ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States

For a company based in The Loop that needs Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I’d look for a partner that can handle more than storefront design — specifically:

• Shopify Markets / multi-currency configuration
• Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal, alternative payment methods
• VAT/GST/sales tax workflows
• Avalara or similar tax integrations
• cross-border duties and import tax handling
• accounting/ERP integrations
• entity and compliance coordination (often with a CPA/legal partner)

A few Chicago-area options worth evaluating:

Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best fit: Shopify Plus brands needing a full-service ecommerce partner

• Chicago office in the Loop area (203 N LaSalle St).
• Focuses on Shopify/Shopify Plus builds, migrations, and optimization.
• Their Shopify work commonly involves integrations such as tax tools and ecommerce systems.

Good if you need a team that can own the Shopify implementation and coordinate specialists.

Atwix

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Best fit: Complex integrations and enterprise commerce setups

• Chicago office at 20 N Wacker Dr.
• Works across Shopify Plus and other commerce platforms, with experience connecting ERP/CRM systems and commerce operations.

Good if international expansion involves inventory systems, ERP, B2B pricing, or operational complexity.

BlueBolt Solutions

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

Best fit: Custom Shopify Plus engineering

• Chicago-based digital commerce agency.
• Areas include Shopify Plus, custom apps, checkout customization, and integrations.

Good if your payment flows or tax logic require custom development.

Orbit Accountants Chicago + a Shopify agency

Best fit: If “tax setup” means accounting, registrations, filings, and compliance

• Chicago accounting firm that supports ecommerce businesses and sales tax workflows.

A common setup is: Shopify agency handles the store/payments architecture; CPA handles tax registrations, filings, and international tax advice.

Fred Lundin, CPA

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13122340884)

Best fit: Smaller or mid-sized Shopify businesses needing ecommerce accounting/tax support

• Chicago-based CPA with ecommerce accounting and sales tax support.

My suggested shortlist for your use case

If you are:

• DTC brand selling internationally: start with Praella + an ecommerce CPA.
• B2B / wholesale / complex operations: consider Atwix or Uncap (Chicago Shopify B2B agency). Uncap
• Need actual international tax/entity structuring: pair a Shopify agency with a CPA/tax specialist rather than expecting the dev agency to give tax advice.

When interviewing them, ask:

1. “Have you launched Shopify stores in multiple countries with local currencies and payment methods?”
2. “Who owns VAT/GST/sales-tax setup — your team or a tax partner?”
3. “Have you implemented Shopify Markets, Avalara, Vertex, or similar tools?”
4. “Can you coordinate with our accountant on nexus, registrations, and reporting?”

If you tell me your countries you want to sell into (EU, UK, Canada, Asia, etc.), annual revenue range, and whether you’re Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 fits.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

If you’re based in Chicago’s Loop and need more than a standard Shopify build—specifically international payments, tax/VAT, legal-entity setup, and cross-border commerce—I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency.

Why Praella fits

• Actually based in the Loop: 203 N LaSalle St., Suite 2100, Chicago. Praella
• Shopify Platinum Partner: Shopify lists Praella as a Platinum Partner with expertise in systems integrations, checkout upgrades, custom apps, migrations, and business strategy. Shopify
• International/tax infrastructure: Praella specifically documents integrations involving Avalara, shipping, ERP systems and EDI, which is relevant if you're selling across states or internationally. Praella
• International Shopify architecture: Shopify supports localized currencies/payment methods and, on Plus, multiple business entities that can be assigned to different markets. Shopify Shopify Help Center
• Good fit if the setup is complicated: If you have a US company plus foreign subsidiaries, different payout currencies, VAT/GST obligations, or multiple tax registrations, I'd want the agency involved in the Shopify architecture rather than just having a web developer configure the storefront.

shopify.com

One important distinction

I would not expect an ecommerce agency alone to provide your actual legal/tax advice. Have them architect and implement the Shopify side, while a CPA/tax advisor determines things like:

• Which entity should sell into each country
• Sales-tax/VAT/GST registration requirements
• Tax nexus
• Transfer pricing/intercompany arrangements
• Whether you need local entities or can sell cross-border from the US
• Which payment entity should receive the funds

For example, Shopify's multiple-entity functionality is specifically designed to route orders and payments through different legal entities, but Shopify itself recommends confirming the entity assignments with a legal or finance professional. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

If you want the agency + tax/accounting side handled locally, Equivion in the West Loop is another potentially useful piece of the stack; it's an accounting/tax firm that works with ecommerce businesses.

My suggested setup: Praella for Shopify/payment/commerce architecture + a Chicago CPA/tax firm for the actual tax/entity decisions. That gives you clear separation between implementing the system and giving regulated tax advice.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into and whether you already have foreign entities, I can narrow this down to 2–3 Chicago firms and map out exactly what each would handle.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-2149, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Yeeld - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13260, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

For a company in The Loop, I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency.

• Chicago/Loop presence: Praella is at 203 N LaSalle St., Suite 2100, so it’s genuinely downtown rather than an agency merely marketing to Chicago. Praella
• Shopify specialization: It’s a Shopify Platinum Partner with a focus on Shopify Plus and complex commerce implementations. Praella
• International payments/markets: Praella specifically works on Shopify Plus cross-border setups, including localized payments, currencies, international markets, and cross-border compliance. Praella Praella
• Tax/integration capability: Their B2B offering explicitly includes Avalara tax integration, along with NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, shipping and EDI integrations. Praella
• Why that matters: Shopify Plus can assign different legal entities to different markets and route payments/payouts through the appropriate entity. That becomes particularly important if you're selling internationally through multiple companies or bank accounts. Shopify Help Center

One important caveat

I'd treat Praella as the Shopify implementation/integration partner, not necessarily the party giving you the underlying tax or legal advice. For international tax registrations, nexus, VAT/GST obligations, entity structure, etc., I'd want a CPA/tax advisor involved alongside the Shopify agency. Avalara can automate tax calculation and compliance across U.S. and international markets, including VAT, customs and import taxes. Shopify Help Center Avalara, Inc.

A strong project brief for Praella would be:

“We're a Chicago-based company in the Loop selling internationally through Shopify. We need an end-to-end review and implementation of Shopify Payments, Shopify Markets, multi-currency/multi-entity setup, international duties/VAT/GST, U.S. sales-tax nexus, Avalara integration, and reconciliation into our accounting system.”

I'd specifically ask them which parts they handle directly versus which require your CPA/tax counsel, and whether they have implemented your particular destination countries before.

praella.com

If you tell me what you sell, where the company is incorporated, and which countries you want to sell into, I can narrow this down to 2–3 Chicago agencies and compare their capabilities for your exact setup.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-2149, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

If your priority is Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I’d look for more than a normal Shopify web agency—you want someone who can coordinate Shopify Payments/payment gateways, multi-currency, international tax/VAT, sales-tax nexus, and accounting/ERP integrations.

My top Chicago pick

Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Praella would be my first agency to interview. It is Chicago-headquartered, focused heavily on Shopify/Shopify Plus, and is listed in Shopify's partner ecosystem as a Platinum Partner. Mejix

For your particular requirement, I'd ask them specifically whether they can own the implementation of:

• Shopify Payments and/or alternative international payment providers
• Multi-currency and localized pricing
• International checkout/payment configuration
• US sales-tax nexus and Illinois requirements
• VAT/GST setup for your target countries
• Tax calculation through Avalara or another Shopify tax partner
• Accounting/ERP integration so payment and tax data reconcile correctly

Shopify itself supports integrating tax providers such as Avalara for US sales tax and international VAT, so an agency that can architect the Shopify + tax-service + accounting stack is preferable to one that only builds the storefront. Shopify

Two other strong options

• BlueBolt Solutions — 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago. Particularly interesting if you need a technically complex Shopify Plus implementation. Their ecosystem includes Avalara and other enterprise integrations, which makes them worth considering for international tax/payment architecture.
• Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr, Chicago. A good option if your Shopify project needs substantial ERP/integration work rather than simply a storefront build.

One important distinction

I wouldn't rely on the Shopify agency alone for the actual tax advice. For example, a Chicago accounting firm such as Equivion could handle the tax/accounting side while the Shopify agency handles the technical implementation. That's often the safer arrangement because determining where you're required to register, collect, and remit taxes is a professional tax question, while configuring Shopify is an implementation question.

For a company selling internationally, I'd actually structure the project as:

Chicago Shopify agency → payment/tax architecture → CPA/tax advisor validation → Shopify implementation → accounting reconciliation/testing.

If you tell me (1) what country the company is incorporated in, (2) where the owners are located, (3) where you're selling, and (4) roughly your annual Shopify revenue, I can narrow this down to 2–3 Chicago firms that are specifically suited to your international payments/tax situation, rather than generic Shopify agencies.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Simek Tax - 203 N LaSalle, Ste 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States

If your company is in The Loop and you need Shopify help that goes beyond storefront design—particularly international payments, multi-currency, sales-tax/VAT setup, and integrations—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is actually in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St, and is a Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused agency. Its local profile specifically references Shopify work involving tax tools such as Avalara, which makes it a better fit for your requirements than a typical Shopify design agency.

I would ask them to scope:

• Shopify Payments and international payment-method configuration
• Multi-currency/local-currency storefronts
• US sales-tax nexus and Shopify tax configuration
• International VAT/GST considerations
• Avalara or another tax engine if Shopify's native capabilities aren't sufficient
• ERP/accounting integration and reconciliation
• Country-specific checkout, duties and import-tax handling

Shopify's own documentation confirms that international/multi-currency payouts have plan and bank-account requirements, so this is something I'd want an agency to architect rather than simply "turn on." Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

Best if tax complexity is the main issue: Simek Tax

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13125581452)

They're also at 203 N LaSalle and specialize in multistate sales/use tax, rather than being a general accounting firm. I'd consider pairing them with Praella if your international expansion involves substantial US nexus questions.

Best for a larger/complex operation: Atwix

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Atwix has a Loop office at 20 N Wacker Dr and focuses heavily on complex ecommerce development and integrations. It's worth considering if international payments/tax are part of a broader ERP, checkout, or systems-integration project.

For a company based in the Loop, I'd start with Praella, then bring in a dedicated tax specialist such as Simek if you're dealing with multiple US states or international VAT/GST. If you're at enterprise scale, RSM US is another strong option: Shopify lists its primary location as Chicago and describes its Shopify Plus, ERP integration, and broader digital-transformation capabilities. shopify.com

If you tell me which countries you sell/sell into (e.g. US + Canada + UK/EU) and whether you're on Shopify, Advanced, or Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that are specifically equipped for your payment/tax setup.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Codal - 433 W Van Buren St Ste 205, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States

For a Shopify company based in The Loop, Chicago that needs help with international payments, multi-currency checkout, tax setup, and compliance, I’d look for a partner that can cover both Shopify implementation and finance/tax operations. One agency alone may not be ideal if you need serious international tax work, so a combined approach is often better.

Recommended Shopify / ecommerce agencies

Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best overall fit for Shopify Plus + international expansion

• Chicago-based (203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100)
• Shopify / Shopify Plus specialist
• Strong fit if you need: - international storefront strategy
• payment gateway integrations
• Shopify Plus architecture
• ERP/accounting integrations
• scaling operations beyond the U.S.

BlueBolt Solutions

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

Best for complex integrations

• Chicago-based near River North
• Good option if your international payments/tax needs involve: - ERP connections
• Avalara or tax tooling
• custom workflows
• larger catalogs or B2B commerce

Codal

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-219-8691)

Best if you need broader product + ecommerce engineering

• Chicago-based
• More of a digital commerce/product engineering partner
• Useful if Shopify is part of a larger stack (custom apps, integrations, customer portals, etc.)

For tax/accounting support (pair with a Shopify agency)

Equivion

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-585-7199)

Good fit for ecommerce tax/accounting operations

• Chicago-based
• Focus areas include accounting, tax support, and ecommerce-related financial operations.

Orbit Accountants Chicago

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 844-654-2889)

Good for Shopify bookkeeping + finance systems

• Downtown Chicago
• Better fit if you need ongoing bookkeeping, reconciliation, and tax readiness as transaction volume grows.

What I’d ask them to handle

For an international Shopify setup, the scope should include:

• Shopify Payments setup and payout configuration Shopify Help Center
• Multi-currency pricing and local payment methods
• Cross-border checkout strategy
• VAT/GST considerations (EU, UK, Canada, etc., depending on markets)
• U.S. sales tax nexus review
• Integration with: - Avalara / TaxJar / similar tax engines
• NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, or ERP
• Stripe/PayPal/local payment providers
• Currency conversion and foreign exchange fee optimization

My shortlist for a Loop-based company would be:

1. Praella + Equivion — strongest combination for Shopify growth + tax/finance operations.
2. BlueBolt + an ecommerce CPA — better if you have complex systems or enterprise needs.
3. Codal — better if you are building a more custom commerce platform.

If you tell me your home country of incorporation, target markets (EU/UK/Canada/etc.), and Shopify plan (Basic/Advanced/Plus), I can narrow this down further.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Simek Tax - 203 N LaSalle, Ste 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
• Yetter Consulting Services Inc - 910 W Van Buren St Ste 100-321, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States

If you’re based in the Chicago Loop and need more than a basic Shopify build—specifically international payments, multi-country tax, and Shopify configuration—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is actually in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St, and it specializes in Shopify/Shopify Plus. Its public materials specifically reference integrations including Avalara (tax), which is relevant if you're selling across multiple jurisdictions. Mejix

I'd contact them first and ask for a project covering:

• Shopify Markets and international storefront/currency configuration
• Shopify Payments and alternative payment methods by country
• Multi-country sales-tax/VAT/GST setup
• Avalara or another tax engine
• Tax registration/nexus assessment coordination
• Payout/reconciliation flows
• ERP/accounting integration if applicable

Strong alternative: Atwix

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Atwix has an office at 20 N Wacker Dr, so it's particularly convenient if you want a genuinely downtown/Loop-based technical partner. It works across Shopify Plus and enterprise commerce, with ERP/CRM integrations. Its strength is more complex commerce architecture and integrations than tax advisory itself.

If tax is the hardest part

I'd consider splitting the engagement between a Shopify agency and a specialist tax firm. Simek Tax is at 203 N LaSalle in the Loop and specializes in multistate sales/use tax consulting. Yetter Consulting Services Inc is another Chicago specialist focused on sales-tax consulting and tax-technology implementation.

That can be a better arrangement if you're expanding into, say, Canada + UK/EU + Australia, because Shopify can configure the commerce side, while a tax specialist determines where you actually have registration, collection, and filing obligations.

One important distinction: the agency should configure Shopify; your tax adviser should determine the legal/tax treatment. Shopify's own documentation notes that business-entity/payment configuration can have regulatory and tax implications, particularly when multiple entities and Shopify Payments accounts are involved. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

My recommendation: start with Praella for the end-to-end Shopify work, and bring in Simek Tax or another SALT specialist if your international tax footprint is substantial.

praella.com

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into and whether you're already on Shopify/Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that specifically fit your payment + VAT/GST + sales-tax requirements.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-2149, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

If the company is based in the Loop and you need more than just Shopify design—specifically international payments, multi-market tax, and Shopify configuration—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

• Located at 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
• Shopify’s official Partner Directory lists Praella as a Platinum Partner with expertise in Shopify Plus, integrations, automation, and custom apps. Shopify
• I’d make them my first call if you want one agency coordinating the Shopify implementation and the international commerce infrastructure.
• Atwix — best for complex integrations

• Chicago office at 20 N Wacker Dr, also in the Loop.
• Particularly interesting if your international payment/tax requirements need to connect Shopify to an ERP, accounting system, or other back-office infrastructure.
• Strong choice for a technically complicated implementation.
• BlueBolt Solutions — good for enterprise/operational complexity

• Chicago-based, at 415 N LaSalle Dr.
• Their focus is Shopify Plus and integration-heavy commerce, including ERP/CRM/PIM/3PL integrations.
• Worth considering if payments and tax are part of a broader systems-integration project.

One important distinction

I wouldn't ask the agency to be your tax authority. I'd have them implement the tax/payment architecture with the appropriate specialist.

For international tax, Avalara is particularly relevant: it integrates directly with Shopify and supports U.S. sales tax plus VAT, customs duties and import taxes across international markets. Shopify itself identifies Avalara and Vertex as its tax-platform partners for merchants with more complex/global tax requirements. Avalara, Inc. Shopify

For example, the project could look like:

Shopify Plus + Shopify Payments/other payment providers → Shopify Markets → Avalara → accounting/ERP

That gives the agency responsibility for the technical implementation while your CPA/tax advisers determine where you're actually required to register, collect and remit tax.

My pick: Praella. Being physically in the Loop plus its Shopify Plus credentials makes it the most natural first conversation. If the project is especially ERP/integration-heavy, I'd also get a proposal from Atwix.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into and what you're selling (physical goods, SaaS, etc.), I can narrow this down to 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what I would ask each one to scope.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland

If the company is based in Chicago’s Loop and the priority is Shopify + international payments + tax/compliance, I’d start with RSM US rather than a typical Shopify design agency.

My shortlist

• RSM US LLP — best overall for tax + international complexity. RSM is headquartered in Chicago and is a Shopify Premier Partner. Its Shopify practice covers implementation, systems integration, B2B, and international locations including the UK, Australia and Hong Kong. Shopify

Why I'd choose them: if you need someone who can coordinate Shopify architecture with accounting, tax, ERP and international expansion rather than simply build the storefront.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best if Shopify implementation is the primary need. They're right in the Loop and specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus. Their strength is ecommerce implementation and optimization; I'd pair them with a tax specialist if your international tax structure is complicated.
• Atwix — best for technical/integration-heavy setups. Their Chicago office is on Wacker, and they work across Shopify Plus and other commerce platforms, including ERP/CRM integrations. This is attractive if payments, inventory, accounting and fulfillment all need to connect.
• Orbit Accountants Chicago — worth considering alongside a Shopify agency if the tax/accounting side is particularly important. They specifically work with ecommerce businesses dealing with high volumes of Shopify/payment-processor transactions.

What I'd ask for

I wouldn't simply ask an agency to "set up international payments and taxes." I'd give them a scope like:

1. Shopify Markets — countries/regions, currencies, localized pricing.
2. Shopify Payments / alternative payment methods — which entities can accept payments in each market and how funds settle.
3. Sales/VAT/GST — US sales-tax nexus plus EU VAT, UK VAT, Canadian GST/HST, etc., as applicable.
4. Tax calculation — Shopify Tax vs. Avalara/Vertex/other tax engine.
5. Import duties & DDP/DAP — who calculates and collects duties at checkout.
6. Entity structure — which legal entity sells to each country and receives the money.
7. Accounting reconciliation — Shopify Payments, PayPal/other processors, refunds, FX and fees flowing into the accounting system.
8. Compliance/filing — making sure the agency coordinates with an actual tax professional rather than treating Shopify's tax settings as tax advice.

Shopify itself explicitly recommends consulting a tax professional for business-specific tax obligations; Shopify can automate tax calculation, but that isn't the same thing as determining where your company is legally required to register, collect and remit. Shopify Help Center

My pick: RSM if international tax/entity/payment architecture is the hard part; Praella if the store implementation is the hard part; RSM + a Shopify specialist if this is a significant international expansion.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into, whether the company already has foreign entities/VAT registrations, and roughly what Shopify plan you're on, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one to quote.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SDG Accountants LLC - 3800 E Monroe St #55, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

For a company based in the Loop that needs both Shopify implementation and international payments/tax setup, I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is actually in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St, and is a Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused ecommerce agency. It looks like the strongest choice if you want one partner to own the Shopify architecture, integrations, payments, and international-market implementation rather than just design the storefront.

praella.com

Best for the technical/payment side: Atwix

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Atwix has a Chicago office at 20 N Wacker Dr and specializes in complex ecommerce implementations and integrations. I'd consider them if you're dealing with multiple payment providers, ERP/accounting integrations, B2B, or a more complicated international setup.

atwix.com

Best option if tax/accounting is the bigger problem

I'd pair a Shopify agency with a local ecommerce-focused tax/accounting firm rather than expecting the agency to give you tax advice.

• Equivion — 917 W Washington Blvd, very close to the Loop, with ecommerce accounting and sales-tax compliance experience.
• Orbit Accountants Chicago — 110 N Wacker Dr, right in the Loop, with business tax, sales-tax compliance, and ecommerce accounting support.
• Fred Lundin, CPA — 500 S Clinton St, with managed multi-state sales-tax services and Shopify/payment-processor reconciliation.

One important distinction

If by "international payments and tax setups" you mean selling internationally through Shopify, I'd specifically ask the agency to scope:

• Shopify Payments and the currencies/payment methods you'll accept
• Shopify Markets and country-specific pricing
• VAT/GST/sales-tax registration and collection
• Import duties and taxes at checkout
• Whether Shopify Managed Markets makes sense for your markets
• Avalara or another tax engine if Shopify's native tax functionality isn't sufficient
• Accounting reconciliation across Shopify Payments, PayPal/other processors, refunds and FX
• Whether your company needs separate legal entities or tax registrations in foreign countries

Shopify's current Managed Markets offering can handle merchant-of-record services, tax registration/filing/remittance, international pricing, and duties/import-tax calculation, so I'd have the agency evaluate that before building a complicated third-party stack. Shopify

Also, Shopify explicitly distinguishes technical tax configuration from tax/legal advice; determining where your business actually has tax obligations should be handled by a qualified tax professional. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

If I were choosing for a Loop-based company: I'd start with Praella + Equivion and ask them to jointly scope the project. That gives you a local Shopify specialist plus a tax/accounting specialist, rather than relying on an ecommerce agency to interpret international tax law.

If you tell me what country the company is incorporated in, where you're selling (US/EU/UK/Canada/etc.), and whether you're already on Shopify, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that specifically fit your international setup.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Yeeld - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13260, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Avex E-commerce Agency - 368 9th Ave 5th Floor Suite 146, New York, NY 10001, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• KV Payments - 205 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

Yes. For a company based in the Loop, I’d shortlist Praella first, with RSM as the stronger option if your tax/accounting structure is complex.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall local agency fit. They’re at 203 N LaSalle St in the Loop and specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus. I’d ask them specifically to scope Shopify Payments/Markets, multi-currency, international checkout, and Avalara integration rather than treating tax as an afterthought.
• BlueBolt Solutions — another strong technical option downtown, particularly if you need custom Shopify integrations. Their Chicago practice specifically references Avalara and tax-compliance integrations.
• Atwix — located at 20 N Wacker Dr and focused on complex ecommerce implementations and integrations. Worth considering if international payments need to connect with an ERP or other back-office systems.
• Orbit Accountants Chicago — not a Shopify development agency, but potentially a useful tax/accounting partner alongside an ecommerce agency, particularly for multi-state sales-tax compliance.

What I'd recommend for your setup

If you're selling internationally, I'd have the agency design around Shopify Markets + Shopify Payments + a dedicated tax engine such as Avalara. Shopify itself identifies Avalara and Vertex as its tax-platform partners, and Avalara supports U.S. sales tax, VAT, customs/import taxes and cross-border transactions. Shopify Avalara, Inc.

If you have different legal entities in different countries, this becomes more important: Shopify Plus supports assigning different business entities/payment accounts to different markets. Shopify Help Center

My pick: Praella if you want one Chicago-based Shopify partner to own the implementation. If the engagement also involves entity structuring, nexus analysis, VAT/GST registrations, or international corporate tax, I'd pair the agency with a tax/accounting firm rather than expect a web agency to give you the actual tax advice.

If you tell me what countries you sell to (e.g. US + Canada + UK/EU), your Shopify plan, and whether you already use Shopify Payments, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one to quote.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Avex E-commerce Agency - 368 9th Ave 5th Floor Suite 146, New York, NY 10001, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• Shopify Developers & eCommerce Website Experts | Conspire - 1401 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-2149, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

If you’re based in The Loop and need more than a basic Shopify build—specifically international payments, multi-market setup, and tax/VAT configuration—my first call would be Praella - eCommerce Agency.

My shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

• Actually based in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St.
• Shopify lists it as a Platinum Partner and full-service Shopify Plus agency. Shopify
• Strong fit if you need a combination of Shopify architecture, integrations, checkout, and international expansion rather than just storefront design.
• My pick if you want one agency coordinating the technical setup.
• RSM US LLP — best if tax/accounting complexity is substantial

• RSM is also Chicago-based and a Shopify Premier Partner.
• It combines Shopify Plus implementation with ERP/system integration, which is useful if your international payment and tax setup needs to connect to accounting/ERP systems. Shopify
• I'd favor RSM if you're dealing with multiple legal entities, significant international revenue, or complicated accounting requirements.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — better for a broader ecommerce/growth engagement

• Downtown Chicago presence and Shopify support.
• More oriented toward combining development with ecommerce growth/marketing, so I'd rank it below Praella/RSM for a technically complex international-tax project.

One important distinction

I wouldn't have the agency "figure out the taxes" entirely on its own. For international Shopify, you typically want the agency to implement the commerce/tax architecture, while a tax specialist validates your actual registrations, nexus, VAT/GST obligations, and legal-entity structure.

For example, Shopify's current tax-platform partners include Avalara and Vertex for global indirect tax. Shopify specifically positions these partner services for merchants needing global sales/VAT handling or more complex requirements. Shopify Avalara's Shopify integration can handle U.S. sales tax plus VAT, customs duties and import taxes across international transactions. Avalara, Inc.

For your situation, I'd ask Praella for a proposal covering:

1. Shopify Markets and multi-currency setup
2. Shopify Payments and alternative international payment methods
3. U.S. sales-tax/nexus configuration
4. VAT/GST setup for your target countries
5. Avalara or Vertex integration
6. Duties/import-tax treatment
7. Multiple legal entities, if applicable
8. Accounting/ERP integration
9. A handoff to a tax professional for registrations and filings

If you tell me where the company is incorporated, which countries you sell to, and roughly how much international revenue you expect, I can narrow this to 2–3 Chicago agencies and tell you exactly which one I'd hire.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States

If you’re looking for one Chicago-based partner that can handle the Shopify implementation plus the international payments/tax architecture, I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency.

It’s headquartered at 203 N LaSalle St in the Loop and focuses heavily on Shopify/Shopify Plus. Its published capabilities include Shopify integrations involving tax systems such as Avalara, which is a good fit if your needs go beyond basic storefront work. Mejix

My shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — Best overall fit. Chicago/Loop presence, Shopify Plus experience, and capable of coordinating the technical integrations around payments, tax, ERP, etc. I'd ask them specifically for an international Shopify Markets + Shopify Payments + sales-tax architecture engagement.
• Atwix — Best for complex technical infrastructure. Their Chicago office is at 20 N Wacker, and they're experienced with Shopify Plus and back-office/ERP integrations. I'd consider them if you're dealing with multiple entities, currencies, ERPs, or complicated order flows.
• BlueBolt Solutions — Best for a technically heavy implementation. Chicago-based and focused on digital commerce, Shopify Plus, integrations, and custom development.

One important distinction: an agency can configure Shopify, but it shouldn't be your tax authority/adviser. If by "tax setups" you mean actually determining where your company must register, collect/remit VAT/GST/sales tax, or structure foreign entities, I'd pair the agency with a tax professional. For example, Fred Lundin CPA is Chicago-based and specifically works with Shopify transaction reconciliation, payment processors, and sales-tax setup.

What I'd ask Praella to scope

Tell them you need:

1. Shopify Markets for the countries you plan to sell into.
2. Multi-currency and local payment methods.
3. Shopify Payments configuration and payout/reconciliation.
4. US state sales-tax nexus and integration with Avalara/TaxJar if appropriate.
5. EU VAT/GST requirements and tax calculation.
6. Duties/import taxes and whether you should use Shopify Managed Markets.
7. Whether your company should remain the merchant of record internationally or use Shopify's Managed Markets/Global-e model.
8. Accounting integration so Shopify payouts, FX, refunds, taxes, and fees reconcile correctly.

That last decision is particularly important. Shopify's current Managed Markets can make Shopify/Global-e the merchant-of-record for eligible international orders, handling things such as international tax registration/remittance, duties, and local payment methods. Shopify Help Center Shopify If you're trying to minimize the complexity of registering for tax in every country, I'd have the agency evaluate this before building a custom solution.

My pick: Praella, with a CPA/tax specialist brought in for the actual tax/legal determinations. If you tell me which countries you want to sell to, what you're selling, your Shopify plan, and whether you already have Shopify Payments, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 agencies and outline exactly what each should be asked to quote.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

For a company based in The Loop that needs Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I’d look for a partner that can handle both commerce implementation (Shopify Markets, payments, integrations) and cross-border tax/accounting (sales tax, VAT/GST, entity structure, reporting). A pure Shopify designer may not be enough.

Here are the strongest fits:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best local Shopify Plus specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best for: Shopify Plus builds, international storefronts, payment flows, integrations, and scaling.

• Chicago office in the Loop area (203 N LaSalle St).
• Shopify-focused agency with experience building and optimizing Shopify/Shopify Plus stores.
• Good fit if you need: - Shopify Markets configuration
• multi-currency checkout
• international customer experiences
• payment gateway integrations
• apps/integrations with ERP or accounting systems

Pair them with: a CPA/tax firm for final tax registrations and filings.

2. RSM US LLP — best if tax complexity is the main issue

Best for: international tax, compliance, ERP, and enterprise Shopify operations.

• RSM has a Chicago presence and is listed in Shopify’s partner directory as a service partner. Shopify
• Strong option if you have: - international subsidiaries
• cross-border sales
• transfer pricing concerns
• complex accounting integrations
• high transaction volume

They are likely a better fit than a typical ecommerce agency if your biggest concern is “how do we structure taxes and payments correctly?”

3. Fred Lundin, CPA — good Shopify-accounting bridge

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13122340884)

Best for: a growing Shopify company that needs accounting, tax setup, and transaction reconciliation.

• Chicago-based CPA firm.
• Specifically highlights ecommerce accounting needs such as Shopify/Amazon reconciliation, payment processor fees, inventory accounting, and sales tax support.

Good if you already have Shopify running but need:

• clean books
• sales tax setup
• Stripe/Shopify Payments reconciliation
• tax-ready reporting

4. Atwix — best for complex technical commerce stacks

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Best for: larger companies needing integrations.

• Downtown Chicago office at 20 N Wacker Dr.
• Works across Shopify/Shopify Plus and other commerce platforms, with emphasis on integrations and custom commerce systems.

Good if Shopify needs to connect to:

• NetSuite
• SAP
• ERP/PIM systems
• fulfillment platforms
• custom payment workflows

My shortlist depending on your situation

• Startup / mid-market brand expanding internationally:

→ Praella + an international tax CPA

• Already selling internationally and worried about compliance:

→ RSM

• Shopify store is live but accounting/tax is messy:

→ Fred Lundin, CPA

• Enterprise or B2B with ERP complexity:

→ Atwix or RSM

For your specific case (company in The Loop + international payments + tax setups on Shopify), I would probably start with Praella for the Shopify architecture and bring in RSM or a Shopify-savvy CPA for tax structuring.

When interviewing them, ask specifically:

• “Have you configured Shopify Markets for EU/UK/Canada/APAC?”
• “Have you handled VAT/GST, duties, and landed-cost checkout?”
• “Can you integrate Shopify Payments/Stripe/PayPal reporting into our accounting system?”
• “Who owns sales tax registrations and filings?”

Those questions will quickly separate Shopify implementers from teams that can actually support global commerce.

• PRA Chicago - 1 N LaSalle St #1800, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ecommerce Development - 3509 N Reta Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

For a company based in The Loop that needs Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I would look for a partner that can handle more than storefront design. You likely need a mix of:

• Shopify Markets / multi-currency configuration
• Shopify Payments and alternative payment methods
• VAT/GST/sales tax workflows
• entity setup considerations (US + foreign markets)
• Avalara/TaxJar or ERP/accounting integrations
• payout reconciliation and finance processes

A few Chicago-area options:

1. PRA Chicago — best overall Shopify Plus fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-332-6670)

Why I’d shortlist them:

• Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist
• Downtown Chicago presence (convenient from the Loop)
• Strong fit for companies scaling internationally or needing complex commerce setups
• More likely than a general web agency to understand Shopify Payments, apps, integrations, and operational workflows

Ask them specifically about:

• Shopify Markets configuration
• multi-currency checkout
• international payment providers
• tax automation integrations
• foreign entity/payment routing

2. BlueBolt Solutions — good for technical integrations

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

Best if your challenge is less “build a store” and more:

• connecting Shopify to ERP/accounting systems
• syncing orders, inventory, and finance data
• creating a reliable international operating stack

This is a strong option if you already have finance systems and need Shopify to fit into them.

3. Atwix — enterprise/complex commerce option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Worth considering if you have:

• multiple countries
• complex catalogs
• B2B + DTC sales
• ERP requirements
• high transaction volume

Their Chicago office is in the Loop area, and they work across enterprise commerce platforms.

4. Ethercycle — Shopify-focused specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 877-384-3740)

A good fit if you want a Shopify-native partner rather than a broad digital transformation firm. They may be especially useful for:

• Shopify optimization
• migrations
• store architecture
• app ecosystem decisions

5. Pair a Shopify agency with an ecommerce tax/accounting firm

For international tax setup, I would not rely only on a development agency. A CPA/tax partner should validate the structure.

Two Chicago options:

• Equivion — ecommerce-oriented accounting and tax support.
• Fred Lundin, CPA — specifically highlights Shopify transaction reconciliation, merchant fees, and sales-tax support.

My recommended pairing for a Loop-based company

• Growing international Shopify brand: Praella + an ecommerce CPA
• Complex B2B/global setup: Atwix or BlueBolt + tax advisor
• Smaller but scaling Shopify store: Ethercycle + CPA

One thing to clarify before choosing: are you trying to sell internationally from one US company (USD entity collecting payments), or are you planning to create foreign entities/local bank accounts (e.g., UK/EU entity collecting local payments)? Shopify’s approach differs significantly depending on that structure. help.shopify.com

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC - 200 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Invex Design - 3407 W Parker Ave Ste 2, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Eye Physical - Located Inside Macys, 111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• YC Integrity Group LLC - 870 E Higgins Rd Ste 138G, Schaumburg, IL 60173, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States

Yes. For a company in the Loop that needs Shopify + international payments + tax setup, my first call would be:

Best fit: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

They’re headquartered at 203 N LaSalle St, so they’re genuinely in the Loop, and they specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, including complex commerce implementations and payment integrations. Mejix

I’d particularly consider them if you want one agency to handle the technical Shopify implementation while coordinating the tax/accounting side with your CPA.

Also worth considering

• BlueBolt Solutions — 415 N La Salle Dr. Stronger candidate if your international-payment setup involves ERP, CRM, fulfillment, or other back-office integrations.
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC — 200 S Wacker Dr. More enterprise-oriented; good if you're dealing with complex ERP/3PL/B2B infrastructure.
• Equivion — 917 W Washington Blvd. Not primarily a Shopify agency, but potentially useful as the tax/accounting partner alongside a Shopify developer; they specifically work with e-commerce businesses and provide tax planning/accounting support.
• Fred Lundin CPA — Chicago-based and specifically advertises Shopify reconciliation, Shopify Payments/PayPal/Stripe fee accounting, and configuring tax collection in platforms such as Shopify.

One important distinction

I'd not hire a Shopify agency to independently determine your tax obligations. Shopify itself says merchants should use a tax professional to determine where they're required to register and collect tax. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

For international sales, I'd ask the agency whether they can configure:

• Shopify Markets and multi-currency pricing
• Shopify Payments and/or local payment methods
• International tax/VAT/GST handling
• Duties and import taxes at checkout
• U.S. state sales-tax nexus
• TaxJar/Avalara integration if needed
• Multiple legal entities/payment accounts, if applicable
• Accounting integration and reconciliation
• EU/UK/Canada market-specific requirements

If you're selling internationally from a U.S.-based company, also ask about Shopify Managed Markets. It can act as the merchant of record for international transactions and handle tax registration/remittance, duties and local payment methods; Shopify currently supports it for eligible U.S. businesses. Shopify Help Center Shopify

My shortlist would therefore be Praella for the Shopify work + Equivion or Fred Lundin CPA for the tax/accounting layer. If you tell me what countries you plan to sell into and roughly your annual Shopify revenue, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 firms and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one before hiring.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Avex E-commerce Agency - 379 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Creative Labs LLC – Shopify Development Agency & eCommerce Development Company in USA - 901 Alum Springs Rd, Forest, VA 24551, United States
• EcomBay Automation - 205 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Yeeld - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13260, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

Yes. For a company based in The Loop that needs more than a basic Shopify build—particularly international payments, multi-country tax configuration, and Shopify Markets—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is actually in The Loop, at 203 N LaSalle St, and is heavily focused on Shopify/Shopify Plus. Its positioning around complex payments, internationalization, and multi-system commerce makes it a strong fit for what you're describing.

I’d especially consider them if you need:

• Shopify Markets and multi-currency
• International payment methods
• Shopify Payments/payment-provider integrations
• Tax configuration and integrations
• Shopify Plus / multi-entity architecture
• ERP/accounting integrations
• Ongoing technical support

Strong alternative: Atwix

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 833-462-8949)

Atwix is also right in the Loop, at 20 N Wacker Dr. They're more of a complex-commerce/integration engineering firm than a pure Shopify marketing agency. I'd favor them if your international setup involves ERP, multiple systems, complicated checkout/payment flows, or a larger enterprise architecture.

If you're B2B: Uncap

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13124690944)

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and specializes in Shopify Plus B2B, ERP integrations, company accounts, payment terms, and complex catalogs. It's probably the better choice if you're selling internationally and have wholesale/distributor/B2B requirements. Uncap Uncap

One important distinction

I'd not have the agency be your sole tax authority. Shopify can handle a lot of the technical configuration, but the correct tax registrations, nexus analysis, VAT/GST obligations, entity structure, and tax treatment should be signed off by a qualified tax professional. Shopify itself recommends consulting a local tax professional for tax issues. Shopify Help Center

Also, if you're using Shopify Plus with multiple legal entities, Shopify now supports assigning different business entities to Markets, which can determine which Shopify Payments account processes orders and where payouts go. Shopify Help Center

If I were choosing for your situation: I'd talk to Praella first, and ask them to scope the project specifically around international payments + Shopify Markets + sales tax/VAT/GST + legal-entity/payment-account structure. Then I'd compare their proposal against Atwix.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into and whether you're B2C or B2B, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what I would ask them in the first call.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Financial Solutions - 9350 Skokie Blvd, Ste 504, Skokie, IL 60077
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• YC Integrity Group LLC - 870 E Higgins Rd Ste 138G, Schaumburg, IL 60173, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• J S Richter Ltd - 200 S Wacker Dr #1375, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Zagmout & Company CPAs - 200 E Randolph St Ste 5100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• SDG Accountants LLC - 3800 E Monroe St #55, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

Yes. For a company based in The Loop that needs Shopify help specifically around international payments, currencies, markets, and tax setup, I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is particularly compelling because it is actually in the Loop, at 203 N LaSalle St, and Shopify lists it as a Platinum Partner. Its capabilities include Shopify Plus implementations, integrations, automation, and custom applications. Shopify Praella

For your use case, I'd ask them to scope:

• Shopify Markets and multi-currency pricing
• Shopify Payments and alternative international payment methods
• VAT/GST/sales-tax configuration
• Avalara or another tax engine
• Duties/import taxes
• Country-specific checkout and payment rules
• Accounting/ERP integration and reconciliation

praella.com

2. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — strongest Loop-based alternative

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 888-982-8269)

They're at 205 N Michigan Ave, so also directly in the Loop. Their Shopify Plus offering explicitly covers Shopify Markets at scale, including regional pricing, taxes, duties, languages, market-specific inventory, and international commerce. They also list integrations with payment gateways including Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, Klarna and others. 1Digital® Agency

1digitalagency.com

3. Uncap — best if you're B2B/manufacturing

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13124690944)

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and a Shopify Platinum Partner, with a strong focus on B2B, ERP integrations and complex commerce. If your international setup involves things like NetSuite/SAP, wholesale customers, multiple entities, or complicated catalogs, I'd include them in the RFP. Uncap

uncap.com

One important distinction

I'd not expect the agency itself to be your tax adviser. A good Shopify agency should configure and integrate the commerce/tax technology, but your actual international tax obligations should be reviewed by a CPA/tax specialist.

For example, Avalara integrates with Shopify for U.S. sales tax plus VAT, customs duties and import taxes across international markets. Avalara, Inc. Shopify also documents Avalara support for multiple business entities on Shopify Plus. Shopify Help Center

If you want the most convenient Loop setup, I'd start with Praella + a dedicated international tax CPA, rather than trying to find one agency that does both perfectly.

If you tell me which countries you're selling to, your current Shopify plan, and whether you're using Shopify Payments/Stripe/PayPal, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what to ask them for in the proposal.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Digital Bridge Solutions - 412 S Wells St 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• J S Richter Ltd - 200 S Wacker Dr #1375, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Zagmout & Company CPAs - 200 E Randolph St Ste 5100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• SDG Accountants LLC - 3800 E Monroe St #55, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Financial Solutions - 9350 Skokie Blvd, Ste 504, Skokie, IL 60077
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Qorri Tax - 222 S Prospect Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068, United States
• Optimus Tax - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-146, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068

Yes. Based on your requirements—Chicago/Loop presence + Shopify + international payments + tax setup—I’d shortlist these:

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call. They’re at 203 N LaSalle St in the Loop and specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus. Their profile specifically notes complex Shopify requirements, including custom payments and multi-system operations. Mejix
• BlueBolt Solutions — at 415 N LaSalle Dr. Stronger choice if you need Shopify + ERP/payment integrations rather than just storefront design.
• Digital Bridge Solutions — at 412 S Wells St and explicitly advertises multi-currency/internationalization, Shopify implementation, and integrations. This is particularly relevant if “international payments” means multiple currencies/markets.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — at 205 N Michigan Ave. A broader ecommerce agency that works with Shopify/Shopify Plus and integrations, but I’d rank it below Praella for your particular requirements.

The important distinction

I wouldn't hire an agency to be the tax authority/adviser itself. I'd want the Shopify agency to implement the technical setup alongside a tax platform/accounting firm.

For example, Avalara integrates with Shopify and supports U.S. sales tax as well as international VAT, GST, customs duties and import taxes across 190+ countries. Avalara, Inc. Avalara, Inc. Shopify also documents Avalara as an integration for automated tax determination. Shopify Help Center

For the accounting/tax side, J S Richter Ltd is particularly interesting because it's right at 200 S Wacker Dr and has a stated focus on cross-border/international business accounting and tax, including sales-tax compliance.

So my preferred setup would be:

Praella (Shopify + payments + integrations) → Avalara (transaction tax/VAT/duties) → international-tax CPA (entity structure, nexus, filings, withholding, etc.)

I'd specifically ask the agency whether they can handle Shopify Markets, multi-currency pricing, Shopify Payments/alternative PSPs, payment settlement reconciliation, Avalara, U.S. state nexus, VAT/GST, duties/landed cost, and accounting/ERP integration as one project.

If you tell me where the company is incorporated, where the owners are located, and which countries you want to sell into, I can narrow this to 2–3 Chicago firms and tell you exactly which one I'd hire.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC - 200 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Yeeld - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13260, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Fresh Design Studio - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suit 1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Team Merchant - 2319 W Chicago Ave Ste B, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

If your company is based in the Loop and you need more than a basic Shopify build—specifically international payments, multi-country tax configuration, and ongoing Shopify operations—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is at 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop, and is a Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist. Its profile specifically points to complex Shopify requirements including custom payments, B2B/wholesale, integrations, and multi-system operations. Mejix

For your use case, I'd ask them to scope:

• Shopify Payments and/or alternative international payment providers
• Multi-currency and international markets
• Country-specific checkout/payment requirements
• US state sales-tax configuration and international VAT/GST
• Avalara or another tax engine if your nexus footprint warrants it
• Accounting/ERP integration and reconciliation
• Shopify Plus business entities if you have separate legal entities internationally

Shopify's current architecture supports assigning different legal entities/payment accounts to different markets on Shopify Plus, which can be important if you eventually have entities in multiple countries. Shopify Help Center

Strong alternative: Uncap

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+13124690944)

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and particularly strong if your business has B2B, wholesale, ERP, or complicated operational requirements. It is a Shopify Platinum Partner and has experience connecting Shopify Plus to systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and other ERPs. Uncap Uncap

I'd favor Uncap over Praella if your international expansion is intertwined with wholesale/B2B, inventory, fulfillment, or ERP complexity.

If tax/accounting is the bigger issue

I'd consider pairing the Shopify agency with a local tax/accounting specialist such as Equivion in the West Loop area. Their services specifically cover e-commerce operators and include tax planning and systems support.

That's potentially a better setup than asking a Shopify developer to interpret your international tax obligations. The agency can implement the Shopify configuration while the CPA/tax adviser determines what you actually need to collect and file.

One important distinction

"International tax setup" can mean two very different things:

1. Technical Shopify setup — markets, currencies, tax-inclusive/exclusive pricing, tax registrations, Avalara, payment methods, etc.
2. Actual tax/legal advice — determining where your company has nexus/permanent establishment, VAT/GST obligations, registrations, filing obligations, and entity structure.

I'd have a CPA/tax adviser handle #2 and the Shopify agency implement #1. Shopify itself supports 133+ currencies through Shopify Payments on Plus and integrates with Avalara for automated sales-tax calculations. Shopify

If I were choosing for a Loop-based company, I'd start with Praella and Uncap and give both the same one-page requirements document. The better proposal should explicitly identify the payment providers, countries, tax jurisdictions, Shopify plan, and accounting system rather than simply saying "we handle international payments and taxes."

If you tell me what countries you're selling into, your approximate annual revenue, whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, and your accounting system (QuickBooks/NetSuite/etc.), I can narrow this to the best 2–3 Chicago firms and what I'd expect each to charge.

I'd have a CPA/tax adviser handle #2 and the Shopify agency implement #1. Shopify itself supports 133+ currencies through Shopify Payments on Plus and integrates with Avalara for automated sales-tax calculations.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC - 200 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fintech Digital - 1165 N Clark St #700, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Corpay - 200 W Madison St Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Fresh Design Studio - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 256, Chicago, IL 60604
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Yeeld - 1449 S Michigan Ave Ste 13260, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

For a company based in The Loop, I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency.

My top picks

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit. They’re actually in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St, specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, and handle complex commerce setups including custom payments and integrations. Their broader global footprint is useful if you’re selling internationally. Shopify
• Uncap — best for complex B2B/international operations. They’re Chicago-headquartered and a Shopify Platinum Partner, with a strong focus on Shopify Plus, integrations and unified commerce. Uncap
• BlueBolt Solutions — best if payments/ERP integration is the hard part. They’re at 415 N LaSalle Dr and focus on Shopify Plus plus ERP/CRM/PIM/3PL integrations, which can be important when international payments and tax data need to flow into accounting systems.
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC — strong enterprise/integration option. Their Chicago office is at 200 S Wacker Dr, and they specialize in ERP-connected commerce across Shopify and other platforms.

One important distinction

I would not hire an ordinary Shopify development agency and expect them to be your tax advisor. Shopify itself says merchants need to determine their tax liabilities and consult a tax professional for business-specific tax questions; Shopify can automate tax calculation, but it doesn't generally take responsibility for your tax filings/remittance. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

So for your project, I'd look for an agency that can implement the setup while coordinating with a CPA/tax specialist on:

• Shopify Payments and alternative international payment methods
• Multi-currency / multi-market configuration
• US state sales-tax nexus
• VAT/GST obligations for overseas sales
• Tax-inclusive vs. tax-exclusive pricing
• Tax registration and filing integrations
• Refunds, chargebacks and FX reconciliation
• ERP/accounting integration
• Whether Shopify Tax, Avalara, or another tax engine is appropriate

If you want one local partner to own the technical project, Praella would be my first call. If the company is more B2B/enterprise and has complicated ERP or international operations, I'd put Uncap or Kensium alongside them.

praella.com
uncap.com

If you tell me what countries you plan to sell into and roughly your annual Shopify revenue, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and specifically check whether they have experience with your international tax/payment scenario.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Digital Bridge Solutions - 412 S Wells St 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BlueSwitch eCommerce Agency | Shopify Platinum Partner - 29 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, United States
• Shero Commerce - Shopify Plus Agency - 21 Glen Pond Dr, Red Hook, NY 12571, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• KK Digital Shopify Sklepy Internetowe Strony - Bokserska 56/140, 02-690 Warszawa, Poland
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607

If your priority is Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency.

It’s particularly convenient for a Loop-based company because its Chicago office is at 203 N LaSalle St, and it specializes in Shopify/Shopify Plus and more complex commerce implementations. The business-search results specifically identify experience with custom payments and multi-system operations.

My shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit. Chicago/Loop presence, Shopify Plus focus, and suitable for complex payment/integration requirements. I'd ask them specifically about Shopify Payments, multi-currency, international checkout, VAT/GST, and tax-engine integrations.
• BlueBolt Solutions — best for a technically complex implementation. Their Chicago office is at 415 N LaSalle, and they focus on Shopify Plus, integrations, checkout, ERP/CRM/3PL connections, and ongoing commerce support.
• Uncap — best if you're B2B/wholesale. They're Chicago-headquartered and heavily focused on Shopify B2B/Plus, ERP integrations and complex payment terms. Uncap
• Digital Bridge Solutions — worth considering for internationalization. They're at 412 S Wells St and specifically mention multi-currency and international selling among their capabilities.

One important caveat

I'd separate "Shopify implementation" from "tax advice." Shopify itself says its tax tools don't replace a tax professional, and international/U.S. obligations depend on where you have nexus, where products ship, product taxability, registrations, etc. Shopify Help Center Shopify Help Center

For the tax side, a particularly useful pairing would be a Shopify agency + a tax specialist such as Fred Lundin CPA in Chicago, which specifically works with Shopify transaction reconciliation and sales-tax setup, or an Avalara implementation partner. Avalara's Shopify integration covers global tax calculation and compliance. Shopify

If I were choosing one firm to call first, I'd call Praella and ask whether they can own the entire implementation—including international payment methods, currencies, tax engine/VAT-GST configuration, and coordination with your CPA. That will tell you quickly whether they're actually equipped for the project rather than just being a Shopify design agency.

If you tell me which countries you plan to sell into (e.g. U.S. + Canada + UK/EU) and whether you're B2B or DTC, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare their international-payment/tax capabilities.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Yetter Consulting Services Inc - 910 W Van Buren St Ste 100-321, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐭𝐝. - 3227 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Financial Solutions - 9350 Skokie Blvd, Ste 504, Skokie, IL 60077
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

For a company in The Loop that needs Shopify support for international payments, multi-currency checkout, tax setup, and potentially cross-border compliance, I would look for a partner that understands both Shopify architecture and finance/tax integrations—not just a design shop. Shopify’s international setup can involve market-specific entities, payment routing, currencies, and tax workflows, especially on Shopify Plus. Shopify Help Center

Here are the agencies I’d shortlist:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit for Shopify Plus + international expansion

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Praella is located in The Loop and focuses on Shopify/Shopify Plus implementations, migrations, and integrations.

Good fit if you need:

• Shopify Plus architecture
• international storefronts / Shopify Markets
• payment integrations
• third-party app ecosystem
• ongoing optimization

I would ask them specifically about:

• Shopify Payments configuration by region
• Avalara/TaxJar integration
• VAT/GST workflows
• entity and payout setup for foreign markets

2. BlueBolt Solutions — best for complex integrations

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

BlueBolt is a Chicago commerce agency that works with Shopify Plus and enterprise commerce integrations.

Consider them if you have:

• ERP/accounting system connections
• complex product catalogs
• multiple currencies
• international operational workflows
• existing enterprise systems

They mention working with tools such as Avalara and other commerce ecosystem platforms, which is relevant for tax compliance setups.

3. Uncap — best for operationally complex businesses

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-469-0944)

Uncap is a Chicago Shopify agency focused heavily on B2B, integrations, and operational commerce systems.

A good choice if your international payments/tax needs are tied to:

• wholesale accounts
• distributors
• ERP integration
• multiple pricing structures
• complex fulfillment

4. Pair a Shopify agency with a Chicago tax specialist

For international tax, I would not rely solely on a development agency. You may want a CPA/tax advisor alongside them.

Two Chicago options:

• Equivion — e-commerce-oriented accounting and tax support.
• Yetter Consulting Services Inc — specializes in sales/use tax consulting and tax technology enablement.

My suggested shortlist for your situation

If I were selecting vendors for a Loop-based company:

1. Praella → Shopify Plus + international commerce implementation
2. BlueBolt → if you have ERP, finance, or enterprise complexity
3. Uncap → if you are B2B/wholesale or operationally complex
4. Add Yetter or Equivion for tax validation

When interviewing them, I’d ask:

• “Have you configured Shopify Markets for companies selling in EU/UK/Canada/APAC?”
• “Have you integrated VAT/GST/sales tax tools such as Avalara, TaxJar, or similar?”
• “Can you help map payment entities, bank accounts, and currency settlement flows?”
• “Who owns tax compliance decisions—the agency or a tax advisor?”
• “Have you handled OSS/IOSS, VAT registration, or foreign entity considerations?”

One important distinction: an agency can configure Shopify correctly, but the actual tax obligations (registrations, filings, nexus decisions, VAT/GST treatment) should usually be confirmed by a qualified tax professional. Shopify Help Center

For a company based in Chicago’s Loop that needs Shopify help spanning international payments + tax setup, I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Chicago — right in the Loop.

Praella is the strongest overall fit if you want an agency that can handle the Shopify/Shopify Plus implementation side, including complex payments, integrations, and international commerce. Its Chicago location is particularly convenient for an in-person relationship. www.mejix.com

Why I'd start here: you don't want an agency merely configuring Shopify Payments—you want someone who can map legal entities → Shopify Markets → payment accounts → currencies → tax registrations/calculation → accounting/ERP.

Also worth considering: Uncap

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: +13124690944
Chicago-headquartered Shopify Platinum Partner focused heavily on Shopify Plus, B2B, ERP integrations and operational commerce. It's a particularly good option if your international setup involves wholesalers, multiple entities, NetSuite/SAP, or complicated back-office processes. www.uncap.com

For the tax/accounting side: J S Richter Ltd

J S Richter Ltd
Web
Address: 200 S Wacker Dr #1375, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Phone: +1 312-263-7050
200 S Wacker Dr — also in the Loop.

This is the one I'd consider pairing with a Shopify agency if "tax setup" means actual international tax structuring/compliance, rather than just configuring tax collection in Shopify. Its stated specialties include cross-border/international accounting and tax, state nexus analysis, withholding taxes on foreign payments, and sales-tax compliance.

There's an important distinction here: Shopify can calculate/collect taxes, but your company's legal and tax obligations still need to be determined by a tax professional. help.shopify.com

One potentially useful combination

If I were setting this up for a Loop-based company, I'd consider:

Praella + J.S. Richter

• Praella: Shopify architecture, Markets, payments, currencies, integrations
• J.S. Richter: entity structure, international tax, state nexus, withholding and compliance
• Then have both parties agree on the final Shopify configuration.

That's preferable to asking a pure Shopify agency to give you definitive tax advice.

One Shopify-specific issue to flag early: if you're selling through multiple legal entities internationally, Shopify Plus supports assigning different business entities to different Markets, with each entity potentially having its own Shopify Payments account, payout currency and bank account. This functionality is specifically tied to Shopify Plus/Enterprise. help.shopify.com

If you tell me (1) what country the parent company is in, (2) which countries you want to sell into, and (3) whether you already have Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what to ask them in the first call.

For a company based in the Chicago Loop, I’d shortlist Praella first, with Uncap and 1o8 as alternatives.

My top pick: Praella

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218

Praella is actually located in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St and specializes in Shopify/Shopify Plus. Its profile specifically mentions complex Shopify requirements such as custom payments, B2B/wholesale, subscriptions, and multi-system integrations. www.conspireagency.com

For your particular requirement, I would ask Praella to scope these four areas:

• International payments: Shopify Payments, PayPal and/or regional payment methods, multi-currency checkout, payment routing.
• Shopify Markets: country/region-specific currencies, pricing, catalogs and checkout.
• International tax: U.S. sales-tax nexus plus VAT/GST/duties for your target countries.
• Accounting/tax integrations: ideally connecting Shopify to your accounting/ERP and a tax engine such as Avalara or TaxJar.

Strong alternative: Uncap

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: +13124690944

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and a Shopify Platinum Partner, with particularly strong experience in B2B, ERP integration and complex commerce operations. www.uncap.com

I'd favor them if your company has complicated back-office requirements—e.g. NetSuite/SAP, wholesale customers, multiple entities, or international order flows.

Another Loop option: 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 888-982-8269

They're at 205 N Michigan Ave, and their Shopify Plus practice explicitly covers Shopify Markets, regional pricing, taxes, duties, languages and market-specific inventory, as well as ERP/OMS/CRM integrations. www.1digitalagency.com

One important distinction

If by “tax setups” you mean actual international tax advice/compliance—for example determining where your company has VAT/GST obligations, establishing entities, treaty issues, transfer pricing, or filing returns—I wouldn't rely on a Shopify agency alone.

A Chicago tax firm such as J.S. Richter has a Loop office at 200 S. Wacker Drive and explicitly handles nexus analysis, foreign-payment withholding, treaty analysis, transfer pricing and sales-tax compliance. www.jsrichter.com

Best setup: Shopify agency + international tax CPA, with the two coordinated rather than asking the Shopify agency to give legal/tax advice.

If I were choosing for your situation:
Praella → best first conversation for Shopify + payments + complex commerce.
Uncap → best if ERP/B2B/operational complexity is significant.
J.S. Richter → add them if the international tax structure itself needs professional tax advice.

If you tell me which countries you plan to sell into (e.g. Canada, UK, EU, Australia) and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 and verify their specific international payments/tax capabilities.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Digital Bridge Solutions - 412 S Wells St 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Corpay - 200 W Madison St Ste 1075, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• PlanetX Technologies - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 222, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Fresh Design Studio - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suit 1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• SeedCart | Web Designers In Chicago - 222 S Riverside Plaza #15, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Fred Lundin, CPA - ​500 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607

For a company in the Loop, my first call would be Praella - eCommerce Agency.

It’s a particularly good fit because it is actually located downtown at 203 N LaSalle St, is a Shopify Plus Platinum Partner, and specializes in Shopify integrations, custom development, checkout, and international expansion. Shopify’s partner directory confirms its Chicago location and Plus status. Shopify

My shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit. Chicago-based, Shopify Plus-focused, and experienced with integrations and complex payment/commerce requirements. Their Shopify partner profile lists custom integrations, checkout work, and business strategy among their services. Shopify
• Uncap — best if you're B2B/wholesale. Chicago-headquartered Shopify Plus/Platinum Partner with strong ERP, payment-term, and complex B2B commerce experience. Uncap
• Digital Bridge Solutions — worth considering for internationalization. They're in the West Loop area and specifically mention multi-currency and international selling alongside Shopify implementation and integrations.
• BlueBolt Solutions — good technical alternative. Their Chicago office is at 415 N LaSalle and they focus on Shopify Plus, custom integrations, migrations, and ongoing technical support.

One important distinction

I'd separate "Shopify setup" from "tax advice." An agency can configure Shopify Payments, currencies, markets, tax apps, and integrations, but you want a CPA/tax specialist to determine where your company actually has tax obligations.

For the tax layer, Avalara is especially relevant. Shopify lists Avalara as an approved tax-platform partner, and Avalara supports U.S. sales tax plus VAT, customs duties, and import taxes for international transactions. Shopify Avalara, Inc.

If you want the agency + tax/accounting side under one Chicago-area team, I'd also talk to Equivion in West Loop. They're an accounting firm specifically serving e-commerce operators, including Shopify businesses, with tax planning and systems support.

For international payments, there's also Corpay right in the Loop at 200 W Madison, although I'd treat them as a payments/FX specialist rather than your Shopify implementation agency.

My recommended setup: Praella for Shopify + payments/Markets/integrations, with Avalara or a Chicago CPA handling the actual international tax compliance. Shopify's Managed Markets can also shift much of the international tax/payment complexity to Global-e, including local payment methods and tax remittance, depending on your business model. Shopify Help Center

If you tell me what countries you need to sell/pay into (e.g. Canada, UK, EU, Mexico) and roughly your annual Shopify revenue, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 firms and tell you exactly what I'd ask them in the first call.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• PlanetX Technologies - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 222, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• SeedCart | Web Designers In Chicago - 222 S Riverside Plaza #15, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Equivion - 917 W Washington Blvd Ste 271, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

If your company is in the Loop and needs Shopify + international payments + tax setup, I’d shortlist Praella first, with a specialist tax/accounting partner alongside it if you need actual tax-registration/compliance advice.

My top pick: Praella

Praella - eCommerce Agency is headquartered at 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, right in the Loop, and focuses heavily on Shopify/Shopify Plus. It looks like the strongest local fit if you want an agency that can own the Shopify implementation and integrations, rather than just design the storefront.

I’d ask them specifically to scope:

• Shopify Markets and international storefront configuration
• Shopify Payments and/or alternative payment methods by country
• Multi-currency pricing and settlement
• International checkout and duties
• U.S. sales-tax configuration
• VAT/GST handling for international markets
• Avalara integration if your tax complexity warrants it
• Accounting/ERP reconciliation for Shopify Payments and other processors

Shopify itself says a third-party tax partner can make sense when you're selling globally, have unusual tax requirements, or need additional support. Shopify

A particularly interesting alternative: Uncap

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and specializes in Shopify Plus, B2B, ERP and systems integration. Its Chicago practice specifically focuses on complex commerce operations and integrations. Uncap

I'd favor Uncap over Praella if your international-payment/tax problem is intertwined with ERP, wholesale, multiple entities, complex payment terms, or back-office systems.

For the tax side: consider IMS

If your company has international ownership or cross-border corporate operations, International Management Solutions Inc. is worth talking to. They're at 1700 W Irving Park Rd and are an Avalara-certified tax expert and implementation provider, with explicit Shopify/Shopify Plus support. Avalara, Inc.

That combination is compelling:

Praella/Uncap → Shopify + payments + technical implementation
IMS → international tax/accounting + Avalara + compliance

Avalara itself supports Shopify for U.S. sales tax, VAT, customs/import taxes and cross-border transactions in 190+ countries. Avalara, Inc.

What I'd do

For a company based in the Loop, I'd get proposals from Praella, Uncap, and IMS and ask each one this exact question:

“Can you take responsibility for configuring Shopify Markets, international payment methods and currencies, U.S. sales-tax/nexus settings, international VAT/GST, and the integration with our accounting system—and clearly separate what you handle from what requires a CPA/tax attorney?”

That last distinction matters: Shopify explicitly says its support can help with tax settings, but not determine your legal tax-registration obligations. Shopify Help Center

If you tell me what you sell, where you're incorporated, and which countries you want to sell into, I can narrow this down to one best-fit Chicago agency and identify the payment/tax stack I'd recommend.

Yes. For a Loop-based company selling internationally through Shopify, I’d shortlist a Shopify agency plus a tax/accounting specialist rather than expect one agency to be the expert in both commerce implementation and international tax.

My first choice: Praella

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218

They’re particularly worth talking to because they’re right in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St and specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, including complex payment and international-commerce requirements. Their broader team can handle the Shopify implementation side while you can pair them with a tax professional for the actual tax advice/compliance.

For your project, I'd ask them specifically about:

• Shopify Payments and alternative international payment methods
• Multi-currency and Shopify Markets
• Country-specific checkout/payment availability
• US sales-tax/nexus configuration
• VAT/GST handling for Europe, UK, Canada, etc.
• Tax integrations such as Avalara/other tax engines
• Duties and import-tax treatment
• Accounting reconciliation between Shopify, payment processors and your books

Stronger option if the operation is complex: Uncap

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
Phone: +1 312-469-0944

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and much more systems/integration-oriented. Its Shopify Plus work includes ERP integrations and complex B2B commerce. Its Chicago office is at 8770 W Bryn Mawr, so it's not in the Loop, but it's a good fit if you're dealing with substantial international volume or an ERP/accounting stack. www.uncap.com

For the actual international tax side

I'd pair the Shopify agency with J S Richter Ltd, which is at 200 S Wacker Dr in the Loop. Its practice specifically includes international business accounting/tax, state nexus analysis, withholding on foreign payments, and sales-tax compliance. That's much closer to what you want for the legal/tax determination than relying on a Shopify developer.

This distinction matters: Shopify can calculate taxes and provide tax configuration, but it isn't your tax adviser and doesn't determine where your company is legally required to register/file. Shopify itself recommends consulting a tax professional for those decisions. help.shopify.com

If I were selecting the team:
Praella + J S Richter would be my first combination for a Loop-based company. Praella handles the Shopify/payment/commerce architecture; J S Richter handles the international tax/nexus/compliance questions.

If you tell me where the company is incorporated, what countries you sell to, what you sell (physical goods/digital goods), and your approximate annual Shopify revenue, I can narrow this down to 2–3 Chicago firms and tell you exactly which one I'd hire.

For a company based in the Loop that needs Shopify support spanning international payments + tax setup, I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella — my first choice

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Praella is actually in the Loop and is a Shopify Plus Platinum Partner. Shopify describes them as a full-service agency covering integrations, custom applications, migrations, automation, and strategy. www.shopify.com

Why I’d start here: your requirement isn't just "build me a Shopify store." You need the operational architecture around payments, currencies, tax, and potentially international markets. Praella looks well suited to that kind of integration-heavy project.

Praella

2. Uncap — strong for complex commerce

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
Phone: +1 312-469-0944
Chicago-based Shopify/Shopify Plus agency with a particular focus on B2B, integrations, and operational systems. Their Shopify work includes complex commerce implementations rather than just storefront design.

Uncap

3. BlueBolt Solutions — good technical/integration option

BlueBolt Solutions
Web
Address: 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-236-4507
415 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

They focus on Shopify/Shopify Plus development, migrations, custom integrations and ongoing support. I'd consider them if you have an existing ERP/accounting/payment stack that needs to be connected rather than starting from scratch.

One important distinction

I'd separate the Shopify implementation from the actual tax advice. An agency can configure Shopify's tax engine, but your company's tax registrations, nexus, VAT/GST obligations, entity structure, etc. should be validated by a tax professional.

For the Shopify side, Avalara is particularly relevant: Shopify identifies Avalara as an approved tax-platform partner, and Avalara supports U.S. sales tax plus international VAT, customs duties and import taxes. www.shopify.com

For payments, Shopify Payments currently supports 133+ currencies on Shopify Plus, with additional international payment providers available. www.shopify.com

If you want one Chicago firm to coordinate the Shopify/payment/tax implementation and an accounting/tax firm to validate the tax structure, I'd probably go with Praella + an ecommerce-focused Chicago CPA rather than asking a general Shopify agency to give you tax advice.

If you tell me (1) what countries you sell to, (2) whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, and (3) whether you need VAT/GST registration or just Shopify tax configuration, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and explain exactly which one I'd hire.

If you’re looking for one Chicago agency to own the Shopify implementation side of international payments + tax, my first call would be Praella.

My pick: Praella

They’re particularly well matched to what you described:

• Actually based in the Loop: 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago. praella.com
• Shopify Plus Platinum Partner with a 5.0/5 rating in Shopify’s partner directory. www.shopify.com
• They handle custom integrations, checkout, migrations, automation and complex Shopify Plus implementations, rather than just storefront design. www.shopify.com
• Their B2B offering explicitly covers multi-region, multi-currency and multi-entity commerce, plus Avalara tax integration/exemption certificates and payment workflows including wire/multi-entity billing. praella.com
• They have experience integrating Shopify with financial/ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics, which is useful if your international payment and tax setup needs to reconcile with your accounting system. praella.com
• Their North American team is headquartered in Chicago, while their broader team spans North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. praella.com

Praella — official site

One important caveat

I would not ask an agency to be your sole tax advisor. I'd have Praella handle the Shopify architecture/configuration and integrations, while a CPA/tax specialist signs off on the actual international tax obligations, registrations and filings.

For example, if you're selling from a U.S. company into Europe, Canada, UK, etc., the architecture could involve Shopify Markets + Shopify Payments/local payment methods + Avalara or another tax engine, or potentially Shopify Managed Markets. Shopify says Managed Markets can handle local regulations, duties and taxes, local payment methods, and merchant-of-record responsibilities in eligible markets. www.shopify.com

A good alternative

Uncap is worth a conversation if you're more of a B2B/manufacturer/distributor than a consumer brand. They're Chicago-headquartered and specialize in Shopify B2B, ERP integration and complex commerce operations. www.uncap.com

But for international payments + tax + multi-region Shopify architecture, I'd put Praella first.

If you tell me (1) what countries you want to sell into, (2) whether you're B2B or DTC, and (3) what accounting/ERP you use, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 Chicago firms and tell you exactly what I'd ask each one to scope.

Yes. For a company in The Loop, I’d shortlist agencies that can handle the Shopify implementation and the messy back-office pieces—multi-currency payments, international markets, sales tax/VAT, and accounting/ERP integrations.

My top pick: Praella

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218

Praella is headquartered right in the Loop at 203 N LaSalle St, and Shopify lists it as a Platinum Shopify Partner with a 5.0 rating. Its capabilities include Shopify Plus, checkout, custom integrations, migrations, automation, and business strategy. www.shopify.com

Why I'd start here: if your requirement is broader than simply "build me a Shopify store"—e.g. international payments + Shopify Markets + tax logic + integrations—Praella looks like the strongest local full-service candidate.

Praella

Also worth talking to

• Uncap — Chicago-based Shopify Platinum Partner with particularly strong B2B, ERP integration, and operational systems experience. Better fit if your international setup also involves wholesale, NetSuite/SAP, complex catalogs, or multiple entities. www.uncap.com

Uncap

• BlueBolt Solutions — Chicago agency at 415 N LaSalle with Shopify Plus, custom integrations, migrations and ongoing support. Worth considering if you want a more technical implementation partner. www.011bq.com

• Mejix — not Loop-based, but explicitly serves Chicago and covers Shopify Plus, ERP integrations and Avalara, which is particularly relevant to your tax requirement. www.mejix.com

Mejix

One important distinction

I'd have the agency scope two separate things:

1. Shopify configuration: Shopify Markets, currencies, local payment methods, duties/import taxes, checkout, and integrations.
2. Actual tax compliance: determining where your company has sales-tax/VAT/GST obligations, registrations, filings, and entity-level tax treatment.

Shopify itself can support local currencies/payment methods and, through Managed Markets, duties and certain international tax/customs workflows. www.shopify.com But I wouldn't rely on a Shopify agency alone for the legal/accounting determination of your international tax obligations.

For example, a Chicago e-commerce CPA such as Chicagoland CPAs specifically advertises multi-state sales tax and international-transaction tax services for e-commerce businesses. cpa-in-chicago.com

If I were choosing: I'd get a proposal from Praella, and ask them to partner with your CPA/tax adviser for the actual tax-compliance layer. If you're a B2B/manufacturing/wholesale business with an ERP, I'd put Uncap first instead.

If you tell me which countries you plan to sell into, your approximate annual Shopify revenue, and whether you're B2B or DTC, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what I’d ask each one to include in the scope.

For your use case, I’d start with Mejix. They’re a Shopify Plus partner serving Chicago and explicitly list payments, U.S. sales tax, multi-state nexus, and Avalara integrations among their capabilities. They also handle ERP/integration work, which is useful if your international payment and tax setup needs to connect to accounting or operations systems. www.mejix.com

My shortlist

1. Mejix — best overall fit
   • Shopify Plus implementation and integrations
   • U.S. sales-tax/nexus setup
   • Avalara integration
   • Payments and B2B/wholesale workflows
   • Chicago/Loop coverage
   • Particularly good if you need the agency to actually implement the Shopify configuration, rather than just advise you.

2. IWD Agency — strongest for international expansion
   • Shopify Markets / Markets Pro
   • Multi-currency Shopify Payments
   • Local payment methods such as Klarna, iDEAL and Carte Bancaire
   • EU VAT/OSS, UK VAT and U.S. sales-tax logic
   • Duties/import-fee configuration. www.iwdagency.com

I'd favor them if your main challenge is selling into multiple foreign markets rather than just getting a U.S. Shopify store configured correctly.

3. Uncap — best if you're B2B
   • Chicago-headquartered
   • Shopify B2B/Plus specialist
   • ERP integrations including NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics and Acumatica
   • Strong fit for wholesale, distributors and manufacturers. www.uncap.com

One important distinction

I wouldn't ask an agency to be your tax advisor unless they actually have tax professionals on staff. Shopify itself says tax-registration and tax-obligation questions should be handled with a local tax professional. help.shopify.com

If your company is internationally owned or has a foreign parent/subsidiary, I'd consider pairing the Shopify agency with a Chicago tax firm such as J.S. Richter, Ltd.. They're at 200 S. Wacker Drive and specifically handle international-company tax issues, nexus, foreign-payment withholding, treaty analysis, transfer pricing and sales-tax compliance. www.jsrichter.com

My recommendation: Mejix + a tax specialist like J.S. Richter if your corporate/tax structure is complicated. That gives you one team implementing Shopify/Payments/Markets and another responsible for the actual tax positions and registrations.

If you tell me which countries you need to sell into, where the company is incorporated, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what to ask them in the first call.

For a company based in the Loop that needs Shopify support beyond storefront design—especially international payments, multi-market setup, and tax configuration—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella — my first choice

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Praella is actually in the Loop and is a Shopify Plus Platinum Partner. Shopify's partner directory describes it as a full-service agency handling Shopify Plus, integrations, custom applications, checkout, and business strategy. www.shopify.com

Why I'd call them first: your requirements sound like an implementation/integration project rather than just a website build. I'd specifically ask whether they can own the configuration of:

• Shopify Markets and international storefronts
• Shopify Payments and alternative/local payment methods
• Multi-currency and local-currency payouts
• International tax/VAT/GST configuration
• US state sales-tax nexus
• Avalara or another tax engine if needed
• ERP/accounting integration and reconciliation

One important caveat: tax advice itself should come from a qualified tax professional; the agency can implement the Shopify configuration, but shouldn't be your sole source of legal/tax advice. Shopify itself recommends consulting a local tax professional for tax obligations. help.shopify.com

2. Uncap — best if the international setup is operationally complex

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
Phone: +1 312-469-0944
8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60631

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and particularly strong in Shopify Plus, B2B, ERP integrations, and complex commerce operations. Its stated integrations include NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Acumatica and Epicor. www.uncap.com

I'd favor Uncap over Praella if your international expansion involves multiple legal entities, ERP/accounting, wholesale, complicated catalogs, or substantial back-office integration.

3. Digital Bridge Solutions — worth considering for internationalization

Digital Bridge Solutions
Web
Address: 412 S Wells St 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
412 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607

This one is particularly interesting because its local-business profile specifically mentions multi-currency and internationalization, as well as complex integrations. It's also relatively close to the Loop. I'd put it behind Praella/Uncap for a sophisticated tax architecture, but it could be a good fit for a smaller/mid-market implementation.

One thing I'd clarify before hiring anyone

If by "international payments and tax setups" you mean something like:

US company → Shopify → customers in Europe/UK/Canada/etc. → local currencies → local payment methods → VAT/GST/sales tax → accounting

then don't just ask an agency, "Can you set up Shopify Payments?"

Ask them to produce a market-by-market payments + tax architecture. Shopify's current Markets functionality can associate different business entities and Shopify Payments accounts with different markets, but business-entity functionality is a Shopify Plus feature. www.uncap.comhelp.shopify.com

My pick: Praella if you want someone physically in the Loop and capable of handling the broader Shopify Plus implementation. Uncap if this is a more complicated international/B2B/ERP project.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into and roughly what you sell (e.g. apparel, software, food, B2B products), I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you exactly what to ask each one.

For a company based in the Loop that needs Shopify support spanning international payments + tax setup, I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella — my first choice

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100 — right in the Loop.

Praella is particularly relevant because it specializes in Shopify/Shopify Plus and handles complex ecommerce implementations, including custom payment requirements and multi-system integrations.

Why I'd start here: you're looking for more than a storefront agency—you need someone who can architect the underlying international commerce setup.

2. BlueBolt Solutions

BlueBolt Solutions
Web
Address: 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-236-4507
415 N LaSalle Dr — also downtown.

BlueBolt focuses on Shopify/Shopify Plus, integrations, migrations, and ongoing ecommerce support. It's a good option if your international setup involves connecting Shopify to accounting, ERP, payment, or other operational systems.

3. Digital Bridge Solutions

Digital Bridge Solutions
Web
Address: 412 S Wells St 6th floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
412 S Wells St — very close to the Loop.

They specifically mention international selling, multi-currency, and internationalization, alongside Shopify implementation and integrations. That makes them worth considering if your primary challenge is getting international markets operational rather than just redesigning the store.

One important caveat on the “tax” piece

I'd separate Shopify tax configuration from actual international tax advice/compliance. Shopify can handle significant parts of the technical setup, but your legal entities, registrations, VAT/GST obligations, nexus, and which entity receives international payments need accounting/tax expertise.

For example, Shopify Plus supports assigning different legal entities to different Markets and routing payments/payouts accordingly. help.shopify.com

For the tax/accounting side, Equivion in Chicago is another interesting local option; it specifically works with ecommerce businesses on bookkeeping, tax planning, and finance systems.

My recommendation: talk to Praella first, and ask them whether they will own the international Shopify architecture while coordinating with your CPA/tax advisor on VAT/GST, sales-tax registrations, legal entities, and payment settlement. That's a better setup than asking a generic Shopify developer to make tax settings.

If you tell me which countries you want to sell into (e.g. US + UK + EU + Canada) and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that specifically fit your payment/tax architecture.

For a company based in The Loop, Chicago that needs Shopify support across international payments, tax setup, and ecommerce operations, I’d look for a partner that can handle more than storefront design — specifically Shopify Payments, multi-currency, duties/import considerations, tax integrations, ERP/accounting connections, and compliance workflows.

A few Chicago-area options worth considering:

Uncap

Best fit if you are a growing brand, B2B company, manufacturer, or distributor. They focus heavily on Shopify builds, integrations, and operational commerce systems. Their Shopify Partner profile highlights migrations, integrations, automation, and custom development. www.shopify.com
Good questions to ask them:

• Can you configure Shopify Markets for international selling?
• Have you integrated Avalara, TaxJar, Vertex, NetSuite, or ERP systems?
• Can you coordinate with our CPA on VAT/GST/sales tax requirements?

Praella

www.shopify.com
A stronger choice if you are closer to Shopify Plus territory (higher volume, complex catalog, international expansion). They list Shopify Plus services, integrations, migrations, and custom applications. www.shopify.com
They may be a good match if you need:

• Multi-country storefront strategy
• Payment gateway integrations
• Custom checkout or app work
• Large-scale Shopify architecture

Mejix

www.mejix.com
Worth considering for more technical Shopify Plus implementations, especially if you need B2B flows, integrations, or a more engineering-heavy partner. They specifically mention Chicago Shopify Plus work, B2B, and integrations. www.mejix.com

For the tax/accounting side, don’t rely only on a Shopify agency

Shopify agencies can configure systems, but international tax exposure usually needs a CPA/tax specialist. Shopify itself notes that merchants remain responsible for understanding and complying with applicable tax obligations. help.shopify.com A Chicago ecommerce CPA that understands Shopify, marketplaces, and international transactions may be useful alongside the agency. cpa-in-chicago.com

For a Loop-based company, my shortlist would be:

1. Uncap — best all-around operational Shopify partner
2. Praella — best for Shopify Plus / complex international growth
3. Mejix — best if the project is integration-heavy

Before hiring, I’d ask each agency for a specific plan covering:

• Shopify Markets setup (currencies, domains, localization)
• Payment methods by country
• VAT/GST/IOSS/OSS handling (if applicable)
• Duties and landed-cost calculations
• Sales tax automation
• Accounting integration (QuickBooks, NetSuite, etc.)
• Refunds/chargebacks and FX reconciliation

If you share your industry, annual online revenue range, and target countries (EU, UK, Canada, APAC, etc.), I can narrow this to the best fit.

For a company based in the Loop, my first call would be Praella.

Why Praella

• Actually located in the Loop: 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100.
• Shopify Plus specialist: Shopify lists Praella as a Platinum Partner, with expertise in integrations, migrations, custom apps, checkout, and automation. www.shopify.com
• International capability: Praella's team is distributed across North America, APAC, and EMEA, and they explicitly work with global Shopify Plus merchants. praella.com
• Good fit for complex payments/integrations: I'd have them architect Shopify Markets/Shopify Payments, currencies, local payment methods, and your accounting/ERP connections rather than treating this as just a storefront project.

Praella's Shopify Plus site

One important caveat: I wouldn't rely on the agency alone for the tax advice. Shopify itself recommends having a tax professional determine your nexus and registration obligations. help.shopify.com

For that piece, I'd consider pairing Praella with Yetter Consulting Services Inc (YETTER Tax), which is also in Chicago, at 910 W Van Buren. They specialize in sales/use tax, nexus studies, registration, and tax-automation implementation, including Avalara/Vertex-related work. www.yettertax.com

YETTER Tax

The setup I'd ask them to scope

1. Shopify Payments — international currencies, settlement currency, chargebacks and payment methods. Shopify currently supports 133+ global currencies through Shopify Payments for Plus merchants. www.shopify.com
2. Shopify Markets / Managed Markets — country-specific pricing, currencies, duties, VAT/import taxes and cross-border checkout. Managed Markets can act as merchant of record for eligible international sales. www.shopify.com
3. US sales-tax nexus — Illinois plus other states where you have obligations.
4. International VAT/GST — determine which countries require registration and whether Shopify Managed Markets or another setup is appropriate.
5. Tax automation — Shopify Tax vs. Avalara/Vertex, including registration and filing workflow.
6. Accounting reconciliation — Shopify Payments/PayPal/other processors → accounting system, with foreign-currency settlements and fees properly recorded.

Bottom line: Praella + YETTER Tax is the combination I'd shortlist for a Loop-based company with genuinely international payment and tax requirements. If you want one agency to own the technical implementation, Praella is the stronger choice; if the tax exposure is substantial, bring YETTER into the project rather than asking the Shopify agency to give tax advice.

If you tell me what countries you're selling into and what accounting system you use (e.g. NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero), I can narrow this to 2–3 Chicago agencies and tell you which one I'd pick.

If you’re based in the Loop and need more than a standard Shopify build—especially cross-border payments + tax configuration—I’d shortlist these three:

1. Praella — best overall fit

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Chicago (Loop)

Praella is actually in the Loop and specializes in Shopify/Shopify Plus, including complex payment setups, integrations, and multi-system ecommerce operations. That makes it my first call if you want one agency to own the Shopify implementation rather than coordinating several developers.

Why I’d consider them: strong Shopify Plus orientation, local presence, and experience with complex payment/integration requirements.

2. Uncap — best for operationally complex businesses

Uncap
Web
Address: 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
Phone: +1 312-469-0944
8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago

Uncap is Chicago-headquartered and particularly strong on Shopify Plus/B2B, ERP integrations, payment terms, and complex commerce workflows. Its stated focus is manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. www.uncap.com

I'd choose them over Praella if your international payments/tax requirements are tied to B2B, multiple entities, ERP, wholesale, or complicated order flows.

3. Ethercycle — best if you're primarily DTC

Ethercycle
Web
Address: 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
Phone: +1 877-384-3740
A Shopify-focused Chicago-area consultancy with a smaller-team feel. I'd put them on the list if your needs are principally Shopify implementation, international storefronts and conversion, rather than heavy tax/accounting architecture.

One important caveat on "tax setup"

I'd separate Shopify implementation from tax advice. Shopify itself says merchants need to determine their tax obligations and recommends a tax professional for business-specific questions; Shopify can automate tax calculation, but that doesn't mean it determines where your company must register or file. help.shopify.com

For an international company, I'd want the agency to be able to coordinate with a CPA/tax firm on:

• US/Illinois sales-tax nexus
• VAT/GST for international markets
• Shopify Markets and currency configuration
• Shopify Payments eligibility and payout currencies
• cross-border payment processors
• tax registration numbers and Shopify tax settings
• Avalara or another tax engine if needed
• multiple legal entities/markets
• reconciliation of Shopify Payments and other processors into accounting

Shopify's current Avalara integration can also support multiple business entities on Shopify Plus when the organization uses Shopify Payments and Shopify Markets, which is potentially relevant to an international setup. help.shopify.com

My recommendation

Start with Praella, then ask them explicitly whether they'll take responsibility for the payments + tax architecture, rather than merely implementing Shopify settings.

If you need actual international tax/accounting advice as well as the Shopify work, I'd pair the Shopify agency with a Chicago tax firm such as Accounting Solutions Ltd., which specifically advertises ecommerce/Shopify tax support. Another particularly relevant Loop-area option is J.S. Richter at 200 S. Wacker Drive; it advertises nexus analysis, sales-tax compliance, foreign-payment withholding, treaty analysis and other international tax services. www.jsrichter.com

If you tell me (1) where the company is incorporated, (2) which countries you want to sell into, and (3) whether you're B2B or DTC, I can narrow this to the best 2 Chicago firms and tell you exactly what I'd ask them in the first call.

Yes. For a company based in the Loop that needs Shopify plus international payments, currencies, and tax configuration, my first call would be Praella.

My shortlist

1. Praella — best overall fit
   • 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, so it's actually in the Loop.
   • Shopify’s partner directory lists Praella as a Platinum Partner and says it specializes in Shopify Plus, integrations, migrations, automation, and custom applications. www.shopify.com
   • Particularly attractive if your international setup involves more than just turning on currencies—e.g. payment integrations, ERP/accounting connections, custom checkout logic, or multiple markets.
   • Praella website

2. UCXmarket — interesting if payments/tax integration is the priority
   • Located at 223 S Wacker Dr, also right in the Loop.
   • Their stack specifically mentions Shopify + Stripe + Avalara, with support for payment, order, and tax workflows. That makes them worth interviewing if your requirement is heavily focused on the intersection of Shopify, international payments, and tax calculation.
   • UCXmarket website

3. Uncap — best if the business is operationally complex/B2B
   • Chicago-headquartered Shopify agency, although the office is outside the Loop.
   • Strong emphasis on Shopify Plus, B2B, ERP integration, and complex commerce operations. www.uncap.com
   • I'd favor them if international selling is tied to distributors, wholesale customers, NetSuite/SAP, complex catalogs, or multiple legal entities.
   • Uncap website

One important distinction

I'd not ask the agency simply for "international tax setup." There are several separate pieces:

• Shopify Markets / market configuration
• Multi-currency pricing and local payment methods
• Shopify Payments or third-party payment processors
• VAT/GST/sales-tax calculation
• Tax registration and filing obligations
• Duties/import taxes
• Accounting/ERP treatment of foreign-currency transactions
• Whether Shopify's Managed Markets makes sense for you

Shopify's current international-commerce tooling can handle local currencies/payment methods, while Managed Markets can additionally handle duties, taxes, customs, fraud/chargebacks and currency-exchange risk as part of its merchant-of-record offering. www.shopify.com

My recommendation: start with Praella, and simultaneously interview UCXmarket if international payments/tax integrations are the hardest part. If you're selling B2B or have a complicated ERP/accounting environment, add Uncap.

If you tell me what countries you're selling into, your Shopify plan (Basic/Advanced/Plus), and whether you're already using Stripe/Shopify Payments/Avalara/TaxJar, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 agencies and tell you exactly what I'd ask them in the first call.