Canadians, how do you handle business?

Hi,

I would like to have some ideas about how Canadians are doing business here. I know there are a lot of canadians on the forum, so it could be good informations for other Canadians.

The reason I'm saying "Canadians" is that we get a lot of challenges if we are doing business with US organizations or customers. Our taxes are different, you have to factor in the price of shipping if you use a website that ships your prints from the US, etc.

So, I know my question isn't really precise but I only want feedback. A couple of ideas of things you could tell me

Which website are you using for photo hosting/selling?

Which accounting software are you using? If you're in Quebec, can it handles the 2 taxes?

What type of photography do you do?

Are you charging in US $ or CAD $ ?

These are juste some examples of things you could tell me. I would like to have as much information as possible concerning the photography business in Canada.

Just starting and drafting my plan as of late.
In response to your questions,
-Marketing with my own website, getting hosted on this weekend, then building-- likely going with http://www.netfirms.ca​/web-hosting/ as a host.
-Out sourcing printing (not decided on reputable printer yet).
-No tax software, Excel for now, Quicken latter on-- Quicken should handle Quebec provincial stuff.
-I do, and will do, portrait, local events, family events, charity work, abstract art, erotic, corporate and product.
-All prices in CDN as I and my business are Canadian, and the US dollar is not the one-world currency.

Check the CRA website, there is a great deal of information of getting started on a business in Canada, as well there is information and laws regarding photography. As a tip, be sure you check the provincial laws regarding "privacy laws", photographers rights, photographed individuals and their rights etc.

I use Smugmug. I have found it:
A) to be very easy to use,
B) there is always someone willing/available to help set up your site
C) the US $ isn't really a factor for me as I have US and Cdn customers (just be sure to clearly state on your site that prices are in US $)
D) I don't worry too much about the taxes, my accountant does at the end of the year ( this is only a hobby and therefore I don't put a huge effort into it)

I have tried another site (photoreflect) and didn't find it very easy to use, however that may be due to the fact that I use a MAC and they were not totally MAC friendly at the time, they may have changed by now though.

Good luck
Paul


www.tobeframed.com