Brand-led design
A site that looks distinctly yours, not the default Shopify Dawn theme.
Retailers & eCommerce
Retail Website Design UK
Retail websites that look like your brand, not a Shopify template — with AI follow-up and review automation that nudges customers back.
The problem
Why retailers & ecommerce need a better website.
- 01
The Shopify/WordPress site looks generic
Every other small retailer in your category uses the same theme. You’re competing on price by default.
- 02
No brand story on product pages
Product descriptions read like an Excel column — and conversions reflect that.
- 03
Abandoned-cart leakage
No follow-up automation, no review-request flow, no second chance to recover the sale.
What we build
What we build for retailers & ecommerce.
Product pages with story
Product copy that tells the maker story, the materials, the why — not just specs.
AI follow-up automation
Automated, on-brand follow-ups for abandoned carts and warm leads — in your tone of voice.
AI review request automation
Timed, personalised review prompts after every order.
Honest about ecommerce platform
For full ecommerce platform builds we either partner or scope a custom platform — we’ll tell you straight which is right for your size.
Why us
Where we add value vs. an off-the-shelf store
We don’t pretend to be a full Shopify development house. We add brand, conversion and AI follow-up layers on top of the platform you already trust — or build a custom platform when you’ve outgrown the off-the-shelf one.
Pricing
What this typically costs.
Most retailers start with a Business Website (from £1,999) plus AI Follow-Up (£149) and Review Request Automation (£99) add-ons. Custom ecommerce platforms are priced on scope.
See full pricingWhen to build custom vs when to use Shopify
The honest answer: most independent retailers do not need a custom ecommerce platform. Shopify (with a properly designed theme, not a stock one) covers 95% of small-to-medium retail use cases at a fraction of the cost.
Where custom starts to earn its keep is B2B ordering (net-30 terms, trade pricing tiers, PO uploads), ERP integrations (SAP, NetSuite, Sage), or brand-critical experiences that Shopify’s theme layer physically cannot deliver. If you fit one of those, custom is the right answer. If you don’t, we’ll say so — and design you a Shopify site that looks nothing like a Shopify template. For reference, the two-sided B2B ordering portal we built for Ash Workwear runs enterprise cXML eProcurement integration alongside a public-facing storefront — the kind of scope Shopify cannot host natively.
What makes a retail website convert
- Product photography that shows the item in context and at scale, not just a white-background pack shot
- Product copy that tells the maker story, materials and use — not just spec bullets
- A one-page checkout with saved cards and Apple/Google Pay
- Automated abandoned-cart and post-purchase review flows in your tone of voice
- Trust signals — real reviews, real returns policy, real customer service contact
The B2B case
If a meaningful share of your revenue is trade or wholesale, you need a proper B2B ordering flow — logged-in accounts, tier pricing, purchase orders, invoicing on 30/60-day terms. This is portal territory, not Shopify territory. Same pattern we shipped for Ash Workwear.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should we go Shopify or custom?
For most independent retailers, Shopify with a proper custom theme wins on time, cost and maintenance. We build the branded theme, add AI follow-up automation on top, and don’t pretend to be a full Shopify Plus agency. Custom is right for B2B ordering, ERP integrations, or scope Shopify literally can’t host.
Can you migrate our existing store to a new design?
Yes. Shopify-to-Shopify theme migrations preserve products, orders and customer data. Migrations across platforms (Woo → Shopify, custom → Shopify, etc.) are scoped separately.
Can you build a B2B ordering portal?
Yes. From £5,000 for a bespoke B2B ordering portal with tier pricing, PO capture and invoice terms. Enterprise features like cXML/OCI eProcurement integration are possible — we’ve shipped that pattern for Ash Workwear.
How do you handle page speed for image-heavy retail sites?
Responsive image serving via Shopify’s or our CDN, WebP conversion at build time, lazy loading below the fold, and Core Web Vitals as an explicit acceptance criterion — not an afterthought.
Can you integrate with our ERP or stock system?
Yes, for custom builds. SAP, NetSuite, Sage and similar — via their APIs or a bidirectional sync layer. Priced on scope.
Ready to upgrade your retail website?
Book a free 10-minute call — no pitch, no pressure. We’ll listen, ask the right questions, and tell you straight whether we’re the right studio for the job.
Book a free 10-minute call