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Shopify Custom Theme Development Experts

Most Shopify stores run on a Theme Store theme, and most of them should. A custom build starts to make sense when the theme is working against you: product types it can't display well, a design system it can't hold, or years of patches that break with every update.

Shopify custom theme development means building a theme around your catalogue and designs, usually from a Figma file, on Online Store 2.0 (Shopify's current theme architecture, where every page is made of editable sections). The finished theme should let your team change layouts and content in the theme editor without calling a developer.

It is not adjusting the theme you already have; that is theme customisation, a far smaller job. Nor is it the visual design itself. A designer produces the files, and the developer turns them into a working theme.

Compare portfolios and starting prices below, and ask each developer for a live store they built from someone else's designs.

Top-rated Shopify custom theme developers and studios

Matias Lopez
ML
Front-End DeveloperBuenos Aires, ArgentinaFrom $70
4.97(161 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
85

I have over five years of experience in web development using technologies such as Shopify, Angular, Node.js, JavaScript, React, Vue, MongoDB, MySQL, and PHP. My journey with Shopify started when I joined Hey Carson, now known as 'Shop Experts', successfully completing their trial period. I have gained significant experience in Shopify development. I've worked in complex tasks such as integrating Shopify apps, Shopify Admin API, custom design development, apps extensions development, theme development and much more. Over the past few years, I've acquired what I believe is a solid understanding of Shopify development, which helps me deliver high-quality solutions to the clients I've worked with.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Technical Support & Maintenance
Store Setup & Management
Deyan Chernogorski
DC
Shopify Plus EngineerRuse, BulgariaFrom $65
4.95(74 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

Shopify Performance & Front-end Developer | 10+ Years Building Fast, Custom Stores I’ve spent over 10 years building, customizing, and speeding up Shopify stores for brands of all sizes. I build custom themes and apps, fix slow pages, improve how a store looks and works on desktop and mobile, and handle Shopify Plus checkout customization with Functions. I care about work that is reliable on launch day and still holds up months later, so I stay available after delivery. Proud father of Radost. What I do Custom themes, apps, and front-end features, built to fit your store Shopify Plus Functions and checkout customization CRO & Speed optimization and Core Web Vitals, including advanced CLS fixes UX improvements that make your products easier to find and buy, on desktop and mobile What sets me apart Reliability. Good development doesn’t end at launch, so I stay available for support, improvements, and fast problem-solving. Clients get one person who knows their store and answers quickly, before and after delivery. Free Store Quick Look Send me your store link and within 3 business days I’ll send a one-page summary covering: Your biggest speed problem, explained in plain language A first look at your apps: how many are installed, what looks wrong, and which ones could be replaced with custom theme code Three things on your mobile shopping path that I would fix first, each with a screenshot It’s free, there’s no commitment, and I change nothing on your store. If you’d like the issues fixed, we go ahead step by step: I confirm the scope, and you approve each step. I take a limited number each week, for established stores. Canvas services (new Shopify feature) Canvas store-build sprint For new launches and smaller merchants who want a custom store fast. Kickoff call to define your brand, products, audience, and goals AI-assisted design direction: I write the brief and guide Sidekick in Canvas, then refine the result with direct edits and QA Responsive QA on mobile, tablet, and desktop, covering product, collection, cart, and checkout flows Core Web Vitals and layout shift check before launch Launch, walkthrough, and a post-launch support window of 14 days Working with me Whether it’s a full store build, advanced customization, a Canvas build, or performance tuning, you get clear communication, consistent quality, and dependable support. Not sure where to start? Send me your store link for a free Quick Look.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Store Setup & Management

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Lautaro Climent
LC
Front-End DeveloperBuenos Aires, ArgentinaFrom $65
4.91(58 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

I’m a seasoned web developer and Shopify specialist with over 5 years of experience delivering high-converting, beautifully designed online stores for clients worldwide. As a core member of the ShopExperts team, I’ve led and contributed to projects ranging from complete Shopify migrations to advanced customizations, always focusing on UX/UI best practices and modern e-commerce strategies. My approach blends technical excellence with creative vision: I believe that every brand deserves a digital presence as unique and inspiring as its mission. Whether you’re a startup seeking rapid growth or an established business looking to refresh your online store, I’ll help you unlock your site’s full potential. I specialize in all aspects of modern web development and optimization: From designing and building engaging websites, to customizing user experiences, integrating third-party tools, and ensuring your online presence performs at its best. My clients value my clarity, reliability, and my commitment to going the extra mile to achieve outstanding results. I’m passionate about staying ahead of e-commerce trends and turning challenges into growth opportunities. Let’s build the future of your brand, together.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Store Setup & Management
AI & Emerging Tech
Rabia Tariq
RT
Shopify Plus EngineerIslamabad, PakistanFrom $100
4.99(19 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

I’m a Shopify & Shopify Plus Engineer with 9+ years of hands-on experience, specializing in building, optimizing, and scaling high-performing eCommerce stores. At ShopExperts, I work with growth-focused brands to deliver clean, conversion-driven Shopify solutions, from custom theme development and advanced Liquid/JavaScript customization to store migrations, speed optimization, and complex third-party integrations. My core strengths include: Shopify & Shopify Plus development Custom theme development and heavy theme refactors Site speed optimization & Core Web Vitals Wix / Magento / Squarespace / Square Up / Kajabi / WordPress → Shopify migrations with SEO preservation Custom apps, APIs, and system integrations CRO-focused UX improvements for higher conversions I’m known for my structured approach, clean code, and transparent communication. I don’t just “implement features”, I focus on long-term store health, scalability, and performance, ensuring merchants are set up for sustainable growth. If you’re looking for a reliable senior Shopify engineer who understands both the technical and business side of eCommerce, I’d be happy to help. Big ideas, small questions, or “help, my store is broken” moments — let’s talk on a free discovery call 💬 https://calendly.com/rabia234t/call

Offered services
Shopify Development
AI & Emerging Tech
Store Setup & Management
Marketing & Growth
Technical Support & Maintenance
Consulting & Strategy
Muhammad Asad ullah baig
MA
Shopify Plus EngineerIslamabad, PakistanFrom $100
5.00(15 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

Turn Your Shopify Store Into a Reliable Sales Engine If you're looking for a Shopify developer who understands both the technical side and the business outcomes behind it, you're in the right place. As a Shopify Certified Developer with 10+ years of hands-on experience, I've worked with 100+ brands across fashion, apparel, beauty, food, fitness, and electronics to build stores that are fast, scalable, and built to convert. Whether you're a founder launching your first store or an established brand ready to level up, I bring the expertise to get you there. What Gets Delivered: Every project is approached with one goal, growth. Here's what that looks like in practice: Custom Shopify Theme Development — Figma and Adobe XD designs transformed into clean, maintainable Liquid-based themes optimized for performance and long-term scalability Store Redesigns & UX Improvements — Navigation restructured, friction points removed, and user journeys refined to drive more conversions without disrupting live traffic Speed & Performance Optimization — Core Web Vitals improvements, faster page load times, and technical SEO fixes that directly impact search rankings and reduce bounce rate Custom Feature Development — Bundles, upsells, subscriptions, loyalty programs, and third-party API integrations tailored to specific business models Store Migrations & Ongoing Support — Smooth, low-risk platform migrations and dependable technical maintenance that keep operations running without interruption Why Brands Keep Coming Back: Every architecture decision, layout choice, and integration is guided by one question: Does this help the business grow? Clean code and structured development aren't just standards — they're what make a store reliable at scale. Founders launching from scratch, in-house teams needing a trusted technical collaborator, and agencies looking for a dependable Shopify specialist, all have found long-term value in this kind of partnership. Ready to Grow Your Shopify Store? Whether it's a full custom build, a performance overhaul, or targeted improvements to boost conversions, let's map out a clear path forward. Reach out to discuss your goals and what's possible.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Store Setup & Management
Technical Support & Maintenance
Design, UX & Branding
Emil Gjorgjijev
EG
Ecommerce Operations ManagerSkopje, North MacedoniaFrom $65
5.00(14 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

A seasoned E-Commerce Specialist with a strong focus on Shopify and Klaviyo with over 6 years of experience.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Technical Support & Maintenance
Store Setup & Management
Operations, Logistics & Fulfillment
Ivan Seleznev
IS
Frontend EngineerBelgrade, SerbiaFrom $200
5.00(27 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
95

Senior Shopify Developer with 10+ years of experience building, customizing, and optimizing Shopify and Shopify Plus stores. I specialize in theme development, Liquid, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, performance optimization, app integrations, and creating scalable eCommerce solutions tailored to business goals. I’ve worked across the full development lifecycle, from translating design concepts into responsive, high-performing storefronts to troubleshooting complex technical issues and improving conversion-focused user experiences. I’m also known for fast delivery, clean implementation, and reliable collaboration to deliver business-driven solutions on time.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Awais Javed
AJ
Front-End DeveloperOttawa, CanadaFrom $295
5.00(19 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
100

I'm a Shopify developer with years of hands-on experience building and scaling e-commerce stores — from custom theme development to conversion rate optimization and third-party integrations. I've worked with brands like Après Nail and through platforms like Storetasker, delivering solutions that look great and perform even better. I specialize in Liquid programming, frontend development, and UI/UX enhancement. Whether you need a full theme build, a tricky app integration, or a speed and SEO overhaul, I bring a detail-oriented approach that gets results — not just code. I leverage AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot throughout my workflow — drafting Liquid logic faster, QA-testing edge cases, and generating content-ready section structures. This means faster turnaround, fewer revisions, and more value for your budget. My background spans custom store builds, GA4 + GTM tracking setups, Klaviyo integrations, loyalty app configurations, A/B testing, and cross-functional collaboration with design and marketing teams. I treat every project like it's my own store on the line. I'm a Computer Software Engineering graduate and Growth Collective certified in Creative Website Design (Shopify). Let's build something that converts.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Store Setup & Management
Technical Support & Maintenance
AI & Emerging Tech
Marketing & Growth
Design, UX & Branding
Slash Themes
ST
AgencyNew Delhi, IndiaFrom $500
5.00(16 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
85

At Slash Themes, we are a Shopify-focused commerce studio built to help ambitious brands launch, scale, and optimize high-performing storefronts with speed and precision. For over 7+ years, we’ve partnered with growing and enterprise merchants to architect Shopify and Shopify Plus experiences that are not only visually compelling but structurally built for scale. From complex replatforming projects to custom feature development, we create solutions that simplify operations, enhance customer journeys, and unlock new revenue opportunities. Our approach blends strategy, design, and deep technical expertise—covering custom theme development, custom app development, performance optimization, CRO, and data-driven enhancements. Every build is crafted with flexibility, speed, and long-term growth in mind, ensuring brands can evolve without limitations. More than a development team, we act as a dedicated Shopify partner—continuously refining, optimizing, and supporting the stores we build so our clients can focus on what matters most: growing their business. Core Shopify Services Shopify Store Setup & Configuration Shopify Theme Customization & Development Store Migration to Shopify (WooCommerce, Magento, etc.) Speed & Performance Optimization App Integration & Custom Functionality Bug Fixing & Troubleshooting Custom Design Implementation (Figma/PSD to Shopify) Ongoing Store Maintenance & Support ✦ With teams based in Germany and India, we support Shopify brands globally.

Offered services
Shopify Development
Store Setup & Management
Design, UX & Branding
Consulting & Strategy
Has Merit
HM
AgencyVienna, AustriaFrom $680
5.00(2 reviews)
shopexpertsscore
40

HAS MERIT is a studio crafting conversion-driven Shopify storefronts and building brands for ambitious companies. We design and develop polished sites that feel like real brands (not quick templates) and back them with brand identity systems that create lasting recognition. From strategy to branding to design to development, everything’s done in-house for a seamless process. We’re a great fit for brands seeking personalized brand design paired with thoughtful conversion strategy, without the agency fluff or freelance hit-or-miss. ​ Building Digital Storefronts: Personalised Design - tailored layouts built to sell, not just look good. Custom Development - beyond just templates, crafted solutions for your brand. Conversion Optimisation - auditing and smarter UI/UX so you don’t leave money on the table. Brand & Identity Design - constructing a brand that stands out and connects. Seamless Integrations - payments, shipping, and tools connected without friction.​ ​ We just helped an FMCG brand increase conversions by 56% and increased net sale by 86% within 30 days by tweaking their existing page.​ ​ Female-founded by a designer/developer with experience across brands of all sizes, partnered with a commercial lead from top global CPGs and agencies, we blend design, strategy, and business insight to help brands stand out and scale.​ ​ Our clients have been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Allure, mindbodygreen, Whole Foods and more ​

Offered services
Shopify Development
Design, UX & Branding
Store Setup & Management
Consulting & Strategy
Marketing & Growth

How to hire a custom theme developer for Shopify

Custom Shopify theme development quotes are hard to compare, because each developer prices their own reading of the same design file. Remove the guesswork before you ask for numbers.

Finish the designs before you request quotes. Desktop and mobile layouts for the home page, a collection page, a product page, the cart and one content page give a developer something concrete to price. Unfinished designs get quoted as if the developer will fill the gaps, and they will, at build rates.

Ask for a Figma to Shopify build, not a portfolio. Plenty of attractive portfolio stores started as a purchased theme with new colours. Ask which projects began from another team's design file, then open those live stores on a phone and click through to checkout.

Look at the theme editor, not just the storefront. A good custom theme gives your team sections and blocks with sensible settings: a banner with image, heading and button fields, not a hard-coded image that needs a developer to change the text. Ask for a screen share of the editor on a past build.

Agree a performance target in writing. Custom code can be lean or bloated depending on the developer's habits. Ask how they'll measure Core Web Vitals, Google's scores for loading (LCP), responsiveness (INP) and layout stability (CLS), on product and collection templates before launch.

Red flags in a theme quote. No line for testing across devices and browsers. A private starter theme the developer won't let you see. Silence on accessibility, which is cheaper to build in than to retrofit. And any plan to edit a purchased theme's core files while calling the result custom.

When is Shopify theme development from scratch worth it?

A premium Theme Store theme costs $180–$500, once. A bespoke build costs $5,000–$30,000, and every future fix is yours to fund. That gap needs a specific reason.

Build from scratch when your products don't fit a standard product page (made-to-measure clothing, configurable furniture, kits assembled from many parts), your merchandising depends on layouts no theme offers, or you run a design system across other channels and every theme needs its styles overridden line by line. A theme buried under years of patches from different freelancers is often cheaper to replace than to keep repairing.

Extend a premium theme when the problem is one or two templates. Custom sections at $600–$3,000 each leave the rest of the theme intact, and updates stay manageable as long as the new code lives in its own section files. Most stores belong here — and a good developer will tell you so.

Either way, the handover decides whether you own the theme. Ask for:

- A Git repository in your company's account, connected through Shopify's GitHub integration or a documented deploy process

- Section and block schema (the settings definitions behind each section) with every setting labelled in plain language

- Short written documentation: what each section does and what not to touch

- An update path: who fixes the theme when Shopify changes something, and at what rate

How much does a custom Shopify theme cost?

Two typical market ranges for a build from approved designs, plus the entry prices developers list on shopexperts.

Full custom theme

$5,000 – $30,000

Bespoke build from approved designs

Custom sections

$600 – $3,000

Per section, with editor settings

Starting prices on shopexperts

$40 – $10,000

Median $475 across 82 developers

Template count moves the price most. Five templates and a dozen sections sit near the bottom of the full-build range; product configurators, several collection layouts, multiple languages and a large section library push toward the top. Theme and Liquid developers (Liquid is Shopify's templating language) typically charge $60–$150 an hour.

Every one of the 82 custom theme developers on shopexperts published a starting price in September 2026, and their $475 median sits below even the custom sections tile. Use it to spot who takes small theme jobs, and budget a full build against the market ranges.

Quotes compare fairly only on finished designs, so send approved desktop and mobile files with your request.

What goes into a custom theme build?

Most custom theme projects combine several of these:

Figma to Shopify builds

Approved designs turned into templates, sections and styles

Section and block libraries

Reusable sections with settings your team edits in the theme editor

Complex product pages

Configurators, variant logic and specs fed from metafields

Theme rebuilds

A heavily patched theme replaced with clean, documented code

Performance and accessibility

Fast templates and keyboard-friendly markup from the first commit

Handover and upkeep

Git repository, documentation and an agreed update path

Frequently asked questions about Shopify custom theme development

How long does a custom Shopify theme take to build?

Most builds from approved designs take 4 to 12 weeks. The spread comes from template count, how many custom product features are involved, and how quickly your team signs off each stage. Content entry and app setup are often left out of the estimate, so ask whether the developer is loading products and pages or handing over an empty theme. Rushing usually means cutting device testing, which is where launch-week bugs come from.

How does a Figma to Shopify build work?

The developer breaks the design into templates, sections and blocks, decides which elements your team should be able to edit, and builds each one in Liquid. Expect questions about states the designer didn't draw: empty collections, long product titles, sold-out variants, error messages. A Figma file that includes those states produces a cheaper, faster build. Pixel-perfect matching at every screen size is possible but costs extra, so agree which breakpoints matter.

Will a bespoke Shopify theme be faster than a premium theme?

Not automatically. A custom theme can drop features you don't use, which helps, but speed depends as much on image handling, fonts, third-party scripts and the apps you install afterwards. A careless custom build can be slower than a well-made Theme Store theme. Put a Core Web Vitals target in the contract and test the product page with your real apps installed, not an empty demo store.

Freelancer or agency for a custom theme build?

Both are well represented. In September 2026, the 82 custom theme developers on shopexperts included 43 freelancers and 39 agencies, with 20 in the US, 14 in the UK and 7 in Canada. A freelancer suits finished designs and a contained scope. An agency suits projects that also need design, copy, migration or project management, and gives you continuity if one person leaves.

Can we edit a Shopify custom theme ourselves after launch?

Yes, if it was built properly. Text, images, section order and most layout choices should be editable in the theme editor with no code. New section types, logic changes and anything that touches Liquid still need a developer, so many stores keep a small retainer or book a theme customisation specialist for later changes. Ask the developer to walk your team through the editor before final payment.

Do we need Shopify Plus for a custom theme?

No. Custom themes work on every Shopify plan. Checkout is the exception, because it sits outside the theme entirely: you set its colours, fonts and logo in Shopify's checkout editor, and custom blocks inside the checkout steps are built as app extensions rather than theme code, which on those steps requires Plus. A theme developer who promises a fully custom checkout on a non-Plus store is describing something the platform doesn't allow.