Hiring a US Web Design Agency from Canada: What to Know (2026)

Canadian businesses hire US web and app agencies every day, often for a wider choice of specialists or better value. The work itself runs the same way, remotely; what changes is the paperwork and a few Canadian rules your website has to meet. Here is what to check before you sign.

The short answer

Yes, a Canadian business can hire a US agency with no special setup. Agree the price in one currency, check time-zone overlap, ask your accountant how GST/HST applies to imported services, and make sure the build covers Canadian requirements for accessibility (Ontario), French (Quebec), privacy and email consent.

Price and currency

• Most US agencies quote in US dollars. Your cost in Canadian dollars moves with the exchange rate, so compare quotes in the same currency.
• Ask for a fixed price in writing; it protects you from scope creep on top of currency swings.
• Check payment methods such as card, wire or a multi-currency account to avoid high bank conversion fees.

Time zones

• West Coast agencies work Pacific time, the same as Vancouver and Victoria.
• Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal are three hours ahead of Pacific time, which still leaves most of the working day overlapping.
• Agree regular meeting times and a reply-time commitment at the start.

GST/HST on imported services

Under Canada’s rules for imported services, a GST/HST-registered business that uses the service in its commercial activities generally does not need to self-assess tax on it. Businesses that are not registered, or that use the service for non-commercial purposes, may have to self-assess and remit GST/HST. Rules change, so confirm your situation with your accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency.

Canadian rules your website should meet

• Accessibility (Ontario): under the AODA, organizations with 50 or more employees in Ontario must make public websites meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Building to WCAG is good practice everywhere.
• French (Quebec): businesses selling to customers in Quebec should offer their commercial website in French, at least as fully as in any other language.
• Privacy: PIPEDA applies to most private-sector businesses, and Quebec’s Law 25 adds rules on consent, cookies and privacy notices.
• Email marketing: CASL requires consent before you send commercial emails, so sign-up forms need the right wording and records.
• .ca domains: registered to you, the Canadian business, under CIRA’s presence requirements.

Questions to ask a US agency

• Have you built sites for Canadian or Quebec businesses before?
• Do you quote a fixed price, and in which currency?
• How do you handle accessibility, French content and cookie consent?
• Who owns the code, domain and accounts? (You should.)
• What are your working hours in my time zone?

Working with Desverso from Canada: many of Desverso’s larger clients are Canadian. Desverso quotes and bills in US dollars with a fixed written price, works Pacific time and runs every project remotely. Websites start at $1,000 USD; see pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Canadian business hire a US web design agency?

Yes. Many Canadian businesses hire US agencies. The work runs remotely through video calls and shared project tools; the main differences are billing currency, time zones, sales tax treatment and Canadian rules for accessibility, language, privacy and email.

Do Canadian businesses pay GST/HST on services from a US agency?

A GST/HST-registered business that uses the service in its commercial activities generally does not need to self-assess tax on imported services. Others may have to self-assess and remit GST/HST. Confirm your situation with your accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency.

Does a Canadian website need to be in French?

A business selling to customers in Quebec should offer its commercial website in French, at least as fully as in any other language, under Quebec’s Charter of the French language. Businesses outside Quebec usually choose based on their audience.

Can I use a .ca domain if my agency is American?

Yes. The .ca domain is registered to you, the Canadian business, under CIRA’s Canadian Presence Requirements, not to your agency.

Does Desverso work with Canadian businesses?

Yes. Many of Desverso’s larger clients are Canadian. Desverso quotes and bills in US dollars, works Pacific time (the same as Vancouver) and runs projects remotely over video calls and shared project boards.

The bottom line

Hiring a US agency from Canada is straightforward. Fix the price and currency up front, confirm GST/HST with your accountant, and make sure the build covers accessibility, French, privacy and email-consent rules for where your customers are. Related guides: Freelancer vs Agency vs In-House and How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in 2026?

Want a real number for your project? Desverso is a US web, app and software agency based in Bellevue, WA, working remotely with businesses across the United States and Canada. Book a free strategy call or call +1 (425) 380-4298.