In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword: it is integrated everywhere. From writing emails to creating images, AI is now making its way into website design. Some platforms even promise to build a complete website in just a few minutes, simply based on a description of your business.
For many Quebec entrepreneurs, this prospect is appealing: speed, savings, accessibility. But behind the “wow” effect, one question remains: can AI really replace a web agency in Quebec when it comes to building a solid and profitable online presence?
The short answer: no. The long answer: AI is changing the game, but it cannot replace human expertise. Let’s see why.
AI and web design: where will we be in 2025?
The emergence of AI-powered “no-code” builders
Platforms such as Wix AI, Hostinger AI Builder, Framer AI, and Durable.co have democratized website creation. Simply describe your business (“I’m an Italian restaurant in Montreal that wants a website with a menu and reservations”) to get a functional version of the site in seconds.
Promises that appeal to SMEs
- Huge time savings: a website in an hour, instead of several weeks.
- Reduced price: often a few dozen dollars per month.
- Accessibility: no need to code or understand design.
The real limitations observed
However, SMEs that adopt these solutions quickly discover the flaws:
- Generic websites: the same “AI style” is repeated from one customer to another.
- Little differentiation in content: often translated from English, poorly adapted to the Quebec market.
- Poor SEO: the tools cover the basics (tags, speed), but there is no local strategy (Montreal, Laval, Quebec City, etc.).
- Legal non-compliance: Law 25, for example, is not automatically integrated.
- Lack of strategy: an AI website is an empty shell if it is not combined with a real marketing approach.
In other words, AI makes it “possible” to create a website, but not a “high-performing” one.
What AI changes (and doesn’t change) for Quebec SMEs
Yes, AI makes it easier to get started
For a micro-business that just wants to exist online, AI makes it possible to quickly set up a basic showcase website. This is a good first step, but rarely enough to generate sales.
Yes, AI speeds up certain tasks
AI is useful for:
- Generating a first draft of content (welcome text, service description).
- Creating royalty-free images or icons.
- Automating technical optimizations (speed, image compression, HTML structure).
No, AI does not replace strategy
An effective website is more than just design: it’s a user experience designed to convert. It also requires knowledge of the market, customers, and Quebec’s legal framework. No AI can do this on its own yet.
Why will a web agency in Quebec still be essential in 2025?
The Quebec context is unique
Businesses here juggle:
- Bilingualism (French/English).
- Very specific local realities (Montreal vs. regions).
- Laws such as Law 25 that require specific adjustments.
AI based on global models has no sensitivity to these issues. A local agency does.
The importance of branding
Your website is not just a “tool”: it is the showcase for your brand. AI generates standardized models, but it does not capture your story, your values, or what sets you apart.
Local SEO and visibility
To be found by customers in Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, or elsewhere, you need much more than automatic tags: you need localized content, intelligent internal linking, an optimized Google listing, and a real Quebec keyword strategy.
The human dimension
A website is also a relationship: asking questions, receiving advice, adjusting strategy. AI doesn’t pick up the phone. A web agency like Shortkut does.
The winning approach: AI + human expertise
AI brings speed and automation, but it quickly reaches its limits when it comes to strategy, creativity, and understanding the Quebec market.
That’s where human value comes in: analyzing your needs, creating a strong identity, adapting the site to your local clientele, and building a relationship of trust.
At Shortkut, we add what AI can’t do:
- A personalized strategy for each SME.
- A unique design that reflects your brand.
- Human support that reassures you and helps your projects grow.
The result: a website delivered faster, at a better price, but above all, effective, compliant, and optimized for the Quebec market.
Are you thinking of creating or redesigning your website?
At Shortkut, a web agency in Montreal and throughout Quebec, we combine the best of both worlds: the speed of AI and the added value of a local agency that understands your needs and your reality.
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how Shortkut can propel your business online.
