Backend & API Development for Shopify
Build the infrastructure your business needs. Custom backends, APIs, and server-side logic.
Shopify handles the storefront, but sometimes you need custom backend systems for complex business logic, data processing, integrations, or specialized workflows. We build robust backend systems that scale with your business.
✓ Trusted by brands with complex technical requirements
Do You Need Custom Backend Development?
Complex Data Processing
Real-time analytics, complex calculations, data transformations, batch processing that Shopify's frontend can't handle efficiently.
Custom Business Logic
Pricing algorithms, inventory allocation rules, fulfillment routing logic too complex for apps or Shopify's native capabilities.
High-Performance Requirements
Operations that need to handle thousands of requests per second, real-time data sync, or heavy computational workloads.
Advanced Integrations
Connect multiple systems (ERP, WMS, CRM, custom databases) with complex data transformation and business rules.
API Development
Build APIs for mobile apps, partner integrations, or to expose your business data securely to third parties.
Webhook Processing
Complex webhook handling, queuing, retry logic, and processing that goes beyond simple integrations.
Backend Development Services
Custom API Development
Build APIs for Your Ecosystem
- REST APIs: Standard HTTP APIs for web and mobile apps
- GraphQL APIs: Flexible query language for efficient data fetching
- Webhook Handlers: Process Shopify webhooks reliably
- Partner APIs: Expose data securely to partners or franchises
- Mobile App APIs: Backend for iOS/Android apps
- Internal APIs: Connect internal systems and tools
Example: Built a GraphQL API for a fashion brand's mobile app, providing personalized product recommendations, real-time inventory, and order management. Handles 50K+ requests daily with <100ms response time.
Data Processing & Analytics
Complex Data Operations
- Real-Time Analytics: Process orders, customer behavior, inventory in real-time
- Data Pipelines: ETL processes for moving data between systems
- Batch Processing: Nightly jobs for reports, reconciliation, cleanup
- Data Aggregation: Combine data from multiple sources
- Profit Analysis: Calculate true profit including COGS, shipping, returns
- Customer Segmentation: Advanced RFM analysis, predictive models
Example: Built a profit analytics system processing 10K+ daily orders across 5 brands, calculating real-time profit by product, channel, and customer segment. Revealed $180K annual profit leakage.
Integration Middleware
Connect Systems Reliably
- Multi-System Integration: Connect 3+ systems with complex rules
- Data Transformation: Clean, normalize, enrich data between systems
- Message Queuing: Reliable async processing with retry logic
- Error Handling: Sophisticated error detection and resolution
- Monitoring: Real-time alerts and performance tracking
- Sync Orchestration: Coordinate data flow across systems
Example: Built middleware connecting Shopify, ERP, WMS, and CRM for a distributor. Handles 500+ orders daily with complex routing rules, customer-specific pricing, and multi-warehouse allocation.
Custom Business Logic Engines
Unique Algorithms and Rules
- Pricing Engines: Dynamic pricing, customer-specific pricing, complex discounts
- Inventory Allocation: Multi-warehouse, priority rules, safety stock
- Order Routing: Route orders based on location, product, customer, inventory
- Recommendation Engines: Custom product recommendation logic
- Fraud Detection: Custom rules beyond Shopify's basic fraud analysis
- Subscription Logic: Complex subscription rules and billing
Example: Built a dynamic pricing engine for a B2B distributor with contract-specific pricing, volume tiers, promotional rules, and customer-specific discounts. Handles 200+ customers with unique pricing matrices.
Serverless Functions
Event-Driven Processing
- Shopify Functions: Custom discount logic, shipping rates, payment methods
- Lambda Functions: AWS Lambda for scalable processing
- Background Jobs: Async processing without blocking main flow
- Scheduled Tasks: Cron jobs for recurring operations
- Event Handlers: React to specific triggers across your systems
Example: Built serverless functions for a subscription business handling complex renewal logic, dunning management, and automated customer communications. Processes 5K+ subscriptions daily.
Enterprise Backend
$60,000-150,000+
Timeline: 14-20 weeks
Complete backend infrastructure with multiple services, advanced features, high scalability requirements.
Ongoing Maintenance
$1,500-5,000/month
Monitoring, updates, bug fixes, minor feature additions, scaling adjustments.
Technologies We Use
Backend Languages
- Node.js (Express, Fastify, Next.js API)
- Python (Django, Flask, FastAPI)
- Ruby (Rails, Sinatra)
- Go (for high-performance needs)
Databases
- PostgreSQL (relational data)
- MongoDB (document storage)
- Redis (caching, queues)
- DynamoDB (serverless)
Cloud Infrastructure
- AWS (Lambda, EC2, RDS, S3)
- Vercel (Next.js serverless)
- Railway (simplified deployment)
- Google Cloud Platform
APIs & Integration
- REST API design
- GraphQL servers
- Webhook processing
- Message queues (Bull, SQS)
How We Build Your Backend
Phase 1: Discovery & Architecture
(1-2 weeks)- Understand business requirements
- Map data flows and dependencies
- Identify performance requirements
- Design system architecture
- Plan for scalability
- Assess security requirements
Deliverable: Technical architecture document
Phase 2: Development
(4-10 weeks)- Set up development environment
- Build core backend infrastructure
- Implement business logic
- Integrate with Shopify and third parties
- Build monitoring and logging
- Comprehensive testing
Deliverable: Functional backend system
Phase 3: Testing & Deployment
(2-3 weeks)- Load testing
- Security audit
- Integration testing
- Deployment to production
- Monitoring setup
- Documentation
Deliverable: Live backend system
Phase 4: Support & Optimization
(Ongoing)- Monitor performance
- Bug fixes
- Feature additions
- Scaling adjustments
- Security updates
Deliverable: Maintained, optimized system
Real Results: Multi-Brand Backend System
A company operating 4 D2C brands needed unified backend infrastructure for inventory, order processing, and analytics.
The Challenge
- Each brand on separate Shopify stores
- No unified inventory visibility
- Manual order aggregation for fulfillment
- No cross-brand analytics
- Customer data siloed by brand
The Solution
Built a custom backend system:
- Unified API aggregating all 4 stores
- Real-time inventory sync across brands
- Intelligent order routing to 2 fulfillment centers
- Cross-brand customer identification
- Unified analytics dashboard
ROI: $65K investment → $45K annual savings + enabled growth
The unified backend became the foundation for launching 2 additional brands, creating economies of scale impossible without custom infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not use Shopify's built-in features?
Shopify is excellent for standard e-commerce but has limitations for complex custom logic, high-performance processing, or advanced integrations. Custom backends handle what Shopify can't.
How long does backend development take?
Simple APIs: 6-10 weeks. Complex systems: 10-20 weeks. Timeline depends on scope, integrations, and complexity of business logic.
Where is the backend hosted?
We typically use AWS, Vercel, or Railway. We recommend based on your needs (performance, cost, scalability) and can work with your preferred platform.
How much does hosting cost?
Typically $200-1,000/month depending on traffic, data processing, and storage needs. We provide detailed estimates during planning phase.
Can you scale the backend as we grow?
Yes. We architect for scalability from day one and can adjust infrastructure as your traffic and processing needs increase.
What if APIs change?
We monitor API changes from Shopify and third parties, and update integrations as needed. This is included in maintenance retainers.
Do we own the code?
Yes, completely. You receive all source code, deployment instructions, and documentation. You can host it anywhere and modify it as needed.
Can our team maintain it?
If you have technical resources, yes. We provide comprehensive documentation. Most clients opt for maintenance retainers for peace of mind.
Ready to Build Your Backend?
Let's discuss your technical requirements and design the right backend solution.
✓ 60-minute technical consultation • ✓ Architecture review • ✓ Cost estimates