Building an e-commerce website: complete guide to selling online

Building an e-commerce website is rarely a technical problem. Modern platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix) handle 90% of the mechanics. The real challenge is strategic: which platform, what budget, which features, and how to position yourself in a saturated Quebec market. Here's the complete guide, in decision order.

Step 1: validate that online selling fits your product

Not all products sell well online. Before investing $3,000, verify:

• Unit margin: at least 30% after shipping and processing fees (Stripe takes 2.9% + $0.30).
• Potential volume: how many units/month do you forecast? Below 10/month, the effort exceeds the margin.
• Logistics: who packs and ships? Manual handling = $5–$10/order.
• After-sales service: returns, exchanges, complaints. Plan for 15% of your weekly time.

Step 2: choose the platform

Four options dominate in Quebec in 2026:

• Shopify ($49–$399/month): the global benchmark. All-inclusive, minimal learning curve. Ideal up to 500 products.
• WooCommerce (on WordPress) ($5–$50/month hosting + plugins): very flexible, but needs maintenance. Good for blog/content + integrated e-commerce.
• Wix Stores ($35–$60/month): very simple, easy design. SEO and flexibility limits later.
• Squarespace Commerce ($28–$52/month): elegant, few products, perfect for aesthetic brands.

Our advice: Shopify if you're starting and want simplicity. WooCommerce if you already have WordPress or significant volume.

Step 3: realistic launch budget

Count $3,000 to $7,000 to start, plus $100–$300/month recurring (excluding marketing).

Step 4: essential features

At launch, keep it minimal:

• Product catalog with photos, variations (size, color), stock.
• Cart and payment (Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay).
• Automatic shipping calculation (integrate Canada Post or Purolator).
• Quebec taxes (GST + QST) calculated automatically.
• Automated emails (order confirmation, shipping, tracking).
• Clear return policy and visible "contact support" button.

Avoid extras at launch (loyalty program, subscriptions, marketplace). Add when volume justifies.

Step 5: e-commerce SEO and acquisition

An e-commerce site without traffic doesn't sell. Three complementary levers:

• Product SEO: clear titles with keywords, unique descriptions (never copy supplier ones), schema.org Product.
• Google Ads and Meta Ads: essential at launch. Count $500/month minimum for measurable results.
• Google Business Profile: if you also have a physical store, essential.

Related

• Creating a free online store: options and traps
• How much does an online store cost? Pricing brackets
• E-commerce development: essential features
• Shopify vs WooCommerce vs Wix: which platform to choose?

Frequently asked questions

How long to launch an e-commerce site in Quebec?

4 to 8 weeks for a 20–100 product catalog with photos ready. Logistics and photography take more time than the site itself.

Do I need to register for GST/QST from the first dollar?

You must register for GST/QST once you exceed $30,000 in annual revenue. Below that, you can register voluntarily (useful to recover taxes paid on your purchases).

Is Shopify really better than WooCommerce?

Simpler, yes. More powerful, no. Shopify limits what you can do with code but makes everything else easier. WooCommerce is more flexible but requires WordPress maintenance and expertise. For 80% of SMBs: Shopify.

How much shipping should I charge customers?

Either bill the real cost (Canada Post calculated in real time on Shopify), or offer free shipping above a threshold ($50–$100). Free shipping raises average carts by 15–25%.

Ready to sell online? Request a quote for your store — we set up Shopify or WooCommerce, with catalog, payment, and shipping.