E-Commerce Website Design for Canadian Businesses
NETLAB builds custom e-commerce websites for Canadian businesses on WooCommerce, Shopify, and fully custom platforms with Stripe payment processing. We design and develop online stores that are fast, secure, mobile-optimized, and built to convert browsers into buyers. Our e-commerce clients include Channellock (enterprise B2C with hundreds of SKUs), OMD Outfits (fashion e-commerce with custom WooCommerce theme), and Delisle Distributors (B2B wholesale platform with Stripe integration). Whether you are launching your first online store or migrating from a legacy platform, we build e-commerce websites that handle real transaction volume and grow with your business.
The Opportunity for Canadian E-Commerce
Canadian e-commerce has grown dramatically and continues to expand year over year. Consumers across the country now expect to buy online from local businesses — not just from Amazon and large retailers. This shift represents a massive opportunity for Canadian businesses of all sizes to reach customers beyond their physical location, sell 24/7 without staffing a storefront, and compete with larger competitors on the strength of their products and customer experience rather than the size of their retail footprint.
But launching a successful e-commerce store requires more than just listing products on a website. You need a platform that handles inventory management, calculates shipping rates for Canadian destinations, processes payments securely in Canadian dollars, collects GST/HST/PST properly, and delivers a checkout experience smooth enough that customers do not abandon their cart. You also need product pages that rank in Google Shopping and organic search, because the best store in the world generates zero revenue if nobody finds it.
The platform you choose matters significantly. WooCommerce gives you full ownership of your store, your data, and your customer relationships — plus unlimited products and zero transaction fees beyond payment processing. Shopify offers a managed platform with less technical overhead but charges monthly fees and transaction percentages that add up as your volume grows. Custom storefronts built with React and the Stripe API provide maximum flexibility for businesses with unique requirements, complex product configurations, or subscription models. Choosing the right platform for your business is one of the most important decisions you will make.
At NETLAB, we have built e-commerce stores across all three approaches. We built the Channellock enterprise WooCommerce platform with hundreds of products, complex category structures, and integration with their existing inventory systems. We developed OMD Outfits with a custom WooCommerce theme optimized for fashion e-commerce. And we built the Delisle Distributors B2B wholesale platform with Stripe for a completely different type of e-commerce experience. This range of experience means we can recommend and build the right solution for your specific business, rather than forcing every project into the same template.
Features We Build for E-Commerce Websites
Product Pages That Convert
SEO-optimized product pages with high-quality image galleries, zoom functionality, detailed descriptions, size/variant selectors, reviews, and schema markup that qualifies your products for Google Shopping rich results.
Secure Checkout & Payment
PCI-DSS compliant checkout with Stripe integration supporting credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Buy Now Pay Later options. SSL encryption on every page. Cart recovery emails for abandoned checkouts to recapture lost revenue.
Inventory & Order Management
Real-time inventory tracking with low stock alerts, automatic out-of-stock handling, and integration with your existing inventory or ERP systems. Order management dashboard with status tracking, shipping label generation, and customer communication.
Canadian Shipping & Tax
Calculated shipping rates for Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, and Purolator. Proper GST/HST/PST tax calculations by province. Free shipping thresholds, flat rate options, and local pickup configuration.
Analytics & Conversion Tracking
Google Analytics 4 e-commerce tracking, conversion funnels, revenue per visitor, cart abandonment rates, and product performance dashboards. Data-driven insights that tell you exactly where to focus your optimization efforts.
Product SEO & Schema
Structured data markup for products, reviews, pricing, and availability. Optimized category and product page URLs, meta descriptions, and image alt text. XML sitemaps with product feeds for Google Merchant Center.
E-Commerce Platform Comparison
| Feature | WooCommerce | Shopify | Custom Build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Platform Fee | $0 (hosting only) | $39-399/mo | $0 (hosting only) |
| Transaction Fees | 0% (Stripe only) | 0.5-2% + gateway | 0% (Stripe only) |
| Design Customization | Unlimited | Theme-based | Unlimited |
| Product Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data Ownership | Full | Limited | Full |
| SEO Flexibility | Full control | Limited URLs | Full control |
| Ease of Management | Good (WordPress) | Excellent | Custom admin |
| Plugin Ecosystem | 60,000+ | 8,000+ | Custom-built |
| Best For | Most businesses | Quick launch | Complex needs |
Our E-Commerce Website Work
Enterprise E-Commerce Platform
Modern and responsive business website with enterprise-grade e-commerce features
OMD Outfits
Custom theme, responsive, and modern clothing company e-commerce store.
Delisle Distributors
Industry-leading vape and e-juice wholesale supplier in Canada with enterprise B2B storefront and CMS.
From enterprise B2C platforms to fashion stores and B2B wholesale portals, our e-commerce websites are built to handle real transactions at scale. View our full portfolio to see more of our work across all industries.
E-Commerce Website Design FAQ
How much does an e-commerce website cost in Canada?
E-commerce website costs at NETLAB range from $3,500 for a WooCommerce store with up to 50 products to $15,000+ for enterprise platforms with hundreds of SKUs, custom checkout flows, and third-party integrations. Shopify-based builds start at $2,500. The cost depends on the number of products, payment and shipping complexity, and custom feature requirements.
Should I use WooCommerce or Shopify for my online store?
WooCommerce is best for businesses that want full ownership and customization of their store, need complex product configurations, or want to integrate with an existing WordPress website. Shopify is ideal for businesses that prefer a managed platform with less technical overhead. We recommend WooCommerce for most Canadian businesses because it offers more flexibility and lower long-term costs with zero transaction fees.
How do you handle payment processing for Canadian e-commerce?
We integrate with Stripe as our primary payment processor, which supports all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and is fully PCI-DSS compliant. Stripe handles Canadian dollar transactions natively with competitive processing rates. For WooCommerce stores, we also support PayPal, Square, and other Canadian payment gateways depending on your requirements.
Can you migrate my existing online store to a new platform?
Yes. We handle full e-commerce migrations including product data, customer accounts, order history, and SEO redirects. We have migrated stores from Shopify to WooCommerce, from legacy platforms to modern storefronts, and from Wix and Squarespace to custom builds. Every migration includes a comprehensive redirect map to preserve your search engine rankings.
Do you provide ongoing support for e-commerce websites?
Yes. We offer monthly support plans that include security updates, plugin maintenance, performance monitoring, and priority support for issues. For WooCommerce stores, regular updates are essential for security and compatibility. Our support plans start at $150/month and include a set number of hours for changes and improvements each month.
Ready to Launch Your Online Store?
Whether you are starting fresh or migrating from an existing platform, we build e-commerce websites that sell. Custom design, secure checkout, Canadian shipping and tax — everything your online store needs to succeed.