The difference between knowing a platform and knowing ecommerce
Most agencies learn ecommerce by working with merchants. We learned it by building the infrastructure merchants run on — from the ground up, across two decades.
That background means when we look at your store's configuration, integrations, or operations, we know exactly why certain platform decisions get made, where the real constraints are, and what changes will actually move the needle versus what looks good on paper.
Commerce Consulting is hands-on, in-house work — no outsourcing, no generic playbooks. Every engagement starts with how your business operates, not with what the platform makes easiest.
- Platform-certified on Shopify, BigCommerce, Shift4Shop & Squarespace
- Project work and monthly retainer options — flexible to your needs
- No outsourcing — direct access to an experienced consultant
- Clear deliverables — you always know what we're working on
What commerce consulting covers
Every engagement is scoped around your specific situation — but these are the areas where we most often find the biggest operational improvements.
Store Setup & Configuration
Getting a store configured correctly — product structure, tax settings, variants, inventory policies, checkout flow — involves dozens of decisions that aren't obvious. We help you set things up right from the start or untangle configurations that have drifted over time.
Platform Migrations
Moving from one platform to another — or from a custom solution to a modern ecommerce platform — is one of the highest-risk decisions a merchant makes. We plan and guide migrations so your catalog, customer data, order history, and SEO equity arrive intact.
Third-Party Integrations & APIs
Connecting your store to an ERP, CRM, email platform, fulfillment system, or accounting tool without breaking your order flow requires platform-specific knowledge. We evaluate which integrations are worth the complexity and guide implementation so things connect cleanly.
Automation & Workflow Design
Fulfillment workflows, refund and return automation, order routing, inventory sync, and customer notification flows all have significant room for improvement on most stores. We design and implement automations that reduce manual work and eliminate error-prone handoffs.
Catalog & Data Management
A disorganized product catalog creates problems everywhere — in search, in navigation, in analytics, and in operations. We review and restructure catalog architecture, product attributes, variant logic, and category hierarchies so your data works for your business.
Ongoing Platform Maintenance
Platforms update, apps break, configurations drift, and new features create new options worth evaluating. A monthly retainer gives you reliable access to someone who monitors these changes and handles the technical work so you don't have to.
How each engagement works
Whether you come with a specific project or ongoing needs, every engagement follows the same principle: we start by understanding how your business actually operates before recommending anything.
Discovery Call
A free 30-minute call to understand your platform, current setup, what's working, what isn't, and what you're trying to accomplish. No pitch — just a conversation to figure out whether consulting is the right fit and what that would look like.
Store & Operations Review
We access your store and conduct a structured review of your configuration, integrations, workflows, and data — looking for the issues that are slowing you down or creating operational risk. This is done before we recommend any approach or scope of work.
Scoped Plan or Retainer
For defined projects — a migration, an integration buildout, a configuration overhaul — we scope the work and quote a project price. For ongoing needs, a monthly retainer gives you scheduled calls, working hours, and direct access without having to project-manage individual tasks.
Real Work, Clear Deliverables
We do the work — configuration changes, integration setup, automation buildout, data cleanup — with transparent progress updates and no surprise scope creep. Every project has clear deliverables agreed upfront. Retainer hours are tracked and reported monthly.
Project vs. retainer
Need a defined project? We'll quote it directly.
Migrations, integration buildouts, and one-time configuration work are scoped and priced per project. Contact us with the details and we'll give you a clear quote — no retainer required for project work.
Ongoing access for ongoing needs
A monthly retainer gives you a scheduled call, a defined block of working hours, and direct access to a platform expert — without having to scope and quote every individual task.
*Monthly plans require a 30-day cancellation notice. Unused working hours do not roll over.
This service works best for merchants who...
- →Run an established store on Shopify, BigCommerce, Shift4Shop, or Squarespace
- →Migrating to a new platform and want to avoid the costly mistakes
- →Have technical issues that support tickets haven't resolved
- →Want to integrate with an ERP, CRM, or fulfillment system
- →Need a reliable expert available without scoping every small task
- —You need a developer to build custom apps or themes from scratch
- —You haven't launched and don't have a clear idea of what you need
- —You need someone to manage your store operations day-to-day
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms do you work with?
We're certified on Shopify, BigCommerce, Shift4Shop, and Squarespace — with deep experience across all four, including the platform-specific constraints, integration ecosystems, and operational problems that come with each. The approach is consistent; the strategy adapts to your platform.
How is this different from hiring a developer?
Consulting covers configuration, operations, strategy, integrations, and the decisions that shape how your store works. If you need custom code written or a new app built, that's developer work. In many cases, a consulting engagement clarifies exactly what development work is actually needed — and prevents expensive rebuilds based on the wrong approach.
Do you handle project work as well as monthly retainers?
Yes. Defined projects — migrations, integration buildouts, configuration overhauls — are scoped and priced per project. Monthly retainers work better for ongoing operational needs where the tasks change month to month. You can start with a project and move to a retainer, or use project work without ever needing a retainer.
What happens in the first month?
Growth and Partner plan clients get a store operations review in their first month — a structured review of your configuration, integrations, and workflows to identify what's creating the most friction. This gives us the context needed to make every subsequent month more effective.
Can I cancel the monthly retainer?
Yes. Monthly plans require a 30-day cancellation notice. We want the relationship to be based on the value we're delivering, not long-term contracts.
How does commerce consulting work alongside SEO or CRO?
Platform operations, search visibility, and conversion rate are three independent levers — but they compound each other. A well-configured store with clean integrations gives SEO work a stronger foundation and makes conversion improvements more durable. Many clients use commerce consulting alongside one or more of our other services.