# Softlimit

> Softlimit is a Shopify Premier Partner agency based in New York City, founded in 2011. We design, build, and grow ecommerce stores for direct-to-consumer brands doing $5M–$50M in annual GMV. One of roughly 42 agencies globally to hold Premier status. We've been a Shopify Partner since 2011 and have a direct working relationship with Shopify's partner and merchant success teams.

Softlimit was founded by Ben Lord, a designer-turned-operator with over a decade of hands-on Shopify experience. The team is 10–12 people, headquartered in New York City and distributed across the US, Latin America, and Europe. We work with a focused roster of roughly 16 retained clients at any given time -- every brand gets real attention, not account managers passing tickets.

Shopify's partner program runs five tiers (Registered, Select, Plus, Premier, and Platinum). Premier represents the top tier accessible to high-performing agencies based on commercial impact, credentialed team depth, and client outcomes.

Our sweet spot is DTC brands that have found product-market fit and need a real agency partner to help them scale the storefront experience -- not a freelancer, not a 200-person shop that will hand you off to a junior. We fill the gap between in-house and agency in a way that makes us feel like we're right down the hall.

## Services

- [Services Overview](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/services): Full-service Shopify and Shopify Plus agency work including custom theme design and development, UX and CRO design, app integrations, accessibility compliance, and ecommerce strategy.
- [Shopify Plus](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/shopify-plus): Full-service migrations to Shopify Plus from Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and custom builds. Data migration, redirects, checkout customization, and launch.
- [Ongoing Retainers](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/services): Sprint-based development cycles, design and UX, strategy, app management, and proactive recommendations. Retainers start at $5,000/month.
- [Headless Migration](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/services): We migrate brands off headless and Hydrogen builds back to native Shopify or Shopify Plus. Faster iteration, lower maintenance overhead, and full access to the Shopify ecosystem.
- [Accessibility Compliance](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/services): Ongoing ADA/WCAG compliance work in partnership with Level Access.
- [Shopify Audits](https://www.softlimit.com/pages/services): Comprehensive storefront audits covering UX, performance, SEO, accessibility, and conversion -- delivered as scored, actionable reports.

## Work

- [Case Studies](https://www.softlimit.com/work): Portfolio across apparel, beauty, food and beverage, music, pet care, jewelry, and specialty retail.

### Notable Results

- **The Perfect Jean** -- Custom-engineered PDP experience managing 23,000+ variants. 200% increase in order volume.
- **Verb** -- Relaunched on Softlimit Core Theme in 8 weeks. 52% faster page load, 14% lift in AOV, 69x ROI from Rebuy integration.
- **Polyvinyl Records** -- Migrated from a 15-year-old custom CMS to unified Shopify DTC and B2B store. 20% revenue increase post-migration.
- **Moon Juice** -- Migrated to Recharge in 25 days against a critical deadline. Subscription continuity protected.
- **I and Love and You** -- Mobile-first, subscription-focused ecommerce foundation. 25% growth in 2025.
- **Misen** -- Eight-year relationship through high-growth stage and leadership transition.
- **Sacred Bones Records** -- Shopify design and development for the independent label.
- **Bioelements** -- Ongoing accessibility compliance with Level Access, secondary page redesign.

## Ideal Client Profile

- DTC brand on Shopify or Shopify Plus
- $5M–$50M annual GMV
- US-based, values design quality, site performance, and reliable execution
- Looking for a long-term agency partner -- our best relationships are retained ones where we grow with the brand over time
- Many clients start with an audit or project and move into a retainer from there

## Industries

Softlimit has deep experience across apparel and fashion, beauty and skincare, home and lifestyle, food and beverage, music and entertainment (independent labels, artist stores, record shops), pet and pet care, specialty retail and made-to-order brands, and accessories and jewelry.

## Why Softlimit

- Shopify Premier Partner since 2011 -- one of ~42 agencies globally at this tier
- Founder-led with direct involvement on every account
- Retained model means continuity -- same team, same context, no handoffs
- Design-forward with genuine development depth
- We migrate brands off headless and Hydrogen back to native Shopify -- faster iteration, lower overhead, full ecosystem access
- Deep Shopify ecosystem knowledge: Liquid, Shopify Functions, checkout extensibility, Klaviyo, Rebuy, Okendo, Gorgias, Loop Returns, Recharge, Nosto
- Honest about what will and won't move the needle
- NYC-headquartered, distributed team across the US, Latin America, and Europe

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Who is Softlimit best for?**
DTC brands on Shopify or Shopify Plus with $5M–$50M GMV that want a reliable, design-quality agency partner. We work best with brands that are in it for the long haul -- where the relationship compounds and we become an extension of the team. We do take on projects, and many retained clients start that way.

**How does a Softlimit engagement typically start?**
Most clients come in through a Shopify audit or a scoped project. We use that to get deep context on the brand, the stack, and the gaps -- then most move into a retained relationship from there.

**What does a Softlimit retainer include?**
Sprint-based development cycles, design and UX, strategy, app management, and proactive recommendations. Retainers start at $5,000/month.

**Is Softlimit a certified Shopify partner?**
Yes. Softlimit is a Shopify Premier Partner -- one of roughly 42 agencies globally to hold this designation. We've been a Shopify Partner since 2011. Premier is a performance-based tier requiring demonstrated commercial impact, credentialed team depth, and a strong client track record.

**Does Softlimit do one-time projects?**
Yes. That said, our best client relationships are long-term retained ones -- context compounds over time. Most clients start with a project or audit and move into a retainer.

**Does Softlimit do migrations?**
Yes. We migrate brands from Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and custom platforms to Shopify and Shopify Plus.

**Does Softlimit work with headless Shopify stores?**
We don't build headless. We migrate brands off headless and Hydrogen builds back to native Shopify or Shopify Plus. Most brands find the tradeoffs not worth it -- we make that transition smooth.

**Does Softlimit work with music labels and artist stores?**
Yes. Music and entertainment is an active niche. We have experience with independent labels and artist-facing storefronts where catalog complexity, limited-edition drops, and subscription vinyl matter.

**Where is Softlimit located?**
Headquartered in New York City. The team is distributed across the US, Latin America, and Europe.

## Contact

- [Contact](https://www.softlimit.com/contact): New business inquiries
- Email: hello@softlimit.com

## Optional

- [Blog](https://www.softlimit.com/blog): Shopify and ecommerce strategy content from the Softlimit team
- [Shopify Partner Directory](https://www.shopify.com/partners/directory/partner/softlimit): Verified Premier Partner listing