Struggling to Find Affordable Shopify Design Services

Hey everyone!

I’m an old-school developer trying to navigate the new world of e-commerce. I’ve got a small but growing business selling gaming accessories, and I want to move from Etsy to Shopify. But I’m hitting a wall with design services.

I thought I’d save some cash by hiring designers on Fiverr for around $100 instead of buying a pricey template. But here’s the kicker: they all want me to buy a template first! What gives? Isn’t the template the main part of the design? Am I missing something here?

Does anyone know of designers who include the template in their service? I’m not looking for anything fancy - just a clean, professional look for my handmade gaming products.

I’m feeling a bit lost in this new landscape. Any advice would be super helpful!

Thanks,
A confused but hopeful shop owner

As someone who’s been through the Shopify design process, I can relate to your frustration. Here’s what I’ve learned: many designers on platforms like Fiverr often work with existing templates because it’s more cost-effective and time-efficient. They customize these templates rather than building from scratch.

However, there are alternatives. I found success by reaching out to local design students or recent graduates. They were eager to build their portfolios and offered more comprehensive services at reasonable rates. Another option is to look for Shopify experts on the platform’s official partners page. While potentially pricier, they often provide end-to-end solutions.

If you’re comfortable with some DIY, Shopify’s built-in theme editor is surprisingly powerful. I started with a free theme and gradually customized it myself, learning as I went. It took time, but I saved money and gained valuable skills.

Remember, a clean, professional look doesn’t always require a hefty investment. Sometimes, simplicity is key, especially for handmade products where the focus should be on your items.