Build vs. Buy on Shopify
Build, buy, customize, or wait — decided with numbers. Capability-by-capability verdicts with honest 3-year cost math.
Custom wins on 3-year cost or fit — with maintenance counted honestly.
The app wins your scenario — we say so plainly.
Buy the app, build the glue: very often the honest mid-market answer.
Shopify is shipping this natively. Don't spend yet; we'll tell you when it flips.
Latest Decisions
Build or Buy Local Delivery & Pickup on Shopify?
CUSTOMIZELocal delivery and pickup start native on Shopify; add a delivery-customization Functions layer only when eligibility rules outgrow the built-in toggles.
Shipping, Delivery & Fulfillment
Should You Build or Buy Localized Content Ops on Shopify?
CUSTOMIZELocalized content ops on Shopify: keep Translate & Adapt as portable storage and build the workflow layer — change detection, status, and review queues.
International & Localization
Should You Build or Buy Loyalty in Checkout on Shopify Plus?
BUILDBuilding a custom checkout UI extension wins for loyalty in checkout on Shopify Plus, even when the points program itself is bought.
Loyalty, Referrals & Retention
Build or Buy Marketplace Connectors for Shopify?
BUYMarketplace connectors are a buy for Shopify stores entering Amazon, Walmart, or eBay; custom sync earns a build only at real rule complexity.
ERP, Accounting & Integrations
Build or Buy Your Shopify Navigation Architecture?
BUILDBuilding navigation architecture in the theme wins: menu apps style a widget, but the taxonomy and link equity underneath are yours to build.
Content & Storefront
Build or Buy Member & Tag-Based Pricing on Shopify?
CUSTOMIZEMember and tag-based pricing lands on CUSTOMIZE: B2B catalogs and discount Functions cover both halves natively, so budget goes to glue, not an engine.
Discounts & Promotions
Should You Build or Buy Multi-Tier Distribution on Shopify?
BUILDMulti-tier distribution is a build decision on Shopify: native B2B models one buyer tier, and no app adds the distributor chain above it.
B2B & Wholesale
Build or Buy One-Page & Express Checkout Tuning on Shopify?
CUSTOMIZEOne-page and express checkout tuning is a CUSTOMIZE call: tune the sanctioned checkout surface instead of fighting a flow you cannot replace.
Checkout & Conversion
Build or Buy Policy & Terms Management on Shopify?
WAITPolicy and terms management on Shopify is a WAIT: native policy pages and checkout links cover it on every plan, with zero app spend.
Trust, Legal & Compliance
Should You Build or Buy Popups & Email Capture on Shopify?
CUSTOMIZEPopups and email capture on Shopify is a customize call: use the forms inside the ESP you already pay for, and skip the standalone popup app.
Content & Storefront