The trade war between the U.S. and Canada is now in full force, and many Canadian companies are concerned about continuing to use U.S. service providers for their online presence. Here at Jester, we understand these concerns and have already received some inquiries from Canadian business owners looking to change their current online service providers to all-Canadian solutions. 

If you’re looking for Canadian service provider solutions for your business, here are some of the things Jester recommends: 

1. Choose a Canadian Web Hosting Provider

Ensuring you have a secure, Canadian-based hosting service with servers in Canada is the best first step, particularly if you deal with sensitive data (e.g., PIPEDA). There are several reputable web hosts in Canada. Here are a few to consider: 

  • Web Hosting Canada (WHC): These folks offer servers on both the East and West coasts of Canada, with built-in security and eco-friendly data centres.
  • HostPapa: Affordable hosting with advanced features like NVMe storage and free SSL certificates.
  • CanSpace Solutions: They specialize in Canadian hosting packages for businesses.

If you are a company that handles sensitive personal data or works with U.S.-linked companies, it is also critical to confirm that your data storage and backups remain within Canadian borders to avoid exposure to legislation like the U.S. Patriot Act, which can result in unauthorized access to your sensitive data (i.e. if your data is stored on Microsoft, Amazon or Google, you could be at risk). 

Jester can help you find the right Canadian hosting provider and hosting package for your website’s needs and budget. We can also help you migrate your site to the new host!

2. Use a .CA Domain Name

If you haven’t already, register a .CA domain name to emphasize your Canadian identity. The Canadian hosting companies mentioned above also offer domain registration services bundled with their hosting plans. 

3. Work With Canadian Payment Processors

If you are running an e-commerce site, it’s more important than ever to partner with Canadian payment gateway providers like Moneris so that your transactions are being processed securely and locally. Jester has a great deal of expertise working with e-commerce sites and is familiar with the ins and outs of the Moneris payment gateway, and we can help you get set up quickly and efficiently. 

4. Prioritize Local Email and Communication Tools

Use email services from your web host or another Canadian-based provider like dotCanada, whose email servers are Canadian-based. Migrating email can be tricky, but Jester is here to help! 

5. Work with Canadian Digital Agencies

Jester is 100% Canadian owned and operated, and we specialize in local SEO, content creation and digital marketing tailored to the Canadian market. We can help you develop a comprehensive Canadian-focused marketing strategy and work with you to implement it and grow your Canadian customer base quickly! 

The U.S. tariffs are a big concern for Canadian businesses, but with help from Jester, you can rest assured that your customers will continue to trust you and your business will continue to thrive in this changing and challenging market. 

Get in touch with us today!