Shopify Developer
& Ecommerce Consultant

The Rik Barwick Studio works with founders and growing brands to improve, refine and get more from Shopify. Through hands-on theme development, commercial reviews and long-term strategic support. With nearly 25 years across ecommerce, UX and Shopify development, I help businesses make sharper decisions and get real, measurable results from the platform.


I’m a freelance Shopify developer and ecommerce consultant, based in Suffolk, working with UK brands at every stage – from a first Shopify store built the right way, through to established stores that need sharper thinking to grow further.

Where I add the most value is with brands past the “just get a website” stage: stores that already exist and need real commercial and UX judgement applied to structure, product discovery, conversion and customer flow. That’s the work behind my Shopify Commercial Reviews, hands-on development and refinement, and ongoing strategic support.

If you’re launching for the first time, I can help you start on solid foundations rather than something you’ll need to rebuild in a year — just get in touch and we’ll figure out the right starting point for where your business actually is.

Shopify website redesign for Cole & Mason UK
Shopify Website for Cole & Mason UK
Open for commissions

Need help with your shopify store?

Please contact me for a chat

Providing Freelance Shopify Development
& Support services to many successful Online stores

Buzz Power - Shopify Theme Development
Phix Clothing - Shopify Plus Support
The Artisan Smokehouse - Shopify SEO
Pillars Brewery - Shopify Theme Development
Zyliss - - International Shopify E-commerce
Gorilla Gazebos - Shopify Theme Development
Hall Street - Shopify Theme Development
Cole & Mason - International Shopify E-commerce
The Lemonade Group - Shopify Theme Development
Kraft Space - Shopify Marketplace Support
Ken Hom Woks - Shopify Support
Stellar & Co - Interior Design Shopify Store

Rik was easy to work with and took the time to get to know us and our clients, the result is a new website which has helped define our brand and offer our digital frontage the presence it deserves. It is easy to use and something we are very proud off, I hope Rik is too.

IAN BEDDIS | BUSINESS OWNER, HALL STREET

What I actually do

As a recognised Shopify Partner, I stay closely connected to the platform and its evolving ecosystem, helping clients make better use of Shopify through thoughtful development, commercial insight and long-term support.

Below are some of the core Shopify services I provide.

Shopify Commercial Reviews

Shopify Commercial reviews

A founder-level audit of your store. UX, product discovery, merchandising, and the commercial decisions behind how customers actually move through your site. You get a clear, prioritised set of recommendations, not a generic checklist.

Learn more about Commercial Reviews

Shopify Development and Theme Design

Shopify Development & Refinement

Custom theme development, structural changes, and UX-led improvements to stores that already exist and need to perform better — not just look different.

Shopify Maintenance and Support

Ongoing Shopify Maintenance & Support

Keeping a store running smoothly, day to day, so growth doesn’t get slowed down by small technical debt.

Support & Maintenance

Shopify Migration for Celebrity Homeware

Shopify Migration

Moving a store to Shopify from another platform, without losing SEO equity, customer data or brand identity in the process.

Migrate to Shopify

Shopify Conversion Rate Analysis & Optimisation

Shopify Conversion Rate Analysis & Optimization

Data-led changes to product pages, checkout and store structure aimed at converting more of the traffic you’re already getting.

CRO

Shopify SEO Support

Shopify SEO Support

Technical and structural SEO work to help a store get found by the customers actually looking for what it sells.

SEO Support

Shopify Wholesale & B2B Reviews

Shopify Wholesale & B2B Reviews

Helping brands assess whether Shopify’s wholesale/B2B tools fit their operation, before committing development budget to it.

Wholesale / B2B


Other Services Include

Shopify Plus Integrations

Localisation for new international markets

Custom Shopify Integrations

Performance Optimisation

Information Architecture Optimisation

Shopify Store Redesign

Payment Gateway Integration

Customer Retention Strategy

Marketplace Setup

Subscriptions

Social Network Integration

Google Merchant Setup

Print On Demand

GET IN TOUCH

How can I help you?

    Why a studio, not an agency

    A lot of Shopify agencies mean good work gets filtered through account managers, freelancers and junior developers before it reaches you. A lot of freelancers mean one person, no backup, and no wider bench when a project needs more than development.

    The Rik Barwick Studio sits deliberately between the two. Every project is led and delivered by me directly — no handoffs, no juniors, no account manager relaying messages. Chloe, my studio manager, keeps projects moving and organised. And when a project needs more than Shopify development; PPC, video, print, copywriting, etc. I bring in specialists I already know and trust, rather than a generalist team stretched across disciplines they’re not experienced in.

    You get direct access to the person actually doing the work, backed by the right support when it’s genuinely needed.

    Why a studio, not an agency

    Why Work with me

    Most Shopify stores aren’t held back by one major problem. More often, it’s a combination of smaller weaknesses across structure, usability, messaging and customer flow.

    My role is to find those gaps and help shape a store that’s clearer, easier to use, and commercially stronger over time.

    Projects typically start with research and strategic discussion before moving into UX structure, design and development. Once live, I keep refining using real customer behaviour and performance data.

    I’ve worked with businesses from independent brands through to established international companies — helping build Shopify stores that balance design, usability and commercial performance, without unnecessary complexity.

    Client Reviews

    My goal as your Shopify developer is to deliver results with every project we do together. Here are some kind words from some recent clients.

    • Helen Coleman
      Google

      Rik migrated over my Wordpress site and he was excellent in doing so. 100% would recommend him to anyone wanting any work done on their website. He has excellent communication skills and is very prompt on getting back to you with updates. Great dev, thanks Rik 👍

    • We asked Rik to help us to optimise and improve the product pages for Buzz Power Energy. Rik comes with a great deal of technical skill (including a clear understanding of customer journey and SEO), and was able to advise on changes, as well as quickly grasp our requirements. Rik is now our go-to for UI and UX work, and we are grateful we found someone as skilled and agile as him!

    • We asked Rik to help us with some general advice, support and bespoke coding for a new Shopify website we were working on. He has been extremely helpful and delivered on everything we have asked. We would have no hesitation in recommending Rik to anybody needing website support. Now the website has launched we plan to continue working with Rik on an ongoing basis for SEO support – thanks for all your help Rik, you’ve been great!

    • Rik has been fantastic to work with. Always positive, encouraging and very patient. I came to Rik wanting to move my website and all products & content from Wix to Shopify. Rik was able to seamlessly migrate my whole website over as well as add aspects that will bring more traffic and trust to my business, with a renewed, professional appearance and all the SEO bells and whistles too! I couldn’t have asked for more and the whole experience was stress free and exciting! Thanks so much Rik!

    Official Shopify Partner badge

    Official Shopify Partner

    As a Shopify Partner, I adhere to Shopify’s high standards for quality and service, which further enhances the trustworthiness and reliability of my solutions. So whether you’re looking for a custom Shopify theme, conversion rate optimisation, ongoing maintenance and support, SEO support, or help migrating your existing website to the Shopify platform, I have the expertise and experience to help you succeed.

    Finger Pointing

    Commercial thinking

    A collection of articles exploring Shopify UX, ecommerce structure, conversion thinking and the commercial decisions behind effective online stores.

    Why a consultant, not just a developer

    Plenty of businesses can now get a Shopify store built without hiring anyone. What’s harder to get right without experience is the thinking behind it — how the store is structured, how customers actually make decisions, and what’s quietly costing you sales without you noticing.

    That’s where a Shopify Commercial Review earns its cost back fastest: it’s not development work, it’s a second, expert pair of eyes on a store you’ve already invested in.

    Satisfied Clients and Results-Driven Service

    Don’t just take my word for it – have a look at the Shopify projects I have completed for satisfied clients and what they have to say about hiring me as a Freelance Shopify Designer & Developer.

    Freelance Shopify Theme Development

    Need help with your Shopify theme development

    GET IN TOUCH

    How can I help you?

    Get in touch with me today to take the first step in growing your online business with custom Shopify solutions that deliver results.

      Shopify Design & Development FAQs

      What sets the studio apart from agencies or freelance developers?

      I work with businesses at every stage, but I’m best known for going deeper than a typical build. I help stores that already exist perform better: more usable, better structured, and commercially sharper. As a studio rather than an agency, every project is led by me directly, with a trusted network of specialists brought in only when a project genuinely needs them — not a handoff to a junior team you’ve never met.

      What’s a Shopify Commercial Review, and do I need one?

      t’s a founder-level audit of your existing store — covering UX, product discovery, merchandising and the commercial logic behind your customer journey. If your store is live and getting traffic but not converting the way you’d expect, this is usually the right starting point before any development work.

      Do you only work with existing stores, or do you build new ones too?

      Both. New builds get done properly from day one — clear structure, no shortcuts you’ll pay for later. But if your store’s already live and something feels like it’s underperforming, a Commercial Review is often the faster way to find out why before committing to more development work. Happy to talk through what makes sense for where you’re at.

      How much does a Shopify project cost?

      It depends on scope. A Commercial Review is a fixed, defined cost — get in touch and I’ll give you a straight number. Development work varies with complexity; I’ll always give you a clear estimate before anything starts, not a vague range.

      How do I handle store migrations to Shopify?

      I have has extensive experience in migrating existing e-commerce stores to Shopify. He will assess your current platform to identify potential challenges or limitations and provide recommendations for a smooth transition. I will transfer essential data, such as product information, customer accounts, and order history, to your new Shopify store while ensuring your store’s design retains your brand identity and takes full advantage of Shopify’s features and capabilities.

      Read more about my Shopify Migration Services and how I helped Celebrity Homeware Migrate from WooCommerce to Shopify.

      How do you handle store migrations to Shopify?

      I assess your current platform for risks and limitations up front, then migrate your product data, customer accounts and order history while preserving your brand and SEO value. Read more about Shopify Migration, including how I moved Celebrity Homeware from WooCommerce to Shopify.

      What can I expect in terms of communication?

      Regular, clear updates — no chasing me for a status. This is a partnership, not a handoff; I want your feedback throughout, not just at the end.

      Do you offer ongoing support after launch?

      Yes — monthly maintenance packages or ad-hoc support, depending on what your business needs as it grows.

      How can working with you benefit my business?

      You get someone who thinks about your store commercially, not just technically — the goal is always more of your traffic converting, not just a store that looks finished.