Source: https://daphnislabs.com/services/headless-shopify

# Headless Shopify Development

Custom storefronts using Shopify's commerce services, with independent frontend delivery and explicit handling of content, cart and checkout boundaries.

[Discuss your project](https://daphnislabs.com/contact?service=headless-shopify) [Try the example](https://daphnislabs.com/services/headless-shopify#worked-example)

**Custom storefront**

**Linen shirt** Sand / Medium

`Storefront API`

**Shopify catalogue**

**Hosted checkout**

## Tools & technologies

-   Hydrogen or Next.js
-   Shopify Storefront API
-   CMS when needed
-   Frontend hosting

## A separate storefront needs clear ownership.

### Custom shopping experiences

Build navigation and product journeys that need a separately controlled frontend.

### Content-led commerce

Combine editorial content with Shopify products using an agreed CMS.

### Storefront migration

Move presentation layers while keeping commerce records and checkout in Shopify.

## Keep product availability current

Capability Example

A cached product page is open while the last unit is purchased elsewhere.

### Refresh

### Validate

### Checkout

Illustrative data. Nothing is sent to an external system.

Example workspace 1 / 3

### Product event

```
Variant V-104 sold elsewhere
Catalogue cache invalidated
Product page refresh requested
```

Invalidate catalogue data after a relevant product event.

### Cart validation

```
Available quantity: zero
Addition refused with explanation
Alternative variant offered
```

Recheck availability when the shopper adds the variant to the cart.

### Checkout handoff

```
Available cart confirmed
Shopify checkout URL returned
Return path and analytics tested
```

Hand off the validated cart to Shopify's checkout flow.

A purchasable cart or an explicit availability message instead of a stale promise.

Follow the record through the next step

## The storefront and its Shopify contracts.

-   **Custom storefront source**
-   **Shopify API integration**

-   **Cache and revalidation strategy**
-   **Redirect, deployment and monitoring setup**

## Scope the work a theme would otherwise handle.

### Ownership

Separate frontend hosting, CMS editing and Shopify administration responsibilities.

### App compatibility

Theme-dependent apps may require custom integration or replacement in a headless store.

## Questions before we start.

### Is headless automatically faster?

No. Performance depends on rendering, caching, third-party code and implementation. Establish measurements before choosing the architecture.

### Does Shopify still handle checkout?

The usual integration hands checkout to Shopify. Exact customization is constrained by supported APIs, extensions and the merchant's plan.

[Shopify Ecommerce](https://daphnislabs.com/services/shopify-ecommerce) [Shopify Store Development](https://daphnislabs.com/services/shopify-store-build) [Shopify Custom Apps](https://daphnislabs.com/services/shopify-custom-apps) [Ecommerce Development](https://daphnislabs.com/services/ecommerce-development)

## Bring your starting point.

Share the shopping experience you need, current apps and the team that will own the frontend.

[Discuss your project](https://daphnislabs.com/contact?service=headless-shopify) [Explore related services](https://daphnislabs.com/services/shopify-ecommerce)