Shopify Website Development: Top 7 Services, Costs, and How to Pick The Right Partner

Shopify has become the backbone of modern eCommerce, trusted by 6.8M+ users due to its ease of use, low barrier to entry, rich app ecosystem, robust sales functions, and scalability. Yet, while anyone can set up a basic Shopify store in a day, achieving high conversion performance, UX excellence, and brand differentiation requires fundamental expertise and supporting tools. 

That’s where Shopify website development apps, tools, services, or companies become critical. 

You’re platforming, launching your first store, redesigning, or building a fully customised journey; the right technical partner can help you establish a great Shopify store like a true sales engine. Right now, keep scrolling to discover 7 top-rated Shopify website development services below!

What is Shopify Website Development?

Shopify website development is the end-to-end process of creating, improving, and scaling an online store built on the Shopify platform. It often combines design, front-end development, custom coding (e.g., Liquid), integrations, performance optimization, and ongoing maintenance. These are designed to deliver a fast, user-friendly shopping experience that drives conversions. 

Apparently, the role of Shopify website development companies extends beyond visual store setup, like creating a product page, designing a striking landing page, or arranging elements; the scope is far broader. A high-performing store should align perfectly with your brand identity. 

On the other hand, Shopify website development is a subset of a larger ecosystem, known as Shopify development services. This includes a range of technical work that supports tasks such as custom applications, backend automation, headless builds, internationalization, and more. 

5 Common Types of Shopify Website Development

Because every Shopify merchant is at a different maturity level, Shopify website development spans a broad spectrum of services. Here are the most common types of website development:

1. Theme Design

Although many admit that built-in Shopify themes are sufficient for building a new Shopify store, others prefer these services to ensure their storefront effectively reflects the following aspects: 

• Launching a store with branded UX

• Rebranding to refresh visual identity

• Transitioning from generic templates to a more premium look

• Improving conversion flows and usability

• Preparing for seasonal campaigns or market expansion. 

Shopify’s Online Store 2.0 has recently introduced flexible sections and dynamic blocks. Therefore, merchants can unlock near-custom UX without fully custom development with code. However, professional design services combine UI/UX strategy, conversion-focused layouts, and technical customization to enhance Shopify’s default capabilities, improving AOV and CVR. 

Learn more: Shopify Theme Development Handbook 

2. Store Presence Building and Customization

Once the theme foundation is ready, users require a high-converting structure, including product catalogs, system configuration, and shopping flows. Store-building services typically include: 

• Store setup (payments, shipping, tax, currency)

• Product/collection structures

• PDP + PLP configuration

• Cart + checkout setup

• Navigation + filtering

• Page styling + content population

• Store policy pages

• Analytics integration

Whether you are running a small or mid-sized business, this is the bulk of your Shopify website development investment to launch and start selling on your own. Ultimately, you can obtain a fully configured, conversion-ready store with seamless buying flows and a branded reputation. 

3. Landing Page Builder Integration As a Service

Instead of replying to a developer for every edit, many sellers work with landing page builders for Shopify, such as GemPages, to build a site and gain more control over their online presence. 

These Shopify website development services engage online merchants and marketers with:  

• Direct page builder installation into the Shopify Admin Dashboard and onboarding

• Custom design for multiple page types

• Drag-and-drop visual editor for intuitive customization

• AI-powered features for website generation

This approach also speeds up growth activities by enabling faster layout experimentation, richer product storytelling, seasonal landing pages, and the use of conversion-focused templates. These are used in conjunction with Shopify A/B tests to ensure the best results for your website. 

4. Conversion or Performance Optimization Services

These services focus on transforming your Shopify store into a high-performing sales engine. They can support you to evaluate how customers browse, interact, and purchase, then refine UX, messaging, and technical elements to maximize outcomes. Common tactics can include A/B testing, funnel audits, page-speed improvements, SEO fixes, and refining checkout flows. 

GemX supports A/B testing services to optimize a Shopify storefront conversion

5. Fully Custom Shopify Website 

For larger brands or enterprises with specific business logic, complex integrations, or unique UX expectations, a fully custom Shopify website provider will be a top-of-mind long-term partner. This means that professionals have website development from scratch, involving tailored Liquid code or headless frameworks (e.g., Hydrogen, Next.js), and in-depth custom builds, such as: 

• Entirely unique storefront UI/UX

• Advanced search and filtering

• Multi-location inventory logic

• Custom checkout flows and Shopify apps

• Proprietary business workflows

• Integration with ERP, CRM, and WMS. 

Learn more: Shopify Theme App Extension: Definition, Features & How To Integrate

What to Consider When Getting a Shopify Development Service

Selecting the right partner for Shopify website development has a direct impact on your brand performance. In fact, not all providers offer the same level of expertise, so it’s crucial to evaluate both technical and strategic alignment before committing. Below are perspectives to consider: 

Your business stage and goals 

You need to identify whether you’re launching a Shopify store, migrating from another platform, rebuilding your website's UX, or scaling globally. A startup may only need theme customization and landing-page support. At the same time, a large-market brand might require more, such as scalability, headless builds, custom integrations, and even multi-store environments. Therefore, understanding internal priorities ensures you invest in the right solution for your website setups. 

Scope of work and deliverables

Let’s define what outputs your development requires: custom theme design, store configuration, PDP + PLP development, app integrations, checkout customization, custom code, A/B testing setup, and ongoing support. Having a clear scope can avoid rework, delays, and cost overruns. You also need to request detailed documents, timelines, and acceptance criteria before starting. 

Proven Shopify expertise

A qualified Shopify website development company should demonstrate platform fluency beyond basic setup. That’s why you should look for the following aspects to have the best evaluations: 

• Shopify Partner or Shopify Plus Partner status, as well as apps built for Shopify

• Case studies with real results

• Experience working in your industry

• Success metrics: CVR lift, faster load times, and revenue impact

• Knowledge of Shopify Online Store 2.0 Liquid and metafields

• Familiar with key apps: subscriptions, reviews, and bundling. 

Users can find a range of apps built for Shopify in the Shopify App Store

Pricing model and transparency

Some standard pricing models found in Shopify development services include fixed-price, hourly billing, and retainers. A reliable partner will provide estimates before the project begins, break down costs by workstream, clarify revision policies, and outline subscription-based services. This helps you understand exactly what you’re paying for and reduces scope-related surprises. 

Also, be mindful of teams that over-promise low pricing. Extremely low quotes often lead to generic builds, limited flexibility, poor performance, restricted support, and costly rework later. 

Timeline and parallel work streams

You need to identify projected milestones, delivery phases, and communication schedules with your Shopify website development partner. Also, confirm whether they can collaborate with designers, marketers, and product teams simultaneously, especially during seasonal launches. This is essential to avoid bottlenecks, speed time-to-market, and enable iterative improvements. 

Customer support and security

It’s great to work with a service that can offer timely communication (e.g., 24/7 support), post-launch troubleshooting, documentation, and optimal maintenance plans to keep your site performing smoothly. Equally important is security: Your partner needs to follow best practices for data protection, PCI compliance, secure app usage, and vulnerability monitoring. As a result, you can safeguard customer information, prevent downtime, and maintain a trusted relationship. 

Learn more: How To Hire The Best Shopify Developers for Your eCommerce Stores

Top 7 Shopify Website Development Services (Expert Tested)

#1. GemPages

The first Shopify website development service today is GemPages Shopify Landing Builder, a tool designed to help users build high-performing Shopify stores using a drag-and-drop editor. You don’t need coding expertise while having complete page customization control beyond Shopify theme limits. This makes it perfect for fast and scalable brand growth for your business.

GemPages is famous for its services of building high-converting landing/web pages

What makes GemPages stand out

• #1 Landing page builders for Shopify store.

• User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface dashboard.

• 200+ CRO templates across industries and interactive elements.

• Integration with third-party Shopify apps to transform your store's performance.

• AI-powered Image-to-Layout to save time in creating a desirable site layout.

• GemPages Sales Funnel for growing revenue with post-purchase upsell pages. 

• Affordable pricing of $0 to $199/month, with dedicated support that includes video calls. 

Notably, GemPages can work well with GemX, a powerful tool for running A/B testing (split testing) and funnel analytics to improve your Shopify store’s growth through data-driven results. As a result, you can run experiments across the entire customer journey, measure impact at every stage, and optimize relevant aspects, such as presence, visuals, elements, and more. Last but not least, you can select the highest conversion for your store and specific campaigns. 

Today, GemPages is trusted by 165,000+ merchants and supports more than 1.7 million store pages, empowering businesses to build conversion-driven online experiences with confidence.

#2. Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level solution tailored for businesses that require more advanced capabilities. That’s why it is a go-to service for high-volume or global stores, where deeper design customization, faster performance, and flexible workflows for complex needs are critical. 

Shopify Plus website development service is tailored for large brands and enterprises 

Shopify Plus can also provide a strong technical foundation to scale without sacrificing usability. However, you need to pay from $2,300/month to work deeply with Shopify Plus professionals. 

What makes Shopify Plus stand out

• An all-in-one commerce system with DTC, retail-forward, and international B2B. 

• Exclusive APIs and the world’s best-converting checkout extensibility.

• Excellent International + multi-store support. 

• The option to choose your path to a modern, customizable tech stack for store design. 

#3. Liquify

Liquify has been a renowned and dedicated Shopify website development agency for over a decade. They’ve earned “Shopify Expert” status and are recognized for delivering full-service eCommerce builds, from custom themes and migrations to ongoing strategy and support. However, their services began at approximately $180/hour, which feels a bit costly for startups. 

Liquify is an end-to-end Shopify development agency for Shopify and Shopify Plus

What makes Liquify stand out

• Laser-focused on Shopify & Shopify Plus—only distractions from unrelated platforms. 

• Custom theme development, custom app integrations, and complete store migrations. 

• Strong data-driven approach to UX and performance. 

• Proven track record working with major brands, especially in fashion and global retail. 

#4. Netalico

With expertise in Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce, Netalico can help merchants streamline development workflows, enhance website stability, and drive measurable growth. Additionally, the team’s strengths lie in writing clean, scalable code, as well as optimizing backend efficiency. 

Netalico is a website development expert for BigCommerce, Shopify, and Magento

Their developers mainly focus on page-speed optimization, one of the strongest predictors of conversions, while integrating smoothly with apps, custom features, and third-party systems. This makes them an excellent choice for brands that require more in-depth technical support. 

What makes Netaico stand out

• Expertise in creating modern, visually appealing, and user-friendly websites.

• Significant improvements in key metrics for conversions and site speed. 

• A strong reputation for its work on Shopify Plus. 

• Excellent and consistent communication from Netalico’s customer teams. 

#5. Brainvire

Brainvire is a global digital-commerce agency offering deep expertise in Shopify website development. It has successfully executed over 700 eCommerce projects, including full-cycle design, migrations, custom applications, and headless builds. The team is recognized for its scalable digital platforms, which support growth, data intelligence, and omnichannel execution. 

Brainvire is a certified Shopify Partner, with a range of AI innovations for web design

What makes Brainvire stand out

• Fast, full-spectrum service: theme and store setup, migrations, UX-driven builds, and integration with ERP/CRM. 

• Innovative incorporation with AI, ML, and global multi-location architecture. 

• Tailored Shopify solutions, from startups to enterprises. 

#6. Magenest 

Trusted by 100,000+ merchants, Magenest is highly evaluated for site development and end-to-end solutions, from initial setup and migration to custom themes and apps for Shopify. Notably, if you currently run your store on Magento/ BigCommerce, Magenest can also support seamless re-platforming to Shopify, ensuring smooth data migration and preserved functionali

Magenest is an expert in replatforming store presence for site migrations to Shopify 

What makes Magenest stand out

• Custom theme and app development for both Shopify and Shopify Plus stores. 

• Ability to handle complex Shopify integration and configuration requirements. 

• Excellent re-platforming expertise for store presence and sales results. 

• Experience handling large product catalogs.  

#7. pb+j

The final Shopify website development service today is pb+j, a top-rated D2C creative agency specializing in building premium sites. Their starting price, from $1,000/project, reflects their positioning for brands ready for radical growth, elevated design, and conversion-focused stores.

pb+j is a familiar name for building creative Shopify websites for D2C brands 

What makes pb+j stand out

• Their strong commitment to a 10X ROI Guarantee rather than delivering visual assets. 

• Deep integration of branding, UX, and Shopify tech to offer memorable experiences. 

• Ideal for founder-led, design-driven brands that want to stand out on a budget. 

Learn more: 

• Which Is the Best Shopify Website Builder in 2025? Our Expert Picks

• Best Shopify Integration Services — Top Providers + Ratings

How Much Does It Cost to Develop A Shopify Website?

Shopify website development rates vary widely, depending on the scope, level of customization, timeline, developer reputation, and, most importantly, your specific goals and requirements. 

Below is an estimated cost range for your reference. 

• Basic setup: $200 to $3,000

• Custom theme: $3,000 to $15,000

• Storefront and integrations: $5,000 to $25,000

• Headless builds: $40,000 to $200,000

• Ongoing retainers: $1,000 to $10,000/month

Some factors that increase the additional cost to your website development include multilingual support, custom apps, subscription workflows, ERP integrations, and even B2B functionality. That’s why businesses need to consider everything carefully to have a solid financial backup. 

Conclusion

Shopify website development encompasses a wide range of perspectives, including launching a site online and crafting an experience that converts, scales, and stands out in the online market. From theme design and store setup to landing-page creation, CRO, and custom integrations, every stage of development shapes how effectively your business attracts and retains shoppers. 

However, your Shopify website's success also depends on choosing the right partner and tool. Skilled development teams can help you streamline technical work, implement best practices, and future-proof your infrastructure. Yet, not every merchant needs a fully custom-built website. 

If you’re looking for speed, flexibility, and complete control without excessive development costs, tools like GemPages offer a powerful alternative. You can visually design pages, run A/B tests, build strong sales funnels, and iterate quickly, all without relying on developers for every update. 

Read GemPages blogs to learn more insights to optimize your Shopify storefront performance!

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