Shopify apps built the way Shopify expects
Gjethe builds Shopify apps: custom apps that extend a single store, and public apps for the Shopify App Store. We work with the Admin and Storefront GraphQL APIs, theme app extensions, checkout and admin UI extensions, Shopify Functions, webhooks and Polaris, and handle app review requirements, billing through Shopify, data protection webhooks and performance.
- Free first consultation
- Written quote for your project
- Flexible payment milestones
At a glance
- App types
- Custom apps, public App Store apps
- APIs
- Admin and Storefront GraphQL, webhooks
- Extensions
- Theme, checkout, admin UI, Functions
- Stack
- Shopify CLI, Remix, React, Polaris
Definition
What is Shopify app development?
A Shopify app is software that extends Shopify stores through Shopify's APIs and extension points, either custom-built for one store or published on the Shopify App Store for many merchants.
Shopify covers most of what a store needs, but every business has something it doesn't: a custom pricing rule, an integration with an ERP, a product builder, a B2B workflow. Apps fill that gap. Built properly, they use Shopify's modern extension points, survive platform updates and keep the storefront fast. Built carelessly, they slow down every page and break with each change Shopify makes.
Who is it for?
Merchants with unique needs
A custom app for a workflow no existing app handles well.
App founders
A public app built to pass review and scale with merchants.
Agencies
Apps for your agency's own store or internal workflows.
Companies with back-office systems
Integrations with ERP, warehouse and accounting systems.
What's included, and what you keep
What's included
- App architecture and data model
- Admin interface with Polaris
- Admin and Storefront GraphQL API integration
- Theme app extensions and app blocks
- Checkout UI extensions
- Shopify Functions for discounts, delivery and payments
- Webhooks and background jobs
- Billing API for subscription plans
- Mandatory privacy webhooks and data handling
- App Store listing and review preparation
- Hosting, monitoring and logging
What you receive
Handed over at the end. Yours to keep.
- The app, deployed and installed
- Source code in your repository
- App Store listing assets for public apps
- Technical documentation and runbooks
- A test store with sample data
Custom app or public app?
| Custom app | Public app | |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | One store or organisation | Any merchant who installs it |
| Review | No App Store review | Shopify review against app requirements |
| Billing | Usually none | Shopify Billing API |
| Design effort | Built for one workflow | Onboarding, settings and support for many merchants |
Using Shopify's modern extension points
Older apps injected scripts into themes, which slowed storefronts and broke when themes changed. Shopify now provides theme app extensions, checkout UI extensions and Shopify Functions that run inside Shopify's infrastructure. We use these wherever possible, which keeps stores fast, survives theme changes and meets App Store expectations.
Passing App Store review
Public apps are reviewed against Shopify's requirements: secure authentication, correct billing, privacy webhooks, performance impact on storefronts, a clear listing and a working onboarding experience. We build to those requirements from the start and prepare the listing, screenshots and test instructions reviewers need.
Requirements change over time, so we check the current guidance before submission and respond to reviewer feedback until the app is approved.
Integrations with back-office systems
Many custom apps exist to move data: orders to an ERP, stock levels from a warehouse, invoices to accounting. These integrations need to handle rate limits, retries, partial failures and duplicate events. We use webhooks and background queues with logging, so you can see what synced and fix what didn't.
Performance and the storefront
Every script an app adds to the storefront affects page speed, and slow pages cost sales. We keep storefront code minimal, load it only where needed and measure its impact. Heavy work happens on the server or in Shopify Functions instead of the customer's browser.
What helps us start
- The problem the app solves, in a merchant's words
- Whether it's for one store or the App Store
- Systems it must connect to
- A development store or staff access
- Examples of apps you like or dislike
- Your plan for support and pricing, for public apps
Public apps need more than code
A public app competes in a marketplace. Merchants expect clear onboarding, sensible defaults, help documentation, responsive support and pricing that fits their store size. We design the first-run experience so a merchant sees value quickly, and set up the support and documentation basics before launch.
After launch, reviews and uninstall feedback show what to improve. We can continue developing the app based on what merchants actually do.
How Shopify app development works, step by step
Every step has a clear output you can review. Timing is agreed in your quote.
- 1
Discovery
Use cases, data, extension points and app type.
- 2
Design
Admin UI in Polaris and storefront touchpoints designed.
- 3
Build
APIs, extensions, Functions and background jobs.
- 4
Test
Development stores with realistic data and edge cases.
- 5
Review or install
App Store submission or installation on your store.
- 6
Support
Monitoring, fixes and updates for API version changes.
Tools, and what shapes your quote
Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote. These are the things that move it.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| App type | Public apps need onboarding, billing and review preparation. |
| Extension points | Checkout extensions and Functions each add development. |
| Integrations | ERP and warehouse integrations need robust syncing. |
| Admin UI | Complex settings and reporting screens take longer. |
| Data volume | Large catalogues and order volumes need careful handling of rate limits. |
| Ongoing support | API versions change and need regular updates. |
| Area | Tools |
|---|---|
| Shopify | Shopify CLI, Admin GraphQL API, Storefront API, Shopify Functions, Polaris |
| Frameworks | Remix, React, Node.js, TypeScript |
| Infrastructure | Fly.io, Vercel, AWS, PostgreSQL, Redis queues |
Common mistakes to avoid
What we see go wrong most often, and how a good project avoids it.
Script tags in themes
Injected scripts slow stores and break with theme changes. Use app extensions.
Ignoring API versions
Shopify retires API versions on a schedule. Plan regular updates.
No retry logic
Webhooks and syncs fail sometimes. Without retries and logs, data quietly goes missing.
Underestimating support
Public apps need onboarding, documentation and merchant support.
Frequently asked questions
Can you build an app just for our store?
Yes. Custom apps extend one store without App Store review.
Can you publish an app on the Shopify App Store?
Yes. We build to Shopify's app requirements and prepare the submission and listing.
Do you build checkout customisations?
Yes, using checkout UI extensions and Shopify Functions, within what Shopify allows for each plan.
Can the app connect to our ERP?
Yes. We build integrations with retries, queues and logs, so data sync is reliable and visible.
Will the app slow down our store?
We keep storefront code minimal and measure its impact, using theme app extensions and Functions where possible.
Who hosts the app?
We deploy to a cloud provider in your name or ours by agreement, with monitoring and logging.
Do you also build Shopify themes?
Yes, through our Shopify development service.
Who owns the app code?
You do, once the project is paid.
How is Shopify app development priced?
It is quoted on the app type, extension points, integrations and admin features.
Can you migrate our old app from script tags to app extensions?
Yes. We move storefront features to theme app extensions and Functions, improving speed and compatibility with Online Store 2.0 themes.
Can you set up subscription billing for our app?
Yes, through Shopify's Billing API, including free trials and plan changes.
Do you support Shopify Plus features?
Yes, including checkout extensibility and B2B features available on Plus.
Can you build a custom product builder?
Yes. We build product configurators and bundle builders that work with Shopify's cart, pricing and inventory.
Can you add B2B features?
Yes, such as company accounts, price lists and approval workflows, using Shopify's B2B features where available and custom apps where needed.
Can you take over an app another developer built?
Yes. We review the code, update API versions and extensions, fix issues and document how the app works.
Related services
Shopify Development
Custom Shopify themes, apps, migrations and Shopify Plus.
E-commerce Development
Online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce or a headless stack.
API Integration
Connect the tools you already use so data flows on its own.
CRM & ERP Development
Custom systems, or HubSpot, Salesforce and Odoo set up properly.
App Store Graphics
Screenshots, previews and icons for the App Store and Google Play.
Shopify App Development by industry
Extend Shopify the right way.
Tell us what you need. You get an honest assessment, a clear plan and a written quote. The first consultation is always free.
- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project