Shopify Headless (Hydrogen) Development

Deliver an unsurpassed customer experience and reach higher conversions on mobile and desktop with a Shopify PWA (progressive web app). The Onilab team will speed up and customize your current store with Hydrogen, a new Shopify framework.

What Are the Benefits of Headless Shopify?

It's been a rush for headless commerce solutions for the last several years. In short, this architecture is about separating the store's backend and frontend, connecting them again via a storefront API, and developing the user interfaces with a newer tech stack. Progressive web apps (PWAs) have become the most popular request when brands search for a Shopify headless implementation partner. Why so?

Enhanced User Experience

A pleasant UX improves the odds of completing orders and returning for more. With the PWA, you get not just a modern UX/UI but an app-like, mobile-friendly one. Hence, customers feel like shopping in a mobile app without actually downloading one. The desktop templates are crafted separately, and clients can order more storefront types for other devices (e.g., smart mirrors). Shopify headless storefronts are designed for specific devices with their peculiarities in mind.

Scalability and Flexibility

When the front and back store parts become more independent, designer and development teams gain complete control over creating and changing interfaces. Also, it takes less time to perform these tasks: it's mostly frontend work, and Shopify's Hydrogen framework further accelerates and facilitates the workflow.

Improved Performance

Headless eCommerce sites are noticeably faster than average ones, so-called monolithic ones. Store visitors are less likely to get irritated or distracted when they instantly see each new page and have no lags and content shifts when interacting with the website.

Seamless Integrations

A headless Shopify store is more flexible when it comes to integrations with third-party solutions. Connecting with other systems (CRM, ERP, PIM, IMS, OMS, MDM, etc.) gets faster and easier.

Future-Proof Technology

Going with this web architecture not only brings advantages now but also prepares your online store for thriving in the long run. With new devices emerging and microservices and composable commerce gradually replacing traditional architecture, you'll already have the upper hand.

Why Do You Need Shopify Headless Services?

Shopify migration to a new architecture is definitely worth consideration for larger stores that need bespoke frontend solutions and are ready to invest in a major site reconstruction. But there are some more reasons too.

You want to accelerate the store
If your current Shopify website performs not so well, you can either optimize or rebuild it. The latter ensures a more drastic speed-up and long-lasting effect.
You want to deliver an all-like mobile experience
In this case, we convert Shopify stores into headless PWA ones. The tech stack and usability principles behind this solution allow us to create a native app-like look and feel for a web application. It's a win-win: you won't splurge on more expensive native apps for Android and iOS, and your customers won't be forced to spend their phone memory on your app.
You want to create a unique store
While a traditional Shopify store handles the whole range of standard eCommerce operations, you may need a more agile tech environment for making complex custom functionality. With a headless site, you obtain far more freedom and can create one-of-a-kind storefronts both design and feature-wise.
You want to speed up the development process
Moving to the headless commerce Shopify reduces the time needed for a development team to introduce new changes. It's because the work takes place on the frontend primarily.

Shopify Headless Commerce Services We Offer

We've been advocating for going headless and building progressive web apps for years because we see how it transforms the customer experience and benefits sales. So whether you want to switch to a headless CMS or develop a full-fledged PWA storefront for Shopify from scratch, the Onilab team is waiting for your project details.

Migration to Headless Architecture for Shopify
Our Headless Shopify developers carry out the decoupling process making the backend and frontend of your headless store communicate via an API (GraphQL). First, you have the Shopify backend preserving all its power of storing your databases and managing inventory and transactions. Second, the storefront is now independent, meaning you can create any UX/UI design and add features without any restrictions previously conditioned by "glued" main parts.
Custom Shopify Hydrogen (React) Development
We rewrite an existing store theme in JavaScript to refine the customer journey of your store visitors and gain a higher conversion rate. With top-notch tools like Hydrogen (Shopify's React-based framework), Tailwind (CSS framework), GraphQL API, and more, we can develop new interfaces faster. And since we're not limited by Shopify Liquid (a template language and layouts based on it), we're able to embody any design and feature you need to see on the storefront.
Hydrogen-Based PWA Development
Building a progressive web application on Shopify is one of our most sought-after headless Shopify development services. PWAs further elevate the user experience thanks to several specific features implemented: push notifications, offline mode, "Add to home screen", and more. PWAs are effectively an alternative to traditional mobile apps but without exorbitant expenses linked to native app development.
Integration Services
Going headless with Shopify also means a more smooth and swift integration of critical business tools, CRM, ERP, PIM, and so on. We'll help to plug in and tune them. We'll also handle integrating various extensions, Shopify apps, and add-ons.
Store Optimization & Maintenance
Even the store built with cutting-edge technologies needs checkups and optimization. Onilab's headless Shopify developer will find the causes of speed issues, fix bugs, and, in case of maintenance, will perform such vital procedures periodically. Other in-house team members (business analysts, UX/UI designers, QA) can join at any time if needed.
Professional Consulting & Support Services
If you need advice from an experienced Shopify headless development company, we're here to listen to your ideas or address concerns.

Migration to Headless Architecture for Shopify

Our Headless Shopify developers carry out the decoupling process making the backend and frontend of your headless store communicate via an API (GraphQL). First, you have the Shopify backend preserving all its power of storing your databases and managing inventory and transactions. Second, the storefront is now independent, meaning you can create any UX/UI design and add features without any restrictions previously conditioned by "glued" main parts.

Custom Shopify Hydrogen (React) Development

We rewrite an existing store theme in JavaScript to refine the customer journey of your store visitors and gain a higher conversion rate. With top-notch tools like Hydrogen (Shopify's React-based framework), Tailwind (CSS framework), GraphQL API, and more, we can develop new interfaces faster. And since we're not limited by Shopify Liquid (a template language and layouts based on it), we're able to embody any design and feature you need to see on the storefront.

Hydrogen-Based PWA Development

Building a progressive web application on Shopify is one of our most sought-after headless Shopify development services. PWAs further elevate the user experience thanks to several specific features implemented: push notifications, offline mode, "Add to home screen", and more. PWAs are effectively an alternative to traditional mobile apps but without exorbitant expenses linked to native app development.

Integration Services

Going headless with Shopify also means a more smooth and swift integration of critical business tools, CRM, ERP, PIM, and so on. We'll help to plug in and tune them. We'll also handle integrating various extensions, Shopify apps, and add-ons.

Store Optimization & Maintenance

Even the store built with cutting-edge technologies needs checkups and optimization. Onilab's headless Shopify developer will find the causes of speed issues, fix bugs, and, in case of maintenance, will perform such vital procedures periodically. Other in-house team members (business analysts, UX/UI designers, QA) can join at any time if needed.

Professional Consulting & Support Services

If you need advice from an experienced Shopify headless development company, we're here to listen to your ideas or address concerns.

Shopify Hydrogen Framework

Created by Shopify itself and based on React, Hydrogen is a tool for developing any type of headless storefront. It encompasses pre-built components, tools, and utilities that significantly speed up Shopify Hydrogen development.
So whether you want to add an advanced product customizer, create bespoke checkout, or entirely rethink the UX/UI, Hydrogen is the tool of choice.

Major Advantages of Shopify PWA

High loading speed

Unparalleled UX/UI

Wide customization possibilities

Push notifications on smartphones

Offline access to a catalog

The "Add to home screen" feature

Provide your beloved customers with the best-in-class shopping experience.

Onilab as a Shopify Headless Web Development Company

We can boast extensive expertise and long-term partnership with very different eCommerce businesses: from fashion to electronics, from beauty to travel. That's why we don't just formally provide Shopify headless development services; we deeply understand customers' needs and business objectives to deliver perfect eCommerce UX.

Don't settle for:

All-things-IT agencies with little experience with eCommerce projects
A development team that just has started to work with headless E-commerce
A company without an in-house UX/UI team
Providers responding reluctantly and vaguely
Companies that start designing and coding without proper analysis

Our principles:

A focus on eCommerce with more than 10 years of online stores development
A bet on headless commerce and PWAs as the future of eCommerce
A seasoned team with all the needed talent on board
Transparent communication and reporting
Thorough store research (GA reports analysis, identifying personas, customer journey mapping, and more) as an integral part of development

Ready to get a headless version of your eCommerce platform?

Testimonials

Ray Storey

Vice President, Webster,
USA

“The team was very responsive and essentially was an extended part of the onshore team.”

Project:Webster - Luxury Fashion Retailer

detailed review:

“The team was very responsive and essentially was an extended part of the onshore team. Delivery was on time and with high quality.”

“The team was very responsive and essentially was an extended part of the on”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing revenueRevenueX5

Increasing site stabilitySite stability+100%

Susan Cooper

Owner, Bright Star Kids,
Australia

“It's been a really good experience from start to finish.”

Project:Bright Star Kids - Online store for kids

detailed review:

“The Onilab team has incredible programming skills, and they’re such hard workers. Their work has been completed with outstanding quality. They have done many releases, and there have been very minimal bugs since they started working on our project.”

“The Onilab team has incredible programming skills, and they’re such hard wo”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing total salesTotal sales+40%

Increasing the add-to-cart rateAdd to cart rate+31%

Paul Berry

Head of Technology, Public Desire,
United Kingdom

“Trusted by some of the world’s best team”

Project:Public Desire - Women's Footwear Business

detailed review:

“The quality of the code and the speed at which they can produce it is impressive. There were times we needed to get something into production the following day, and they happily worked through the night to get it done.”

“The quality of the code and the speed at which they can produce it is impre”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing total salesTotal sales+8%

Increasing the add-to-cart rateAdd to cart rate+12%

Raphael Seroussi

CEO, Dovema,
France

“I found the agency takes its work seriously, gives honest pricing, and delivers flawless code.”

Project:GSM55 - Smartphone Accessory Vendor

detailed review:

“I’ve overseen the entire project with Onilab and the collaboration was highly successful. They demonstrated professionalism and executed their functions quickly.”

“I’ve overseen the entire project with Onilab and the collaboration was high”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing the number of visitorsVisitors+34%

Increasing the number of purchasesPurchases+9%

Vadim Pautov

CEO, SohoMod,
USA

“I have no complaints; we received the highest level of service.”

Project:SohoMod - Online furniture and home design store

detailed review:

“Onilab handled project management flawlessly. They excelled in quick communication and clearly explaining project updates in layman's terms.”

“Onilab handled project management flawlessly. They excelled in quick commun”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing conversion rateConversions+40%

Allison Dorst

Founder and CEO, PG-active,
USA

“Onilab helps us think through decisions with the future in mind… There's much more of a team feeling.”

Project:PG-active - Fashion eCommerce site

detailed review:

“I really enjoy the “pushback” that the Onilab team gives me because it makes me think. Onilab helps us think through decisions with the future in mind… There's much more of a team feeling.”

“I really enjoy the “pushback” that the Onilab team gives me because it make”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Increasing conversion rateConversion rateX6

Andy Rayner

CTO, Eos Leisure Limited,
United Kingdom

“It was a sad day when we didn't need the developer full time any longer as he had become part of the team.”

Project:Eos Leisure Limited - Vaping business

detailed review:

“It was a seamless partnership aided by easy communication and the developer's skillset. The developer was easy to work with, as he required minimal supervision and quickly grasped stakeholders' goals.”

“It was a seamless partnership aided by easy communication and the developer”... Read more

How we improved the store:

Successful migration to Magento 2Successful migration to Magento 2

Dickie P.

CEO, E-commerce Company,
United Kingdom

“I've worked with a lot of agencies and Onilab is the first team that does what they say they can do.”

Project:Homegrown Co.

detailed review:

“I’ve worked with a lot of agencies and Onilab is the first team that does what they say they can do. They delivered when they said they would and what they said they would.”

“I’ve worked with a lot of agencies and Onilab is the first team that does w”... Read more

Gene Stark

Marketing and Communications Manager, SRC Health,
Australia

“Onilab was perfect for what we needed, and I would recommend them to anyone working with a Magento platform.”

Project:SRC Health - Clothing retailer

detailed review:

“Onilab has a great attitude and work ethic. They challenged our ideas and made them better instead of blindly agreeing to our requests. Onilab’s ability to look beyond the brief and ask the right questions made the most significant difference.”

“Onilab has a great attitude and work ethic. They challenged our ideas and m”... Read more

Joe Calvin-Thomas

Director, Promotional Product Retailer,
United Kingdom

“They allowed me to organize the development how I wanted”

Project:Just Keyrings - Promotional Product Retailer

detailed review:

“I’ve overseen the entire project with Onilab and the collaboration was highly successful. They demonstrated professionalism and executed their functions quickly.”

“I’ve overseen the entire project with Onilab and the collaboration was high”... Read more

Related Shopify Case Studies

Take a look at some of our recent works where we revamped Shopify stores with custom code, added new frontend features, or created a Shopify PWA/Shopify Plus PWA.

View allView our portfolio

Magento

React JS

PWA

Denmark

Achievements:

Convertions on mobile:+50%
Add-to-cart rate:+30%
Bounce rate on mobile:-20%

Industry:

Tableware

Bodum is an online store with a wide range of high-quality coffee makers, tableware, and kitchen accessories

Magento

PWA

Finland

Achievements:

Page load time-30%
User sessions with product views+25%
Cart abandonment rate-40%

Industry:

Travel

Timetravels is a tour operator specializing in group travel to Scandinavian and Baltic states

Magento

PWA

Australia

Achievements:

Page load time-40%
Add-to-cart rate+31%
Cart abandonment rate-50%

Industry:

Stationery

Bright Star Kids is an online store of customizable stationery and personalized gifts for children

Magento

PWA

France

Achievements:

Total conversions+30%
Add-to-cart rate+25%
Bounce rate on mobile-25%

Industry:

Electronics

GSM55 is one of the largest suppliers of accessories and spare parts for smartphones in France

Magento

PWA

France

Achievements:

Total conversions+30%
Add-to-cart rate+25%
Bounce rate on mobile-25%

Industry:

IoT

ThingPark Market a marketplace focusing on advanced IoT systems and devices for B2B clients

Magento

PWA

Greece

Industry:

Department store

Overneed is an online store with vehicle spare parts and accessories, tourist equipment, and home goods

Magento

PWA

Ireland

Industry:

Beauty

Bliss is an online store of beauty and healthcare products from well-known and trusted brands

Have project in mind?
Let’s go to work.

Shopify + Headless PWA FAQ

What is Headless Shopify?

It's a type of web architecture where the eCommerce backend and frontend are split and "sewed" by an API. It gives a performance boost to headless Shopify stores and makes more room for designers and developers to create sophisticated and modern interfaces that sell better. Turn to our Shopify headless consulting firm to discuss options for your store.

How does Headless Shopify differ from classic Shopify?

Put simply, standard Shopify themes are pretty much predefined by the platform itself. You can customize a store's frontend to a certain extent, but if you want something completely custom, headless commerce might be the best fit. Moreover, if your Shopify/Shopify Plus store is headless, you can connect frontends for different devices more easily, as the technical environment is better for such tasks. Finally, headless stores load faster than classic ones.

Can I turn my existing Shopify store into a headless CMS?

Sure, it's supported even by the platform itself that introduced the framework called Hydrogen and Oxygen hosting. But you need a Shopify headless solution provider to assist in creating a headless setup, Shopify storefront API, and integrating third-party systems into the new architecture.

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA), and how does it benefit my Shopify store?

Shopify PWA stores are created using the headless approach to give extra capabilities like an app-like UX. To achieve it, Shopify PWA experts go the extra mile and redesign the Shopify checkout, product pages, navigation, filtering, and other storefront parts. A headless PWA for Shopify can sometimes even be equipped with an offline mode to ensure an undisruptive shopping process for customers. Our Shopify PWA development services are at your disposal for Shopify Plus and other pricing plans.

What are the advantages of headless Shopify?

In a nutshell: it helps to develop a flawlessly-performing custom storefront on Shopify and do so faster than if creating it on a legacy monolithic web architecture. And if you opt for a Shopify PWA service, the store will gain even more beneficial features with a progressive web app.

Can I customize the design and functionality of my Shopify store with Headless Commerce?

Absolutely, this approach and developing progressive web apps in Shopify are, at large, aimed at improving the user interface. Onilab’s Shopify headless web design services include meticulous store research, customer journey mapping, and creating hypotheses on which features can address existing usability issues and how. Then our UX/UI designers create the mockups, and after that, the development team implements the changes in the Shopify storefront. Request a quote, and our Shopify headless agency will reach back soon with a time & cost estimation.