WordPress.com Partner
WordPress.com Partner agency in Canada
A WordPress.com Partner is an agency listed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, to build and support sites on its managed platform. DoodleWeb Canada is a WordPress.com Partner working from Surrey, BC, giving Canadian organisations WordPress without the hosting, security and update work.
Why partner status matters
Anyone can say they build on WordPress.com. Partner status means Automattic (WordPress.com) has reviewed our work and recognised DoodleWeb as a delivery team it is willing to list publicly. For you, that means a team that already knows the platform's limits, has direct partner support when something breaks, and follows WordPress.com's recommended practices instead of improvising. It also means you can check the claim yourself, which is why we link to the listing at the top of this page rather than asking you to take our word for it.
DoodleWeb Canada is the Canadian company of Seattle-founded DoodleWeb, based in Surrey, BC. Your project is contracted, invoiced in Canadian dollars and delivered by our Canadian company, with senior people on every engagement from the first call to launch.
Partner programs also change over time. Platforms review their partners regularly, and tiers can move up or down based on recent work, certified staff and client outcomes. We keep our listings current and update this page when anything changes, so the status you see here matches what Automattic (WordPress.com) shows on its own directory. If you are evaluating agencies for a procurement process, we can also provide partner confirmation letters, references from recent Canadian clients and examples of comparable projects on request, which saves your review team from chasing that evidence separately.
When WordPress.com is the right choice, and when it is not
WordPress.com is Automattic's fully managed version of WordPress. On business plans it supports custom themes and plugins while handling hosting, security and updates. Here is where it fits.
Right for
Small and mid-sized organisations. Non-profits, professional firms and local businesses get a secure WordPress site without paying for a server team.
Publishers and content teams. WordPress.com's editor, newsletters and publishing tools suit blogs, magazines and news-style sites.
Teams that want predictable costs. Hosting, security and backups are bundled into one plan, so there are no surprise server bills.
Sites with modest custom needs. Business plans allow custom themes and plugins, covering most marketing site requirements.
Organisations with limited in-house tech staff. Automattic handles patching and uptime, so your team can focus on content and on the audiences it serves. We add plugin reviews and a monthly check-in so small issues are caught before they become outages or security problems.
Not right for
Sites needing Canadian data residency. WordPress.com does not offer Canadian-only hosting. WP Engine's Canadian region is the better option then.
Heavy custom development. Complex integrations or server-level changes suit WP Engine or a cloud host better.
Enterprise multisite estates. Large institutions with dozens of sites usually need Drupal on Acquia or WordPress VIP.
Sites that need custom server settings. Some plugins need server configuration, background processes or database access that a fully managed platform does not allow. When that happens we recommend WP Engine or a cloud host, where those settings can be changed safely under our control.
What a WordPress.com engagement includes
WordPress.com engagements are usually quick and focused.
Step 1
Plan selection
We recommend the right WordPress.com plan based on the plugins, storage and features you need.
Step 2
Design and theme build
We design and build a custom block theme so editors can create pages within your brand.
Step 3
Migration
We move content and media from your current site and set up redirects.
Step 4
Accessibility and SEO
We test to WCAG 2.2 AA and configure metadata, sitemaps and structured data.
Step 5
Editor training
We train your team on the block editor and publishing workflow.
Step 6
Care and improvements
We handle plugin reviews, small changes and new pages on a care plan.
How much a WordPress.com project costs in Canada
WordPress.com projects are usually lighter than custom-hosted builds. Starting ranges in Canadian dollars; WordPress.com plans are billed by Automattic.
| Engagement | Starting range (CAD) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Migration to WordPress.com | From CA$4K | Moving an existing WordPress site with redirects and testing. |
| Marketing site build | From CA$16K | Custom block theme, content and SEO set-up. |
| Larger content site | CA$34K to CA$108K | Many templates, custom plugins or large content migrations. |
| WordPress care plan | From CA$199/month | Support time, plugin reviews and small changes each month. |
Starting prices vary by site size and scope. We send a written quote within 48 hours of a scoping call.
How we deliver from Surrey, BC
Our studio is at 13655 Fraser Highway in Surrey, and our Google Business Profile is listed there. Most of our WordPress.com clients are in the Lower Mainland: organisations in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond often meet us in person for workshops, while clients in Toronto and the rest of Canada work with us over video calls on Pacific or Eastern hours as needed.
Every project follows the same rhythm: a scoping call, a written quote within 48 hours, a fixed plan with milestones, weekly progress updates and a launch checklist that covers accessibility, search and analytics. You always know what is being worked on, what it costs and what comes next.
We build to WCAG 2.2 AA and support AODA and Accessible Canada Act obligations, write in Canadian English, and set up English and French content where your audience needs it. Accounts, domains and platform subscriptions stay in your organisation's name, so you keep control whether or not you continue working with us.
How we compare WordPress.com with the alternatives
We are partners on several platforms, so we do not need to sell you any particular one. Before we recommend WordPress.com, we compare it against the other options that could realistically work for you. The questions we ask are simple: who will edit the site and how often, how much content and how many integrations there are, where data needs to live, how much traffic you expect, and what your total cost looks like over three years rather than just at launch.
In broad terms, Drupal on Acquia suits large institutions with complex content and governance. WordPress on WP Engine or WordPress.com suits most organisations that want a flexible, well-known editor. Webflow suits marketing teams who want design control and no plugin maintenance. Shopify suits anyone whose main job online is selling products. Lovable suits custom apps, portals and tools that need to be built quickly. HubSpot and Google tie all of it to your pipeline and measurement. If WordPress.com is not the best fit after that comparison, we will tell you and explain why in writing.
What to have ready before a WordPress.com project
You do not need a full brief to start, but a few things make scoping faster and quotes more accurate. A list of the goals the project must hit, such as more enquiries, fewer support calls or a smoother application process, helps us prioritise. Access to your current site, analytics and any platform accounts lets us check what already works. A rough idea of timing and budget range lets us suggest the right scope rather than the biggest one.
It also helps to know who will approve decisions and who will look after content after launch. Many projects slow down because content arrives late, so we agree a content plan early and can write or edit copy for you if your team is stretched. If you have accessibility, privacy or procurement requirements, share them on the first call so they are built into the plan instead of added at the end.
Standards on every WordPress.com project
- Senior people only. The people you meet on the scoping call are the people who plan and build your project. We do not pass work to juniors or unnamed subcontractors after the contract is signed.
- Written scope and quote. You get a written scope listing pages, features, integrations and exclusions, with a quote in Canadian dollars within 48 hours of the scoping call. Changes are priced before they start, never after.
- Accessibility built in. Every template is tested with a keyboard and a screen reader, colour contrast is checked against WCAG 2.2 AA, and forms carry proper labels and error messages. Accessibility is part of the build, not an audit at the end.
- Search and AI visibility. Clean headings, descriptive titles, structured data and fast pages help Google rank the site and help AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity describe your organisation accurately.
- Privacy by default. We collect only the data a form actually needs, set up cookie consent where tracking is used, and document where data is stored so your privacy officer can review it against PIPEDA and provincial rules.
- You own everything. Domains, platform accounts, code, designs and content belong to your organisation. If you ever move on, we hand over access and documentation without fees or delays.
What happens after launch
Launch is the start, not the finish. For the first few weeks we monitor errors, speed, search indexing and form submissions, and fix anything that needs attention. After that, most clients move to a care or support plan so updates, security checks and small improvements happen on a regular schedule. Each month you get a short report in plain language showing what changed, what we fixed and what we recommend next, using data from your own analytics.
WordPress.com partner FAQs
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?+
WordPress.org is the free software you host yourself. WordPress.com is Automattic's managed service that runs it for you, including hosting, security and updates.
Can we use custom plugins on WordPress.com?+
Yes, on business and commerce plans. Some plugins that conflict with the platform are restricted, and we check yours during scoping.
Is WordPress.com good for SEO?+
Yes. It supports full control of metadata, sitemaps and redirects, and we add structured data during the build.
Can WordPress.com store our data in Canada?+
No. If data residency matters, we recommend WordPress on WP Engine's Canadian region instead.
Can you move us from WordPress.com to another host later?+
Yes. WordPress sites are portable, and we can move you to WP Engine if your needs grow.
Who owns the site?+
You do. The account is in your name and we are added as a collaborator.
How long does a build take?+
Most WordPress.com marketing sites launch in four to eight weeks.
Does WordPress.com include backups and security?+
Yes. Automattic runs daily backups, malware scanning and security updates on its infrastructure, and we add plugin reviews and user access checks on top.
Talk to a WordPress.com partner in Canada
Book a 30-minute call. We'll tell you straight whether WordPress.com is right for your project and what it would cost.
