Search for a Shopify agency in the UK and you will find hundreds of firms with polished websites and similar promises. The difference between them shows up after you sign, so it pays to ask the right questions first.
1. How long have you worked on Shopify specifically?
Not web design in general. Shopify. The platform has its own template language, checkout rules and yearly API changes. Years spent on it matter more than years in business.
2. Can I see live stores you built?
Ask for links, not screenshots, and open them on your phone. Add a product to the basket and go to checkout. Slow or awkward stores in a portfolio are a warning.
3. Who will actually build my store?
Some agencies sell the work and pass it to subcontractors. Ask to meet the developer, and ask whether that person stays on the project to the end.
4. Is the price fixed, and what does it include?
A fixed price against a written scope protects both sides. Check whether design rounds, product imports, app setup and post-launch support are included.
5. Will I own everything?
The Shopify store, domain, theme code and app accounts should all be in your company's name. Agencies should work through collaborator access, which Shopify provides for this purpose.
6. How do you handle VAT, payments and shipping?
A UK specialist will have clear answers on VAT-inclusive pricing, PayPal and Klarna, and carrier integrations. See our guide to setting up VAT on Shopify.
7. What happens after launch?
Ask about the support period, the cost of a retainer and typical response times. Stores need small changes every week.
8. Do you recommend apps, or build everything?
Good agencies use well-made apps where they fit and write custom code where they do not. Be wary of both extremes: twenty apps on a new store, or custom code for problems an app already solves.
Our answers
iShopify has worked only on Shopify since 2009 and has built 10,000+ Shopify websites. You speak to the developer, you get a fixed price in pounds, and you own everything. Tell us about your project.