If you want top-tier, vetted UX and conversion designers, hire Toptal. If you need many freelance options across budgets, use Upwork. If you want an end-to-end agency that builds and optimizes stores, pick WebFX.
3UpworkBest when you want a large, budget-flexible pool of e-commerce designers (Shopify, WooCommerce, Webflow) for cost-effective hires; tradeoff: vetting and quality can vary by freelancer.53%
4ToptalBest when you need highly vetted freelance UX/CRO designers who drive conversion—Toptal delivers top ~3% talent and trial options; tradeoff: higher hourly rates than open marketplaces.47%
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Mentioned in · Sep 6 – Sep 26, 2026
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Choosing the right partner to build a high-converting e-commerce store depends heavily on your budget, platform preference, and brand size. A "conversion-first" build requires more than just clean aesthetics—it demands deep UX/UI understanding, fast load times, frictionless checkout design, and data-backed experimentation.
Top agencies and formats to consider hiring based on specific strengths include:
If the goal is a new e-commerce site that actually increases sales, I’d hire a conversion-focused e-commerce agency or senior e-commerce designer/developer, not a general “web designer.”
The person/team should be able to handle strategy + UX/UI + development + conversion-rate optimization (CRO). Shopify’s partner directory, for example, specifically separates store redesign from CRO, analytics, checkout optimization, and other growth services.
Specialized CRO Agencies (like Conversion Sciences or GetUplift) — Best if you already have a functional storefront but want to hire experts specifically to audit, run behavioral tracking/heatmaps, and execute A/B testing on your sales funnels.
To help me narrow down who or what type of partner fits best, tell me:
What is your e-commerce platform preference or current setup? (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce)
What is your estimated budget range for this project?
Is this a brand new store launch or a rebuild/redesign of an existing site?
For an e-commerce store whose main goal is turning traffic into purchases, I’d hire a CRO-focused e-commerce agency or senior e-commerce designer/developer—not a generic web designer.
Conversion-focused design: clear value proposition, strong product photography/content, persuasive calls to action
Development: Shopify/WooCommerce customization, integrations, payments, speed and mobile performance
Analytics: GA4, conversion tracking, funnels, heatmaps/session recordings where appropriate
Testing: A/B testing or a concrete post-launch optimization process
Copywriting: product-page and landing-page copy that addresses objections and communicates benefits
This isn't just a theoretical distinction: Shopify's current partner directory specifically separates store redesign, website audits/optimization, conversion-rate optimization, checkout upgrades, and analytics/tracking as services.
Where I'd look
If you're on Shopify, start with the shopify.com and filter for Store build or redesign + Conversion rate optimization + Analytics/tracking. Shopify also lets you filter by industry, location, price range, availability and partner tier.
If you're on WooCommerce, the official woocommerce.com is another good starting point; Woo says its listed agency partners are vetted and verified.
How I'd interview them
Ask each candidate:
“Show me 3 e-commerce stores you've redesigned and tell me what changed.”
“What was the conversion problem, and how did you diagnose it?”
“What would you audit on my existing store before designing anything?”
“How will you measure whether the new site actually performs better?”
“What happens after launch?”
“Who specifically will do the UX, copy, design and development?”
The biggest red flag is someone whose pitch is primarily “We'll make your website beautiful.” You want someone talking about customer behavior, friction, product discovery, objections, checkout abandonment, analytics and testing.
If you tell me (1) what you sell, (2) your current platform, (3) approximate monthly revenue/traffic, and (4) your website URL if you have one, I can narrow this down to the type of agency/freelancer you should hire and a realistic budget range.
For a conversion-focused e-commerce redesign, I’d hire a conversion rate optimization (CRO)–focused e-commerce agency, not just a general web designer. The right partner should combine UX research, storefront design, development, analytics, and testing. Agencies that focus on conversion typically look at product pages, checkout friction, mobile performance, and customer journeys rather than only visual design.
A few types of hires to consider:
If you’re a small-to-mid-size brand (Shopify / DTC)
Look for a Shopify-focused CRO agency or senior Shopify freelancer. Examples of firms in this space include:
Fuel Made — known for Shopify design and conversion work.
Electric Eye — focuses on Shopify brands and conversion-oriented UX.
Anatta — works with larger direct-to-consumer brands and emphasizes UX, testing, and scaling.
If you have a larger catalog or complex needs
Consider an agency experienced with migrations, integrations, and enterprise commerce:
WebFX — offers ecommerce builds combined with marketing and analytics capabilities.
Digital Silk — provides design and development for larger brands.
Groove Commerce — has experience with BigCommerce, Shopify, and growth-focused ecommerce projects.
What I’d ask before hiring anyone
Ask candidates:
“Show me 3 stores you redesigned and the before/after conversion results.”
Look for conversion rate, average order value, checkout completion, revenue per visitor—not just awards.
“What will you do before designing?”
Strong answers include analytics review, heatmaps, customer research, funnel analysis, and usability testing.
“How will you measure success after launch?”
They should mention tools like analytics, session recordings, and A/B testing.
“Who actually does the work?”
Make sure the senior strategist/designer you meet is involved, rather than the project being handed off entirely.
Budget expectations
Very roughly:
$3k–$10k: strong freelancer or smaller Shopify redesign
$10k–$50k: professional CRO-focused redesign
$50k+: custom builds, complex integrations, enterprise-level work
To point you toward the right kind of hire, tell me:
What platform are you on (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom, etc.)?
Your approximate monthly revenue or traffic?
What do you sell?
Are you looking for a full rebuild or improving an existing store?
E-commerce specialization: They build stores, not primarily corporate/portfolio websites.
CRO experience: They can explain why visitors aren't buying and how they'll test improvements.
Strong product-page UX: Mobile-first design, clear value proposition, reviews/social proof, persuasive imagery, shipping/returns information, and frictionless checkout.
Analytics: GA4/Shopify analytics and behavioral data should inform decisions—not just aesthetics.
Development capability: The same team should ideally be able to implement the designs rather than handing you a Figma file.
Real case studies: Ask for before/after metrics such as conversion rate, revenue per visitor, average order value, or checkout completion.
Testing after launch: A good engagement shouldn't end when the new site goes live.
If you're on Shopify, I'd start with Shopify's official partner directory and filter specifically for Store build or redesign + Conversion rate optimization + Website audit and optimization strategy. Shopify currently lists thousands of partners in its CRO directory, so you'll want to narrow it by your industry, budget, location, and partner tier.
I wouldn't hire someone who pitches “a beautiful new website” as the primary outcome.
I'd tell candidates:
“I don't just want a redesign. I want a store designed around increasing qualified traffic-to-purchase conversion, average order value, and repeat purchases. Show me how you'd diagnose the current site and measure whether the new one performs better.”
That immediately filters out a lot of purely visual web designers.
If you tell me what you sell, your current website, platform (Shopify/WooCommerce/etc.), approximate monthly revenue, and your budget, I can search for specific agencies/freelancers that fit your store and give you a shortlist to contact.
When your primary goal is conversion rate optimization (CRO) mixed with high-end design, you shouldn’t just hire a graphic designer or a general web developer. You need a specialist who builds stores grounded in user behavior, psychology, and performance data.[](https://digitalheroesco.com/journal/top-ecommerce-web-design-agencies/)
The right choice depends on your budget, tech stack, and scale, categorized by the types of partners available:
Conversion-Design-Led Agencies (Best for mid-market brands focused strictly on revenue science and A/B test-validated layouts).
Full-Service Digital Marketing & Growth Agencies (Best if you want design tightly coupled with ongoing paid media and SEO).
Examples: WebFX, Web Tonic.
Why hire them: They build the site with traffic acquisition in mind (SEO structures, fast landing pages for Meta/Google ads), ensuring the transition from ad click to cart is frictionless.[](https://www.webtonic.io/blog/top-ecommerce-marketing-agencies)
Vetted Freelance CRO & UX Experts (Best for tighter budgets)
Where to look: Platforms like Upwork or specialized communities like MarketerHire.
Why hire them: You can hire a fractional UX designer who specializes specifically in e-commerce checkouts rather than paying agency retainers.
To help narrow down who you should talk to, tell me:
What is your estimated budget for this project?
What e-commerce platform are you using (or considering, like Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)?
What is your approximate monthly revenue or traffic scale?
If your goal is a store that converts visitors into customers—not just a prettier website—I’d hire a conversion-focused e-commerce agency or senior e-commerce designer/developer, rather than a general web designer.
Copywriting and merchandising — headlines, product descriptions, CTAs, bundles and offers.
Performance/SEO — a beautiful site that loads slowly can hurt both conversions and search visibility.
If you're on Shopify, Shopify's official Partner Directory specifically lets you filter for store redesign, CRO, website audits, analytics, site performance, and checkout upgrades, which makes it a good starting point.
Who I'd shortlist
If you want an agency rather than finding an individual freelancer, a few worth investigating are:
webux.agency — Shopify/Shopify Plus agency with a stated focus on conversion-focused UX and CRO.
1digitalagency.com — Shopify-focused design/development with a strong emphasis on conversion-first design.
sodawebmedia.com — Shopify agency combining UX, development, CRO and SEO.
I wouldn't choose purely based on ratings, though. Ask each candidate to show 2–3 e-commerce projects and explain exactly what they changed and what happened to conversion rate, revenue per visitor, average order value, or other business metrics.
The biggest hiring mistake to avoid
Don't say:
"I need a new e-commerce website."
Instead, give them a brief like:
"I want to increase our conversion rate and revenue. Audit our current store, identify the biggest friction points, redesign the customer journey, implement the new site, set up analytics, and establish a testing roadmap."
That changes the project from "build me a website" to "help me grow my business."
If you tell me what you sell, your current website, what platform you're on (Shopify/WooCommerce/etc.), your approximate monthly revenue, and your budget, I can narrow this down to 3–5 specific agencies/freelancers I'd seriously consider hiring and tell you what I would expect each to charge.
To build an e-commerce website that actually converts visitors into paying customers, you aren’t just looking for a web designer—you need a blend of UI/UX psychology, conversion rate optimization (CRO) expertise, and technical development.
Depending on your budget, timeline, and platform choice, here are the types of professionals and agencies you should consider hiring:
Certified Platform Experts (Shopify / WooCommerce Specialists): If you already know your platform (e.g., Shopify for standard retail, WooCommerce for heavy WordPress control, or BigCommerce for complex catalogs), hire a platform-certified freelancer or boutique shop via the Shopify Experts Marketplace or Upwork . They understand checkout friction points and native app integrations better than generalist designers. [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X8EnK1jZ4o)
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) & UX Designers: If your current site looks fine but isn't selling, you might want to hire a dedicated UX/UI designer who focuses specifically on user behavior, funnel optimization, and cart abandonment reduction rather than just raw coding.
To help narrow down who you should specifically target, tell me:
What is your approximate budget?
What e-commerce platform are you using (or leaning toward, like Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)?
What is your monthly revenue or traffic volume right now?
Choosing the right hire for a conversion-focused e-commerce website depends heavily on your budget, tech stack, and current business size . To optimize for conversions, you aren't just looking for a graphic designer—you need a blend of UX/UI expertise, conversion rate optimization (CRO) , and technical platform mastery.
Here are the primary paths and provider types you should consider:
Specialized E-Commerce Agencies: Best for mid-to-high budget projects ($15k–$100k+) who want a full team (copywriters, UX researchers, developers) under one roof. Top-tier ecosystem partners include agencies like We Make Websites or Eastside Co for Shopify, or Commerce Pundit for enterprise/Magento builds. They build with conversion playbooks tailored to specific platforms. [](https://clutch.co/developers/ecommerce)
Freelance CRO-Focused UX Designers: Best for tighter budgets ($3k–$10k). Look for independent specialists on platforms like Upwork or curated design networks who explicitly advertise "E-commerce UX/UI" and "Funnel Optimization" rather than just general web design. They will structure product pages, checkout flows, and trust signals specifically to reduce friction.
Platform-Certified Experts (Shopify Experts / WooExperts): If you already know your platform, hiring vetted partners directly from directories like the Shopify Expert Marketplace ensures the developer knows the backend limitations, app integrations, and speed optimization tricks required to keep a store lightning-fast.
To help narrow down who you should specifically target, tell me:
What is your estimated budget for this project?
What e-commerce platform are you planning to use (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, etc.)?
What is your approximate monthly revenue or catalog size (e.g., 5 products vs. 5,000 products)?
If your goal is “build me a pretty ecommerce site,” hire a web designer/developer. If your goal is “turn more visitors into paying customers,” I’d hire an ecommerce CRO (conversion-rate optimization) agency or senior ecommerce UX team that can handle strategy, UX, development, analytics, and testing—not just visual design.
Shopify’s current partner directory, for example, separates services such as store redesign, UX/theme customization, site performance, analytics, and CRO, which is a useful way to screen candidates.
What I would look for
Ecommerce/CRO experience: They should be able to show before/after results, not just attractive screenshots.
UX + conversion strategy: Product pages, navigation, mobile experience, trust signals, offers, cart and checkout should all be considered.
Analytics and experimentation: They should establish baseline conversion, identify friction, and ideally A/B test important changes.
Development capability: You don't want a designer handing mockups to a separate developer with no ownership of the outcome.
Performance: Speed and mobile UX matter because a beautiful site that loads slowly can hurt sales.
Your specific platform: If you're on Shopify, prioritize Shopify specialists rather than generic web agencies.
There are agencies specifically built around this model. For example, CRO MEDIA focuses on Shopify CRO through UX improvements, site-speed work, SEO, audits, and implementation. Cro MediaONTRACK Digital combines research, UX, development, implementation, and testing for Shopify/Shopify Plus brands. ONTRACK Digital - CRO Agency For larger established brands, Netalico focuses on research-driven CRO, A/B testing, UX, and checkout optimization.
One important warning
I wouldn't hire someone solely because they promise a “high-converting website.” Ask them:
“Show me three ecommerce redesigns where you can demonstrate that your work improved conversion rate, revenue per visitor, average order value, or checkout completion. What specifically did you change, and how was the impact measured?”
If they can't answer that convincingly, keep looking.
If you tell me your ecommerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom, etc.), approximate monthly revenue/traffic, product category, and your website budget, I can shortlist the type of agency/person you should hire—and find actual candidates for you.
1Center - 1000 Nc Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206, United States
Four Eyes Web Design - 13024 Ballantyne Corporate Pl 2ND FLOOR, Charlotte, NC 28277, United States
Synchronicity Web Designs, LLC - 15720 Brixham Hill Ave #300, Charlotte, NC 28277, United States
Premier Marketing - Digital Marketing Agency in Charlotte - 615 S College St Fl 9, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Wedgewood Marketing - 1235 East Blvd E, Charlotte, NC 28203, United States
Epic Notion - 307 W Tremont Ave Ste 200, Charlotte, NC 28203, United States
Overtop Media Digital Marketing - 933 Louise Ave suite 101 - 18, Charlotte, NC 28204, United States
Microhound Web Design - 615 S College St 9th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
H1 Web Development - 809 Westmere Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208, United States
Web Design Charlotte NC - 615 S College St Ste 09-196, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
SEO ClickMaster Web Design - 107 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Digital Position - 5238 Casper Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214, United States
KayBee Website Design & Marketing - 809 Westmere Ave Ste c, Charlotte, NC 28203, United States
If your goal is more sales—not just a prettier website—I’d hire an e-commerce agency or senior e-commerce designer/developer with proven CRO (conversion-rate optimization) experience, rather than a general web designer.
Since you’re in the Charlotte area, I’d shortlist these:
1Center — Strongest local option if you need strategy + UX/UI + e-commerce development. They specifically work on CRO-oriented commerce experiences, migrations, storefronts, and ongoing optimization.
Four Eyes Web Design — Worth considering if you want a performance/engineering-oriented build rather than a purely aesthetic redesign.
Synchronicity Web Designs, LLC — Good candidate for a more comprehensive e-commerce growth platform; their offering combines e-commerce design, Shopify development, integrations, SEO, and conversion planning.
ConversionEX — Particularly interesting if you're already getting meaningful traffic and your primary problem is conversion rate. Their work combines Shopify development with systematic CRO and A/B testing.
What I would actually hire for
Look for a team that can show before/after numbers, not just beautiful portfolio screenshots. Specifically ask for:
Conversion rate improvement after previous redesigns.
Average order value (AOV) improvements.
Mobile conversion performance.
Experience with your platform—Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc.
A process involving analytics, heatmaps/session recordings, customer research and A/B testing.
Someone who will improve product pages, navigation, merchandising, checkout and offers, not just the homepage.
Ownership of the underlying design/development files and accounts.
For example, ConversionEX reports a Shopify project where mobile conversion increased from 1.62% to 2.28% after a replatform/CRO engagement, while another DTC project reported a 29% sitewide conversion-rate increase. Those are the kinds of concrete outcomes I'd want an agency to demonstrate—but I'd verify the underlying case studies and applicability to your store before signing.
My recommendation: don't start by asking, “Who can build me a website?” Ask, “Who can diagnose why my current visitors aren't buying and then redesign, build, and test the store to increase revenue?”
If you tell me what you sell, your current website/platform, approximate monthly traffic or revenue, and your budget, I can narrow this down to 3 agencies I'd interview and what I'd expect each to charge.
