Quick answer: If you want to build a Shopify store that looks clean, loads fast, and shows up in search results — focus on a lightweight theme, smart structure, SEO basics like meta titles, and content that solves real problems.
Skip the bloated apps and design for mobile first.
Choosing the right Shopify theme isn’t just a design decision. It’s a business one — and one that affects speed, conversions, SEO, and long-term scalability.
I’ve spent over a decade building custom Shopify themes, developing apps, and helping everyone from first-time founders to multi-7-figure brands grow on Shopify.
I’ve seen behind the curtain of what works — and what quietly wrecks stores from the inside.
If your theme looks slick but loads slowly, kills conversions, or breaks when you try to scale… it’s not helping your brand — it’s holding it back.
BigCommerce and WooCommerce are two of the biggest ecommerce platforms out there—but which one actually supports real growth?
We’ve spent over 200 hours researching, testing, and comparing both tools in depth. On top of that, we’ve analysed hundreds of real ecommerce stores powered by each platform using our design gallery, ecomm.design, to see how they perform in the wild.
As a result of that research, BigCommerce comes out on top for growing online stores. It’s got the built-in features, speed, and scalability to support serious ecommerce growth—without the technical overhead.
Quick answer:
If your primary goal is to present a visually striking portfolio with occasional sales—particularly as a photographer, artist, or designer—Format offers a streamlined, aesthetically focused experience tailored to that need.
On the other hand, if you’re building a content-rich site with ecommerce at its core, and you require more flexibility, scalability, and control over the user journey and site architecture, Squarespace is the more comprehensive and strategic choice.
I’ve used both Shopify and Framer — not just played around, but actually built sites on them.
If you’re stuck wondering which one to go with for your ecommerce business, I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, pricing, and real user experience with both.
Let’s break this down, side-by-side.
Many people still believe Shopify is only designed for selling physical products.
That is not true anymore.
Shopify now makes it easy for service-based businesses to set up shop, promote their expertise, and sell services just like digital products.
The key is knowing exactly how to set it up properly so your customers have a smooth experience and you maximise conversions.
Let’s walk through how you can do this step-by-step.
Is it just me – or is choosing the right ecommerce platform becoming more complicated?
There used to be just a handful of options to pick from – now we have dozens – and they’re all growing more impressive all the time – particularly with the rise of AI.
Still, even with all of the new solutions out there, three major platforms often get the most attention: Shopify, Etsy, and Squarespace.
Shopify has long been my favorite platform for ecommerce companies – combining versatility with ease-of-use and high scalability.
Squarespace, on the other hand, is my go-to for creating truly gorgeous websites, while Etsy is still a prime choice for simple, marketplace selling.
So, which platform should you pick? That’s what I’m here to help you figure out.
99designs is one of the most popular platforms for outsourcing graphic design.
From logos to packaging to full website mockups, it gives ecommerce brands access to global freelance designers through either direct hire or crowdsourced contests.
After using it to launch branding for two of my stores, I can confidently say that 99designs is a powerful tool — but not perfect.
In this review, I’ll walk you through pricing, process, design quality, pros and cons, and whether it’s worth the money if you’re running an ecommerce business.
If you’re running an ecommerce store and trying to decide between Canva and Placeit, here’s the quick answer:
Canva is the better option for building brand visuals, social content, and team design systems.
Placeit is better for quick, realistic product mockups, videos, and designs made to showcase products in context.
I’ve used both tools for over a decade across client projects, product launches, and campaigns—and here’s the full breakdown.
If you’re selling digital products, courses, or running a serious ecommerce setup, Samcart might work for you — but it’s far from perfect.
I’ve tested most of the popular tools out there, and honestly, I’d only recommend Samcart in very specific cases.
Best overall alternative? ThriveCart — it’s cheaper, offers lifetime pricing, and is built for conversion. Best for full ecommerce stores? Shopify. Best for course creators? Kajabi or Podia.
I’ve run and audited enough Shopify stores to know this: most people have no clue what’s really broken in their setup.
The traffic might look decent. The store feels OK. But the numbers don’t lie — something’s off.
Whether you’re running a small product line or scaling a niche empire, doing a proper Shopify audit isn’t optional. It’s how you spot issues before they snowball.
Here’s how I personally run a Shopify store audit — the exact process, tools, and questions I ask every time.
If you’re building a full online store with physical or digital products, Shopify is the go-to.
If you’re focused on high-converting funnels for one or two offers, SamCart wins hands down.
I’ve used both platforms across dozens of client sites, and this isn’t one of those wishy-washy “depends on your use case” takes.
This is what I’d recommend to clients based on real-world performance.
