Shopify development now extends well beyond selecting a theme and configuring payments. Growing brands increasingly need custom storefront sections, reliable business-system integrations, and shopping experiences that work across devices and markets. Shopify Plus, headless architectures, and specialized apps offer more flexibility, but they also make implementation choices more consequential. The right development partner brings a mix of platform experience, engineering discipline, and an understanding of how the store will operate after launch.
1. Itexus
Itexus develops custom software and digital products for businesses with demanding transaction and integration requirements. Its ecommerce portfolio includes retail marketplace systems that connect customer-facing shopping experiences with supplier workflows, inventory, order handling, payments, and administration. The company also delivers website and mobile development, interface design, and quality assurance, with broader experience in financial software.
For merchants building beyond a conventional storefront, these capabilities matter when the commerce journey relies on custom backend logic or several connected business applications. Itexus is relevant to teams planning bespoke shopping experiences, marketplace features, or integrations that need careful engineering from discovery through deployment and support.
Key Facts
- Best for: Custom commerce platforms and connected retail applications
- Core services: Shopify development, custom software, web and mobile development, UI/UX, QA
- Specialization: Marketplaces, transaction-heavy applications, backend integrations
- Notable strength: Engineering across customer-facing and operational systems
- Headquarters: Dover, DE, USA
- Founded: 2013
- Team size: 150+ engineers
Contact Information
- Website: itexus.com
- Email: moc.suxeti@ofni
- Address: 8, The Green, STE road, Dover, DE 19901
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/itexus
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/itexus.soft
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/itexus-fintech-software
- Twitter: x.com/ItexusSoft
2. We Make Websites
We Make Websites is a Shopify agency with offices in London and New York, and a Shopify Partner since 2011. Its services cover UX and UI design, strategy and conversion insights, Shopify development, internationalization, data migration, and headless and composable commerce builds.
Its published case studies include a headless build for Good American, Shopify Plus design and build projects for Vollebak and B!POD, and ongoing work for HyperX, Hasbro, Levi's Dockers, Totême and Jigsaw. That mix of launches and retained support suits consumer brands moving to Shopify Plus or expanding into new markets, as well as teams that want a long-term agency for their store after launch.
Key Facts
- Best for: Consumer brands on Shopify Plus, including headless builds
- Core services: Shopify development, UX/UI design, CRO, migration, internationalization
- Specialization: Shopify Plus design, build and headless commerce
- Parent company: Tech Mahindra
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Founded: 2009
- Team size: 11–50 employees
Contact Information
- Website: wemakewebsites.com
- Email: moc.setisbewekamew@olleh
- Address: 90/92 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9HS, UK
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/we-make-websites/
3. Swanky
Swanky is a Shopify Platinum Partner with offices in the UK, Australia and France. Its launch services include migrations to Shopify Plus, Shopify development and design, subscription solutions, iPaaS integrations, internationalization, B2B on Shopify and Shopify POS. After launch it offers conversion rate optimization, data and analytics, SEO, email and paid media.
The agency publishes case studies for brands such as HelloFresh, Wilkinson Sword, Eden Project, Catit, YuMOVE, DockATot, Symprove and Loop Earplugs. It suits merchants that want one partner to handle both the technical move to Shopify and the growth work that follows, particularly subscription and B2B businesses.
Key Facts
- Best for: Merchants migrating to Shopify Plus and scaling after launch
- Core services: Shopify Plus migration, development, integrations, B2B, CRO, marketing
- Specialization: Shopify Plus builds, subscriptions and B2B commerce
- Headquarters: Exeter, UK
- Founded: 2010
- Team size: 51–200 employees
Contact Information
- Website: swankyagency.com
- Phone: +44 (0) 1392 92 70 70
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/swankyagency/
4. Charle
Charle is a London-based Shopify agency with Shopify Plus accreditation and teams in London, Manchester and New York. It designs, builds, migrates and supports Shopify and Shopify Plus stores, covering custom theme development, headless builds, app development, integrations, internationalization, B2B and subscriptions. Its SiteLab service handles conversion optimization and its Helpdesk covers ongoing support.
Published client work includes Cambridge Satchel, Billionaire Boys Club, 111SKIN, Muc-Off, Candy Kittens, Gray Nicolls, CleanCo and the RNLI. The agency also runs Shopify SEO and Klaviyo email and SMS programs, so it suits brands that want design, development and retention marketing from one team.
Key Facts
- Best for: UK and US brands building or migrating Shopify Plus stores
- Core services: Shopify design, development, migration, headless, CRO, SEO, Klaviyo
- Specialization: Shopify and Shopify Plus store builds and support
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Founded: 2018
Contact Information
- Website: charle.co.uk
- Email: ku.oc.elrahc@olleh
- Phone: 020 3026 3652
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/wearecharle/
5. OSKI Solutions
OSKI provides Shopify development covering custom Online Store 2.0 themes, Shopify apps, checkout extensions, and headless storefronts. Its engineers work with Liquid, JSON templates, Shopify APIs, and Hydrogen, with integration services for operational systems such as ERP, CRM, and fulfillment platforms. The company also develops ecommerce solutions beyond Shopify, including custom and headless stores.
That combination suits retail teams needing tailored shopping journeys without losing control of everyday merchandising. OSKI's service offering also addresses the technical work around the storefront, including back-office connections, application logic, and testing. Businesses modernizing an existing shop or building a more specialized ecommerce setup have a clear starting point for a scoped engagement.
Key Facts
- Best for: Custom Shopify storefronts and advanced integrations
- Core services: Shopify themes, apps, checkout extensions, headless development
- Specialization: Connected ecommerce and custom storefront architecture
- Technologies: Liquid, Hydrogen, Storefront API, GraphQL
- Headquarters: Tallinn, Estonia
- Team size: 51–200 employees
Contact Information
- Website: oski.site
- Email: etis.ikso@tcatnoc
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/oski-solutions
6. Mobian
Mobian provides dedicated development teams and full-cycle product engineering, with particular experience in mobile applications, backend APIs, payments, and integrations. Its published projects include a logistics app with payment functionality, digital health systems, and enterprise communications software. The company is registered in Estonia and delivers both embedded engineering support and managed projects.
Mobian's mobile and backend capabilities are relevant when an ecommerce business extends its customer journey into a separate app or connects ordering with logistics and operational workflows. Its engineering process also includes testing, deployment, and continued support. For businesses building a connected commerce product rather than only a theme customization, that broader product-development experience is useful.
Key Facts
- Best for: Mobile commerce-adjacent products and backend integrations
- Core services: Mobile development, APIs, backend engineering, QA
- Industries: Logistics, healthcare, fintech, enterprise software
- Headquarters: Tallinn, Estonia
Contact Information
- Website: mobian.studio
- Email: oiduts.naibom@ofni
- Address: Harju maakond, Tallinn, Kesklinna Linnaosa, Masina tn 22, 10113
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mobian-studio
7. A-listware
A-listware supplies software development teams and engineering services across web applications, design, testing, and integrations. Its portfolio includes Rep, an AI-enabled product connecting a Shopify store with voice assistants so shoppers can discover and buy products using Alexa. That work demonstrates experience developing functionality connected to an existing Shopify commerce environment.
The company supports both end-to-end software delivery and dedicated team arrangements, giving businesses options when they need extra engineering capacity. Its broader web and application development practice is especially relevant where Shopify forms one part of a larger product, integration project, or customer experience initiative.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify-adjacent applications and dedicated engineering teams
- Core services: Software development, web apps, UI/UX, QA
- Notable projects: Shopify-connected voice commerce application
- Engagement model: Project development and team augmentation
- Headquarters: London, UK
Contact Information
- Website: a-listware.com
- Email: moc.erawtsil-a@ofni
- Phone: +44 (0)142 439 01 40
- Address: St. Leonards-On-Sea, TN37 7TA, UK
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alistware
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/a-listware
8. Conspire Agency
Los Angeles-based Conspire Agency develops Shopify stores and related apps, combining custom design with theme engineering and ongoing improvements. The agency works on store builds, migrations, integrations, and B2B commerce. Its own Shopify applications address wholesale onboarding, buyer wishlists, and draft-order invoicing.
Those products reflect hands-on familiarity with merchant workflows beyond the storefront itself. Companies that need custom business-to-business purchasing features or a Shopify site designed around specific sales processes can draw on Conspire's experience across both merchant-facing pages and operational functionality.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify B2B and custom app requirements
- Core services: Store builds, Shopify apps, integrations, support
- Specialization: Wholesale workflows and custom themes
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Contact Information
- Website: www.conspireagency.com
9. DigitalSuits
DigitalSuits builds Shopify and Shopify Plus stores for growing ecommerce brands. Its offering covers storefront design, custom theme development, platform migration, headless commerce, applications, and integrations. The team also works on Shopify B2B implementations, connecting wholesale requirements with merchant workflows and the broader technology stack.
Brands with complex catalogs, international storefronts, or a need to extend standard Shopify features can use its combined design and engineering services. The company's Shopify Plus work includes performance optimization and ongoing changes after launch, allowing development to follow a merchant's evolving operational needs.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify Plus, B2B and headless storefront projects
- Core services: Shopify development, migrations, integrations, design
- Specialization: Shopify Plus and custom commerce functionality
- Notable strength: End-to-end delivery of Shopify store projects
- Founded: 2016
- Team size: 51–200 employees
Contact Information
- Website: digitalsuits.co
- Email: oc.stiuslatigid@olleh
- Phone: (512) 571-3557
- Address: 78 SW 7th St, Miami, FL 33130
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/digitalsuits
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/digitalsuits
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/digitalsuits
10. Absolute Web
Absolute Web develops and supports ecommerce experiences on Shopify Plus and other major commerce platforms. Its services cover design, replatforming, app integrations, conversion optimization, and ongoing technical support. A published project for bridal brand Jenny Yoo includes a Magento-to-Shopify Plus migration and a made-to-order workflow connected with enterprise operations.
The agency's work is particularly relevant to established retailers that need commercial features to operate alongside existing inventory, production, or customer systems. Its combination of storefront design and operational integration gives businesses a partner for complex migrations as well as continued improvements after launch.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify Plus migrations and complex ecommerce operations
- Core services: Ecommerce development, integrations, UX/UI, support
- Specialization: Replatforming and operational automation
- Headquarters: Miami, FL, USA
- Founded: 1999
- Team size: 51–200 employees
Contact Information
- Website: absoluteweb.com
- Email: moc.bewetulosba@ofni
- Phone: 305.937.2526
- Address: 2875 NE 191st St #404, Miami, Florida 33180
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/absolute-web-services-inc
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/absolutewebservices
11. 1Digital Agency
1Digital Agency works across Shopify and Shopify Plus development, ecommerce design, and digital marketing. Its Shopify engineering services include Liquid themes, Online Store 2.0 sections, custom apps, API integrations, and performance improvements. The firm also supports platform migrations, SEO, paid search, and conversion optimization.
The breadth of its offering is useful for merchants who want their storefront changes coordinated with customer acquisition and site performance work. Projects can range from modifying an established Shopify theme to building more specialized workflows for larger stores. Its development practice also addresses integrations with marketing, subscription, and operational tools.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify development combined with ecommerce marketing
- Core services: Custom themes, apps, API integrations, SEO, CRO
- Technologies: Shopify, Shopify Plus, other ecommerce platforms
- Headquarters: United States
- Founded: 2012
- Team size: 11–50 employees
Contact Information
- Website: www.1digitalagency.com
- Email: moc.ycnegalatigid1@ofni
- Phone: 888-982-8269
- Address: 14261 SW 120th St, Suite 108-337 Miami, FL 33186
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/1digitalagency-com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/1digitalagency
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/1digitalagency
- Twitter: x.com/1digitalagency
12. Gilzor
Gilzor develops custom ecommerce products alongside its broader web, mobile, and software engineering services. Its ecommerce work includes platform integrations, marketplace-style experiences, mobile shopping interfaces, and tools for managing customers or business operations. The company's Shopify-focused writing highlights the relationship between storefront development and the surrounding product or system.
For teams treating ecommerce as part of a larger digital product, Gilzor offers analysis, design, development, QA, and ongoing support within the same engagement. Its portfolio also includes a grocery-related application connected with a large retail network. This experience aligns with businesses needing custom shopping functionality and dependable integration with operational software.
Key Facts
- Best for: Custom ecommerce products and connected mobile experiences
- Core services: Web and mobile development, UX/UI, QA, integrations
- Specialization: Product engineering and ecommerce applications
- Offices: Warsaw, Poland; Limassol, Cyprus
- Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
Contact Information
- Website: www.gilzor.com
- Email: moc.rozlig@stcatnoc
- Address: Poland, Warsaw, Office 58, street Adama Mickiewicza 37, 01-625
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gilzor-softwaredevelopment
13. Coalition Technologies
Coalition Technologies works on Shopify design and development as part of a wider ecommerce marketing service. Its practice covers store design, website development, SEO, and paid marketing, supported by technical optimization and conversion-focused improvements. Shopify's partner directory identifies the agency as a service partner based in Los Angeles.
For retailers balancing a new storefront with the need to attract traffic, the combination of development and search expertise is a practical consideration. Coalition can address the site structure and shopping experience while connecting technical changes to organic discoverability and digital marketing programs. This makes it relevant to merchants pursuing an integrated website and acquisition strategy.
Key Facts
- Best for: Shopify builds aligned with SEO and digital marketing
- Core services: Ecommerce development, SEO, site design, marketing
- Specialization: Technical and marketing-led ecommerce improvement
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Founded: 2009
- Team size: 201–500 employees
Contact Information
- Website: coalitiontechnologies.com
- Email: moc.seigolonhcetnoitilaoc@selas
- Phone: (888) 609-4787
- Address: 515 S Flower St 18th Floor, Suite #4081 Los Angeles, CA 90071 United States
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coalition-technologies
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/coalitiontech
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoalitionTech
- Twitter: x.com/coalitiontech
14. Sleepless Media
Sleepless Media is a Northern California ecommerce design and development agency focused on Shopify and Shopify Plus. Its work includes custom themes, store migrations, subscription functionality, wholesale features, app integrations, and post-launch optimization. Published Shopify projects include outdoor, food, and lifestyle brands such as LifeStraw and Breeo.
Design remains central to the agency's approach, but implementation and ongoing improvement are part of the same offering. That makes Sleepless Media relevant to consumer brands that need a distinctive storefront along with reliable platform development, rather than treating visual design and technical delivery as separate engagements.
Key Facts
- Best for: Brand-led Shopify and Shopify Plus stores
- Core services: UX/UI, theme development, migrations, optimization
- Industries: Outdoor products, lifestyle, food and beverage
- Headquarters: Northern California, United States
Contact Information
- Website: www.sleeplessmedia.com
- Phone: (831) 427-1969
- Address: 241 Kings Village Rd, #67441 Scotts Valley, CA 95067 Santa Cruz County
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sleepless-media
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sleeplessmediadesign
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SleeplessMedia
- Twitter: x.com/sleeplessdesign
Comparison Table
| Company | Best for | Headquarters | Founded | Team size |
| Itexus | Custom commerce platforms and connected retail applications | Dover, DE, USA | 2013 | 150+ engineers |
| We Make Websites | Consumer brands on Shopify Plus, including headless builds | London, UK | 2009 | 11–50 employees |
| Swanky | Merchants migrating to Shopify Plus and scaling after launch | Exeter, UK | 2010 | 51–200 employees |
| Charle | UK and US brands building or migrating Shopify Plus stores | London, UK | 2018 | — |
| OSKI Solutions | Custom Shopify storefronts and advanced integrations | Tallinn, Estonia | — | 51–200 employees |
| Mobian | Mobile commerce-adjacent products and backend integrations | Tallinn, Estonia | — | — |
| A-listware | Shopify-adjacent applications and dedicated engineering teams | London, UK | — | — |
| Conspire Agency | Shopify B2B and custom app requirements | Los Angeles, California | — | — |
| DigitalSuits | Shopify Plus, B2B and headless storefront projects | — | 2016 | 51–200 employees |
| Absolute Web | Shopify Plus migrations and complex ecommerce operations | Miami, FL, USA | 1999 | 51–200 employees |
| 1Digital Agency | Shopify development combined with ecommerce marketing | United States | 2012 | 11–50 employees |
| Gilzor | Custom ecommerce products and connected mobile experiences | Warsaw, Poland | — | — |
| Coalition Technologies | Shopify builds aligned with SEO and digital marketing | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 2009 | 201–500 employees |
| Sleepless Media | Brand-led Shopify and Shopify Plus stores | Northern California, United States | — | — |
How to Choose a Shopify Development Partner
The right Shopify partner depends on where your store's complexity really sits: theme work, integrations with ERP and inventory systems, multiple markets, or a headless storefront. Evaluate candidates on how they decide between standard features, apps and custom code, and on how they keep the store fast and maintainable after launch.
Relevant Shopify Plus experience. Ask for live stores similar to yours in catalog size, order volume and market count. If you are on or moving to Shopify Plus, check experience with Checkout Extensibility, Shopify Functions, B2B features and Shopify Markets. A portfolio of small theme customizations says little about a partner's ability to handle a high-volume store with complex pricing or wholesale rules.
Integration approach. Most serious Shopify projects depend on syncing orders, inventory, customers and products with an ERP, PIM, 3PL or CRM. Ask which systems they have connected, whether they use middleware or custom apps, and how they handle API rate limits, retries and failed syncs. A good answer includes monitoring and alerting, not just a one-time data import.
Apps versus custom code. Ask how the partner decides when to install an app, extend a theme or build a custom app. Too many third-party apps slow pages and add monthly fees; too much custom code raises maintenance cost. Request an example where they removed apps or replaced custom code with native features, and ask what the app stack on a recent build looked like.
Storefront performance. Request Core Web Vitals or Lighthouse results for stores they built, measured on mobile. Ask how they handle image optimization, app script loading and theme sections that add weight. For headless proposals using Hydrogen or another framework, ask why the theme approach is not enough and what the hosting, caching and content editing setup will cost to run.
Migration and SEO handling. If you are moving from Magento, WooCommerce or another platform, ask how they migrate products, customers, order history and URLs. A careful partner produces a redirect map, preserves metadata and structured data, and checks rankings and traffic after launch. Vague answers about redirects are a warning sign, since lost URLs can cost months of organic traffic.
Post-launch support terms. Clarify what happens after go-live: response times, monthly retainer scope, who updates apps and themes, and how new features are scoped. Ask who owns the theme code, custom apps and their repositories. Make sure you get admin access, documentation and the ability to move to another agency without rebuilding the store.
Conclusion
Shopify projects are becoming more connected to the rest of a business, particularly as retailers coordinate inventory, customer data, subscriptions, and sales channels. A strong development engagement begins with a clear view of what standard Shopify features can handle and which needs justify custom work. Merchants should also consider how theme changes, app dependencies, and integration choices will be maintained over time. Well-scoped development makes everyday store management easier while leaving room for more complex requirements as the business grows. The most useful technical decisions are those that support both today's shopping experience and tomorrow's operational needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a Shopify development partner?
Costs depend on scope more than on the platform. A theme customization or small store setup is usually the lowest-cost engagement, while custom themes, ERP integrations, multi-market setups, Shopify Plus checkout work or headless builds raise the budget considerably. The main drivers are number of integrations, custom app development, data migration, design work and the level of ongoing support you need after launch.
How long does a Shopify store build take?
A store on a customized existing theme can often launch within a few weeks. A custom design with integrations and data migration typically takes a few months, and headless or multi-market Shopify Plus projects can take longer. Timelines slip most often because of integration testing, content and product data preparation, and late decisions about apps, so preparing these early shortens the project.
Should we use a Shopify theme or go headless?
Most brands are well served by a modern Online Store 2.0 theme with custom sections. Headless makes sense when you need a highly custom front end, content from several systems, or experiences a theme cannot deliver, and you have the budget and team to run a separate front end. Headless adds hosting, development and maintenance costs, and some apps will not work with it.
What is the difference between a Shopify Partner and a Shopify Plus Partner?
A Shopify Partner is any agency or developer registered in Shopify's partner program. Shopify Plus Partners are a smaller group recognized by Shopify for delivering enterprise-level Plus projects. The label is a useful filter for large stores, but it does not guarantee fit. You should still review similar projects, integration experience and references rather than relying on the badge alone.
What should we prepare before contacting a Shopify agency?
Prepare a list of the systems the store must connect to, current traffic and order volumes, the number of products and variants, markets and currencies, and features you consider must-haves. Include examples of stores you like, your current app list if migrating, and a budget range. Clear data about what the store must do lets agencies give comparable estimates instead of broad guesses.