How to Choose a Trustworthy Shopify Agency in Canada

Finding the right Shopify agency can feel overwhelming. With so many agencies claiming expertise, how do you know which one will actually deliver results for your business? For Canadian brands especially, trust comes down to three key things: local expertise, transparent billing, and proven outcomes.

At Sunbowl, led by our founder Jody Edgar, we’ve built our agency around those exact principles. We know that Canadian businesses don’t just want beautiful Shopify stores—they want stores that convert, scale, and deliver measurable ROI, built on a win-win mindset that reflects Canada’s business culture. Here’s what makes a Shopify agency truly trustworthy, and how you can confidently choose the right partner.

When engaging in collaborative projects, Canadian and American business leaders exhibit distinct cultural differences. Canadian business culture often emphasizes politeness, consensus-building, and teamwork, aligning with a global perception of Canadians as polite and collaborative. They tend to be more risk-averse than their American counterparts, and generally prioritize a better work-life balance. These subtle but significant distinctions are crucial for effective cross-border collaborations.

1. Experience with Canadian Brands

One of the best indicators of trustworthiness is whether an agency has worked with businesses like yours. For Canadian merchants, that means an agency should understand:

• Canadian payment systems like Interac and PayPal Canada
  
  
• Taxes and compliance including GST, HST, PST, and Quebec’s unique requirements
  
  
• Local shipping challenges with Canada Post and alternative carrier options like chitchats and stallion.
  
  
• Bilingual audiences, with English and French content needs
  
  

At Sunbowl, we help Canadian brands in many fields, like clothing and outdoor retail. We guide them through local challenges and increase their sales. Having that local knowledge makes all the difference.

2. Transparent Billing Models

If you’ve ever worked with an agency that sends vague invoices or adds surprise fees, you know how frustrating it can be. A trustworthy Shopify agency should be completely clear about what you’re paying for and what results to expect.

That’s why at Sunbowl we use a credit-based billing model. Instead of guessing how many hours something will take or worrying about scope creep, you can see exactly how many credits each task requires—whether it’s an A/B test, UX audit, or a technical fix. This makes it easy to budget, compare options, and avoid surprises.

Transparency builds trust, and trust builds long-term partnerships.

3. Proven CRO & Shopify Expertise

Not all Shopify agencies are created equal. Some focus heavily on design, while others lean more into development. A trustworthy agency, however, brings a balanced focus on both Shopify development and conversion rate optimization (CRO).

At Sunbowl, we:

• Are a recognized Shopify Partner
  
  
• Have deep experience with Shopify Plus stores
  
  
• Deliver measurable results like conversion lifts, revenue growth, and improved checkout completion rates
  
  

For us, it’s not just about building Shopify stores—it’s about building stores that actually grow your business.

4. Communication and Support

Trust also comes down to how well an agency communicates. Are they responsive? Do they give you regular updates? Do they operate in your time zone?

Because Sunbowl is based in Canada, we provide support and project management that fits the schedules of Canadian brands. We keep communication clear and consistent, so you always know what’s happening and what’s next. That accessibility matters just as much as technical expertise.

5. Reputation & Client Feedback

Lastly, reputation is a huge factor. Look for agencies that have:

• Positive client testimonials
  
  
• Reviews that mention both results and communication
  
  
• Recognition or features in Canadian e-commerce publications or industry blogs
  
  

At Sunbowl, we’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships with Canadian clients who value our transparency and performance-driven approach. Their feedback guides everything we do and helps us continuously improve.

6. Experience

With over 24 years of combined experience in the e-commerce space, Sunbowl brings a wealth of knowledge to every project. This extensive expertise is not just theoretical; it's demonstrated through a robust portfolio of case studies that highlight tangible wins and measurable results for their clients. 

By looking at case studies, potential partners can see clear proof of an agency's skills. They show how Sunbowl successfully develops Shopify sites and improves conversion rates. This helps build trust in their strong history of success.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a reliable Shopify agency is not just about the flashiest website or the lowest price. It’s about finding a partner who knows your market, communicates well, and provides clear results.

At Sunbowl, we’ve built our reputation around exactly that. Our team is focused on helping Canadian brands succeed. We specialize in Shopify conversion rate optimization (CRO) and offer clear credit-based billing.

Ready to work with a Canada-focused Shopify CRO partner you can trust?