Headless Shopify Development: How to Get Started in Australia?

Imagine you have a website and you want to showcase it to users across multiple platforms, such as a mobile app, social app, or any other digital medium.

However, you’re currently facing a limitation with your existing framework, which only connects the backend to your website. This is where headless architecture comes into play.

Today, platforms like Shopify and WordPress allow us to create headless websites or applications that can seamlessly integrate with any front-end of your choice.

In this scenario, if you want users to have a consistent experience across a mobile app while fetching data from Shopify’s backend, it’s entirely possible. Whether it’s a social media app or any other platform, headless Shopify can deliver the data you need.

In this article, we’ll explore what headless Shopify development entails, how to build your own headless Shopify store, and the benefits it brings.

What is Headless Ecommerce?

Think of headless Shopify as an e-commerce solution where the front end can be crafted using technologies like Vue.js, Next.js, HTML5, CSS, or any other front-end language you prefer. The backend, powered by Shopify, handles product management, order processing, and customer data storage directly on the platform.

By adopting a headless approach, you gain the flexibility to create custom storefronts while leveraging Shopify’s robust backend capabilities. This setup not only enhances site performance but also provides a more personalised and engaging customer experience across all digital platforms.

How Does Headless Shopify Work?

The process by which headless Shopify works is very interesting. So basically, we can have a front-end of our choice, and for the back-end, Shopify will offer us APIs for each of the calls that need to be made for order creation, payment processing, and even for managing or recalling products. All of this data is directly available in Shopify’s database, which will be your back-end or the admin panel. For the front-end, you will be calling API requests that will be fetching all of this information.

Now, what makes it more interesting is that you are no longer locked within Shopify’s default theme. So you won’t only be working with a website that is responsive; you can create any app of your choice. You can have a web app, a mobile app, or a social app.

The benefit this will give you is faster speed and performance because, again, you are creating something on one of the fastest platforms or scripting languages you can use. You can use anything or have a bare minimum store with only the information you want the users to see or view, which is your products in this case.

You can make as many customisations as you want. There is no limit because, again, you are building something from scratch. The front-end will be something created from scratch. And the best part is that the overall experience is going to be a lot better because you can now have the same backend engine serving all of the platforms on the front-end. So in this case, headless Shopify is a great tool for managing your e-commerce store because it gives you complete control over the platform. It also gives you the customisation options that will make your front-end very powerful and engaging.

Read More: How to Convert Shopify Theme to WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Benefits of Using Headless Shopify vs Traditional Shopify Store

Here are some of the benefits of using headless Shopify over traditional Shopify stores:

1. Customisation and Flexibility: Headless Shopify stores offer unparalleled customisation and flexibility. Unlike traditional Shopify stores, which are confined to Shopify’s framework, headless Shopify allows you to design a website of your choice. You can add new pop-ups, create unique layouts, and design your site precisely how you envision it, thanks to the limitless customisation options.
2. Omnichannel Presence: With headless Shopify, you can seamlessly connect your website, mobile app, in-store kiosks, and social media platforms directly to the Shopify backend. This omnichannel presence extends to voice assistants and custom apps built on any framework, a feature that traditional Shopify stores do not provide.
3. Improved Speed and Performance: Headless Shopify allows you to use powerful front-end technologies like React, Next.js, or Vue.js, enhancing loading times and reducing bottlenecks. Traditional Shopify stores, on the other hand, are limited to Shopify’s themes and templates, potentially leading to server issues and slower performance.
4. Scalability: Headless Shopify stores offer superior scalability, making them ideal for high-performance, high-growth businesses. Traditional Shopify stores have scalability limitations and come with additional costs as you move up tiers, whereas headless setups allow for easier expansion without being locked into Shopify’s constraints.
5. API-Driven Operations: Everything in a headless Shopify store is API-driven, allowing you to push data directly from product, inventory, and order areas to your front-end application. This results in a faster and more efficient experience, free from the limitations of a locked CMS or marketing platform.
6. Ease of Integration: Headless Shopify integrates effortlessly with other platforms, including CRM systems, marketing tools, and accounting software. Unlike traditional Shopify, which relies on plugins, headless Shopify allows for direct integration without going through Shopify itself.
7. Cost Efficiency: While traditional Shopify stores start at around $30 for a basic setup and can reach $500 to $1,000 per month, headless Shopify stores can reduce costs by 70 to 80 percent. You can maintain a lower package and hire diverse talent, leading to high-quality, cost-effective solutions.

These benefits highlight why headless Shopify is a compelling choice over traditional setups, offering enhanced customization, performance, and cost savings.

How to Create Your Headless Shopify Store?

Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Account

The first step in creating a headless Shopify store is straightforward. Begin by creating a Shopify account and selecting a pricing tier that suits your needs. Purchase the package offered by Shopify and fill out all the necessary details for your Shopify store, just as you would for a traditional store.

This includes adding images, products, descriptions, titles, and any other information that will be displayed on the e-commerce store’s front end. Next, input details like pricing, payment, and shipping options to ensure your Shopify store is fully prepared for data retrieval.

Step 2: Choose Your Front-End Framework

The subsequent step involves developing the front-end of your e-commerce store using a front-end framework of your choice. You can opt for frameworks such as Next.js, React.js, Vue.js, or any other that you prefer. JavaScript frameworks are recommended as they seamlessly integrate with Shopify’s backend API, ensuring smooth performance. Choose any of these frameworks to proceed.

Step 3: Develop the Front-End

The third phase is setting up your e-commerce store’s front end. Install the necessary frameworks and environments to prepare for front-end development. You can also leverage pre-built themes available for frameworks like Next.js and React.js, which can be customised to meet your needs and establish the e-commerce store’s front end.

Step 4: Connect Your Front-End to Shopify

Once the front-end framework of your Shopify store is ready, it’s time to connect it to your Shopify store using the Shopify API. To do this, create an app on Shopify through the Shopify admin panel. Manage the apps, create a new private app, and obtain API credentials, which are essential for establishing the connection. Use Shopify’s Storefront API to pull data and display it on your front end.

Step 5: Create a Private App in Shopify:

• Go to your Shopify Admin.
• Click on Apps and then Manage private apps.
• Create a new private app and obtain the API credentials (a special key that allows your front end to communicate with your Shopify backend).

Use Shopify’s Storefront API:

• Your front end (such as a React app) will utilise these API credentials to retrieve product information, prices, inventory, and other data from Shopify.

Use the GraphQL API to fetch information from the Shopify Storefront API in this format:

{
  products(first: 5) {
    edges {
      node {
        title
        descriptionHtml
        priceRange {
          minVariantPrice {
            amount
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

On your front end, you’ll be creating product pages that will show your products fetched directly from the Shopify backend.

By tapping into the Shopify API, you can seamlessly fetch product data and showcase it on your site, ensuring a smooth and engaging shopping experience for your customers.

Step 6: Display Shopify Data on Your Website

With the data now fetched, the next step is to display it on your website, app, or any platform where you want to utilise the Storefront API data. First, ensure that the front-end of your website or app is complete so that products and other data are readily available.

This will enable you to dynamically display product titles, images, and descriptions directly from the Storefront API on your site. Enhance the layout design using CSS3 to ensure everything is properly positioned.

Below is the code you can use to display the product pages and products directly from the Shopify Storefront API on your website or app.

fetch("https://your-store.myshopify.com/api/2023-10/graphql.json", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token": "your-access-token",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    query: `
      {
        products(first: 3) {
          edges {
            node {
              title
              description
              images(first: 1) {
                edges { node { url } }
              }
              priceRange {
                minVariantPrice {
                  amount
                  currencyCode
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    `,
  }),
})
  .then((res) => res.json())
  .then((data) => {
    const products = data.data.products.edges;
    products.forEach(({ node }) => {
      document.body.innerHTML += `
        <div style="border:1px solid #ccc; padding:1rem; margin:1rem;">
          <img src="${node.images.edges[0]?.node.url}" style="max-width:100%;" />
          <h2>${node.title}</h2>
          <p>${node.description}</p>
          <strong>${node.priceRange.minVariantPrice.amount} ${node.priceRange.minVariantPrice.currencyCode}</strong>
        </div>
      `;
    });
  });

Misc: Display Inventory in Real-Time

When you fetch data using Shopify’s Storefront API, each product will include the current price, currency, and inventory status (like “In Stock” or “Out of Stock”). This means your front end will always show accurate details, even if your team updates prices or stock in Shopify.

Price is pulled from:
priceRange.minVariantPrice.amount
This gives you the product’s current price.

Inventory can be shown using:
availableForSale

This tells you if the product is in stock (true) or not (false).

If you want the exact quantity, you can use:
variants.edges[0].node.quantityAvailable

This shows the number of items left in stock.

See the following code to fetch inventory and real-time pricing for any product from the Shopify backend.

fetch("https://your-store.myshopify.com/api/2023-10/graphql.json", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token": "your-access-token",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    query: `
      {
        products(first: 2) {
          edges {
            node {
              title
              variants(first: 1) {
                edges {
                  node {
                    price { amount currencyCode }
                    quantityAvailable
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    `,
  }),
})
  .then((res) => res.json())
  .then((data) => {
    data.data.products.edges.forEach(({ node }) => {
      const v = node.variants.edges[0].node;
      document.body.innerHTML += `
        <h3>${node.title}</h3>
        <p>Price: ${v.price.amount} ${v.price.currencyCode}</p>
        <p>In Stock: ${v.quantityAvailable}</p>
      `;
    });
  });

What is the Cost of Headless Shopify Development in Australia?

Now comes the interesting question: What is the cost of Shopify headless store development? Below is a breakdown of the total cost, and we have also explained each cost and why and how it matters below. Let’s go over that quickly.

Cost Breakdown	Basic Shopify Store	Advanced Shopify Store	Enterprise-Level Shopify Store
Shopify Plan (Basic/Advanced/Plus)	$480/year	$1,200/year	$24,000/year
Apps and Integrations	$500/year	$500/year	$1,000 – $3,000/year
Development Cost	$10,000 – $20,000	$20,000 – $50,000	$50,000 – $100,000+
Maintenance Cost	$1,000/year	$3,000 – $5,000/year	$5,000 – $10,000/year
Total Cost (First Year)	$10,980 – $21,980	$24,700 – $56,700	$80,000 – $137,000+
Total Cost (Ongoing Years)	$2,000 – $2,500/year	$4,700 – $6,700/year	$30,000 – $40,000+/year

Cost of Basic Shopify Store Development

Shopify Plans

For a basic Shopify store, the Shopify Basic Plan, priced at $40 per month, is a good entry point. This plan provides essential features like product management, customer management, and an online store, making it ideal for small businesses. The yearly cost for this plan totals $480.

Apps and Integrations

Most basic stores can get by with a selection of free apps, but some premium apps may be needed. These apps, such as those for SEO, marketing, or email automation, could cost around $500 per year depending on the store’s needs.

Development Cost

The development of a basic headless Shopify store generally ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. This includes building the front-end (using pre-built templates or simple frameworks), integrating it with Shopify’s backend, and adding customisations.

Maintenance Cost

Basic Shopify stores typically require less maintenance. However, maintenance services for troubleshooting and updates may cost about $1,000 annually, particularly for headless stores, where front-end and back-end integrations require attention.

Total Cost for the Year

The first-year total for a basic Shopify store (plan, apps, development, and maintenance) will range from $10,980 to $21,980. Ongoing years would cost around $2,000 to $2,500 annually.

Cost of Custom Shopify Store Development

Shopify Plans

For more robust stores, the Shopify Advanced Plan, priced at $100 per month, offers additional features such as advanced reporting and shipping discounts. The yearly cost for this plan is $1,200.

Apps and Integrations

Advanced stores usually require more sophisticated apps and integrations. These can include tools for CRM, marketing, and multi-channel selling, with app costs generally around $500 per year.

Development Cost

Developing an advanced headless Shopify store involves more custom work, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. This includes building a custom front-end and integrating deeper with Shopify’s API, which is necessary for complex stores with larger inventories.

Maintenance Cost

Due to the complexity of advanced stores, the annual maintenance cost typically ranges between $3,000 and $5,000. This covers updates, troubleshooting, and ongoing feature enhancements.

Total Cost for the Year

The first-year cost for an advanced Shopify store (plan, apps, development, and maintenance) will range from $24,700 to $56,700. Ongoing costs will likely be around $4,700 to $6,700 annually.

Cost of Enterprise-Level Shopify Store Development

Shopify Plans

For large, high-traffic stores, the Shopify Plus Plan is essential. At $2,000 per month, it offers advanced features, greater customization, and dedicated support. The yearly cost for Shopify Plus is $24,000.

Apps and Integrations

Enterprise-level stores require several advanced apps and integrations, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. These are necessary to handle complex processes like multi-channel selling, custom reporting, and ERP or CRM integrations.

Development Cost

Building an enterprise-level headless Shopify store is costly, typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000+. This includes developing a custom front-end, extensive back-end integrations, and scaling the infrastructure to handle high traffic and large inventories. If you want a detailed breakdown, check out our full guide on Shopify Development Cost in Australia.

Maintenance Cost

Due to the complexity, the maintenance cost for enterprise stores can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year. This covers both front-end and back-end monitoring, troubleshooting, and system upgrades.

Total Cost for the Year

The total first-year cost for an enterprise-level Shopify store (plan, apps, development, and maintenance) ranges from $80,000 to $100,000+. For ongoing years, maintenance costs will be between $30,000 to $40,000+ annually.

Types of Shopify Headless Store Development

Shopify Hydrogen and oxygen Headless architecture

When building a headless Shopify store, you have two main paths: building from scratch using any front-end framework or using Shopify’s native solution — Hydrogen and Oxygen.

One of the easiest options is to use Hydrogen, Shopify’s official React-based front-end framework, paired with Oxygen, their hosting solution. Since both are built and maintained by Shopify, integration is seamless, and you stay within the Shopify ecosystem without needing to fully detach the store’s front and back ends.

Hydrogen offers a lot of flexibility and customisation, especially compared to traditional Shopify themes. It gives developers more control over how the storefront looks and behaves, making it easier to create tailored e-commerce experiences.

However, while Hydrogen simplifies headless development, it’s not your only choice. You can also build a custom headless solution from scratch using frameworks like Next.js, Nuxt, or Remix, giving you complete freedom, though it requires more effort and development expertise.

Building from scratch vs. using pre-built headless solutions

The second approach is to build your front end entirely from scratch using frameworks like Next.js, React.js, or any modern JavaScript-based library. This custom frontend will connect to Shopify’s Storefront API, which serves as your backend for managing products, customers, carts, and checkout.

Your frontend in this case is hosted independently — on platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, Vercel, or DigitalOcean — while Shopify continues to serve as the backend platform. This makes the solution decoupled, giving you greater flexibility and control.

Pros

Full architectural control: You have complete freedom over how your store is structured, designed, and optimised.

Customizable experience: You can tailor the user experience end-to-end, implement unique design systems, and create specialised features that may not be possible within traditional Shopify themes.

Scalability: This setup is ideal for fast-growing businesses or those expecting high traffic. You can scale different components independently based on need.

Seamless third-party integration: Easily connect your frontend with external systems like CRMs, ERPs, PIMs, or custom analytics platforms.

Performance optimisation: You can implement advanced performance techniques such as server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and edge caching for faster load times.

Cons

Complex setup: Since the frontend and backend are hosted separately, setup and ongoing maintenance require more technical involvement.

Higher development cost: This option typically involves a higher initial cost due to the need for custom code and separate hosting.

Requires skilled developers: You’ll need a development team with experience in frontend frameworks, API handling, and cloud hosting.

More API management: Integration with Shopify’s Storefront API and other services involves handling authentication, rate limits, and data structuring manually.

Ideal for

• Businesses with complex operational needs or custom design requirements
• Teams with strong technical resources
• Brands prioritising speed, flexibility, and long-term scalability

Pre-Built Front-End Solutions with Headless Shopify

The third option is to use pre-built headless front-end solutions such as Shogun Frontend, Vercel Commerce, or Vue Storefront. These platforms provide ready-made front-end architectures that are fully compatible with Shopify’s APIs. You simply plug them into your store, configure your components, and you’re ready to go live. This is a great solution for brands that want the benefits of headless commerce without building everything from the ground up.

(e.g., Shogun Frontend, Vercel Commerce, Vue Storefront)

This option involves using ready-made headless front-end platforms that connect seamlessly with your Shopify backend. These platforms offer drag-and-drop builders, built-in performance optimisations, and native Shopify API integrations, making them a popular choice for brands that want the speed and ease of headless without coding from scratch.

Pros

Fast to Launch
These platforms allow you to build and launch your e-commerce store quickly using drag-and-drop interfaces. You won’t need to write complex code or rely heavily on developers. Much like Webflow or Framer, you can design and go live within hours instead of days or weeks.

Optimised Performance
Pre-built platforms come with built-in performance features such as caching, server-side rendering (SSR), and edge delivery. This means faster load times, better SEO, and a smoother user experience without additional configuration.

Built-in API Integrations
Most platforms come with ready-made Shopify integrations. You don’t need to write custom code to fetch product or customer data — it’s already built-in, saving time and reducing development complexity.

Cons

Limited Flexibility
While drag-and-drop builders are easy to use, they also come with limitations. You won’t be able to deeply customize your store’s architecture, logic, or advanced features. Code-level access is often restricted, which can become a bottleneck as your needs grow.

Subscription Pricing
These platforms usually charge a monthly retainer fee, which can add up over time. While you’re saving on upfront development costs, the recurring fees may be higher in the long run. It’s important to assess your budget and growth before committing.

Vendor Lock-In
Just like Shopify manages your backend, these platforms manage your frontend, which creates dependency. If you decide to migrate later, you’ll only be able to export your data, not your theme or components. Since the architecture is proprietary, rebuilding everything on a new platform will require starting from scratch.

Want your headless Shopify store to load lightning fast? Check out our tips on Shopify speed optimisation!

Conclusion: The Future of Shopify Headless Development

Moving from a traditional Shopify store to a headless Shopify store offers many more solutions and benefits, particularly for businesses aiming to scale and enhance their overall user experience.

A traditional Shopify store limits the customisations you can make on the front end. However, with a headless Shopify store or headless solution, customisation constraints are no longer an issue. If you’re looking to expand your e-commerce business and scale your Shopify store, transitioning from a traditional Shopify setup to headless Shopify development is the next step.

It offers improved performance, flexibility, and control. While the transition to headless Shopify development may be more costly and require greater expertise, it will be rewarding in the long term.

Not all Shopify plans are equal – especially for headless builds. Read our full Shopify vs Shopify Plus comparison before starting.

Hire WP Creative for Your Headless Shopify Development

WP Creative is the perfect partner for your headless Shopify store development, especially if you are in Australia. At WP Creative, we have been dedicated to developing WooCommerce and Shopify stores, with a particular focus on eCommerce stores. We offer tailored solutions to clients in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and across Australia.

If you’re seeking an Australian Shopify development company that understands your specific needs, is conveniently located, and is always available to provide support, WP Creative is the ideal Shopify partner for your business.

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