15 Best Shopify Partners and Shopify Plus Partners You Need to Know [2025]

Choosing the right Shopify partner can mean the difference between a struggling store and a thriving eCommerce empire. After analyzing hundreds of partnerships, client outcomes, and revenue data, we've curated this definitive list of 15 Shopify partners that consistently deliver measurable results for businesses of all sizes.

What Makes a Shopify Partner Worth Your Investment?

Before diving into our curated list, it's crucial to understand what separates exceptional Shopify partners from the rest. Our evaluation criteria focus on three critical factors:

• Proven ROI: Partners must demonstrate measurable business impact through case studies and client testimonials
• Implementation Excellence: Seamless onboarding, clear timelines, and reliable project delivery
• Ongoing Support: Responsive customer service and long-term partnership commitment

Top Shopify Development & Design Partners

1. Netalico: Your Fractional Ecommerce Team (Not Another Agency)

Specialization: Ongoing optimization through monthly retainers, continuous ecommerce support, iterative improvement
Best For: $2-50M revenue companies needing consistent development and optimization without full-time overhead
Locations: Los Angeles, Raleigh, Miami, New York, Charlotte, Nashville, Milwaukee, and nationwide coverage
Pricing: Monthly retainers from $2,700-$10,000 (85% of clients average $4,500/month) + hourly packages available

The Math That Changes Everything

Before we dive into capabilities, let's address the elephant in the room that most agencies won't discuss: the economics of ecommerce expertise.

Building an in-house ecommerce team for a mid-market company:

• Senior Shopify Developer: $150,000 + 30% benefits = $195,000
• Digital Marketing Manager: $120,000 + 30% benefits = $156,000
• Part-time Designer/CRO Specialist: $50,000
• Total: $401,000/year (plus recruitment costs, management overhead, and turnover risk)

Netalico's fractional model:

• Average investment: $54,000/year ($4,500/month on their Essential plan)
• Access to an entire team: developers, designers, strategists, project managers
• No benefits, overhead, or management required
• Flexible monthly commitment you can adjust
• Savings: $347,000/year while getting a complete team

With 85% of clients on ongoing retainers averaging $4,500/month, this model has proven itself. As they showcase with clients like Milestones (on retainer since 2021), "small investments have huge ROI over time."

Why Monthly Retainers Beat Project-Based Work

Netalico structures their business around a fundamental truth: ecommerce success requires continuous optimization, not one-time projects.

Traditional Agency Approach:

• Big upfront project ($25-100K)
• Agency disappears after launch
• Site gradually degrades without maintenance
• You start over with a new agency in 12-18 months

Netalico's Retainer Approach:

• Start small and scale based on results
• Continuous improvements compound monthly
• Your team develops deep institutional knowledge
• Flexible to scale up during peak seasons or big initiatives

Real example: Limitless Walls migrated from Magento to Shopify Plus for $40K, then continued on retainer for both their main site and B2B portal. The ongoing optimization has been more valuable than the initial migration.

Their Actual Retainer Plans (With Real Benefits)

Unlike agencies that make you schedule three calls to see pricing, here's Netalico's transparent tier structure:

Focus Plan

For smaller projects with a focused approach

• Perfect for: Businesses needing specific monthly improvements
• Includes: Monthly check-in meeting, weekly progress reports
• Use case: Perfect for post-launch optimization or seasonal maintenance
• Note: Urgent requests outside dedicated work billed at overage rate

Essential Plan (Most Popular)

For maintaining and improving operations with consistent support

• Perfect for: Growing brands needing reliable optimization partner
• Includes:
  • Bi-weekly check-in meetings
  • Monthly progress reports
  • Access to urgent support
  • Free yearly planning session
• Why it's popular: Best balance of support and value for mid-market companies

Core Plan

For teams focused on growth with advanced strategies

• Perfect for: Scaling brands with aggressive growth goals
• Includes everything in Essential, plus:
  • Weekly check-in meetings
  • Priority development access
  • Free quarterly planning sessions
• Best for: Companies in rapid scaling mode needing more hands-on support

Enterprise Plan

For established businesses needing tailored solutions

• Perfect for: Larger operations requiring dedicated resources
• Includes everything in Core, plus:
  • Exclusive Slack channel for instant access
  • Bonus hour of monthly strategy consulting
  • Free annual UX audit
• Value add: Essentially becomes your external ecommerce department

What Your Fractional Team Actually Includes

Every retainer includes these core features that typically cost extra elsewhere:

• Dedicated Project Manager: Your single point of contact for seamless communication
• Trello Board: Transparent task tracking and collaboration (no black box)
• GitHub Version Control: Professional code management and backup
• Strategic Planning: Yearly planning sessions (Essential+), quarterly sessions (Core+)
• Urgent Support Access: When things break, you're covered (Essential+)
• Direct Team Access: Slack channel for instant communication (Enterprise)

This isn't just development support - it's a complete ecommerce operations team with deep expertise in UX design that drives revenue, whether you need a Klaviyo audit or are exploring Magento solutions alongside Shopify.

Alternative: Flexible Hourly Packages

Not ready for a monthly commitment? Netalico also offers pre-paid hourly packages that can be used within 6 months:

• 10-20 hours: $185/hour (small projects or occasional support)
• 20-40 hours: $180/hour (periodic assistance and updates)
• 40-75 hours: $175/hour (medium projects or maintenance)
• 75-100 hours: $170/hour (large projects or recurring work)
• 100+ hours: $165/hour (long-term, high-impact collaboration)

These packages work well for specific projects, but most clients quickly realize the retainer model delivers better value through continuous optimization.

Real Client Success Stories

Sheets & Giggles: The Power of Iterative Improvement

• Initial investment: $25K Shopify 2.0 retheme with custom collection pages and bundle builder
• Ongoing retainer: Continuous mobile optimization, cart UX enhancement, product detail improvements
• Result: Going "beyond MVP" with smart, iterative changes that compound monthly

Limitless Walls: From Migration to Growth

• Initial project: $40K Magento to Shopify Plus migration with custom Adobe API integration
• Ongoing support: Monthly retainer for both main site AND B2B contract site
• Key insight: The migration was just the beginning - ongoing optimization drives the real value

Milestones: Slow and Steady Wins

• Partnership: On monthly retainer since 2021
• Approach: Iterative improvements including custom navigation, Rebuy integration, email/SMS strategy
• Proof point: "You don't need to do everything at once - small investments have huge ROI over time"

The Compound Effect of Continuous Partnership

What makes Netalico's retainer model particularly powerful for mid-market companies:

Month 1-3: Foundation

• Learn your business, customers, and goals
• Implement quick wins while building strategy
• Establish communication rhythms and workflows

Month 4-6: Acceleration

• Data-driven optimizations based on real results
• A/B testing programs delivering measurable improvements
• Technical debt elimination and performance optimization

Month 7-12: Scaling

• Strategic initiatives based on deep business knowledge
• Platform migrations or major feature additions when needed
• Preparation for seasonal peaks or market expansion

Year 2+: Partnership

• Function as your external ecommerce department
• Proactive opportunity identification
• Strategic guidance for major business decisions

When Netalico ISN'T the Right Fit

They're refreshingly honest about who shouldn't work with them:

• One-time small projects: If you just need a banner updated, their model is overkill
• Enterprise at scale: Companies over $50M often need dedicated in-house teams
• Bottom-dollar shoppers: If you're optimizing for cheapest price over ROI, try Fiverr
• Creative agencies: They focus on performance and conversion, not brand campaigns
• Emergency fixes only: They're built for continuous improvement, not firefighting

Why 85% of Clients Choose Retainers

The math is simple. When you factor in:

• No recruitment costs (average: $15,000 per hire)
• No training time (average: 3-6 months to productivity)
• No benefits overhead (average: 30% of salary)
• No turnover risk (average developer tenure: 2 years)
• No management overhead (10-15% of your time)

The effective cost of that $150,000 developer is actually closer to $225,000. Meanwhile, Netalico's average $4,500/month retainer ($54,000/year) gets you an entire team.

Plus, as a recognized Shopify Plus development agency, they bring expertise across the entire ecosystem - from building top Shopify Plus websites to navigating complex industries like CBD ecommerce. They've even helped brands like Oatly optimize their subscription experience with ReCharge.

Making the Decision: Retainer vs. Hourly

Choose a retainer when:

• You need consistent monthly improvements
• Your revenue justifies ongoing optimization
• You want predictable monthly costs
• You value institutional knowledge
• You're focused on long-term growth

Choose hourly packages when:

• You have a specific, defined project
• You're testing the relationship
• Your needs are truly sporadic
• You're not ready for monthly commitment

Most clients start with hourly packages and quickly convert to retainers once they see the compound value of continuous optimization.

Your Next Step: Get Your Custom Retainer Analysis in 15 Minutes

Ready to see exactly how much you could save with a fractional team? Book your retainer analysis call where you'll get:

1. Personalized cost comparison showing your savings versus hiring in-house
2. Custom retainer recommendation based on your revenue and growth trajectory
3. Month 1 action plan with specific optimizations for your site
4. Real case studies from businesses at your revenue level
5. Three quick wins you can implement today (whether you work together or not)

No generic pitch deck. No junior salespeople. Just an honest conversation about whether their model fits your needs.

Schedule Your Retainer Analysis →

Alternative ways to explore:

• Get a comprehensive CRO audit to identify immediate opportunities
• Request a UX/UI audit for conversion insights
• Learn about their Shopify Plus expertise
• See examples of top Shopify Plus sites they've analyzed

The Bottom Line: Continuous Beats Sporadic

Netalico has structured their entire business around a simple truth: ecommerce success comes from continuous optimization, not one-time projects.

Their retainer model isn't just a pricing strategy - it's a philosophy that recognizes mid-market companies need:

• Consistent support without full-time overhead
• Flexibility to scale up or down monthly
• Deep institutional knowledge that grows over time
• A true partner, not a revolving door of agencies

If you're between $2-50M in revenue and tired of:

• Starting over with new agencies every year
• Paying $400K+ for an in-house team
• Watching your site degrade between projects
• Managing contractors who don't understand your business

Then a monthly retainer might be exactly what you need. With 85% of their clients on this model (averaging $4,500/month), and case studies like Milestones showing multi-year partnerships delivering compound returns, the evidence speaks for itself.

The question isn't whether you need ecommerce support - it's whether you want to pay $400,000/year for employees or $54,000/year for a complete team.

Ready to Make the Switch to Continuous Optimization?

Stop wasting money on the revolving door of agencies and expensive FTEs. Get your personalized fractional team proposal today.

Get Your Custom Retainer Proposal →

P.S. Even if you're not ready for a retainer, they offer hourly packages and individual audits. But their clients tell them the retainer model is where the real magic happens - just ask Milestones after 3+ years of partnership.

2. DigitalSuits: Full-Cycle Shopify Services

Specialization: Shopify/Shopify Plus development and design, performance optimization, store maintenance

Best For: Brands seeking technical sophistication and marketing-driven design

DigitalSuits stands out through its seamless fusion of robust development skills and marketing-focused design – making them a preferred partner for brands looking to scale efficiently on Shopify and Shopify Plus.

As a certified Shopify Partner with proven experience across industries and project sizes, the team delivers full-cycle ecommerce solutions – from initial concept to post-launch optimization. They handle every stage of a store’s journey: setup, design, custom development, app integrations, performance tuning, and ongoing support, and focus on delivering measurable results – faster load times, higher conversion rates, and smoother customer experiences.

Key services:

- Shopify & Shopify Plus development, design & migration for building, customizing, and smoothly moving your store

- App & Integration solutions for connecting your store to tools and platforms that boost efficiency

- Optimization & growth for improving site performance and increasing conversions

- Ongoing support & Dedicated experts for continuous maintenance and access to specialized Shopify talent

3. Icepop: Creative Shopify Solutions

Specialization: Visual design, brand experience, user interface optimization
Best For: Brands prioritizing visual impact and customer experience

Icepop distinguishes itself through creative excellence and innovative design approaches. Their team excels at translating brand vision into compelling online experiences that drive engagement and conversions. However, for brands seeking both creative design and technical development expertise, working with a comprehensive Shopify Plus design agency like Netalico often provides better integrated results.

Core strengths:

• Award-winning design portfolio across multiple industries
• Strong focus on mobile-first, responsive design principles
• Expertise in conversion rate optimization through design
• Collaborative approach involving clients throughout the creative process

Considering design-focused agencies? Compare with our integrated approach that combines expert Shopify Plus designers with experienced Shopify Plus developers for seamless project delivery.

4. Disruptive Advertising: Growth-Focused Marketing Partner

Specialization: Shopify advertising, conversion optimization, growth strategy
Best For: Established stores ready to scale through paid advertising

This partner specializes in driving profitable growth through strategic advertising campaigns and conversion optimization. Their data-driven approach ensures every marketing dollar generates maximum return.

Proven results:

• Average 200% increase in ROAS within first 90 days
• Expertise across Google Ads, Facebook, TikTok, and emerging platforms
• Comprehensive tracking and attribution modeling
• Landing page optimization and A/B testing programs

Essential Shopify App Partners

5. Klaviyo: Email Marketing Excellence

Specialization: Email marketing automation, customer segmentation
Average ROI: $42 for every $1 spent on email marketing

Klaviyo's deep Shopify integration makes it the gold standard for eCommerce email marketing. Their platform excels at creating personalized customer journeys that drive repeat purchases and increase lifetime value.

6. ReCharge: Subscription Revenue Optimization

Specialization: Subscription and recurring billing management
Best For: Brands selling consumable products or subscription services

ReCharge transforms one-time purchases into predictable recurring revenue streams. Their platform handles complex subscription logic while maintaining seamless customer experiences.

7. Gorgias: Customer Support Excellence

Specialization: Ecommerce-focused customer service automation
Best For: Growing brands handling 100+ customer inquiries daily

Gorgias consolidates customer communications across all channels while providing context-rich customer profiles that enable personalized, efficient support.

Shopify Plus Specialized Partners

When your business reaches enterprise scale, working with a specialized Shopify Plus development agency becomes crucial for handling complex requirements and advanced customizations.

8. Electric Eye: Enterprise Ecommerce Solutions

Specialization: Large-scale Shopify Plus implementations
Best For: Enterprise businesses with complex requirements

Electric Eye's team handles sophisticated Shopify Plus projects that require advanced customization, third-party integrations, and enterprise-level performance optimization. However, for businesses seeking a more personalized approach, consider working with our Shopify Plus developers who specialize in custom enterprise solutions.

9. Eastside Co: Strategic Growth Partners

Specialization: Shopify Plus strategy, operations optimization
Best For: Established brands ready for exponential growth

Eastside Co focuses on the operational and strategic elements that enable sustainable scaling, from inventory management to international expansion strategies. For comprehensive strategic guidance combined with technical expertise, explore our Shopify Plus ecommerce agency services.

Niche Specialty Partners

10. Bold Commerce: Advanced Functionality Solutions

Specialization: Custom checkout experiences, subscription management
Best For: Brands needing advanced checkout customization

Bold Commerce's suite of apps and services enables advanced checkout flows, subscription management, and custom purchasing experiences that aren't possible with standard Shopify functionality.

11. Loop Returns: Returns & Exchanges Optimization

Specialization: Returns management, customer retention through returns
Best For: Fashion, apparel, and high-return categories

Loop transforms the returns experience from a cost center into a customer retention tool, reducing processing costs while maintaining customer satisfaction.

12. Yotpo: Review & Loyalty Management

Specialization: Customer reviews, loyalty programs, referral marketing
Best For: Brands building community and social proof

Yotpo's comprehensive platform helps brands collect and leverage customer feedback while building loyalty programs that increase repeat purchase rates.

International & Specialized Market Partners

13. Globalize: International Expansion Support

Specialization: Multi-market Shopify setup, localization
Best For: Brands expanding internationally

Globalize handles the complex technical and strategic elements of international expansion, from currency handling to local compliance requirements.

14. TaxJar: Automated Tax Compliance

Specialization: Sales tax automation and compliance
Best For: Brands selling across multiple states or internationally

TaxJar eliminates the complexity of sales tax management through automated calculations, filing, and compliance monitoring across all jurisdictions.

15. ShipStation: Fulfillment Optimization

Specialization: Multi-carrier shipping, fulfillment automation
Best For: High-volume stores needing efficient shipping operations

ShipStation streamlines shipping operations through automation, rate shopping, and comprehensive tracking capabilities that improve both efficiency and customer satisfaction.

How to Choose the Right Partner for Your Business

Assess Your Current Needs

Development Stage: Startups need different support than established enterprises looking for a proven Shopify Plus development company Technical Requirements: Complex customizations require specialized development partners with experienced Shopify Plus developers Growth Goals: Scale-focused partners differ from maintenance-oriented services—consider whether you need a comprehensive Shopify Plus ecommerce agency Budget Considerations: Partner costs should align with expected ROI from professional Shopify Plus development B2B Considerations: Wholesale and enterprise clients should prioritize agencies with Shopify Plus B2B expertise

Questions to Ask Potential Partners

1. Can you provide case studies from similar businesses in my industry? (For proven results, see our Shopify Plus case studies)
2. What's your typical project timeline and what factors might extend it?
3. How do you measure success, and what metrics do you track?
4. What ongoing support do you provide after project completion?
5. Can you provide references from recent clients?
6. Do you have experience with Shopify Plus B2B requirements if that applies to my business? (Learn more about our Shopify Plus B2B capabilities)
7. What's your team structure—will I work directly with senior Shopify Plus developers and Shopify Plus designers?

Red Flags to Avoid

• Partners who guarantee unrealistic results or timelines
• Lack of transparent pricing or project scoping
• Poor communication during the initial consultation process
• No verifiable case studies or client testimonials
• Pressure to sign contracts immediately without proper evaluation

Maximizing Your Partner Relationship

Set Clear Expectations

Define Success Metrics: Establish measurable goals and KPIs upfront Communication Protocols: Agree on meeting cadence and reporting structures
Timeline Management: Build realistic timelines with buffer for revisions Budget Parameters: Include contingency planning for scope changes

Maintain Ongoing Collaboration

The most successful partnerships extend beyond initial implementation. Regular performance reviews, strategy updates, and optimization initiatives ensure your investment continues generating returns over time.

2025 Trends in Shopify Partnership

Emerging Partnership Models

Performance-Based Pricing: More partners offering success-fee structures, though established agencies like our Shopify Plus development company typically provide transparent, value-based pricing Specialized Vertical Expertise: Industry-specific partners gaining prominence, including dedicated Shopify Plus design agencies focused on specific sectors AI Integration Services: Partners focused on AI-powered optimization, which requires advanced Shopify Plus developers familiar with cutting-edge technologies Headless Commerce Solutions: Advanced technical implementations for complex requirements, best handled by experienced Shopify Plus development agencies

Technology Integration Focus

Modern Shopify partners increasingly emphasize integration capabilities, helping brands create cohesive technology stacks that work seamlessly together rather than managing disparate tools.

Implementation Timeline & Budget Planning

Typical Project Phases

Discovery & Strategy (2-4 weeks): Requirements gathering, strategic planning Design & Development (4-12 weeks): Implementation based on project scope Testing & Refinement (1-3 weeks): Quality assurance and optimization Launch & Optimization (Ongoing): Deployment and performance monitoring

Investment Considerations

• Small Business Projects: $5,000 - $25,000 for basic customization and setup
• Mid-Market Implementations: $25,000 - $100,000 for comprehensive solutions from a qualified Shopify Plus ecommerce agency
• Enterprise Shopify Plus: $100,000+ for complex, custom implementations requiring a specialized Shopify Plus development agency with proven enterprise experience

When evaluating costs, consider that working with an established Shopify Plus development company often provides better long-term value through superior code quality, ongoing support, and strategic guidance that reduces total cost of ownership.

Measuring Partnership Success

Key Performance Indicators

Revenue Impact: Direct attribution to partner-implemented changes Conversion Rate Improvements: Before/after comparison of key metrics User Experience Metrics: Page load speeds, bounce rates, session duration Operational Efficiency: Time savings, process improvements, cost reductions

Long-term Value Assessment

Successful Shopify partnerships should demonstrate continued value through ongoing optimization, strategic guidance, and adaptation to changing market conditions.

Next Steps: Choosing Your Ideal Partner

Based on this comprehensive analysis, your next steps should include:

1. Assess your current needs using the framework provided above
2. Research 3-5 potential partners from our recommended list that align with your requirements
3. Schedule consultations to evaluate fit, expertise, and communication style
4. Request detailed proposals with clear timelines, deliverables, and success metrics
5. Check references from recent clients in similar situations

Final Recommendations

The Shopify partner ecosystem offers tremendous opportunities for businesses ready to invest in professional expertise. Whether you're seeking design excellence, technical optimization, marketing growth, or operational efficiency, the right partner can accelerate your success significantly.

For immediate impact, focus on partners who can demonstrate clear ROI through case studies and client testimonials. For long-term growth, prioritize partners who offer strategic guidance and ongoing optimization rather than just one-time implementations.

Remember that the best Shopify partner for your business is one whose expertise aligns with your specific needs, growth stage, and budget considerations. Take time to properly evaluate your options—this investment in due diligence will pay dividends throughout your partnership.

Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale to enterprise levels with a proven Shopify Plus development agency, the right partnership can transform your eCommerce success. Our team of experienced Shopify Plus developers and Shopify Plus designers specializes in delivering comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes. As a full-service Shopify Plus ecommerce agency, we offer everything from custom development to strategic consulting. Contact us today to explore how our Shopify Plus development company can help accelerate your growth in 2025 and beyond.

Get in touch with our team | View our Shopify expertise | Learn more about Netalico