Markets
A website or online store written in American English. We show sales tax and the total cost clearly, offer the payment and returns options American customers know, and design for accessibility from the start.
New York · United States
General information, not legal or tax advice. Sources: FTC, U.S. Supreme Court, state revenue departments.
USDFocus
Sales tax, consumer and privacy rules that vary from state to state, and long delivery distances, planned in from the start.
US rules for low-value imports and tariff rates have changed and may change again, so pricing from abroad is planned with care.
Delivery speed, shipping thresholds and return windows set with care, because American customers compare them before they buy.
Accessibility claims against online stores are a known risk in the US, and building a store right is simpler than retrofitting it.
If you do not sell online
A consultancy, a design studio or a B2B brand often reaches American customers through its website alone. Three things decide whether they trust it.
Found locally
Google Business Profile and Apple Business Connect listings, with the same name, address and phone number everywhere.
Accessible to everyone
US courts have applied the ADA to websites. We build to WCAG 2.2 AA and test with a keyboard and a screen reader.
Privacy, state by state
California and a growing number of states give residents privacy rights. The site shows the notices and opt-out links that apply to you.
On the store
The details that make a store from abroad feel familiar in the US.
Packages
Every project is scoped to the brand. Prices are shared in a proposal after a short conversation.
The starting point for a brand that is already live: a review of your brand and store against US expectations, with prioritised fixes.
Ideal for: Brands with a live site or store who want to know what to change first
What’s included
A direct channel to US customers: a bespoke Shopify store designed around the product and configured for US pricing, tax and delivery.
Ideal for: Premium brands opening a direct channel to US customers
What’s included
An addition to an established store: private Shopify apps and integrations built around how you sell, fulfil and serve customers, when existing apps do not fit.
Ideal for: Brands with a workflow that off-the-shelf apps cannot handle
What’s included
Not sure which one fits? Decide with us on a short call.
Related
Not necessarily. Many international brands sell to US customers from abroad. A US entity can help with payments, marketplaces or wholesale relationships, but it brings its own tax and compliance obligations, so US legal and tax advisers should guide that decision. Workly Up does not form companies; we build the store around whichever structure you choose.
Sales tax is set state by state, and an obligation to collect it can arise from sales into a state even without a physical presence there. Thresholds and rules differ, so a US tax adviser should confirm where you need to register. Once registrations are in place, Shopify's tax tools can calculate tax at checkout, and prices are usually shown before tax.
US rules for low-value parcels and tariff rates have changed significantly in recent years and may change again. Before launch, check the landed cost of your products from your country of origin with a customs broker, and decide whether you or the customer pays duties. We then present delivery and charges clearly, so no American customer meets an unexpected bill on delivery.
Unlike the UK and EU, the US has no general federal right to cancel an online purchase, so return terms are largely set by the brand. Customers compare them closely and expect them to be clear and simple. Some states have disclosure rules, so your adviser should review the policy; we design the returns flow and present the terms where customers look.
Accessibility claims against online stores are a known risk in the US. The rules for private business websites do not prescribe a single technical standard, but WCAG is the common reference. We design and build with WCAG in mind and test before launch; US legal counsel should advise on your specific exposure.
