Common questions
answered directly.
Questions about how projects work, what things cost, what's technically possible, and what to expect. If yours isn't here, just ask.
Working together
How do I start a project with you?
Use the contact form or book a call. Tell me what you're building — even a rough brief is enough. I'll respond within 24 hours with a view on fit and what I need to scope the project properly.
Do you work with clients outside the UK?
Yes — the majority of my work is remote with clients in the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, and UAE. Shopify development is inherently remote-compatible. I work in UTC+0 with flexible hours to accommodate other time zones.
What does the project process look like?
Every project starts with a scoping call, followed by a written technical specification agreed before development begins. Development happens against a staging environment with weekly demos. Launch is phased, followed by a 30-day post-launch support period.
Do I get a dedicated developer or am I passed around a team?
You work directly with me throughout. I'm a solo specialist — not an agency. Every line of code, every technical decision, and every communication goes through me.
How do you handle project communication?
Email for documentation and decisions, video calls for scoping and weekly demos. I provide written summaries after calls so everything is documented. Response time is within 24 hours on all working days.
Costs & payment
Do you charge by the hour or by project?
Both, depending on the engagement type. Defined-scope projects are quoted fixed-price. Ongoing retainer arrangements are hourly (10–40 hours/month). I don't do open-ended hourly for project work — a fixed quote with a written scope is better for both sides.
What's a typical project cost?
It varies too much to give a meaningful average. A theme customization might be a few hundred pounds. A full B2B portal with ERP integration is a multi-month engagement at a very different scale. I'll give you a clear fixed quote after scoping — I don't guess.
What are your payment terms?
Standard terms are 50% deposit before work begins, balance due on delivery. For longer projects, milestone-based payments are arranged. Retainers are invoiced monthly in advance. Payment is by bank transfer or Stripe.
Can I hire you through Upwork?
Yes — if you prefer the security of Upwork's escrow and dispute resolution, you can hire me there. Same developer, same quality. You'll find me as a Top Rated Plus freelancer with a 4.9★ rating.
Technical scope
Do I need Shopify Plus for the work you do?
Not always. B2B company accounts, native payment terms, Checkout Extensibility, and advanced automation require Plus. Custom apps, theme development, integrations, and performance work don't. I'll tell you during scoping whether Plus is required for your specific project.
Can you work with my existing Shopify theme?
Yes. For most projects, I work within the existing theme rather than replacing it. If a rebuild is needed, I'll say so with a clear reason during scoping.
Can you integrate Shopify with my ERP (NetSuite, SAP, Sage, Dynamics)?
Yes — ERP integration is a core specialization. The standard pattern is webhook-driven order sync from Shopify to the ERP, and scheduled inventory/pricing sync from ERP back to Shopify. The specifics depend on what APIs your ERP exposes.
Can you migrate my store from WooCommerce / Magento to Shopify?
Yes. Platform migration includes product data, customer records, order history, URL redirects (to preserve SEO), and app/integration setup on Shopify. I'll audit your existing store before scoping to identify what migrates cleanly and what needs custom handling.
Do you build headless Shopify stores?
Yes — Next.js with the Storefront API is the setup I use for headless Shopify. That said, headless adds significant cost and complexity. I'll tell you honestly whether your project genuinely needs it or whether a well-built Liquid theme achieves the same outcome.
Can you build a custom Shopify app and list it on the App Store?
Yes — I build both public apps (listed on the Shopify App Store) and private apps for a single merchant. Public apps require Shopify's review process and billing API integration. Private apps are faster to build and don't require App Store listing.
After launch
What support do you provide after the project launches?
All projects include a 30-day post-launch period for bugs related to the delivered scope. Issues from third-party app changes or Shopify platform updates after launch are handled separately. Ongoing support is available via a monthly retainer.
What happens if Shopify changes something that breaks my custom build?
Shopify platform changes that affect custom code are handled as separate support work. I build against stable APIs and avoid deprecated patterns to minimise this risk — but it's not possible to guarantee against platform changes. If you're on a retainer, this is covered.
Will I be able to maintain the store myself after the project?
Yes. All projects include handover documentation covering what was built, how to use it, and what to watch out for. For custom apps, code is commented and structured so it's maintainable by another developer if needed.
Do you offer ongoing retainer support?
Yes — monthly retainers from 10 to 40 hours per month for merchants who need ongoing development support. Priority response (under 4 hours for urgent issues), flexible scope each month, and a monthly summary of work done.
Still have a question?
If your question isn't answered here, just ask me directly. I respond personally within 24 hours.
Still have questions?
Just ask me directly.
I respond personally within 24 hours. No auto-replies.