Online Stores That Actually Convert
Shopping carts shouldn't be complicated. I build e-commerce sites where customers buy instead of bounce — with WooCommerce or custom solutions.
Iowa-Based
E-commerce Website Design
Here's the truth: you're losing sales if your checkout process is confusing, slow, or looks like it was built in 2005. Abandoned carts aren't always about price — often it's because the buying experience is frustrating.
I build e-commerce websites that make buying easy. Whether you need a WooCommerce store powered by WordPress or a fully custom shopping cart solution, I'll create an online store that converts browsers into buyers. Clear product pages, intuitive navigation, fast checkout, and zero confusion about shipping or returns.
Based in Dubuque, Iowa, I work with businesses throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, and across the state. You'll get the same attention to detail and honest recommendations whether you're selling locally or shipping nationwide.
E-commerce Features That Matter
All the technical stuff you need to sell online, without the headaches.
WooCommerce Stores
Full product catalogs with WordPress and WooCommerce
Payment Gateways
Stripe, PayPal, and all major payment processors
Shipping Integration
Real-time rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more
Secure Checkout
SSL certificates and PCI compliance handled
Sales Analytics
Track performance and optimize for conversions
Customer Accounts
Order history, wishlists, and saved addresses
Own Your Store, Not Rent It
Platforms like Shopify are great until they raise their monthly fees (again), lock you into their ecosystem, or take a cut of every transaction. You're basically renting your storefront from them.
I build e-commerce sites you actually own. WooCommerce on WordPress means you control everything — no monthly platform fees, no transaction cuts, no restrictions on what you can sell or how you can customize your store. Need to move hosts? Go for it. Want to add custom features? Done.
For custom projects that need unique functionality, I can build on Next.js with Stripe integration or other modern frameworks, deployed on Vercel for rock-solid performance. For most businesses, though, WooCommerce hits the sweet spot of flexibility, affordability, and ease of use.
Plus, thousands of plugins and integrations are available if you need to connect to your accounting software, email marketing platform, or inventory management system. You're not locked into one company's vision of how e-commerce should work.
What Your E-commerce Site Includes
Everything you need to start selling online, handled for you:
- Fully Custom Design (No Templates)
- Complete Ownership (You Own Everything)
- Zero Transaction Fees
- Mobile-Optimized Checkout
- Inventory Management
- SEO-Ready Product Pages
- Email Marketing Integration
- Product Variations & Options
Reliable Hosting That Handles Traffic
Fast, secure hosting optimized for e-commerce:
WooCommerce Hosting
I recommend Siteground for WooCommerce stores. Their WordPress hosting is fast, reliable, and handles traffic spikes without breaking a sweat. Plus, they actually answer support questions.
Perfect for most e-commerce businesses.
Custom Solutions
For custom-built e-commerce platforms, I deploy on Vercel or similar edge networks. Lightning-fast global performance with automatic scaling and zero server management headaches.
Ideal for unique technical requirements.
Either way, you're getting hosting that's optimized for speed and security. SSL certificates, automatic backups, and performance monitoring are all included. Your store stays online even when traffic spikes.
The E-commerce Design Process
Here's how we'll get your online store up and running:
Understand Your Business
We figure out what you're selling, who you're selling to, and what features you actually need. Not every store needs every bell and whistle.
Design & Build
I design your store, set up products, configure payment and shipping, and make sure everything works smoothly. You'll see progress throughout.
Test & Refine
We test the entire buying process, fix any issues, and optimize for conversions. You'll place test orders to make sure everything works perfectly.
Launch & Support
We go live, monitor for issues, and I stick around to help with questions. You'll know how to manage products, orders, and customers yourself.
Serving Iowa & Beyond
I'm based in Dubuque, Iowa, but e-commerce work happens mostly online anyway. I work with businesses throughout Iowa — Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Davenport, Waterloo, and beyond.
Local clients in the Dubuque area can meet in person if that's helpful, but most of our work will be remote either way. What matters is building a store that converts visitors into customers, not whether we're in the same zip code.
E-commerce FAQs
Answers to common questions about building an online store.
Absolutely. WordPress combined with WooCommerce is one of the best platforms for e-commerce. It's flexible, you own everything, there are zero transaction fees, and you're not locked into a single platform's ecosystem. I build most e-commerce sites on WooCommerce unless you need something truly custom.
WooCommerce is a powerful and customizable WordPress plugin that turns your site into a fully functional online store. I recommend it because you own everything — no monthly platform fees, no transaction cuts, complete control over design and functionality. It's also got thousands of extensions and integrations available.
WooCommerce supports all the major payment processors: Stripe, PayPal, Square, Authorize.Net, and many others. I typically recommend Stripe for most businesses because it's reliable, has great fraud protection, and competitive rates. But we can set up whichever gateway works best for your business.
Yes. WooCommerce has an intuitive admin panel where you can add products, upload images, set prices, manage inventory, and handle orders. I'll train you on how to use it all, and it's honestly pretty straightforward. You won't need to hire a developer every time you want to add a new product.
WooCommerce supports multiple shipping options including flat rates, free shipping, local pickup, and real-time shipping calculations with carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. You can set up shipping zones, offer free shipping over certain amounts, and pretty much configure it however your business needs.
For most WooCommerce stores, 4-8 weeks from kickoff to launch. It depends on how many products you have, how much custom design work is needed, and how quickly we can get content and imagery from you. Custom e-commerce builds on Next.js or other frameworks usually take 8-12 weeks. I'll give you a realistic timeline during our initial call.
Yes. I've helped businesses move from Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and other platforms to WooCommerce. We'll migrate your products, categories, customer data, and order history. It's more involved than starting fresh, but it's absolutely doable if you're ready to own your store instead of renting it.
For WooCommerce stores, I recommend Siteground. Their WordPress hosting is fast, reliable, and handles traffic spikes well. Plus, their support team actually helps when you need it. For custom-built e-commerce platforms on Next.js or React, I deploy on Vercel or similar edge networks for lightning-fast global performance.
Yes. I offer ongoing maintenance and support packages for e-commerce sites. This includes security updates, plugin updates, troubleshooting, adding new features, and answering questions when you get stuck. E-commerce sites need more attention than brochure sites, so most clients opt for at least monthly maintenance. Check out hosting & maintenance for details.
Most likely, yes. WooCommerce has integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, and most other accounting platforms. We can also connect to email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo, inventory management systems, and CRM platforms. If there's a business tool you rely on, there's probably a way to connect it to your online store.
Ready to Start Selling Online?
Let's talk about what you're selling and figure out the best e-commerce solution for your business. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest advice about what's going to work for you.
Schedule a call and we'll walk through your products, discuss WooCommerce vs custom solutions, and figure out a timeline and budget that makes sense. I'll give you straight answers about what's realistic for your situation.