Ecommerce website development in British Columbia

Shopify suits you if you want hosting, security, checkout and platform updates handled as part of the platform. You can add features through apps, but their subscriptions add to the ongoing work of running the store. Deeper checkout changes are limited to the Shopify Plus plan, so discuss any unusual checkout requirements before choosing it.

WooCommerce is a useful option when your business already uses WordPress or has substantial content alongside its products. You have control over the code, data and hosting, with responsibility for hosting, security, updates and compatibility between plugins. Decide who will look after those tasks once the store is live.

A custom or headless storefront, such as Next.js connected to a commerce back end, fits unusual catalogues, product configurators and content-led brands. It takes more build effort, and most later changes need a developer. We recommend a platform after learning how your products and operations work, so the choice reflects what your team needs to manage.

GST and HST treatment depends on the place of supply, such as where goods are delivered. We configure tax rules in the store using the decisions you make with your accountant, so checkout applies the appropriate settings to the order.

If you publish commercial content for customers in Quebec, its French-language requirement affects the pages you prepare. We set up translated store content as part of the market configuration, alongside the relevant currency and shipping choices.

For commercial email, Canadian rules require consent, sender identification and an unsubscribe mechanism. We connect your email tool with those requirements in mind, including the details and unsubscribe option your messages need.

Gathering these materials helps you describe what the store needs to handle.

• Product dataPrepare a spreadsheet with names, descriptions, prices, SKUs, variants, stock, categories, weights and package sizes. Missing shipping measurements can produce incorrect delivery charges.
• PhotosKeep original high-resolution images, with consistent backgrounds and proportions, several angles and an image for each colour variant.
• PoliciesWrite your shipping, returns, refund, privacy and terms policies in plain language.
• AccessGather logins for your domain, DNS, current site, email, analytics and Google accounts, held in your business’s name.
• Order emailsPrepare wording that reflects your policies for confirmations, dispatch, refunds, abandoned carts and password resets.

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  Losing old page addresses

  When migrating, map each old product and category URL to its closest new page and use a server-side permanent redirect.

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  Testing only in a sandbox

  Place a low-value order using live payment settings, then refund it to check currency settings, order emails and webhooks.

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  Hiding delivery charges until checkout

  Show delivery and tax estimates on product or cart pages so shoppers see potential costs earlier.

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  Overloading product pages

  Compress images and load review, chat and tracking scripts only where needed.