Choosing among the best Shopify development agencies can feel deceptively simple. Plenty of companies can launch a polished storefront. The real challenge is finding a partner that can handle the technical work behind a store’s next stage of growth, from custom functionality and complex integrations to international expansion and ongoing optimization.
A growing brand may need a Shopify design and development agency for a complete rebuild, while a larger retailer might require a Shopify Plus agency with experience in migrations, B2B commerce, headless architecture, or high-volume storefronts. Companies with a steady development roadmap may get more value from hiring dedicated Shopify developers who work directly with their internal e-commerce and marketing teams.
This guide compares leading Shopify development companies based on their services, platform expertise, project fit, and engagement models. You’ll find full-service agencies, Shopify Plus development companies, specialists in custom Shopify development, and an alternative for building long-term development capacity within your own team.
For broader projects involving several platforms, you can also explore our guide to the best e-commerce development companies. For Shopify specifically, start with the providers below.
Best Shopify Development Agencies at a Glance
Some Shopify development companies specialize in large replatforming projects. Others focus on conversion-led design, B2B commerce, custom integrations, or ongoing store optimization. South takes a different approach by helping companies add dedicated Shopify talent directly to their teams.
The right choice depends on how much ownership you want the provider to take, how complex your storefront is, and whether the work ends at launch or continues throughout the year. Use the table below to narrow your options before exploring each provider in more detail.
South stands apart from a conventional Shopify development agency. Instead of handing your roadmap to an external project team, you can hire a developer who works alongside your e-commerce, product, and marketing leaders. Your company maintains day-to-day control while building the technical capacity to continuously improve the store.
How We Evaluated the Best Shopify Development Agencies
A polished portfolio can make almost any Shopify agency look convincing. To build a more useful shortlist, we focused on the factors that matter once the project moves beyond the sales call.
We reviewed each provider based on:
- Shopify specialization: How much of the company’s work centers on Shopify, Shopify Plus, and e-commerce development.
- Technical capabilities: Experience with custom themes, app development, APIs, ERP and CRM integrations, subscriptions, international storefronts, and headless commerce.
- Project complexity: The provider’s ability to support migrations, B2B workflows, high-volume stores, and multi-market operations.
- Design and conversion expertise: Whether the team can connect brand design with usability, site performance, and conversion rate optimization.
- Ongoing support: Availability for maintenance, feature development, testing, and continuous store improvements after launch.
- Engagement model: Whether the company delivers fixed-scope projects, retainers, dedicated developers, or a combination of these options.
- Relevant experience: Evidence of work with established retailers, direct-to-consumer brands, manufacturers, or other businesses with comparable Shopify needs.
- Marketplace standing: Current Shopify Partner or Shopify Plus experience, including information available through the Shopify Partner Directory.
The ranking also considers how clearly each provider serves a distinct type of Shopify project. A strong Shopify Plus development company may be ideal for a complex migration, while a dedicated Shopify developer can be a better fit for a business with a continuous backlog of integrations, experiments, and storefront improvements.
The order isn’t based on company size alone. It reflects a combination of platform depth, service range, project fit, and the amount of control clients retain over their Shopify roadmap.
The 12 Best Shopify Development Agencies and Partners
The providers below cover several ways to execute a Shopify roadmap, from fixed-scope agency projects to dedicated developers working inside an existing team. Each profile explains the company’s service model, technical focus, and the type of engagement it can support.
1. South: Dedicated Shopify Developers for Long-Term Growth
South helps U.S. companies find pre-vetted Shopify developers and e-commerce specialists across Latin America. Instead of assigning your store to an outside project team, South helps you hire someone who works directly with your e-commerce, product, design, and marketing leaders.
That structure gives companies consistent technical ownership across launches, campaigns, integrations, and ongoing improvements. Your Shopify developer learns how the store operates, understands its existing codebase, and stays close to the business priorities shaping the roadmap.
Through South, companies can hire professionals with experience in:
- Custom Shopify theme development
- Shopify Plus development
- Store migrations and redesigns
- Third-party app and API integrations
- Checkout and subscription functionality
- ERP, CRM, and inventory system connections
- Site speed and storefront performance
- Conversion experiments and feature releases
- Ongoing maintenance and technical cleanup
Because the talent is based in Latin America, developers can collaborate with U.S. teams during overlapping working hours. That’s especially valuable when a launch issue needs an immediate response or when development work requires close coordination with merchandising, paid media, lifecycle marketing, and customer support.
South also tailors its screening process to the role. A company planning a Shopify Plus migration may need a senior developer with replatforming and systems integration experience. A growing direct-to-consumer brand may need someone who can manage theme updates, troubleshoot apps, and support a continuous testing calendar.
Typical project fit: Companies with a steady Shopify development backlog that want to build internal capacity, retain control of their roadmap, and develop long-term knowledge within the team.
Businesses evaluating this model can explore South’s Shopify developer network or read the complete guide to hiring Shopify developers.
2. Absolute Web: Shopify Plus Development for Complex Commerce Projects
Absolute Web is a full-service e-commerce agency with offices in Miami and Los Angeles. Its team works across Shopify Plus strategy, UX/UI design, custom development, migrations, integrations, and conversion optimization.
The agency is particularly suited to established DTC and wholesale businesses whose requirements extend beyond a standard storefront. Its work connects the customer-facing store to the broader commerce systems that support inventory, subscriptions, loyalty programs, personalization, and daily operations.
Absolute Web’s Shopify development services include:
- Shopify Plus store design and development
- Magento-to-Shopify migrations
- Custom features and app integrations
- Enterprise systems integrations
- UX/UI design and conversion optimization
- Store maintenance and continuous improvements
- International and high-volume commerce support
Its portfolio includes Shopify projects for brands such as Lashify, Jenny Yoo, and Okhtein, covering replatforming, subscriptions, loyalty strategy, personalization, and performance improvements.
Typical project fit: Established brands planning a Shopify Plus migration, redesign, or technically complex build that requires strategy, design, development, and optimization from one agency.
3. Eastside Co: Shopify Development With Growth Services Under One Roof
Eastside Co is a global Shopify agency specializing in Shopify Plus design, development, and e-commerce marketing. Founded in 2012, the company works with growing retailers and established international brands across store launches, migrations, custom functionality, and long-term optimization.
Its multidisciplinary team includes Shopify developers, UX designers, strategists, marketers, and client service specialists. That breadth makes Eastside Co a practical choice for companies that want one partner to connect storefront development with customer acquisition and conversion goals.
Its Shopify development services include:
- Custom Shopify and Shopify Plus builds
- Platform migrations and replatforming
- UX/UI design and brand development
- Custom apps and third-party integrations
- Conversion rate optimization
- SEO and performance marketing
- Store support and continuous development
- International e-commerce expansion
Eastside Co reports having launched more than 500 Shopify stores, including over 100 Shopify Plus websites. Its experience spans consumer goods, fashion, automotive, sports, and other retail categories.
Typical project fit: Growing or global brands that want Shopify design, development, optimization, and digital marketing managed through a single agency relationship.
4. We Make Websites: Shopify Plus Development for International Brands
We Make Websites is a Shopify Plus agency with offices in London and New York. It helps international brands design, develop, migrate, and grow e-commerce stores built for multiple markets and complex customer journeys.
Its services cover:
- Shopify Plus design and development
- UX/UI design
- Conversion strategy and optimization
- Platform and data migrations
- International storefront development
- Headless commerce
- Ongoing store growth and support
The agency’s development approach emphasizes tailored storefront architecture, performance, and reduced technical debt. That makes it a strong option for brands whose requirements have outgrown an off-the-shelf Shopify theme or a lightly customized store.
Its portfolio includes Shopify Plus work for brands such as Hasbro, HyperX, Good American, Levi’s Dockers, John Hardy, Jigsaw, and Totême. Projects span redesigns, headless builds, international expansion, and replatforming from legacy e-commerce systems.
Typical project fit: International retailers planning a Shopify Plus migration, custom redesign, or multi-market expansion that requires strategy, UX, development, and data migration from one agency.
5. Avex: Unified Commerce and Shopify Plus Development
Avex is a New York–based e-commerce agency that works with mid-market and larger brands across strategy, design, engineering, and retention. Its Shopify services are designed for retailers managing complex customer journeys across DTC, B2B, international markets, and physical stores.
The agency supports:
- Shopify Plus design and development
- Platform migrations and replatforming
- Unified commerce programs
- B2B Shopify development
- International expansion
- UX/UI design and conversion optimization
- Custom integrations and operational improvements
- Retention and customer experience strategy
Avex focuses on connecting storefront development to the systems, teams, and processes that drive the customer experience. That broader commerce perspective can be valuable for retailers coordinating online sales, wholesale operations, physical locations, and international growth through Shopify Plus.
Its portfolio includes work for brands such as Quip, AriZona Beverages, KHAITE, FILA, and Serta Simmons Bedding. Projects range from Shopify replatforming and digital transformation to custom UX, operational improvements, and commerce modernization.
Typical project fit: Mid-market and larger retailers planning a Shopify Plus replatforming, a B2B launch, international expansion, or a unified commerce initiative involving multiple customer channels and operational systems.
6. Netalico Commerce: Ongoing Shopify Development and Optimization
Netalico Commerce is a Shopify Plus Premier Partner that supports e-commerce brands through migrations, custom development, UX design, conversion optimization, and ongoing technical work. The agency has worked with Shopify Plus for more than a decade and structures many client relationships around monthly retainers.
Its Shopify development services include:
- Custom Shopify and Shopify Plus builds
- Magento, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce migrations
- Custom apps and API integrations
- UX/UI design and theme development
- Conversion rate optimization and A/B testing
- Core Web Vitals and technical SEO improvements
- B2B functionality and ERP integrations
- Ongoing maintenance and development retainers
Netalico positions itself as an extension of the client’s internal team, handling design, development, and optimization after the initial launch. That ongoing model can suit brands that want one agency to learn their storefront and improve it through smaller, data-informed releases over time.
Its portfolio includes work for Oatly, Big Green Egg, Audio Advice, Crossrope, and Feetures. For Oatly’s U.S. Shopify store, Netalico provided development, UX strategy, subscription improvements, and support during a headless redesign.
Typical project fit: Growing Shopify brands that need a migration, custom storefront, or continuous technical support through an ongoing agency retainer.
7. Swanky: International Shopify Plus Growth and Replatforming
Swanky is a full-service Shopify Plus agency with teams in the UK, Australia, and France. Founded in 2010, it has worked exclusively with Shopify since 2012 and was recognized as a Shopify Platinum Partner in 2025.
Its services include:
- Shopify Plus design and development
- E-commerce platform migrations
- International expansion
- Shopify B2B development
- Subscription commerce
- Systems and ERP integrations
- Conversion rate optimization
- Digital marketing and growth strategy
- Long-term technical support
Swanky combines technical development with data, commerce strategy, and ongoing optimization. Its international presence can be particularly useful for brands entering Europe, North America, or the Asia-Pacific region, as well as for those managing storefronts across several markets.
The agency also has specialized experience in subscription commerce and Shopify B2B, including store architecture, integrations, user experience, and customer acquisition. Its portfolio spans enterprise retailers and fast-growing brands across food and beverage, health and wellness, fashion, and consumer goods.
Typical project fit: International brands planning a Shopify Plus migration, B2B storefront, subscription program, or multi-market expansion that requires development and long-term growth support.
8. Domaine: Enterprise Shopify Migrations and Unified Commerce
Domaine is a global Shopify agency specializing in large-scale migrations, experiential design, and unified commerce systems. Its team connects strategy, creative, technology, and marketing for mid-market and larger brands with complex digital commerce operations.
Its services include:
- Shopify and Shopify Plus development
- Large-scale platform migrations
- Unified commerce architecture
- UX/UI and experiential design
- International storefronts
- B2B and DTC commerce
- Systems and third-party integrations
- Conversion and growth strategy
- Ongoing technical support
Domaine reports having launched more than 750 Shopify sites and completed over 150 platform migrations. Its scale and Shopify focus make it a relevant option for retailers that need to simplify a complicated commerce stack while supporting growth across several markets, channels, or customer groups.
The agency has worked with global brands such as MoMA, Olaplex, Timex, Arhaus, and Oscar de la Renta. Its acquisition of European Shopify agency Code also expanded its presence across North America and Europe, giving international clients access to a larger regional delivery team.
Typical project fit: Mid-market and larger retailers planning a complex Shopify migration, international expansion, or unified commerce program involving multiple storefronts, systems, and customer channels.
9. Uncap: Shopify Plus B2B Development for Manufacturers and Distributors
Uncap is a Shopify Platinum Partner specializing in B2B and B2C commerce for manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and operator-led brands. The agency helps businesses migrate from legacy e-commerce platforms to Shopify Plus while connecting the storefront to the operational systems that drive pricing, inventory, customer accounts, and fulfillment.
Its services include:
- Shopify Plus B2B development
- B2B and DTC storefront consolidation
- Legacy platform migrations
- ERP and real-time inventory integrations
- Account-specific catalogs and pricing
- Customer portals and payment terms
- Custom applications and workflows
- Product information and CRM integrations
- Ongoing development and optimization
Uncap’s work is especially relevant for companies whose Shopify requirements extend beyond a consumer-facing storefront. Its team can help translate complex wholesale processes into digital purchasing experiences while keeping data synchronized with back-office systems.
The agency has delivered more than 380 Shopify commerce projects and has worked with the platform since 2013. Its integration capabilities cover systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Epicor, supporting workflows involving customer-specific pricing, inventory availability, orders, and account data.
Typical project fit: Manufacturers, distributors, and wholesale businesses moving to Shopify Plus or combining B2B and DTC commerce through one storefront and a connected technology stack.
10. The Working Party: Shopify Plus Engineering for Australian and New Zealand Retailers
The Working Party is a Shopify Platinum Partner with teams across Australia and New Zealand. The agency combines e-commerce strategy, UX/UI design, platform engineering, and performance optimization for retailers managing complex Shopify Plus environments.
Its services include:
- Shopify and Shopify Plus migrations
- UX/UI design and design systems
- Solution architecture
- Headless commerce development
- API and middleware integrations
- Shopify POS implementation
- Conversion rate optimization
- International storefront development
- Ongoing strategy and technical support
The Working Party has specialized exclusively in Shopify for more than a decade. Its senior regional team is equipped to handle enterprise migrations, sophisticated integrations, and long-term platform improvements while working closely with internal retail and technology teams.
Its portfolio includes projects for JB Hi-Fi, Seafolly, KOOKAÏ, New Era, Farmers Pick, and The Good Guys. The agency’s work ranges from legacy platform migrations and headless builds to subscription commerce, international expansion, and omnichannel retail experiences.
Typical project fit: Established retailers in Australia or New Zealand planning a Shopify Plus migration, headless build, omnichannel program, or long-term commerce transformation.
11. Conspire: Shopify Plus Builds and Fractional Website Teams
Conspire is a Los Angeles–based Shopify Plus agency that has focused on the platform since 2011. It supports established e-commerce brands through custom storefront builds, platform migrations, conversion optimization, and ongoing website management.
Its services include:
- Shopify and Shopify Plus website development
- WooCommerce and BigCommerce migrations
- Custom themes and storefront experiences
- Conversion rate optimization
- Front-end and back-end development
- Technical maintenance and support
- Application development
- Fractional Shopify website teams
Conspire’s fractional model combines project management, design, development, and conversion strategy into a single managed service. This gives brands access to a complete Shopify team that can take ownership of ongoing website improvements without requiring several separate hires.
Its portfolio includes Shopify work for brands such as Simms Fishing, Nature’s Answer, Zia Tile, Cousins Maine Lobster, and BodyBio. These projects cover storefront redesigns, migrations, conversion improvements, wholesale functionality, and long-term development support.
Typical project fit: Established e-commerce brands that need a custom Shopify Plus build, a migration from another platform, or a fractional team to manage continuous design and development work.
12. Ruby Digital Agency: Complex Shopify Migrations and Technical Cleanup
Ruby Digital Agency is a Shopify-focused e-commerce studio specializing in migrations, custom storefronts, and performance improvements. Its team helps growing brands move from legacy or heavily customized platforms to Shopify and Shopify Plus while preserving important store data, functionality, and search visibility.
Its services include:
- Shopify and Shopify Plus migrations
- Custom theme design and development
- Product, customer, and order data transfers
- B2B wholesale functionality
- Subscription commerce
- Multi-brand and multi-store architectures
- Custom apps and third-party integrations
- Store speed and performance optimization
- Technical SEO and post-migration support
The agency works with merchants moving from platforms such as Magento, WooCommerce, WordPress, OpenCart, and custom-built systems. Its migration-focused approach can help brands replace technical debt with a Shopify setup that’s easier for internal teams to manage and extend.
Ruby Digital also supports more complex commerce models involving wholesale pricing, subscription workflows, inventory synchronization, headless storefronts, and multiple sales channels.
Typical project fit: Growing brands planning a technically demanding Shopify migration, rebuilding an unstable storefront, or improving a store affected by slow performance and accumulated technical debt.
What Services Do Shopify Development Agencies Provide?
A Shopify development agency can support a store from initial planning through launch and ongoing optimization. The exact scope depends on the provider, but most Shopify development companies combine technical work with design, strategy, and systems integration.
Shopify Store Design and Development
Agencies can build a new Shopify store or redesign an existing one to align with the company’s brand, products, and customer journey. This usually includes UX/UI design, theme development, mobile responsiveness, navigation, product pages, and checkout flows.
A custom build gives the store more flexibility than a lightly edited pre-built theme, especially when the business has unusual product configurations, subscription models, wholesale requirements, or content needs.
Custom Shopify Theme Development
A custom Shopify theme gives brands control over how their storefront looks and behaves. Shopify developers can create reusable page sections, product templates, collection layouts, promotional modules, and merchandising tools that internal teams can update without needing to write code for every change.
Theme work may also include accessibility improvements, responsive design, and performance optimization across devices.
Shopify Plus Development
A Shopify Plus development company typically works with larger retailers, high-volume merchants, and businesses managing complex commerce operations. Services may include:
- Custom checkout functionality
- Shopify B2B storefronts
- Multi-market and multi-currency setups
- Advanced automation
- International store architecture
- Enterprise systems integrations
- Headless commerce builds
Shopify Plus agencies may also help companies consolidate multiple storefronts or move DTC and wholesale sales onto a single platform.
E-Commerce Platform Migrations
A Shopify migration agency can move a store from Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, or a custom platform. The process may involve transferring:
- Product and collection data
- Customer accounts
- Order histories
- Reviews and subscriptions
- Discounts and gift cards
- URLs and SEO metadata
- Blog and page content
A well-planned migration preserves the information and functionality the business already depends on while creating a cleaner foundation for future development.
Custom Apps and Integrations
Shopify stores rarely operate alone. Agencies can connect the platform to systems such as:
- ERP software
- CRM platforms
- Inventory and warehouse tools
- Subscription applications
- Loyalty programs
- Payment gateways
- Product information management systems
- Shipping and fulfillment providers
Some businesses also need custom Shopify apps when existing marketplace tools can’t support a specific workflow.
B2B Shopify Development
Manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors may need customer-specific catalogs, bulk ordering, payment terms, company accounts, approval workflows, and negotiated pricing.
A Shopify Plus agency with B2B experience can translate these processes into a digital purchasing experience while connecting the storefront to inventory, finance, and account-management systems.
Conversion and Performance Optimization
Shopify development services can continue after launch through conversion rate optimization, A/B testing, technical SEO, and site-speed improvements.
Agencies may analyze product pages, navigation, checkout behavior, mobile usability, and Core Web Vitals to identify where the store is losing customers. The development team can then release improvements based on those findings.
Ongoing Shopify Support
Many agencies offer monthly retainers for maintenance, troubleshooting, feature development, and campaign support. This model works well when a brand wants access to several agency specialists without building an internal Shopify team.
Companies with a consistent development roadmap can also hire dedicated Shopify developers to manage these priorities from within the business. The better model depends on whether the company needs external project delivery or continuous technical ownership.
How Much Does a Shopify Development Agency Cost?
Shopify development agency pricing can range from a few thousand dollars for focused theme work to well over $100,000 for a Shopify Plus migration involving custom design, data transfer, and enterprise integrations.
The final quote usually reflects the number of specialists involved, the store's technical complexity, and how much work must continue after launch. A custom Shopify development project that includes strategy, UX design, engineering, quality assurance, and project management will naturally require a larger budget than a limited theme update.
Here are typical agency cost ranges to use during early planning:
These ranges are planning estimates rather than fixed market rates. Most Shopify development companies prepare a custom proposal after reviewing the existing platform, desired functionality, integrations, content, data, and launch schedule.
What Affects Shopify Development Agency Pricing?
Several factors can move a project toward the lower or higher end of the range.
Project Scope
Updating a few theme sections requires fewer resources than designing and engineering an entirely new storefront. Costs increase when the project includes research, information architecture, copy migration, custom product templates, or several customer journeys.
Custom Design and Functionality
A pre-built theme can shorten the development process. A fully custom experience requires more design, front-end engineering, testing, and quality assurance.
Features such as product builders, subscriptions, loyalty programs, store locators, customer portals, and advanced search also add development hours.
Platform Migration
Moving from Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, or a custom platform adds data migration and SEO work. The Shopify migration agency may need to transfer products, customers, orders, subscriptions, reviews, redirects, and account information while recreating essential business workflows.
The condition of the existing data can influence the budget as much as the catalog size. Duplicate records, inconsistent product information, and undocumented custom functionality can extend the migration.
Systems Integrations
Connecting Shopify to an ERP, CRM, warehouse management system, product information platform, or custom middleware often requires discovery, API development, and extensive testing.
The quote may also depend on whether an existing connector can handle the workflow or the Shopify agency must build a custom integration.
Shopify Plus Requirements
A Shopify Plus development company may charge more for B2B commerce, international storefronts, custom checkout experiences, high-volume architecture, and multi-store operations.
The Shopify Plus platform subscription is separate from the agency’s implementation fee, as are many third-party apps and technology licenses.
Post-Launch Support
Some Shopify agencies include a short stabilization period after launch. Longer-term maintenance, conversion testing, campaign support, and feature development are usually sold through a monthly retainer or a separate block of hours.
A retainer gives the company access to a broader agency team. Businesses with a full pipeline of technical work may prefer to hire a dedicated Shopify developer who can manage the roadmap internally.
Look Beyond the Initial Quote
The lowest proposal won’t always produce the lowest total cost. Delayed launches, fragile integrations, technical debt, and repeated change requests can make an inexpensive build costly over time.
Before choosing a Shopify development partner, confirm what the quote includes:
- Discovery and technical planning
- UX/UI and responsive design
- Development and integrations
- Data and content migration
- Quality assurance and browser testing
- SEO redirects and launch support
- Team training and documentation
- Post-launch fixes
- Project management
- Third-party software costs
A useful proposal explains the assumptions underlying the price, the deliverables included in each phase, and how scope changes will be handled.
Shopify Development Agency vs. Dedicated Shopify Developer
Both models can support custom Shopify development, platform maintenance, integrations, and conversion improvements. The better choice depends on how frequently development work appears, how closely the developer must collaborate with internal teams, and who should own the roadmap after launch.
A Shopify development agency typically brings several specialists into a defined project. A dedicated Shopify developer works inside the company’s existing structure and builds deeper familiarity with the store over time.
When a Shopify Development Agency Makes Sense
An agency can be a strong choice when the company needs a defined outcome and several capabilities at once. For example, a Shopify Plus migration may require UX research, visual design, data migration, development, quality assurance, and project management.
Agencies are often useful for:
- Complete Shopify store builds
- Large redesigns and rebranding projects
- Migrations from another e-commerce platform
- Headless commerce implementations
- Short-term access to several specialists
- Projects with a firm launch date and defined scope
The agency takes responsibility for coordinating the delivery team, which can reduce the management burden on companies without internal e-commerce leadership.
When a Dedicated Shopify Developer Makes Sense
A dedicated developer is often more practical when Shopify work continues year-round. This may include campaign launches, theme improvements, app integrations, technical SEO fixes, performance work, and conversion experiments.
An embedded Shopify developer can:
- Join product and marketing planning meetings
- Work directly from the company’s existing backlog
- Respond quickly to changing priorities
- Build familiarity with the store’s code and integrations
- Coordinate with designers, marketers, and operations teams
- Document technical decisions and reduce knowledge loss
- Support smaller releases that may be inefficient for an agency
This model keeps technical knowledge and decision-making closer to the business. It can also give the company more control over how development time is allocated from week to week.
South helps companies hire Shopify developers from Latin America who can collaborate during U.S. working hours and join the internal team.
A Hybrid Model Can Also Work
Some businesses use an agency for a major migration or redesign, then transition ongoing work to an internal Shopify developer. Others keep a dedicated developer in-house and bring in a Shopify Plus agency for specialized projects involving architecture, branding, or complex integrations.
The key is to separate temporary project needs from recurring development needs. A major rebuild may justify an agency team, while a continuous backlog usually calls for someone who can stay close to the store and its long-term priorities.
How to Choose a Shopify Development Agency
A strong Shopify development agency should understand more than themes and apps. It should be able to translate business goals into technical decisions, explain tradeoffs clearly, and build a store that your internal team can continue using after launch.
Before requesting proposals, define what the project must accomplish and what success will look like. A redesign focused on conversion rate optimization requires a different team from a Shopify Plus migration involving ERP integrations, wholesale pricing, and international storefronts.
Define the Scope Before Contacting Agencies
Start by documenting the work you expect the agency to handle. Include:
- The current e-commerce platform
- Target launch date
- Product and variant count
- Required third-party integrations
- Shopify or Shopify Plus requirements
- DTC, B2B, or combined commerce needs
- Markets, currencies, and languages
- Custom features and workflows
- Data and content migration requirements
- Post-launch support expectations
A clear brief helps Shopify development companies prepare more accurate proposals and makes their recommendations easier to evaluate.
Review Relevant Shopify Experience
Look for projects that resemble your store in complexity, business model, or industry. A visually impressive fashion storefront may offer limited evidence that an agency can build account-specific pricing for a wholesale manufacturer.
Ask to see examples involving:
- Comparable catalog sizes
- Similar integrations
- Shopify Plus migrations
- B2B commerce
- Subscription workflows
- International expansion
- High-volume sales events
- Custom apps or headless architecture
Relevant experience matters more than the total number of stores in an agency’s portfolio. The team should be able to explain the business problem behind each project, the technical approach it used, and the results achieved.
Confirm Who Will Perform the Work
The people leading the sales process may not be the same people designing or developing the store. Ask who will be assigned to the project, where the delivery team is located, and how much direct access you’ll have to designers, developers, and technical leads.
Clarify:
- Which roles are included
- Whether work is completed internally
- How senior the assigned developers are
- Who owns project management
- How often the team communicates
- How development progress is shared
- What happens when a key team member becomes unavailable
A clear delivery structure reduces handoff problems and makes accountability easier throughout the project.
Evaluate Technical Depth
A Shopify design and development agency should be able to discuss architecture, performance, security, integrations, data, and future maintenance in practical terms.
For a complex project, ask how the agency will approach:
- Theme architecture and reusable sections
- Store speed and Core Web Vitals
- Checkout and account customization
- ERP, CRM, and inventory integrations
- Subscription or loyalty platforms
- Redirects and technical SEO
- Quality assurance and browser testing
- Data migration and validation
- Accessibility
- Documentation and code ownership
The strongest answers will explain both the recommended solution and its long-term implications.
Understand the Agency’s Process
Ask each provider to walk through its process from discovery to post-launch support. A typical Shopify development project may include:
- Discovery and technical planning
- Information architecture
- UX and visual design
- Development
- Data and content migration
- Integrations
- Quality assurance
- User acceptance testing
- Launch preparation
- Post-launch stabilization
The agency should explain who approves each phase, how feedback is collected, and what can affect the schedule.
Compare Proposals by Scope, Not Price Alone
Two proposals with very different prices may also contain very different deliverables. One may include migration planning, responsive design, testing, documentation, and launch support. Another may cover development only.
Compare:
- Deliverables
- Assumptions
- Exclusions
- Number of design revisions
- Testing responsibilities
- Migration coverage
- Project management
- Post-launch support
- Change-request fees
- Third-party app and licensing costs
The most useful proposal makes it easy to see what the agency will deliver, what your team must provide, and how additional work will be priced.
Check Post-Launch Support
A store launch is usually followed by bug fixes, campaign requests, performance work, and new feature priorities. Ask how long the stabilization period lasts and what happens after it ends.
Some Shopify agencies offer hourly support or monthly retainers. Others transition the store back to the internal team once the project is complete.
Companies expecting continuous development may find that hiring a dedicated Shopify developer creates more consistent technical ownership after launch.
Speak With Recent Clients
References can reveal how the agency operates when timelines tighten or project requirements change. Ask recent clients about:
- Communication quality
- Accuracy of the original estimate
- Technical problem-solving
- Responsiveness during launch
- Scope management
- Documentation
- Post-launch support
- Whether they would hire the agency again
A strong portfolio shows what an agency can build. A client reference shows what it’s like to build with them.
Questions to Ask a Shopify Development Agency Before Signing
A proposal can look complete while leaving important decisions unresolved. Before choosing a Shopify development partner, use the final conversation to confirm how the project will run, what the quoted price covers, and who will support the store once it goes live.
1. How Many Projects Like Ours Have You Completed?
Ask for examples that match your business model, technical requirements, and level of complexity. A Shopify Plus agency may have an impressive portfolio while having limited experience with B2B pricing, subscriptions, international storefronts, or a specific ERP.
A useful answer should include:
- The original business challenge
- The scope of the project
- The systems involved
- The timeline
- The agency’s technical approach
- The results or lessons from the project
2. Who Will Work on Our Store?
Confirm the roles assigned to the project and how much access you’ll have to them. You may need a project manager, strategist, UX designer, front-end developer, back-end developer, integration specialist, and quality assurance professional.
Ask whether the proposed team is already available and whether any part of the Shopify development work will be subcontracted.
3. What’s Included in the Estimate?
Request a detailed breakdown of discovery, design, development, migration, integrations, testing, project management, and launch support.
Also confirm whether the estimate includes:
- Mobile and responsive design
- Content entry
- Product and customer data
- SEO redirects
- Third-party app configuration
- Browser and device testing
- Internal team training
- Technical documentation
- Post-launch fixes
Clear inclusions make proposals easier to compare and reduce confusion once development begins.
4. What Could Change the Price or Timeline?
Ask the agency to identify the assumptions behind its proposal. A delay in content delivery, undocumented legacy functionality, incomplete data, or a change in integration requirements can affect both cost and schedule.
The agency should explain how it handles new requests and whether they’re covered through contingency hours, a formal change order, or a separate estimate.
5. How Will You Handle Our Existing Data?
For a Shopify migration, ask how products, collections, customers, orders, subscriptions, reviews, discount codes, and content will be transferred and validated.
The agency should also explain:
- Which data can be migrated
- Which data may need to be reformatted
- How test migrations are conducted
- Who checks the final records
- How customer accounts will be handled
- What backup and rollback plans are available
6. How Will You Protect Our SEO During the Migration?
A redesign or platform migration can change URLs, page structure, internal links, metadata, and site performance. Ask who owns the SEO migration plan and how the agency will protect pages that already attract organic traffic.
The plan should address redirects, metadata, canonical tags, structured data, image URLs, sitemap submission, analytics tracking, and post-launch monitoring.
Companies planning a broader platform change can also review South’s guide to the best e-commerce development companies.
7. How Do You Approach Apps and Custom Functionality?
Some agencies rely heavily on third-party apps, while others prefer custom development. Ask how the team decides between an existing application, a custom Shopify app, and native platform functionality.
The recommended solution should account for performance, recurring fees, compatibility, maintenance, and the possibility that your requirements will evolve.
8. Who Owns the Code, Designs, and Accounts?
Confirm that your company will retain ownership of its theme, custom code, design files, documentation, domains, analytics accounts, and third-party applications.
Your internal team should also have the appropriate Shopify permissions and access to repositories, project files, and integration credentials before the engagement ends.
9. What Happens After Launch?
Ask how long the agency’s stabilization period lasts, what types of fixes are included, and how urgent issues are handled. Then clarify the options for future support.
Post-launch arrangements may include:
- Hourly support
- Prepaid development blocks
- Monthly agency retainers
- Conversion optimization programs
- Dedicated Shopify developers
- A handoff to the internal team
Businesses with continuous technical priorities may prefer to hire a Shopify developer who can maintain context and manage improvements throughout the year.
10. How Will We Measure Whether the Project Worked?
Agree on success metrics before development starts. Depending on the project, these may include:
- Conversion rate
- Mobile revenue
- Store speed
- Checkout completion
- Average order value
- B2B adoption
- International sales
- Internal merchandising efficiency
- Reduced maintenance time
- Fewer technical incidents
A successful Shopify project should improve how the business operates and how the storefront looks. Clear metrics keep the agency and internal stakeholders focused on the outcomes that justified the investment.
Build Long-Term Shopify Development Capacity With South
A Shopify development agency can be the right partner for a major migration, redesign, or technically complex launch. Once the store is live, though, the roadmap rarely stops. New campaigns, integrations, conversion tests, merchandising requests, and performance improvements continue to compete for development time.
That’s where a dedicated Shopify developer can create lasting value.
South helps U.S. companies hire pre-vetted Shopify developers from Latin America who work directly with their internal e-commerce, marketing, product, and operations teams. Instead of routing every request through an external account manager, your team gains a developer who understands the store, participates in recurring workflows, and stays close to evolving business priorities.
Through South, you can find professionals with experience in:
- Shopify and Shopify Plus development
- Custom themes and reusable storefront sections
- App and API integrations
- ERP, CRM, and inventory connections
- B2B and subscription functionality
- Site-speed and Core Web Vitals improvements
- Conversion experiments and campaign launches
- Technical maintenance and troubleshooting
- Platform migrations and ongoing optimization
South tailors the search to the work your business actually needs. That could mean a senior Shopify Plus developer for complex architecture and integrations, or a versatile e-commerce developer who can manage theme updates, app configuration, and a steady release calendar.
Because candidates are based in Latin America, they can collaborate during overlapping U.S. working hours. That alignment makes it easier to solve problems quickly, coordinate launches, and keep technical work connected to commercial goals.
Ready to build more Shopify capacity within your team? Schedule a free call with South to discuss the experience, technical skills, and seniority your store requires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is a Shopify Development Agency?
A Shopify development agency is a company that designs, builds, migrates, and optimizes online stores using Shopify or Shopify Plus. Its team may include developers, UX/UI designers, e-commerce strategists, integration specialists, quality assurance professionals, and project managers.
Services can range from theme customization and app configuration to complete replatforming projects involving custom functionality, enterprise integrations, and international storefronts.
Which Is the Best Shopify Development Agency?
The best Shopify development agency depends on the project. Brands planning a complex Shopify Plus migration may need an agency with experience in data transfer, ERP integrations, and enterprise architecture. A DTC company may prioritize design, conversion optimization, and subscription commerce.
Companies with a continuous development backlog may benefit more from hiring a dedicated Shopify developer who can work directly with their internal team.
How Much Does a Shopify Development Agency Charge?
A Shopify development agency may charge approximately:
- $2,000–$10,000 for theme setup and light customization
- $12,000–$50,000 or more for a custom Shopify store
- $10,000–$75,000 or more for a platform migration
- $50,000–$250,000 or more for a Shopify Plus build
- $2,000–$20,000 or more per month for an ongoing retainer
Pricing depends on the store’s complexity, design requirements, integrations, migration scope, and post-launch support.
What Does a Shopify Development Company Do?
A Shopify development company can handle:
- Custom store and theme development
- Shopify Plus implementation
- Platform migrations
- Custom app development
- ERP, CRM, and inventory integrations
- B2B e-commerce functionality
- Subscription and loyalty programs
- Site-speed optimization
- Conversion rate optimization
- Ongoing technical maintenance
Some companies offer end-to-end delivery, while others specialize in areas such as Shopify migrations, B2B commerce, or custom integrations.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Shopify Store?
A lightly customized Shopify store may take several weeks to complete. A custom Shopify website often requires two to four months, while a complex Shopify Plus migration can take six months or longer.
The schedule depends on how quickly the company can approve designs, prepare content, clean its data, and make integration decisions. A detailed discovery phase usually produces a more reliable launch timeline.
Do I Need a Shopify Plus Development Agency?
A Shopify Plus agency may be appropriate when a business needs advanced B2B commerce, several international storefronts, extensive automation, custom integrations, high-volume infrastructure, or complex checkout and account experiences.
A standard Shopify store can support many growing brands. The decision should reflect the company’s operational requirements, transaction volume, expansion plans, and technical roadmap.
Should I Hire a Shopify Agency or a Dedicated Developer?
Choose a Shopify development agency when you need a defined project delivered by several specialists, such as a migration, redesign, or full store launch.
Choose a dedicated Shopify developer when you have recurring technical priorities throughout the year. An embedded developer can manage releases, integrations, maintenance, performance improvements, and conversion experiments while building deeper knowledge of the store.
Companies exploring the second model can review South’s guide to hiring Shopify developers.
Can a Shopify Agency Migrate a Store Without Losing SEO Traffic?
A Shopify migration can preserve most organic visibility when redirects, metadata, internal links, structured data, analytics, and sitemap changes are handled carefully. Some short-term movement may still occur as search engines process the new site.
Before hiring a Shopify migration agency, ask for a written SEO migration plan covering URL mapping, 301 redirects, canonical tags, content transfer, technical testing, and post-launch monitoring.
What Should a Shopify Development Proposal Include?
A strong proposal should define:
- Project objectives and deliverables
- Design and development scope
- Migration responsibilities
- Required integrations
- Testing and quality assurance
- Timeline and approval stages
- Pricing assumptions
- Scope-change procedures
- Post-launch support
- Code, data, and account ownership
The proposal should make responsibilities clear on both sides, including what the agency will deliver and what the client must provide to keep the project moving.
