Shopify Experts in the U.S.: Freelancers vs Agencies vs Studios

Trying to hire a Shopify expert in the U.S.? Compare freelancers, agencies, and studios to see which is right for your eCommerce brand in 2025.

If you’re building or redesigning a Shopify store in the U.S., you’ve probably Googled something like “Shopify expert near me” and ended up more confused than when you started. There’s no shortage of people claiming to be “experts.” But how do you choose between a freelancer, an agency, or a specialized Shopify studio? Let’s break it down based on what actually matters — your store’s success.

Option 1: Hiring a Freelancer

Who this works for:

  1. 1. Startups on a tight budget
  2. 2. Stores with limited SKUs and simple setup needs
  3. 3. Brands who already have a designer or copywriter and just need a developer

Pros:

  1. 1. Usually more affordable upfront
  2. 2. You work directly with one person
  3. 3. Flexible timelines and terms

Cons:

  1. 1. You’re depending on one person for everything — design, development, and sometimes even content
  2. 2. Limited scalability
  3. 3. Harder to manage revisions, timelines, and quality control
  4. 4. If they ghost you mid-project, it’s tough to recover

 ✅ Typical cost range in the U.S: $25 to $100 per hour $1,000 to $5,000 for small-to-mid-size projects

Option 2: Hiring a Full-Service Agency

Who this works for:

  1. 1. Larger brands with complex needs
  2. 2. eCommerce businesses that need UX, SEO, and marketing strategy in one place
  3. 3. Enterprises looking for a polished Shopify Plus experience

Pros:

  1. 1. Structured team with dedicated designers, developers, and PMs
  2. 2. Access to broader services like email automation, CRO, and branding
  3. 3. Higher likelihood of professional process and documentation

Cons:

  1. 1. More expensive
  2. 2. Multiple layers of communication — often slower
  3. 3. Less flexibility during or after the build
  4. 4. Some agencies will push their process onto your brand rather than tailoring to it

 ✅ Typical cost range in the U.S: $10,000 to $50,000+ depending on the scope

Option 3: Hiring a Specialized Shopify Studio (Like That Nerd Studio)

Who this works for:

  1. 1. U.S. eCommerce brands who want a fully custom store without enterprise-level pricing
  2. 2. Brands looking for a collaborative approach — not just another templated setup
  3. 3. Businesses that need both beautiful design and conversion-focused performance

Pros:

  1. 1. Deep Shopify 2.0 expertise
  2. 2. Lean teams that communicate like freelancers but deliver like agencies
  3. 3. More hands-on support and customization
  4. 4. Built-in flexibility to grow with your store’s needs

Cons:

  1. 1. Not as cheap as individual freelancers

 ✅ Typical cost range:
Hiring specialized Shopify development agencies like That Nerd Studio offer packages that start from as low as $999, depending on store complexity, design needs, and app integrations

Pricing Comparison Table

Option Best For Cost Range Support Level
Freelancer Simple builds, tight budgets $1,000 – $5,000 Basic to Moderate
Agency Complex, multi-service builds $10,000 – $50,000+ Full-Service
Studio Custom stores with flexibility Starting from $999 High-Touch + Agile

When to Pick Which

If you just need a theme installed  and basic tweaks, a freelancer is fine. If you’re launching a national brand and need SEO, branding, design, and Shopify Plus integrations, go agency. If you want a high-performing custom Shopify store without getting lost in big-agency bureaucracy, a studio is usually your best bet.

Why U.S. Brands Choose That Nerd Studio

We fall into the “studio” category — a small, senior team with design and development expertise. We’ve worked with U.S.-based brands in fashion, wellness, food, and B2B, helping them design Shopify stores that load fast, look great, and sell.

Here’s what we do better:

  1. 1. Full design in Figma — custom, responsive, clean
  2. 2. Shopify 2.0 theme builds with modular sections
  3. 3. App integration, speed optimization, and post-launch support
  4. 4. Transparent pricing and collaborative process
  5. 5. Strategy calls to understand your product, audience, and goals

We don’t sell you what you don’t need. And we don’t hand off your store to junior devs. Every project is treated like it matters — because it does.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of Shopify experts out there. The real question is: Who’s right for your store? Freelancers are great for small jobs. Agencies are built for big ones. But if you want a custom Shopify experience with the agility of a freelancer and the depth of an agency, a studio like That Nerd Studio is worth considering. Need a Shopify store built by experienced experts and designed to maximize sales? You can have yours for just $999. Visit here.