Find clients for your agency in Ottawa
The Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area counts 7,067 local businesses of the kinds agencies sell websites, SEO and ads to. The biggest groups: 2,641 restaurants and food service, 1,318 residential builders and 1,098 plumbing, heating and electrical contractors. 211 advertising, PR and media agencies compete for them.
The local businesses agencies sell to in Ottawa
Counts of businesses with employees by trade in the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area, per 10,000 residents, against the median of the 15 largest Canadian metro areas.
| Trade | Businesses | Per 10,000 residents | vs median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate agents and brokers | 542 | 3.2 | +9% |
| Residential builders | 1,318 | 7.8 | at the median |
| Hair, beauty and personal care | 786 | 4.6 | −6% |
| Plumbing, heating and electrical contractors | 1,098 | 6.5 | −8% |
| Restaurants and food service | 2,641 | 15.5 | −10% |
| Auto repair shops | 682 | 4.0 | −23% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, June 2026; population 1,700,014 (Statistics Canada estimate, July 2025). Statistics Canada publishes metro counts by 4-digit industry, so some trades are grouped. Counts change as businesses open and close.
Where Ottawa stands out
- Real estate agents and brokers: 3.2 per 10,000 residents, 9% above the median of the 15 largest Canadian metro areas (rank 5 of 15).
- Residential builders: 7.8 per 10,000 residents, 0% above the median (rank 8).
- Auto repair shops: scarcer here (23% below the median), so fewer prospects, each with fewer rivals.
- Competition: 211 advertising, PR and media agencies for 42,163 businesses of all kinds, one for every 200. The median across the 15 largest Canadian metro areas is one for every 205, so Ottawa ranks 9 of 15 on businesses per agency (1 is the least crowded): a crowded agency market, where niching on one trade and leading with proof wins.
How Ottawa compares with nearby and similar cities
Of these 7 cities, Edmonton has the most of these businesses per resident and Winnipeg the most businesses per agency.
| City | Local businesses | Per 10,000 residents | Businesses per agency | Strongest trade, vs median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 7,067 | 42 | 200 | Real estate agents and brokers (+9%) |
| Edmonton | 8,353 | 49 | 286 | Hair, beauty and personal care (+33%) |
| Winnipeg | 3,873 | 41 | 289 | Hair, beauty and personal care (+6%) |
| Québec City | 4,083 | 45 | 156 | Residential builders (+47%) |
| Hamilton | 4,036 | 46 | 185 | Hair, beauty and personal care (+14%) |
| Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | 2,918 | 42 | 238 | Real estate agents and brokers (at the median) |
| London | 2,623 | 41 | 197 | Auto repair shops (at the median) |
Your first three lists in Ottawa
- Restaurants and food service: 2,641 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 10 of 15).
- Residential builders: 1,318 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 8 of 15).
- Plumbing, heating and electrical contractors: 1,098 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 12 of 15).
How to work a list, from the "No website" filter to the first call: LeadsIt for agencies.
Frequently asked questions
How many local businesses can an agency prospect in Ottawa?
Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, June 2026 counts 7,067 businesses with employees in the trades on this page in the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area, including 2,641 restaurants and food service, 1,318 residential builders and 1,098 plumbing, heating and electrical contractors.
How many marketing agencies are there in Ottawa?
211 advertising, PR and media agencies in the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, June 2026), one for every 200 businesses, against a median of one for every 205 across the 15 largest Canadian metro areas.
Which trade should an agency target first in Ottawa?
By volume, restaurants and food service (2,641). Relative to its size, Ottawa stands out most on real estate agents and brokers: 3.2 per 10,000 residents, rank 5 of 15.