Do they use templates or build custom?
Many Shopify stores are built on a Theme Store theme with adjusted colors and fonts. It is a valid way to start, but you should know it, because it determines how far the store can be customized and how heavy it is. Other agencies design and code the theme themselves.
Ask which theme they will use as a base, whether the design will be original and how much custom code there will be. Also ask them to explain how you will edit content from the theme editor without depending on them to change a banner or a line of copy.
Who owns the code and the store?
The store should be in your name: the Shopify account, the plan billing and the domain should belong to your company. The agency gets access as a collaborator from its partner account, with the permissions you grant, and you can revoke those permissions whenever you want.
Also ask about the theme code and any custom development. It should be clear in writing that it is yours and that you can take it with you or work with another team in the future, with no licenses or hidden dependencies.
- Shopify account and domain in your company's name
- Agency access through a collaborator account
- Theme code and custom work delivered and owned by you
- Apps subscribed in your name
Is the price fixed?
A quote based on estimated hours can grow without you having any control. A fixed price for a defined scope tells you exactly what you will pay. Ask for the proposal to spell out what is included: number of templates, sections, integrations, data migration and review rounds.
Also ask what happens with anything outside the scope: how a mid-project change is quoted and what recurring costs you will have apart from the agency, such as the Shopify plan or paid apps. Shopify pricing is at shopify.com/pricing.
Training, support and maintenance
When you receive the store, you need to know how to run it: create products, edit collections, change theme content, manage orders and discounts. Ask whether training is included or billed separately, and what format it takes.
The first days after launch always bring questions and small adjustments. Ask whether there is a support period included after launch and, once it ends, what maintenance options they offer and whether they are mandatory.
Communication during the project
Ask who your point of contact will be, which channel you will use and how often you will see progress. It is better to talk to someone who knows the project technically than to always go through an intermediary.
Also ask how work is reviewed: whether you will have a development store or a theme preview to see real progress, and how your feedback is collected and prioritized.
Agree from the start on what content each side provides: copy, photography, product information and configuration data. Many projects are delayed by missing material rather than development, so it helps to have a delivery schedule for both sides.
Warning signs to watch for
Some answers suggest you should keep comparing. Be wary of a proposal that does not detail the scope, of an agency that wants to open the store in its own name, or of one that does not explain which apps it will install and what they cost per month.
It is also not a good sign if nobody asks about your business before quoting: your catalog, your management systems, how you ship or what you sell outside Spain. A serious proposal is based on those answers, not on a generic package.
- A quote without a detailed scope
- Shopify account or domain in the agency's name
- Paid apps neither explained nor budgeted
- No questions about your operations before pricing
- No live stores you can visit as examples
References and verifiable reviews
Testimonials on an agency's own website are hard to verify. Reviews in the Shopify Partner Directory, on the other hand, can only be left by merchants who have worked with that partner through Shopify. Look the agency up in the directory and read the reviews, not just the average rating.
Also ask for examples of live stores you can visit, ideally from projects similar to yours. Browse them on your phone, try the search and the cart, and pay attention to speed.
Partner tier and specialization
The Shopify Partner Directory shows each partner's tier. If you need Shopify Plus, B2B or complex integrations, check that the agency is a Shopify Plus Partner and has experience with those cases.
Specialization matters too. An agency that works with many platforms spreads its knowledge thin; one that works only with Shopify knows its limits and shortcuts better. For reference, Weblineo has worked only with Shopify since 2016, is a Shopify Plus Partner and holds a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 151 reviews in the Shopify Partner Directory; ask every agency you compare the same questions from this guide, including us.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I check a Shopify agency's reviews?
In the Shopify Partner Directory. Each partner has a profile with its services, its tier and reviews from merchants who have worked with it.
Can I switch agencies later?
Yes, as long as the store and the code are in your name. You simply remove the current agency's collaborator access and grant it to the new one.
Is a template or a custom design better?
It depends on your catalog, your brand and your budget. A well-configured template is fine to start with; custom development gives you more control over design, speed and features.
What does being a Shopify Plus Partner mean?
It is a tier of the Shopify Partner Program for agencies that work with Shopify Plus merchants. You can check it on the agency's profile in the Shopify Partner Directory.