How Much Does It Cost to Build an eCommerce Website in Canada?

The cost to build an eCommerce website in Canada depends on design, platform, and the type of business you run. Whether you’re a Toronto startup or a Montreal retailer, every store needs its own setup, payment gateway, and bilingual structure. 

Many Canadian retailers ask the same question: “How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website in Canada?” The quick answer — most projects range between $3,000 CAD and $40,000 CAD. 

But that’s only a starting point. The final price changes based on the platform, customization, and integrations you choose. 

The Real Cost to Build an eCommerce Website in Canada 

When planning a new online store, you’ll compare Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento (Adobe Commerce). Each platform has different setup needs, license fees, and developer rates. For example, the Shopify development cost in Canada is lower for theme-based stores, while Shopify Plus cost in Canada fits enterprise-level setups with headless architecture. 

If you’re comparing WooCommerce vs Shopify in Canada (cost), you’ll find Shopify includes hosting and PCI-DSS compliance, while WooCommerce adds plugin and hosting expenses separately. 

Magento (Adobe Commerce) demands more server power and developer time, which increases the total price. 

Average eCommerce Website Development Cost in Canada

Small businesses often start with template-based designs. Mid-sized firms pick semi-custom solutions with marketing integrations. Enterprises usually invest in headless Shopify Plus or custom Magento builds for scalability. 

Before selecting your plan, check this cost comparison. 

eCommerce Website Cost Breakdown in Canada 

Here’s a simple table showing the average price range for Canadian stores in 2025. 

Website Type	Platform	Design Type	Approach	Estimated Cost (CAD)
Basic Store	Shopify / Wix	Template Design	Standard Setup	$3,000 – $6,000
Mid-Range Store	Shopify / WooCommerce	Semi-Custom Design	Hybrid Development	$7,000 – $15,000
Enterprise Store	Shopify Plus / Custom Magento	Fully Custom Design	Advanced Development	$18,000 – $40,000 +

A basic Shopify store includes theme setup, product listing, and payment gateway integration. A mid-range store covers design customization, marketing apps, and inventory sync. 

An enterprise store adds custom modules, ERP and CRM integration, and multi-language support. 

How Shopify Developer Rates Affect Your Budget 

Your total eCommerce website price in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal also depends on the developer’s hourly rate. The average Shopify developer hourly rate in Canada ranges between $60 CAD and $120 CAD, depending on experience and location. 

Freelance Shopify developers in Canada charge less, but agencies offer end-to-end support, maintenance, and testing. Hiring a Shopify agency in Toronto or Vancouver usually adds project management and QA services to the cost. If you compare Canada vs offshore Shopify development cost, offshore teams charge 30 to 50 percent less but may lack local compliance knowledge. 

How Location Influences Your eCommerce Website Cost 

Prices differ by city and province. Developers in Toronto and Vancouver charge the highest rates, while teams in Calgary or Montreal offer more competitive pricing. 
Location also affects bilingual website setup, payment gateway selection, and hosting preferences. 

For instance, businesses in Quebec must follow Bill 96 guidelines for French language support. That adds translation and content management costs to the overall project. 
The average French and English bilingual eCommerce website cost in Canada ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 extra, depending on page count. 

Core Compliance and Security Costs 

Every Canadian online store must meet PIPEDA eCommerce requirements to protect personal data. If you collect payments, you also need PCI DSS compliance for transaction security. 

Shopify handles this automatically, but custom Magento or WooCommerce sites need manual implementation of SSL certificates and server configurations. 

These compliance steps add around $300 to $700 CAD to the setup stage. However, they’re crucial for avoiding fines and maintaining customer trust. 

Payments and Transaction Fees 

Another hidden factor is payment processing cost. Platforms like Shopify Payments and Interac charge a small fee for each transaction. Understanding these charges helps you calculate your real operational costs. 

Typical Interac eCommerce fees range between 1 % and 2 % per transaction, while Shopify Payments Canada fees average 2.9 % + 30¢. These may look small, but over hundreds of orders each month, they can impact profit margins. 

Key Factors, Marketing & SEO, and Payment Costs 

Several factors affect your eCommerce website development cost in Canada. Each element — from design to marketing — adds up differently based on your goals and platform choice. Let’s look at the main components that shape your total project cost. 

1. Design and Customization Cost 

Design is often the first thing visitors notice. A professional layout can improve trust and conversions. If you use Shopify, you can start with a free or paid theme. However, for complete customization, you’ll need developer support. 

The Shopify development cost in Canada varies by complexity. Simple theme-based stores cost around $3,000 CAD, while custom themes or headless builds can reach $12,000 CAD or more. For WooCommerce or Magento (Adobe Commerce), add hosting and plugin charges. 

If you want bilingual support, expect extra work. A French and English bilingual eCommerce website cost usually ranges between $1,000 and $3,000 CAD. It covers translation, dynamic content handling, and page duplication under Quebec’s Bill 96 requirements. 

2. Platform and Plugin Cost 

Choosing the right platform also affects your total price. Shopify offers simplicity, built-in hosting, and Shopify Payments Canada fees included in the plan. WooCommerce gives you more control but needs paid plugins. Magento (Adobe Commerce) is powerful but expensive for small teams. 

If you plan to migrate WooCommerce to Shopify, expect a migration cost between $800 and $2,000 CAD depending on data size. A Magento to Shopify migration cost in Canada often ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 CAD for product and customer transfers. For business automation, integrations like Odoo Shopify or QuickBooks Shopify cost around $500 to $1,200 CAD. 

3. Marketing and SEO Setup 

Marketing is a continuous expense for every eCommerce store. Even the best design needs visibility. Most businesses start with SEO, Google Ads, and social media promotions. 

Here’s an overview of typical monthly marketing and SEO costs in Canada. 

Service	Monthly Cost Range (CAD)	Description
SEO Setup & Audit	$500 – $1,000	On-page, technical, and content optimization
Google Ads / PPC	$800 – $2,500	Targeted campaigns to increase conversions
Social Media Marketing	$600 – $1,500	Organic and paid engagement campaigns
Email Marketing	$300 – $700	Automated newsletters and product updates

These costs apply to both Shopify and WooCommerce stores. Hiring an eCommerce development company in Canada often includes initial SEO setup. Agencies in Toronto and Vancouver usually charge more for PPC due to higher ad competition. 

You can hire freelancers too, but an agency provides end-to-end tracking and optimization. This matters if you want long-term returns instead of one-time traffic spikes. 

4. Payment Gateway and Transaction Fees 

Every sale on your online store involves transaction fees. Understanding them early helps avoid unexpected costs. Most platforms offer easy integration with Canadian payment providers like Interac, Moneris, and Stripe. 

If you use Shopify Payments, fees are included in your plan. But if you use an external gateway, Shopify charges an extra 0.5–2% transaction fee. WooCommerce and Magento stores pay these fees directly to the provider. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of common payment fees in Canada. 

Payment Gateway	Transaction Fee	Monthly Fee	Notes
Interac Online	1 – 2 % per sale	$0 – $20	Trusted local payment network
Stripe Canada	2.9 % + 30¢	$0	Accepts CAD and USD
PayPal Canada	2.9 % + 30¢	$0 – $30	Popular among small stores
Moneris	2.6 % + 10¢	$20 – $40	Widely used in retail
Shopify Payments	2.7 % + 0¢	$0	Built into Shopify plans

5. Security and Compliance Costs 

Canadian eCommerce stores must follow PIPEDA eCommerce requirements for data privacy. If you store or process card details, PCI DSS compliance is mandatory. Shopify handles these automatically, while WooCommerce and Magento users must configure them manually. 

Security setup costs range from $300 to $700 CAD. They include SSL certificates, firewall installation, and data backup. Though these seem technical, they protect your store from major losses. 

6. Maintenance and Support 

After launch, ongoing maintenance ensures your site runs smoothly. The eCommerce website maintenance cost in Canada ranges between $100 and $500 CAD per month. 
It covers bug fixes, content updates, and app upgrades. 

For Shopify users, most maintenance is automatic. WooCommerce and Magento users require regular plugin and server updates. Agencies in Canada often offer bundled support plans to simplify this process. 

7. Hiring and Developer Cost Factors 

Hiring the right person can change your total cost significantly. A Shopify developer hourly rate in Canada varies between $60 and $120 CAD, depending on experience and city. Freelance Shopify developers in Canada may charge less, but timelines can stretch. A Shopify agency in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal offers quicker delivery and better testing coverage. 

If you compare Canada vs offshore Shopify development cost, offshore teams are cheaper but not always aligned with Canadian compliance standards like PIPEDA or Bill 96. 

Domains, Hosting, Maintenance & Regional Cost Comparisons

When you plan your online store, two elements matter most—domain and hosting. They may look like minor expenses, but they directly influence trust, speed, and compliance. Let’s look at how these costs affect your overall eCommerce website development cost in Canada. 

1. Domain Registration Fees 

A domain defines your brand identity online. Canadian businesses prefer .ca domains to highlight their location and improve search visibility. Here’s a quick view of what you can expect to pay for different domain types and features. 

Factor	Cost Range (CAD)	Description
.ca Domain Name	$15 – $25 / year	Best for targeting Canadian customers
.com or .net	$12 – $20 / year	Better if you sell outside Canada
Privacy Protection	$10 – $15 / year	Keeps registrant details private

Most store owners renew their domains yearly. Some purchase extra domains (.com or .shop) to prevent competitors from copying their brand name. 

2. Hosting Services and Server Options 

Your hosting plan affects performance, loading speed, and data safety. Shopify includes hosting in every plan, while WooCommerce and Magento (Adobe Commerce) require separate hosting. Here’s how different hosting plans compare for Canadian eCommerce businesses. 

Hosting Type	Monthly Cost (CAD)	Key Features
Shared Hosting	$20 – $40	Best for basic Shopify or WooCommerce stores
Cloud Hosting	$50 – $120	Fast and scalable option for growing stores
Dedicated Server	$150 – $300	Ideal for Magento or Shopify Plus with high traffic

Hosting costs vary by provider, bandwidth, and SSL certificate inclusion. For compliance, ensure your hosting provider supports PCI DSS requirements for eCommerce in Canada. 

3. Maintenance and Support Costs 

Maintenance keeps your store updated and secure. For Shopify, most updates are automatic, while WooCommerce and Magento require regular monitoring. The eCommerce website maintenance cost in Canada typically ranges from $100 to $500 per month, depending on size and features. 

Maintenance services include bug fixes, theme updates, app upgrades, and security patches. Some eCommerce development companies in Canada offer bundled maintenance plans that include SEO and analytics support. Having a fixed monthly package avoids downtime and unexpected repair costs. 

4. Overall Cost Breakdown by Business Type 

Your business size influences how much you’ll spend. Small businesses focus on essentials like design and content, while enterprises invest more in custom integrations and advanced hosting. 

Below is an overview of typical cost distribution for eCommerce sites in Canada. 

Cost Component	Small Business	Mid-Size Business	Large Enterprise
Design & Development	$3K – $7K	$8K – $15K	$20K – $40K +
Integrations & Plugins	$500 – $1K	$1K – $3K	$3K – $6K
Content & SEO Setup	$700 – $1.2K	$1.5K – $3K	$4K – $8K
Hosting & Maintenance	$300 – $700	$700 – $1.2K	$1.5K – $3K

Hosting costs vary by provider, bandwidth, and SSL certificate inclusion. For compliance, ensure your hosting provider supports PCI DSS requirements for eCommerce in Canada. 

3. Maintenance and Support Costs 

Maintenance keeps your store updated and secure. For Shopify, most updates are automatic, while WooCommerce and Magento require regular monitoring. The eCommerce website maintenance cost in Canada typically ranges from $100 to $500 per month, depending on size and features. 

Maintenance services include bug fixes, theme updates, app upgrades, and security patches. Some eCommerce development companies in Canada offer bundled maintenance plans that include SEO and analytics support. Having a fixed monthly package avoids downtime and unexpected repair costs. 

4. Overall Cost Breakdown by Business Type 

Your business size influences how much you’ll spend. Small businesses focus on essentials like design and content, while enterprises invest more in custom integrations and advanced hosting. 

Below is an overview of typical cost distribution for eCommerce sites in Canada. 

As your business grows, plugin usage and traffic increase. That’s why maintenance and server costs rise proportionally. 

5. Regional Price Comparison within Canada 

City-based pricing gives a realistic view of actual developer costs. Rates vary depending on demand, experience, and local cost of living. Let’s compare the eCommerce website price in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. 

City	Avg Hourly Rate (CAD)	Typical Total Cost
Toronto	$60 – $120	$10K – $25K
Vancouver	$55 – $110	$9K – $22K
Montreal	$50 – $100	$8K – $20K
Calgary	$45 – $95	$7K – $18K

Toronto and Vancouver lead in developer pricing because of stronger competition and higher demand. Montreal and Calgary offer lower rates, especially for long-term contracts or white-label partnerships. 

6. Comparing Canada with Other Countries 

If you’re evaluating international pricing, here’s how Canada stacks up. These rates show why many businesses prefer local Shopify agencies in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal—for better compliance and bilingual setup. Below is a cost comparison of eCommerce website development across key countries. 

Country	Basic eCommerce (CAD)	Mid-Range (CAD)	Enterprise (CAD)
Canada	$3,000 – $6,000	$7,000 – $15,000	$18,000 – $40,000 +
USA	$3,500 – $8,000	$9,000 – $18,000	$20,000 – $45,000 +
UK	£2,000 – £5,000	£6,000 – £12,000	£15,000 – £30,000
Australia	A$4,000 – A$8,000	A$9,000 – A$18,000	A$20,000 – A$40,000

Canadian pricing is slightly lower than the USA due to favorable currency rates and strong developer competition. However, compliance with PIPEDA and Quebec’s Bill 96 adds unique costs not found elsewhere. 

7. What to Expect After Launch 

Once your website is live, your costs shift from development to marketing and maintenance. Monthly recurring expenses include hosting, payment gateway fees, and SEO campaigns. Keeping everything updated ensures smooth performance and faster returns. 

For Shopify Plus users, ongoing platform fees and Shopify Plus pricing in Canada range from $2,000 to $2,500 CAD per month, depending on traffic and API usage. Custom WooCommerce or Magento stores may pay similar totals once you factor in hosting, plugins, and developer retainer hours. 

Shopify Development Cost, Budget Tips, and Final Insights 

Shopify remains the most popular platform for Canadian eCommerce businesses. 
It’s easy to set up, reliable, and already includes hosting, SSL, and payment integrations. 
But the overall Shopify development cost in Canada still depends on the plan, features, and design you choose. 

1. eCommerce Store Development with Shopify in Canada 

Shopify offers different plans for startups, growing brands, and enterprise-level companies. Each plan comes with unique features, transaction limits, and customization potential. 

The table below shows an overview of plan-wise pricing and development cost for 2025. 

Shopify Plan	Store Type	Key Features	Estimated Total Cost (CAD)	Ideal For
Basic Shopify	Startup Store	Standard theme, basic apps, up to 25 products	$3,000 – $5,000	New retailers and home-based brands
Shopify Standard	Growing Business	Custom theme, marketing automation, reporting tools	$6,000 – $10,000	Mid-size stores
Shopify Advanced	Scaling Store	Advanced reporting, multi-currency, custom checkout	$12,000 – $18,000	Established brands
Shopify Plus	Enterprise Store	Headless build, API integrations, priority support	$20,000 – $40,000 +	Enterprises and franchise chains

Shopify Plus pricing in Canada starts at about $2,000 CAD per month, excluding developer charges. Larger projects often include integrations like ERP (Odoo), CRM, or QuickBooks for inventory and tax automation. 

2. Shopify App and Theme Cost 

Apps and themes add flexibility to your store. However, they also add recurring expenses. Here’s how average eCommerce app and theme costs for Shopify in Canada look in 2025. 

• Paid themes: $250 – $400 one-time 

• Essential apps (email marketing, reviews, upsell): $20 – $100 per month 

• Advanced apps (subscriptions, AI recommendations, ERP integration): $100 – $400 per month 

Developers in Toronto and Vancouver usually include app setup and testing within their hourly rates. Those hourly rates still average $60 – $120 CAD for a Shopify developer in Canada. 

3. Bilingual and Compliance Cost 

For Quebec and bilingual regions, language compliance is mandatory. According to Quebec Bill 96, businesses must offer content in French and English. This adds an extra translation budget of about $1,000 – $3,000 CAD, depending on store size. 

Canadian merchants must also follow PIPEDA for data privacy and PCI DSS requirements for card security. Shopify already includes these in its plans, which saves both time and compliance costs compared to WooCommerce or Magento. 

4. How to Control Your eCommerce Development Budget 

Many Canadian store owners overspend during the first build. A smart approach is to launch light and scale as you grow. 

 Below are a few ways to keep costs under control without sacrificing quality: 

• Start with an MVP. Build a basic Shopify store first, then add features gradually. 

• Use paid themes instead of fully custom designs. They cut design time by 40–60%. 

• Automate marketing through apps to save manual effort and agency fees. 

• Work with a trusted Shopify agency in Toronto or Vancouver for clear contracts and local support. 

• Consider offshore developers only for non-compliance tasks to reduce the Canada vs offshore Shopify development cost gap. 

5. How Shopify Compares with Other Platforms 

When you compare WooCommerce vs Shopify in Canada (cost), Shopify offers built-in hosting and security. WooCommerce depends on WordPress plugins and separate servers. The average Magento (Adobe Commerce) development cost in Canada is higher because it requires advanced coding and dedicated hosting. Shopify remains ideal for most retailers due to predictable pricing and native CAD support. 

6. Quick City-Wise Shopify Cost View 

City rates help estimate your budget faster. Here’s a snapshot of developer pricing across major Canadian cities. 

City	Hourly Rate (CAD)	Approx. Total Project Cost
Toronto	$70 – $120	$10K – $25K
Vancouver	$60 – $110	$9K – $22K
Montreal	$55 – $100	$8K – $20K
Calgary	$50 – $90	$7K – $18K

Rates are highest in Toronto because most enterprise Shopify Plus projects run there. Freelancers in Montreal or Calgary charge less but may require longer delivery times. 

7. Estimated Long-Term Operating Costs 

After launch, your monthly operational expenses include hosting, apps, and marketing. Expect to spend around $300 – $700 CAD per month for basic maintenance. Add $500 – $2,000 CAD for active marketing if you run ads and email automation. This brings the average eCommerce website maintenance cost in Canada to roughly $800 – $2,500 CAD monthly, depending on scale. 

Final Insights and Conclusion 

Building an eCommerce website in Canada is an investment that pays off long term. Your final budget depends on the platform, bilingual content, and marketing plan. Shopify continues to be the preferred choice for Canadian retailers thanks to its built-in compliance, CAD support, and scalability. 

If you’re ready to launch a store and need help calculating your exact cost, CartCoders can assist with a transparent estimate based on your goals, team size, and growth plan. 

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