Launching an online store in Quebec in 2026 has never been more accessible. Shopify remains the most popular platform for Quebec merchants thanks to its French interface, 24/7 support, and complete app ecosystem.

This guide walks you through the 10 essential steps to create, configure and launch your Shopify store in Quebec — from plan selection to GST/QST tax compliance and Loi 25.

Step 1: Choose the Right Shopify Plan

Shopify offers four main plans in 2026:

Shopify Starter ($5/month): sell via social media and messaging.
Shopify Basic ($39/month): the ideal starting solution with a full site.
Shopify ($105/month): for growing businesses with advanced reports.
Shopify Advanced ($399/month): for high volumes with advanced API and reduced transaction fees.

Take advantage of the 3-day free trial to test the platform before committing. For most Quebec SMBs, the Basic plan at $39/month is enough to start.

Step 2: Configure Your Domain Name

A professional domain name inspires trust. You have two options:

Buy directly through Shopify ($14/year for a .com).
Use an external registrar like Namecheap or Hover then point DNS to Shopify.

For a Quebec business, also consider the .ca (via CIRA) or a .quebec to strengthen your local identity.

Step 3: Add Your Products

Go to Products > Add product. For each item, focus on:

Clear title : optimized for Google with main keyword.
Rich description : 200 words minimum, benefits before features.
High-quality photos : minimum 5 angles, 2000 px wide, neutral white background.
Variants : sizes, colors, materials.
SEO : title tag, meta description, custom URL.

Step 4: Choose and Customize a Theme

Shopify offers powerful free themes like Dawn, Sense and Craft. They are fast, mobile-friendly and Online Store 2.0 compatible. For a unique design, the Theme Store offers over 200 paid themes between $220 and $500.

Customize your theme via the drag-and-drop editor: logo, brand colors, fonts, sections (hero, featured products, testimonials, FAQ). For a custom result, call on an expert Shopify partner like H1Site Shopify specialist.

Step 5: Configure Payments (Stripe, Shop Pay, Apple Pay)

Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe) is the default solution in Canada. Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on the Basic plan. Also enable:

Shop Pay : one-click express checkout, boosts mobile conversion by 50%.
Apple Pay & Google Pay : frictionless mobile payment.
PayPal : reassures hesitant buyers, especially 50+.
Klarna / Afterpay : pay in 4 installments to increase average cart.

Step 6: Configure Shipping (Canada Post, Purolator)

Shopify Shipping offers negotiated rates directly with Canada Post, Purolator, UPS and FedEx. You save up to 88% on counter rates.

Configure your shipping zones (Quebec, Canada, US, international), offer free shipping above a threshold (e.g. $75) and provide local pickup for local customers.

Step 7: Configure GST and QST Taxes

In Quebec, you must collect GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) once your revenue exceeds $30,000 over 12 consecutive months. Below this threshold, registration is voluntary but often recommended.

In Shopify: Settings > Taxes and duties. Enter your GST/HST and QST numbers. Shopify will automatically calculate the right taxes based on the delivery province.

Step 8: Loi 25 Compliance (Privacy)

Since September 2023, Loi 25 (Quebec privacy law) requires any Quebec business handling personal data to:

Appoint a privacy officer.
Publish a clear and accessible privacy policy.
Obtain explicit consent via a compliant cookie banner.
Allow users to view, correct and delete their data.
Notify authorities in case of a privacy breach.

Install the Shopify Customer Privacy app or a tool like Cookiebot to manage consents under Quebec law.

Step 9: Bilingualism and French Version

In Quebec, French must be the primary language under Loi 96. Use the Shopify Translate & Adapt app (free) or Weglot to manage a bilingual FR/EN store. Make sure your product pages, policies, newsletter and order confirmations are in French.

Step 10: Pre-Launch Checklist

Before removing password protection and going live, validate these 12 points:

Test a complete purchase (order, payment, confirmation email).
Verify GST/QST apply correctly.
Test shipping to Quebec, Canada and international.
Check mobile display (60% of traffic).
Install Google Analytics 4 and Meta Pixel.
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console.
Configure transactional emails (logo, signature).
Enable abandoned cart emails (recovers 10-15% of sales).
Write return policy, T&Cs and privacy policy.
Test the Loi 25 cookie banner.
Check PageSpeed Insights speed (>85 mobile).
Prepare a launch strategy (social media, newsletter).

Conclusion

Launching a Shopify store in Quebec is an accessible project if you follow the steps one by one. Plan 2 to 6 weeks of work depending on your catalog and customization level. For a professional, compliant and SEO-optimized result, explore our Shopify services or contact the H1Site team for a turnkey project.

Create a Shopify Store in Quebec: Step-by-Step Guide