Custom Shopify development for the right fit.
Custom Shopify development for Oregon e-commerce businesses where Shopify genuinely fits. Custom theme work, Liquid templating, and Shopify app development — not just theme configuration. Honest platform guidance from a studio that builds on both Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Custom Shopify theme development from scratch
- Liquid templating for custom storefront logic
- Custom Shopify app development where needed
- Payment, shipping, tax, and integration setup
- Honest platform guidance — Shopify or WooCommerce, whichever fits
Abide Web Design is a WooCommerce-first studio that also builds on Shopify for e-commerce businesses whose needs genuinely fit the platform — typically dropshippers, single-channel D2C brands, and businesses that prioritize hands-off platform management. We do real custom Shopify work (theme development, Liquid templating, custom apps) at the same craft level we bring to WooCommerce. We’ll also tell you honestly when WooCommerce is the better fit.
Pricing
Custom Shopify build
$6,000 – $18,000
Custom theme development, Liquid templating, product catalog setup, payment and shipping configuration, app integration, basic SEO foundations, and launch coordination. Custom Shopify app development quoted separately — typically $3,000–$15,000+. We send a fixed quote after a free discovery call.
What's included
- Custom Shopify theme development (Liquid, HTML, CSS, JS)
- Product catalog, collections, and navigation setup
- Payment, shipping, and tax configuration
- SEO foundations and Google Merchant Center feed
- Third-party app integration (Klaviyo, reviews, etc.)
- Training and 30 days post-launch support
Not included
- Shopify platform subscription (paid directly to Shopify)
- Transaction fees (waived with Shopify Payments)
- Third-party app subscriptions
- Ongoing content or inventory management
Why Abide for Shopify
Why Abide for Shopify
We're primarily a WooCommerce studio, and we'll never pretend otherwise. But Shopify is the right answer for some e-commerce businesses — and when it is, we approach it with the same craft we bring to our WooCommerce work. Here's what makes our Shopify work different.
Real custom theme development, not template configuration
Most Shopify agencies do theme configuration — pick a theme from the store, customize settings, install apps, done. We do real custom Shopify development: custom themes from scratch when the project warrants it, Liquid templating for unique storefront logic, custom sections and blocks, and custom Shopify apps for business-specific functionality. The result is a Shopify store that doesn't look or behave like a template.
We'll tell you honestly when WooCommerce fits better
Most Shopify agencies are Shopify partisans — they'll recommend Shopify for everything, because that's all they build. Most WooCommerce agencies are the opposite. We genuinely build on both, which means we have no platform incentive to push you toward one or the other. When Shopify is the right answer, we'll say so. When WooCommerce is, we'll say that too.
We understand the cost structure of both platforms
Shopify's monthly subscription plus transaction fees can add up faster than buyers expect. WooCommerce has higher upfront costs but no platform fees. The right platform depends on your transaction volume, margins, and operational model — and we'll do the math with you honestly. For a high-volume D2C brand, Shopify's hosted infrastructure can be cheaper than WooCommerce. For a B2B operation with custom workflows, WooCommerce usually comes out ahead long-term.
Custom Shopify app development when needed
Most Shopify projects can be built using existing App Store apps. But sometimes business-specific requirements need a custom Shopify app — internal workflows, custom integrations with back-office systems, unique checkout extensions, or proprietary functionality no existing app provides. We build custom Shopify apps when the project genuinely calls for it. Most Shopify agencies can't.
Scope
What’s included in a custom Shopify build.
A concrete list of what a custom Shopify project from Abide actually includes.
Custom theme development
- Custom Shopify theme built with Liquid, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Custom sections and blocks for unique storefront layouts
- Mobile-first responsive design
- Theme architecture supporting future merchandising changes without redevelopment
- Section settings letting merchants customize the storefront without developer involvement
Product catalog and merchandising
- Product setup with variants, options, and metafields
- Collection structure and navigation
- Custom product templates for specialty product types
- Bulk product import from existing platforms or spreadsheets
- Product imagery optimization
Checkout and conversion
- Custom checkout extensions (Shopify Plus only)
- Cart drawer and cart page customization
- Custom upsell and cross-sell logic
- Abandoned cart recovery via Shopify Email or third-party
- Customer account customization
Payment, shipping, and tax
- Shopify Payments configuration (recommended for transaction fee waiver)
- Alternative payment gateway setup (Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Shipping zones, rates, and carrier integration
- Tax calculation via Shopify built-in or Avalara/TaxJar
- International commerce configuration if applicable
Custom app development (when needed)
- Custom Shopify apps for business-specific functionality
- Custom Admin API integrations with back-office systems
- Storefront API work for headless or custom storefront configurations
- App Bridge integration for embedded app experiences
- Public app submission for businesses monetizing their app
SEO and analytics foundations
- Product schema markup (Product, Offer, AggregateRating)
- Optimized URL structure (where Shopify allows)
- Title tags and meta descriptions across the catalog
- Google Search Console verification
- Google Analytics 4 with Enhanced E-commerce
- Google Merchant Center feed setup
- Facebook Pixel and Conversion API setup
Third-party app integration
- Klaviyo (email marketing)
- Yotpo, Loox, Stamped (reviews and UGC)
- Recharge, Bold (subscriptions)
- ShipStation, EasyPost (shipping)
- Avalara, TaxJar (tax)
- Custom apps not in the Shopify App Store
Honest comparison
Shopify vs. WooCommerce — when each is right.
This is the most common question we get from e-commerce prospects: should I build on Shopify or WooCommerce? Both are great platforms, and the right answer depends on your specific business. Here's how we typically advise.
Best for
Shopify
Standard D2C storefronts, dropshipping, hands-off platform management.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Custom workflows, B2B, integrations, data ownership, no platform fees.
Customization
Shopify
Limited to what Shopify allows — apps and theme customization.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Unlimited — open source code.
Platform fees
Shopify
0.5%–2% per transaction (waived with Shopify Payments).
WooCommerce (Abide)
None.
Hosting
Shopify
Included in monthly plan ($39–$399+/month).
WooCommerce (Abide)
You choose — we recommend managed hosting at $799/year.
Maintenance burden
Shopify
Minimal — Shopify handles platform updates.
WooCommerce (Abide)
We handle WordPress + WooCommerce updates ($799/year managed hosting).
Data ownership
Shopify
Limited — Shopify owns the platform.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Full — your database, your code, your store.
B2B and wholesale
Shopify
Possible but requires Plus tier or custom apps.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Native support with extensions.
Custom workflows
Shopify
Limited — within Shopify's framework.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Unlimited — any workflow can be built.
Time to launch
Shopify
4–8 weeks for custom themes.
WooCommerce (Abide)
8–14 weeks for custom WooCommerce builds.
Best fit
Shopify
Businesses that want fully managed e-commerce.
WooCommerce (Abide)
Businesses outgrowing platform constraints.
Our honest take
If your e-commerce business has standard D2C operations, fits within Shopify’s framework, and benefits from hosted infrastructure — Shopify is genuinely the right answer. If your business has complex workflows, integrations, B2B requirements, or wants to own its data outright — WooCommerce is almost always better long-term. We’ll help you decide honestly when we talk, including doing the cost math for your specific transaction volume.
Talk through your platform decisionUse cases
When Shopify is a strong fit
We've built Shopify stores for clients across several patterns. Each below is a project type where we'd happily recommend Shopify as the right platform choice.
Direct-to-Consumer Brands
Apparel, beauty, food, lifestyle — standard D2C storefronts with marketing-led merchandising. Shopify's infrastructure and app ecosystem make this category dramatically easier than custom-built alternatives.
Dropshipping Businesses
Shopify's app ecosystem (Printful, Oberlo, SaleHoo) is purpose-built for dropshipping and print-on-demand. WooCommerce can do it, but Shopify does it better.
High-Volume Online Retailers
When transaction volume is high and reliability is paramount, Shopify's hosted infrastructure delivers consistent performance. Shopify Plus extends this to enterprise needs at $2,300+/month.
Subscription Box Businesses
Recharge and other Shopify-native subscription apps handle subscription logic cleanly. Combined with Shopify Payments, this is often the fastest path to a working subscription business.
How it works
How a Shopify build unfolds.
Most custom Shopify builds take 4–8 weeks from kickoff to launch, depending on customization depth.
Discovery and Platform Decision
We start with a working session covering your business model, products, customer journey, transaction volume, and technical requirements. By the end of this week, we'll have made an honest platform decision together — Shopify or WooCommerce — and a documented project scope. If Shopify is the right answer, we move forward with it.
Theme Design and Custom Development
We design and develop the custom Shopify theme. For standard projects, we start from a clean base theme (Dawn, Refresh) and build custom sections and blocks. For complex projects, we build entirely from scratch using Liquid, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Custom Shopify app development, if scoped, happens in parallel.
Product Catalog and Storefront
We set up the product catalog, collections, navigation, payment, shipping, tax, and third-party app integrations. Product schema markup, SEO foundations, and Google Merchant Center feed setup happen here.
Migration and Testing
If migrating from another platform, we migrate products, customers, orders, and reviews. URL structures are mapped to preserve SEO equity. Test transactions confirm payment, shipping, and tax all work end-to-end.
Launch and Training
We coordinate the launch (DNS, redirects, final checks) and train your team on Shopify's admin interface. Documentation for ongoing site management is provided. After launch, we're available for hourly or scoped support engagements as needed.
What our clients say
Working with Abide Web Design was the best decision we made for designing our new website. They made the process flawless. They were extremely helpful and patient with me. The guidance and support they provided me through the entire process was second to none. The quality of the website they produced exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend Abide to anyone looking to create or revamp your website.
FAQ
Shopify services FAQ
We're primarily a WooCommerce studio for e-commerce, but Shopify is genuinely the right platform for some businesses — particularly standard D2C brands, dropshippers, and businesses that prioritize hands-off platform management. We'd rather build the right platform for your business than push every client toward our default. We do real custom Shopify development (theme work, Liquid templating, custom apps), not just template configuration.
Most Shopify agencies do theme configuration — pick a theme, customize settings, install apps. We do real custom development: custom theme work from scratch when the project warrants it, Liquid templating for unique storefront logic, custom sections and blocks, and custom Shopify apps for business-specific functionality. The result is a Shopify store that doesn't look or behave like a template.
The short answer: if your business has standard D2C operations, fits within Shopify's framework, and benefits from hosted infrastructure — Shopify is probably a strong fit. If your business has complex workflows, B2B requirements, integrations with back-office systems, or you want to own your data outright — WooCommerce is likely the better answer. We'll do the cost math with you for your specific transaction volume.
Yes. Shopify exports orders, customers, and products reasonably cleanly, and we can rebuild the store on custom WooCommerce when your needs outgrow Shopify's constraints. Migrations typically run 6–10 weeks depending on data volume and customization needs. If you're already considering whether you might outgrow Shopify, that's worth discussing in discovery.
Shopify charges 0.5%–2% per transaction unless you use Shopify Payments (which waives the platform fee but still charges processing fees, typically 2.4%–2.9%). For high-volume stores, the fees can add up to thousands or tens of thousands annually. WooCommerce has no platform fees — you pay only your payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, etc.). We'll do the math with you when comparing platforms.
Yes. We build custom Shopify apps for business-specific functionality — internal workflows, custom back-office integrations, unique storefront features, or proprietary functionality that no existing app provides. Custom Shopify app development is typically $3,000–$15,000+ depending on complexity. Most Shopify agencies don't do this kind of work.
Yes. Shopify Plus opens up Functions, Scripts, and the Checkout Extensibility API — the most powerful customization options Shopify offers. Plus is appropriate for high-volume stores ($1M+ revenue) and B2B operations. We can develop on Plus when the project warrants it.
Yes, but not as a retainer. We're available for hourly or scoped support engagements — theme updates, custom development, troubleshooting, app integrations. Shopify handles platform updates and security automatically, so ongoing maintenance is typically lighter than WooCommerce.
Yes. Platform migrations are part of our regular work. We migrate products, customers, orders, content, and SEO equity through 301 redirect mapping. Migration timelines depend on data volume and customization complexity.
Fill out our project inquiry form or call us at (541) 224-5048. We'll start with a short conversation about your business and have an honest platform discussion. If Shopify is the right answer, we'll move forward with it. If WooCommerce is, we'll redirect you to the right service.
Ready to talk?
Tell us about your store, we’ll help you pick the right platform.
Or call us at (541) 224-5048 — one of the partners will pick up.
