The Process
A Clear, Efficient Process for Custom Shopify Development
No hidden steps, no scope creep, no surprises. Just a methodical approach to building your custom Shopify theme in 3-5 weeks.
The biggest frustration with development projects? Unclear timelines, expanding scopes, and poor communication. My process eliminates these issues with a clear roadmap that keeps you informed every step of the way. We follow a proven workflow that balances efficiency with quality to deliver your custom Shopify theme on time and on budget - with no surprises.
Overview
Process At a Glance
Three key phases to deliver exceptional results
Discovery & Planning
We start with a discovery call and detailed questionnaire to understand your brand, goals, and requirements.
Design Creation
Custom Figma designs are created for your feedback, with two revision rounds included.
Development Sprints
Code is built in structured phases with weekly updates and demos at each milestone.
The Details
The 6-Step Development Process
A methodical approach from concept to launch
1. Discovery Call
A 30-minute call to align on your brand, customers, goals, timeline, and budget. Includes a walkthrough of Heltra's productized service and process.
2. Pre-Sprint Homework
You'll fill out a short brief covering brand info, design inspiration, product details, target customers, visual direction, and main business goals.
3. Design Created
Figma designs will include homepage, collection, product, cart, about, contact pages with typography, colors, spacing, and buttons customized for your brand.
4. Development Phases
Code is built from a custom boilerplate in 4 locked phases: (1) Homepage/Header/Footer, (2) Collection/Product/Cart, (3) Remaining pages, (4) Final pass.
5. Feedback & QA
Trello is used for async feedback with screenshots and video walkthroughs. Final QA includes manual testing and performance audit.
6. Handoff & Warranty
GitHub repo handover, video walkthrough, and 30-day warranty (90 days for Prime plan) complete the process.
Stay Informed
Clear Communication Throughout
No black boxes or weekly surprise meetings
Async Updates
Regular progress updates via Slack, with Loom video walkthroughs at each milestone to show the latest developments without interrupting your schedule.
- Weekly written progress summaries
- Milestone video walkthroughs
- Transparent Trello board access
Direct Developer Access
Work directly with me throughout the process - no account managers, no junior developers, no communication barriers between you and the person building your store.
- Direct messaging via Slack
- One call per phase as needed
- Technical questions answered directly
Timeframe
Typical Project Timeline
From kickoff to launch in 3-5 weeks
Discovery & Design
- Initial consultation call
- Brand brief & discovery
- Figma design mockups
- First feedback round
Core Development
- Finalize designs
- Homepage & navigation
- Product template coding
- Collection page templates
Secondary Pages
- About & contact pages
- Implement client feedback
- Optimize checkout flow
- Finalize core functionality
QA & Launch
- Device/browser testing
- Performance optimization
- Final QA review
- Handoff & documentation
After Launch
Post-Launch Support & Warranty
Ensuring your success beyond the initial development
Launch Package
- Bug fixes & critical issues
- Basic theme tweaks
- 48-hour response time
Boost Package
- All Launch support features
- Minor feature additions
- 24-hour response time
Prime Package
- All Boost support features
- Up to 5 hours/week of changes
- Priority 12-hour response
Common Questions
Process FAQs
How much involvement do I need during the development process?
The process is designed to be low-touch for you. After the initial discovery and brief, your main involvement will be at the design feedback stage and during milestone reviews. Most clients spend about 1-2 hours per week during active development phases.
What if I need changes after seeing the developed theme?
Minor changes and tweaks are included in the development process. For significant design changes after approval, we may need to adjust the timeline or scope. This is why we start with a thorough discovery and design phase - to minimize major changes later.
How do you handle development delays?
Transparency is key. If any delays occur (rare, but possible), you'll be notified immediately with a clear explanation and adjusted timeline. The phased approach helps contain any delays to specific components without affecting the overall launch date.
Can I add features during development?
Small additions can often be accommodated within the timeline. Larger feature requests may require extending the timeline or can be scheduled as Phase 2 development after the initial launch.
What happens after the warranty period ends?
After the warranty period, I offer flexible maintenance plans or on-demand development for ongoing support and new features. Many clients choose to continue with a small monthly retainer to ensure quick response for any needs that arise.
Do you handle the actual Shopify store setup too?
Yes, my service can include comprehensive store setup including products, collections, payment gateways, shipping, and taxes. This is typically included in the Boost and Prime packages, but can be added to the Launch package as well.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Book a discovery call to discuss your requirements and see if we're a good fit.
