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01The Problem
Apps are fast to install, but every subscription is a recurring cost for functionality that, in many cases, doesn't need to be rented at all.
The problem
Your app bill keeps growing, and half of what you're paying for is one feature buried inside a broader tool you don't fully use, while the specific workflow or checkout logic you actually need still isn't quite right.
How we solve it
We build the exact feature, integration, or checkout logic you need through Shopify's own APIs and Functions, so you own the code outright instead of renting it, and we account for Shopify's update cycle so it keeps working.
You own the code
No ongoing license fee tied to us or a third-party app once it's delivered.
Built for your exact need
Custom-fit functionality instead of a generic app's one-size-fits-most feature set.
Built to last through updates
Developed against stable, versioned Shopify APIs and Functions.
02Our Custom Development Process
You see a working plan and a cost comparison against your current apps before development starts.
03What's Included
Every project covers planning, development, testing, and a handover with full code ownership.
Requirements & cost review
The feature or app you want replaced reviewed against a custom build's savings.
Custom feature development
Built through the Admin API, Storefront API, or theme code, whichever fits the need.
Checkout extensions
Custom checkout logic built with Shopify Functions and checkout UI extensions.
Third-party integrations
Your store connected to an ERP, CRM, or other internal system as needed.
Full code ownership
You own the delivered code outright, with no ongoing licensing fee.
Documentation & handover
Clear documentation so your team, or ours, can maintain the feature going forward.
04Compare Options
An app gets you a feature fast, and a generalist can install one. Here is where each one runs out and where owning your own code pays off.
| Feature | DeveloperLookBEST FIT | Paid Shopify App | Generalist Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| You own the code | Yes, outright after delivery | No, it's a rented subscription | Depends on the contract |
| Built for your exact workflow | Custom-fit to your specific need | Generic, one-size-fits-most | Varies by developer |
| Ongoing cost | One-time build cost | Recurring monthly fee | Hourly, if available |
| Checkout-level customization | Shopify Functions and checkout extensions | Limited to what the app supports | Varies by developer |
| API version maintenance | Built against stable APIs, reviewed periodically | Handled by the app vendor | Often overlooked |
| Launch support | 30 days included | Vendor's general support | Often none |
| Cost predictability | Fixed project quote | Subscription can increase over time | Hourly, if available |
05Projects We've Built
A selection of Shopify and ecommerce builds shipped for clients. Each one solved a specific business problem, not a generic template.
06What Our Clients Say
Feedback from ecommerce teams we have built custom Shopify features and apps for.
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We had been using the same Shopify theme for a while, and it was starting to feel like we were forcing our brand into something that was never really made for us. There were little things we wanted to change everywhere, but every adjustment seemed to come with another limitation. We explained what we wanted the store to feel like, and the team took the time to understand it before getting started. The new storefront feels much more like our brand now, and our customers can actually find their way around without having to think about it. Seeing it finally look and work the way we had pictured was honestly a really good feeling.
Olivia Carter
Founder of Online Super Tutors
The mobile experience is probably my favourite part of the new site. We had spent a lot of time making sure the desktop version looked right, and the team kept pushing us to think about how everything would actually feel on a phone too. They were right. The navigation is clean, the interactions feel natural, and everything we’ve tested so far works exactly as it should. They also went through the links, forms, integrations, and other details more than once before launch, which I really appreciated. And even after going live, we could still reach out when something came up. The whole process felt friendly, organised, and surprisingly straightforward.
James Whitmore
Head of Marketing of Lumen Outdoor
We came to DeveloperLook because our appointment booking process was becoming a mess. Customers were dropping off halfway through booking, staff were dealing with unnecessary calls, and we were losing time fixing things that should have been simple. I was honestly nervous about rebuilding the whole experience because I didn’t want to end up with another complicated system. The team walked us through the user journey screen by screen and showed us where the friction was coming from. They simplified the booking flow, connected the necessary services, and made it much easier for customers to get from choosing a service to confirming an appointment. The biggest relief came after launch. When we found a few issues in the first weeks, the team actually helped us resolve them instead of disappearing once the project was delivered. That kind of after-launch support meant a lot to us.
Sophie Bennett
Business Owner
150+
Projects shipped
10+
Years in development
Top 3%
Upwork Top Rated Plus
5★
Average review score
07Work Culture
Custom code is only worth it if it actually saves you money and keeps working after Shopify updates. These are the habits we bring to every build.
No ongoing licensing fee tied to us or to a third-party app once the project is delivered.
We build against versioned Shopify APIs and Functions to reduce breakage from platform updates.
We show the savings against your current app subscriptions before you commit.
Simple functionality goes in the theme, complex logic goes through Shopify Functions or the Admin API.
You know exactly what the build covers before development starts.
Guidance and support for keeping custom features working through future Shopify updates.
08Overview
DeveloperLook builds custom Shopify apps, checkout extensions, and backend integrations through Shopify Functions, the Admin API, and the Storefront API, so you own the code instead of paying an ongoing app subscription. Projects start from $1,499, most complete in 1 to 4 weeks, and we account for Shopify's quarterly API updates in every build.
Who it's for
Stores paying for several app subscriptions
You're paying monthly for apps that only do one or two things your store actually uses.
Stores needing checkout customization
You want checkout logic, like custom shipping rules, payment options, or validations, that a standard app can't provide.
Stores needing custom integrations
You need your store connected to an ERP, CRM, or other internal system beyond what a plug-and-play app supports.
Stores wanting to own their code
You want functionality you own outright, instead of being dependent on a third-party app's pricing and roadmap.
Agencies needing custom Shopify Plus features
A client needs functionality specific to their business that no existing app covers.
Not a fit for
You want a full custom-designed storefront, not backend features or app replacements. Our Custom Shopify Theme Development service covers a full theme build.
You just want your current theme optimized or made faster, not new custom functionality. Our Shopify Speed Optimization service covers that.
You want a platform-agnostic Core Web Vitals or general speed diagnostic. Our Core Web Vitals Optimization and Website Speed Optimization services cover those angles.
You want a broader audit covering UX, conversion, and technical debt before committing to custom development. A Shopify store audit service covers that wider scope.
09Pricing
These are starting points in USD. Your final price depends on feature complexity and how many integrations are involved, and you get a fixed proposal after reviewing your brief.
10For Agencies
You own the client and the requirements. We supply the custom development work. Send us the brief and we build, test, and hand over full ownership under your brand, on your deadline.
Stay client-facing
We work under your brand, so you keep the relationship and the credit.
Predictable delivery
Clear scope and a delivery date, with QA before anything reaches your client.
API specialists
Admin API, Storefront API, and Shopify Functions work handled without hand-holding.
Flexible capacity
Bring us in for one feature or an ongoing string of custom builds.
01
Share the brief
Send the feature requirements, current app if replacing one, and the client deadline.
02
We propose and staff
You get an estimate and a delivery date before you commit.
03
Build and deliver
We develop, test, and deliver documentation and full code ownership under your brand.
11The Right Technology for Your Project
We build through Shopify's own APIs and extension points, so your custom features stay supportable.
Admin API
Storefront API
Shopify Functions
Checkout UI Extensions
Pick a 30-minute slot that works for you. We meet on Google Meet to align on goals, scope, and the right next step.
12FAQ
Straight answers on custom Shopify development, cost, and app replacement.
Custom development projects typically start from $1,499 for a single feature or integration, and scale up based on complexity, with most projects landing between $2,500 and $7,500. You get a fixed quote after reviewing your brief.
A single custom feature or app typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. More complex integrations or multiple features can take 3 to 4 weeks or longer.
Custom code makes sense when you only need one or two specific features from an app, when an app doesn't quite fit your workflow, or when the monthly subscription cost outweighs a one-time build over time. Off-the-shelf apps still make sense for complex, frequently updated functionality like reviews or loyalty programs.
Often, yes, for a defined feature, like a custom shipping calculator, a specific upsell flow, or a data sync, custom code eliminates the monthly fee entirely. Broader platforms with ongoing feature updates, like helpdesk or marketing automation tools, are usually better left as apps.
Shopify releases quarterly API version updates, and older API versions are eventually deprecated, so custom code built on their APIs and Functions needs periodic review to stay current. We build against stable, versioned APIs and include this in our post-launch support window.
You do. Once the project is paid for and delivered, the custom code is yours outright, with no ongoing licensing fee tied to us or to a third-party app.
For simpler, theme-level functionality, like size charts or announcement bars, yes. For deeper functionality like checkout logic or backend integrations, we rebuild it using Shopify Functions or the Admin API rather than theme code, since that's the layer Shopify designed those features for.
It depends entirely on which apps you replace, since app pricing ranges from a few dollars to hundreds per month. We calculate the specific savings against the one-time build cost during your project brief, so you can see the break-even point before committing.
