Shopify Plus Development Agency: How to Choose One
How to choose a Shopify Plus development agency: 8 criteria, questions to ask, agency vs freelancer vs in-house and red flags.
Quick answer: A good Shopify Plus development agency has proven Plus projects, builds checkout extensions and Shopify Functions (not just themes), works with your ERP and other systems, follows a staging and testing process and supports you after launch. Choose on proof, process and communication, not on price alone.
What a Shopify Plus development agency does
- Builds and customises storefronts and themes
- Creates checkout extensions and Shopify Functions
- Connects Shopify to ERP, PIM, CRM and warehouse systems
- Sets up B2B, multi-store and multi-market selling
- Handles migrations from other platforms
- Improves speed and conversion
For a deeper look at the role, read what a Shopify Plus developer does.
8 criteria for choosing an agency
- Plus experience. Ask for Plus projects, not only standard Shopify stores.
- Technical depth. Can they build checkout extensions and Functions?
- Process. Discovery, scope, staging, testing, launch and handover.
- Integrations. Experience with your ERP, 3PL or other systems.
- Performance. How they keep custom code and apps from slowing the store.
- Communication. Who you talk to, how often and in which tools.
- Support. What happens after launch.
- Ownership. You own the code, documentation and accounts.
Questions to ask
- Which Shopify Plus stores have you launched?
- Who will do the work, and will I meet them?
- How do you test before changes go live?
- How do you handle migrations and SEO protection?
- What does ongoing support look like?
Agency vs freelancer vs in-house
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Agency | Larger, multi-workstream projects |
| Freelance specialist | Focused, hands-on work with direct access |
| In-house | Continuous development at high volume |
Compare them in my agency vs freelancer guide.
Red flags
- Only theme experience
- No staging or testing process
- Vague scope and pricing
- No documentation handover
- Guaranteed results
USA and Europe considerations
If you sell in both regions, check that the team can handle currencies, VAT-inclusive pricing, local payment methods, GDPR consent and accessibility. See my Shopify Plus development page or contact me with your project.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Shopify Plus development agency do?
It builds and maintains advanced Shopify Plus features such as checkout customisation, Functions, integrations, B2B and migrations.
How do I choose a Shopify Plus agency?
Check Plus experience, technical depth, process, integrations, performance practices, communication, support and code ownership.
Is an agency better than a freelancer?
It depends on scope. Agencies suit large multi-team projects. Specialists suit focused work.
How long does a Plus project take?
It depends on scope. Ask for a written plan with milestones.
Can a Plus agency help with conversion?
Yes. Checkout and speed work often improve conversion. See the Shopify CRO guide.
Keep reading
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