Built for what comes next.

Shopify's storefront technology has moved fast. Horizon has reset what a theme can do, and Hydrogen has made headless a serious option. We help you choose the right one for your brand, then build it properly.

Talk architectureHorizon or headless?

The stack we build on

  • Horizon
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Storefront API
  • Shopify Plus
  • Headless CMS

Horizon or headless?

Two good answers. One is right for you.

Headless isn't automatically faster or better. For most brands a well-built Horizon theme is the smarter move. For some, only headless will do. We'll tell you which, and why.

HorizonHydrogen
What it isShopify's newest theme framework, built from small, self-contained blocks.Shopify's framework for custom storefronts, hosted on Oxygen at the edge.
Best forMost growing brands, including large catalogues on Shopify Plus.Brands whose experience, content or markets have outgrown a theme.
EditingDrag-and-drop blocks your team can rearrange without a developer.Through a headless CMS, set up so your team stays in control.
AppsWorks with the Shopify app ecosystem as standard.Many need custom integration, so we plan for it up front.
Running costLower. Hosting is included and there is less custom code to maintain.Higher. You own a codebase that needs ongoing development.

When headless earns its place

Eight signs you've outgrown a theme.

Content-led storytelling

Editorial, lookbooks and campaigns that need more freedom than theme sections allow.

Multiple storefronts

Several brands, regions or languages from one shared codebase.

Custom experiences

Configurators, bundles or product journeys a theme can only approximate.

Heavy app reliance

Too many scripts doing jobs that should be built in.

A product team in-house

Developers who want to ship and test on a modern React stack.

Selling beyond the store

Apps, kiosks, marketplaces and AI shopping agents fed from one source.

Speed at scale

Large catalogues and international traffic where every millisecond is measured.

Room to experiment

Testing ideas quickly without being held back by a theme.

How we do it

Six steps, whichever route.

  1. 01

    Assess

    Your store, apps, content and team, and what the business needs it to do next.

  2. 02

    Recommend

    Horizon, headless or a staged route, with the costs and trade-offs written down.

  3. 03

    Design

    The experience first, so the technology serves the brand, not the other way round.

  4. 04

    Build

    Horizon blocks or a Hydrogen storefront, with a CMS where it adds value.

  5. 05

    Launch

    Tested on real data, with tracking verified and a team watching every order.

  6. 06

    Evolve

    Ongoing development, testing and speed work as Shopify keeps moving.

FAQ

Common questions.

Is headless faster than a theme?

Not automatically. A well-built Horizon theme is already fast. Headless can go further, but only when it is engineered and cached properly. We will show you where the real speed gains are for your store.

Will our apps still work?

On a Horizon theme, most apps work as normal. Headless is different: many apps need custom integration work, so we audit your app stack before recommending it.

Can our team still edit the store?

Yes. Horizon has drag-and-drop blocks built in. For headless builds we connect a content management system so your team can update pages without a developer.

Is headless more expensive to run?

Usually, yes. Hosting on Oxygen is included with Shopify, but you own a custom codebase that needs ongoing development. We will be upfront about the running costs.

We are on an older theme. Should we move to Horizon?

Often, but not always mid-season. We will assess your current theme, customisations and trading calendar and recommend the right moment.

Let's pick the right stack.

Enquire

Tell us about where you are now.

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