most relevant one for a website redesign, was designed mainly to:

1. Help Quebec businesses break into strategic supply chains within Quebec
   
   
2. Increase their capacity to bid on tenders from major public buyers in Quebec

1. Strengthen the ability of SMEs to market their products and services in Quebec

The program fit into a broader sustainable development perspective and contributed to the government's goal of raising exports so they represent 50% of Quebec's GDP over the long term. For a business that wants to rebuild its website, that was an ideal chance to optimize its online presence while drawing on substantial financial support.

Amounts available

PSCE Stream 1 offered a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible expenses. In concrete terms, that meant:

1. A maximum of $250,000 per business per year
   
   
2. A minimum spending threshold of $25,000
   
   
3. A minimum private contribution of 25% of the total project cost

1. Cumulative government assistance capped at 85% of eligible expenses

Streams 1 and 2 could also be combined within the same fiscal year, with a maximum of $250,000 applying to each stream. A business could therefore receive up to $500,000 over the full length of the program by combining the two.

For an e-commerce website specifically, the grant was generally capped at $20,000 per platform. The program could also provide additional assistance for web strategy and marketing costs, potentially raising the available envelope to $45,000.

Examples of eligible web projects

Several types of website redesign projects could qualify under PSCE, including:

1. Building a go-to-market strategy, including a market study conducted in Quebec
   
   
2. Acquiring market development expertise (coaching and advisory support)

1. Obtaining approvals or certifications that meet a buyer's requirements

1. Registering your trademark in Quebec

The program could apply to building a brand-new website when the project increases your capacity to market your services or products in Quebec. One business, for instance, could receive $70,000 to build a marketing strategy focused on a specific field.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands out for our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes and are never tied to our agency.

We also provide detailed task tracking through Asana, which lets our clients see their project progress in real time. The CDAP program has now ended, but we offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to modernize their online presence.

Before you begin, note that PSCE excluded a number of sectors: retail (with some exceptions), agriculture, finance and insurance, and several others. Projects also had to demonstrate that the product or service met the requirements of buyers in Quebec.

Given the recent end of the PSCE program and the renewal now under way, we recommend watching closely for the new terms that will be announced shortly.

CERI grant: scale-up and productivity

The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, known in Quebec by its French acronym CERI, is an excellent funding option for businesses that want to modernize their digital presence. Administered in Quebec by Canada Economic Development (CED), this national program is designed specifically to drive business growth through innovation.

Built for digital growth projects

Through its “Business Scale-up and Productivity” stream, CERI offers concrete support for transformative digital projects. The stream is aimed at ambitious businesses that need capital to accelerate growth and adopt innovative technologies. Among the eligible activities that matter most for a website redesign:

1. Acquiring digital equipment and infrastructure
   
   
2. Assessing, adapting or adopting new technologies
   
   
3. Implementing marketing strategies, including trade show participation and advertising campaigns

1. Hiring the people needed to build high-performing teams

1. Adopting best-in-class management practices and systems, such as an ERP suite

This website redesign grant fits neatly into the vision of a program that encourages “the adoption, adaptation and demonstration of leading-edge technologies” as well as “commercialization and market expansion”.

Priority sectors include manufacturing, food processing, information and communications technology, and life sciences. Other sectors can still qualify depending on the circumstances.

Repayable or non-repayable, depending on your organization

One of the most interesting aspects of the CERI program is its financial flexibility, which varies with the status of the applicant. Funding conditions differ significantly between for-profit companies and non-profit organizations.

For SMEs:

1. A contribution of up to 50% of authorized costs
   
   
2. Repayable financing, but interest-free
   
   
3. Repayment generally begins two years after the project ends

1. Unsecured repayable contributions

For non-profit organizations:

1. Non-repayable assistance of up to 90% of authorized costs
   
   
2. A 50% cap on costs for capital projects

1. The possibility of reaching 100% of eligible costs for Indigenous recipients

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands apart above all through our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for every future change and improvement.

We also provide detailed project tracking through Asana, which lets our clients see their website redesign progress in real time. The CDAP program has now ended, but we still offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to pair a business grant with a modernized online presence.

It is also worth noting that certain categories of business receive special attention. Indigenous businesses, for example, can obtain additional support and more flexible repayment options. That flexibility reflects the program's intent to encourage economic inclusion and adapt its assistance to the particular needs of each type of organization.

CanExport SME grant: international visibility

Winning international markets is a major challenge for Quebec SMEs looking to broaden their reach. CanExport SME answers exactly that need, offering a website redesign grant with an international focus. Administered by Global Affairs Canada, the program is designed to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses develop new markets abroad.

Digital marketing and SEO

CanExport SME actively supports digital marketing activities aimed at foreign markets. Eligible expenses include:

1. Creating and adapting web content to target foreign markets
   
   
2. Search engine optimization (SEO) tailored to the countries you are targeting

1. Developing international content marketing strategies

1. Adapting websites to the cultural and linguistic expectations of target markets

This business grant can meaningfully improve your online visibility with an international audience. The program also covers consulting fees for digital marketing strategy, giving you complete support throughout your expansion.

Online advertising and translation

Beyond organic marketing, CanExport SME also supports online advertising and translation services. Businesses can obtain financial assistance for:

1. Ad campaigns on foreign search engines and social networks
   
   
2. Cultural adaptation and translation of marketing content

1. Creating advertising material tailored to the markets you are targeting

1. Managing international ad campaigns

Translation is a key element of any international development strategy. The program recognizes how important it is to adapt web content properly to the linguistic and cultural particularities of the markets you are entering.

Amounts and conditions

CanExport SME provides non-repayable financial assistance of up to 50% of eligible costs, with funding ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per project. To qualify, your business must:

1. Be for-profit and incorporated
   
   
2. Employ fewer than 500 full-time staff

1. Report between $100,000 and $100 million in annual revenue in Canada

The project you submit must also target markets where your annual sales have not exceeded $200,000 over the past 24 months. That condition ensures the assistance goes toward genuine international expansion rather than reinforcing markets you have already established.

It is also worth stressing that your grant application has to be approved before you incur any expense tied to the project. We therefore recommend planning your website redesign carefully before you submit.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design a website with an international audience in mind. Our approach stands apart through our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes.

We also provide detailed task tracking through Asana, which lets our clients see their project progress in real time. The CDAP program has now ended, but we offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to grow their international visibility.

Fonds C Desjardins: support for innovation

Within the Quebec financial assistance ecosystem, Fonds C Desjardins stands out as a strategic ally for businesses pursuing digital modernization. Designed by a leading Quebec financial institution, the program offers solutions tailored to SMEs that want to accelerate their digital transformation and strengthen their competitiveness.

Digital transformation and cybersecurity

Fonds C Desjardins stands apart for its comprehensive approach to digital transformation. Beyond simply funding a website rebuild, the program backs high-value digital projects, including:

1. Implementing advanced, customized e-commerce solutions
   
   
2. Integrating customer relationship management (CRM) systems
   
   
3. Developing mobile apps connected to your digital ecosystem

1. Putting robust cybersecurity solutions in place

1. Automating business processes with digital tools
   

Fonds C pays particular attention to cybersecurity initiatives, recognizing how crucial it is to protect the data of businesses and their customers. That concern makes sense at a time when cyber threats keep multiplying, hitting SMEs hardest because they rarely have the resources to defend themselves properly.

The program also supports projects that adopt technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, robotics or the Internet of Things (IoT), helping Quebec businesses accelerate their modernization and improve their competitive position.

Financial assistance of up to 25% of the project

Fonds C Desjardins offers a funding structure that is particularly favourable to Quebec businesses. In practice, the program can cover up to 25% of the eligible costs of your digital transformation project, including a complete website redesign.

As a guide, on a digital transformation project worth $100,000, the assistance could reach $25,000, a considerable financial lever for your digital investment. This support can be combined with other government grants, further optimizing the overall funding of your initiative.

Eligible projects must demonstrate genuine added value for the organization, whether in productivity gains, process optimization or new market development. A purely cosmetic redesign would probably not be enough to convince the review committee: your project has to fit into a broader strategic vision of digital transformation.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach differs fundamentally through our commitment to transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they are completely independent for every future change.

We also provide detailed task tracking through Asana, a well-known project management tool that lets our clients follow their website redesign in real time. Even though the CDAP program has ended, we still offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for businesses looking to modernize their digital presence.

ESSOR program: diagnostic and implementation

Investissement Québec's ESSOR program is particularly well suited to Quebec businesses that want to improve productivity through new technology. This strategic program offers two complementary streams to guide companies through their digital shift.

Stream 1: digital diagnostic

The first ESSOR stream helps businesses work through the preliminary steps that any digital investment project depends on. That phase covers digital diagnostics, the drafting of digital plans and the selection of suitable systems.

The stream covers 50% of eligible expenses for digital diagnostics, up to a maximum of $20,000 for businesses with fewer than 250 employees and revenue of at least $2.5 million. This first step is crucial because it assesses your organization precisely before any technology improvement is recommended.

Stream 2: implementing the strategy

Once the diagnostic is done, ESSOR Stream 2 supports the concrete implementation of the solutions identified. This phase is for businesses financing an investment project of at least $100,000 in eligible expenses for a technology transition.

The second stream therefore supports projects that come out of the digital plan established under Stream 1B. ESSOR financial assistance can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000* (*depending on the version of the program and subject to the guidelines in force at the time of filing). Note that the digital plan must have been produced or updated within the past 24 months.

Amounts and conditions

For sub-stream 1C (implementation), the non-repayable contribution covers up to 50% of eligible expenses on a first project, with declining rates for later ones (50% for the first, 40% for the second, 30% for the rest).

Eligible expenses include professional fees, the purchase of specialized information and necessary travel costs. Importantly, expenses only become eligible from the date the application is submitted.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach stands out for its transparency: we systematically hand the source code over to our clients, so they stay independent for future changes. We also provide detailed tracking through Asana. The CDAP program has ended, but we still offer particularly attractive reduced rates.

CyberPerformance: your website redesign partner

Now that you have a clear picture of the grants available, the next step is choosing a reliable partner to turn your website redesign into reality. CyberPerformance has established itself as a go-to name in Quebec for businesses looking to modernize their digital presence.

Support built around you

Our methodology puts collaboration at the heart of every project. We adapt our approach to the specifics of your industry and your ambitions. That flexibility extends to design methods as well, whether you prefer templates or fully custom solutions.

Source code handover for real autonomy

Unlike the many agencies that lock you into restrictive plans with extra fees, we give you complete freedom. Our commitment to your independence takes the form of systematically handing over every access credential, along with personalized video training. You keep absolute control over your digital presence without depending on us for every change.

Transparent tracking through Asana

Transparency is not just a buzzword around here. We use Asana so you can follow your project's progress in real time. The tool turns a complex technical process into a clear collaboration where you see every stage of development. We round that out with Google Workspace for efficient file sharing.

Attractive reduced rates

Even though the CDAP program has ended, we keep our rates competitive to make a website redesign accessible to Quebec SMEs. Our integrated approach, combining technical expertise with marketing thinking, gets more out of your investment while keeping costs down.

Conclusion

Modernizing your website is now a necessity rather than an option for any business that wants to stay competitive. Fortunately, several grant programs exist to lighten the financial load of this essential digital transformation. Programs such as PSCE, CERI, CanExport SME, Fonds C Desjardins and ESSOR offer substantial possibilities, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses depending on your situation.

Each program certainly comes with its own eligibility criteria and specific advantages. PSCE focuses mainly on marketing within Quebec, while CanExport SME targets international expansion. The CERI program supports innovation and productivity, and Fonds C Desjardins and ESSOR back your digital transformation more broadly.

The key to success is unquestionably careful preparation of your application. A well-structured project, aligned with the objectives of the program you choose, will maximize your chances of securing the funding your website redesign needs.

At CyberPerformance, we have become a go-to partner in Quebec for businesses looking to rebuild or design their website. Our approach differs fundamentally through our commitment to transparency. We systematically hand every line of source code over to our clients, guaranteeing them total independence for future changes and improvements without relying on our agency.

Our methodology also includes detailed, transparent tracking through Asana, which lets our clients watch their project progress in real time. The CDAP program has now ended, but we still offer reduced rates that are particularly attractive for Quebec businesses looking to modernize their digital presence.

Investing in a modern website is ultimately far more than an expense: it is a strategic lever for your growth. The grants available turn that opportunity into a sound business decision that can support your growth and your competitiveness over the medium and long term.

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FAQ

Q1. What are the main grants available for redesigning a website in Quebec? Several programs offer substantial funding, notably PSCE (up to $250,000), CERI (50% of eligible costs), CanExport SME ($10,000 to $50,000), Fonds C Desjardins (up to 25% of the project) and ESSOR (up to $100,000). Each program has its own eligibility criteria and specific objectives.

Q2. What are the general eligibility criteria for these grants? Most programs require the business to be legally incorporated in Quebec, to employ fewer than 500 people and to report annual revenue between $100,000 and $100 million. The project generally has to be approved before you incur expenses, and it must fit within a digital transformation strategy.

Q3. How can you maximize your chances of getting a website redesign grant? Prepare a well-structured project with measurable objectives, aligned with the criteria of the program you choose. Document your application carefully and make sure the project delivers real added value to your business, beyond a purely cosmetic redesign.

Q4. What types of expenses do these grants usually cover? Eligible expenses often include web development costs, search engine optimization, content adaptation for international markets, e-commerce integration and consultant fees. Some programs also cover training and equipment costs.

Q5. Why does it matter to invest in modernizing your website? An outdated website can seriously damage your company's credibility and cost you potential customers. 94% of first impressions are tied to site design, and 88% of users will not return after a bad experience. A modern site improves your online visibility and your competitiveness.