Aspect / Feature
Shopify Theme + Apps
Headless Shopify (Next.js) + Our Services
Visual design / UI
Locked into pre-made templates and theme constraints – hard to change layouts, many stores end up looking the same.
Fully custom headless storefront UI, animation, and brand expression – modern, premium, and clearly differentiated from competitors.
Page structure / layout flexibility
Theme layout is fixed, many sections can’t be rearranged; apps usually just bolt features onto an existing layout.
Layout is defined around your goals, not theme limits – we can freely adjust the headless storefront structure over time.
Feature add-ons (popups, reviews, filters, subscriptions, bundles, etc.)
Often requires multiple apps, each $5–$50/month; limited control, mismatched UI, and possible conflicts between apps.
We design and integrate these features directly into your headless Shopify storefront – one-time build + reasonable maintenance, unified UI, and a smoother overall experience.
Performance / speed / SEO
Heavy themes + multiple apps can bloat pages, slow down load times, and hurt SEO.
Headless Shopify with a custom Next.js storefront gives you a fast, modern stack – optimized for Core Web Vitals, SEO, responsive layouts, SSR/SSG.
Brand personality / consistency
Generic templates make it hard to stand out or fully express your brand.
Entire experience is designed around your brand – logo, colors, typography, layout, and motion all feel cohesive.
Maintenance / updates / content changes
Multiple apps + theme updates can conflict; non-technical store owners often struggle to keep things consistent.
We handle updates and improvements – you send content, photos, and copy, and we make sure everything stays polished.
Cost (long-term)
Theme + multiple app subscriptions add up over time (apps, premium themes, extra maintenance).
Primarily a one-time build investment plus reasonable ongoing maintenance – no stack of overlapping app fees.
Best for
Small, simple shops that just need a basic online store and aren’t too picky about design.
Brand-driven businesses that want a premium online store, custom experience, and long-term technical partner.
Flexibility / scalability
Limited by what the theme and apps allow – bigger feature ideas are often impossible or very constrained.
With full-stack control (front-end + back-end), we can add new features, pages, and flows as your business evolves.