Guide to the Roles Played by a Shopify Expert Agency and the Experts of Shopify Plus Agencies for Online Retailers
Shopify Agency

 

Shopify Agencies or Expert Agencies are companies, rather than individual freelancers, who have been vetted and listed in Shopify’s official Experts Marketplace. These agencies typically either employ multiple specialists across design, development, and marketing disciplines or focus exclusively on any one or two specialties (e.g. agencies that design and develop or do identity  design and marketing or only digital marketers are actually more common than “full stack” agencies that do all of the above) and can therefore take on larger or more complex e-commerce projects than a solo practitioner could typically manage. 

 

The “expert” designation simply means Shopify has actually reviewed their portfolio, client history, and professional standards before admitting them to the marketplace. And the practical difference between hiring an Expert Agency versus an individual Expert often comes down to bandwidth and breadth. Agencies can staff multiple specialists simultaneously. They usually have internal project managers and when your store needs both a redesign and a custom app integration, an agency can handle both without you having to coordinate between separate contractors. That said. Agencies also tend to cost more and sometimes move slower on smaller jobs that don’t justify their overhead.

 

Why Hire Expert Agencies Instead Freelancers

 

Honestly. That’s a decision that isn’t always that straightforward. I mean. Sure. Freelance experts can be nimble, less expensive, and perfectly capable for focused projects. But agencies make sense when your needs check certain boxes.

 

  • Complex projects requiring multiple skill sets. A migration from WooCommerce that also involves a redesign and new integrations is easier when one team owns the whole thing.
  • Tight timelines where parallel workstreams matter. Agencies can put three developers on a project when deadlines demand it.
  • Ongoing retainer relationships where continuity matters. If your main contact leaves a freelance arrangement, you start over. Agencies have institutional knowledge that survives personnel changes.
  • Enterprise-level accountability. Agencies carry insurance, sign contracts, and have reputations to protect. For Shopify Plus merchants spending six figures on their store, that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What do Shopify Agencies charge?


    That’s hard to say exactly but it’s safe to say that it’s more than freelancers. Project rates for agencies typically start around $5,000 for smaller engagements and can run well into six figures for comprehensive builds or migrations. Monthly retainers for ongoing work range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on scope. The premium reflects their overhead, but also their capacity to take on work that would overwhelm solo Shopify specialists.

  2. What’s the difference between a Expert Agency and a Plus Agency?


    Shopify Plus Agencies have additional certifications specifically for working with Shopify’s enterprise tier technology. They’ve demonstrated expertise with Plus-specific features like checkout customization, wholesale channels, and multi-store management. It’s another case of “All Plus Agencies are Expert Agencies, but not all Expert Agencies have the Plus certification.”


  3. How do I find a real Shopify Agency?


    Start with Shopify’s official Expert Marketplace. Filter by “Agencies” and your specific needs. Look at their reviews, portfolio examples, and stated specializations. Or use an agency-merchant matching service like ours. Bold Match that pre-vets agencies and connects you based on your specific project requirements.