AI-Enabled Websites

Shopify Development & Store Optimisation

Shopify has become the default starting point for direct-to-consumer ecommerce. The more interesting work starts when a business wants to move beyond what the standard offering provides. EXPRE builds custom Shopify and Shopify Plus stores, develops bespoke themes, integrates AI capabilities, and connects Shopify to the systems that run your business.

Discuss Your Project
90+Lighthouse scores on custom themes
OS 2.0Online Store 2.0 architecture
HeadlessStorefront API option available
6-10wkTypical custom theme timeline

Shopify vs Shopify Plus

Standard Shopify suits businesses with straightforward product catalogues, standard checkout requirements, and annual revenue up to a few million pounds. Shopify Plus unlocks checkout customisation, multiple storefronts, exclusive APIs, and removes per-transaction fees. EXPRE advises on which tier is appropriate for your current situation and growth trajectory, rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.

Standard Shopify

Best for growing direct-to-consumer brands with standard product catalogues and annual revenue up to a few million pounds. A solid platform for getting started without over-investing in features you may not yet need.

Shopify Plus

Makes sense at significant volume. Checkout Extensibility, multiple storefronts, exclusive APIs, and a dedicated account manager. For high-volume merchants, the arithmetic on transaction fee savings alone often justifies the upgrade.

Our Shopify Services

Custom Theme Development

EXPRE builds custom Shopify themes that achieve Google Lighthouse scores above 90 on mobile, use Online Store 2.0 architecture for flexible content management, and are built to be maintained by your team without specialist knowledge.

AI-Powered Features

Recommendation engines that analyse purchase patterns and browsing behaviour, AI-generated product descriptions for large catalogues, and semantic search that understands intent beyond keyword matching — built into your store, not bolted on.

Platform Migrations

Migrating from WooCommerce, Magento, or a legacy ecommerce platform to Shopify. Products, customers, order history, and URLs all migrate correctly to preserve SEO equity and customer data. Full redirect mapping included.

Integrations and Automation

Custom connections via the Shopify API to ERP systems, CRMs, fulfilment providers, and marketing platforms. n8n handles orchestration for complex multi-step workflows. Lower ongoing costs and more control than app-based solutions.

Performance Optimisation

Shopify stores frequently suffer from excessive app scripts, unoptimised images, and poorly structured themes. We conduct performance audits and implement fixes that measurably improve load times and Core Web Vitals scores.

Headless Shopify

For maximum performance, we build headless Shopify using the Storefront API with a React or Next.js front-end. This decoupled approach separates content management from presentation for brands with specific design or performance requirements.

How We Work

1

Requirements and Recommendation

We assess your requirements, existing tech stack, and growth trajectory. You receive a clear recommendation on Shopify tier, theme approach, and integration priorities before any work begins.

2

Design and Prototyping

If you have an approved design in Figma, we build the Shopify theme to match it precisely. If you need design and development, we work collaboratively from wireframes through to full designs you approve.

3

Theme Development

Built on Online Store 2.0 architecture with Shopify's Liquid templating language. All sections are customisable through the Shopify editor so your team can manage content without developer involvement.

4

Integration and Testing

API connections, AI features, and third-party integrations are built and tested in a development store before any code touches production. Payment flows tested across all major methods.

5

Launch and Support

We manage the launch process and monitor closely for the first 48 hours. Ongoing support covers theme updates, app management, performance monitoring, and new feature development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use Shopify or Magento?
Shopify suits growing direct-to-consumer brands with standard product catalogues. Magento suits businesses with complex catalogues, B2B requirements, or significant customisation needs. We assess your specific requirements and provide a clear recommendation.
Can you build on Shopify if we have a design already?
Yes. If you have an approved design in Figma or similar, we build the Shopify theme to match it precisely. We also work collaboratively on design if you need both design and development.
How long does a Shopify project take?
A custom theme build typically takes six to ten weeks. A full migration from another platform adds two to four weeks depending on data complexity. Shopify Plus implementations with significant custom development may take three to four months.
Do you offer Shopify support after launch?
Yes. Our support packages cover theme updates, app management, performance monitoring, and ongoing development. Shopify evolves quickly and having a development partner ensures you benefit from new features without the risk of breaking changes.
Can you make our Shopify store faster?
Yes. Shopify stores frequently suffer from performance issues caused by excessive apps loading scripts, unoptimised images, and poorly structured themes. We conduct performance audits and implement fixes that measurably improve load times and Core Web Vitals scores.

Start Your Shopify Project

Contact EXPRE for a consultation and we will assess your requirements and recommend the right approach for your ecommerce operation.

A Shopify Store That Works as Hard as You Do

Custom-built, AI-enhanced, and connected to your business systems. Talk to EXPRE about your Shopify project.

Get in Touch