Shopify Agency Manchester

Looking for a Shopify agency in Manchester? You've found one that's different.

I'm Craig Cooper, a Shopify Plus Partner based in Manchester, and I've been working exclusively with Shopify since 2015. Founded in 2012, I've spent 12 years building consultancy relationships with businesses that value strategic thinking over quick wins, quality over scale, and long-term partnerships over project-and-disappear transactions.

I help Manchester businesses, UK brands, and international companies build Shopify stores that work—no bullshit, no handoffs, no layers of account managers. Just direct access to the person doing the work, who understands your business, your goals, and what actually drives results.

Why Manchester Matters

Manchester isn't just where I'm based—it's where I understand how businesses actually operate.

I've worked with Manchester retailers like Fred Aldous, cultural institutions like The Whitworth and Manchester Museum, and growing e-commerce brands across the North West. I understand the pace, the priorities, and what it takes to keep things moving forward in a city that values substance over style.

When you work with a Manchester Shopify developer, you get someone who speaks your language. No corporate speak, no overpromising, no layers between you and the person doing the work. You get direct access to me, which means faster decisions, clearer communication, and solutions that actually solve your problems rather than creating new ones.

But being Manchester-based doesn't mean I only work locally. I help businesses across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and the United States. The difference is that I bring a Manchester sensibility to every project: straightforward, honest, and focused on what works rather than what sounds impressive.

Services

The Orbit Programme: Ongoing Strategic Partnership

Most agencies offer "support packages", reactive help when things break, or maintenance contracts that feel like insurance policies you hope you never need and resent paying for. The Orbit Programme is different. It's an ongoing strategic partnership that eliminates the need to start from scratch with every project.

Here's what that means in practice: one trusted relationship that knows your business, your history, and your goals. You can move seamlessly from fixing an urgent bug on Monday to developing a long-term strategic project on Wednesday, without complex scoping documents, handoffs between departments, or explaining your business context for the third time this month.

What's included:

• Code, solutions, and customisations for your Shopify store and back-end systems
• Integrations and automations with third-party platforms—ERP systems, inventory management, marketing tools, whatever your business needs
• Strategic advice on Shopify apps, e-commerce best practices, UX improvements, and platform decisions
• Fortnightly check-ins and transparent project management via Trello—you always know what's happening and why
• Emergency support included—available when you need it most, not just during business hours

The Orbit Programme isn't a support package. It's a retainer model that positions me as your ongoing strategic partner rather than a vendor you call when something breaks. Most agencies offer project work: they build your store, hand it over, and disappear until you need them again. The Orbit Programme means you have someone who knows your business, understands your goals, and can help you make decisions that make sense for the long term.

This is rare in the Shopify agency world. Most agencies are built to scale. They take on as many clients as possible, hire more people, and grow. I've deliberately kept things small. I've never had more than three people working with me, and I don't plan to. That means when you work with me, you're not one of fifty clients competing for attention. You're a priority, and the relationship matters.

Custom Builds: Built Right From the Start

A new store built right from the start means fewer problems later. No shortcuts, no technical debt, no corners cut to meet a deadline. Just clean code, thoughtful design, and a focus on what actually drives sales rather than what looks impressive in a portfolio.

When I build a custom Shopify store, I'm thinking about what comes next. Can it scale? Will it need rebuilding in six months? Is this integration going to cause problems down the line? I aim to build things that make the next job easier, or unnecessary. That means making decisions with an eye on the long term, not just getting something working today.

What you get:

• Custom theme development tailored to your specific needs, not a template with your logo swapped in
• App integrations and third-party connections that actually work and won't break when platforms update
• Performance optimization from day one—fast loading times, clean code, efficient queries
• Training and documentation so you can manage your store confidently, not just hope nothing breaks
• B2B stores, expansions, Shopify Plus or standard Shopify - whatever your business needs

I've helped build three versions of the 4TH ARQ store, from their very beginnings to their latest design. I've built B2B stores for brands like O My Bag, expanding their Shopify presence to include wholesale functionality. Every build is different because every business is different. But the approach is consistent: thoughtful, strategic, and built to last & grow.

Migrations: Moving Platforms Without the Pain

Moving platforms doesn't have to mean losing data, breaking integrations, or weeks of downtime. I handle the complexity so you can focus on your business. Careful planning, thorough testing, and a clear migration path ensure your store moves smoothly with minimal disruption.

The Welsh jewellery brand Clogau needed to migrate their outlet site to Shopify on a tight deadline. We delivered to a fixed budget and timeline, and they continue to support their store through the Orbit Programme. That's the kind of relationship that works: we handle the migration, they see it works, and we continue working together long term.

The process:

• Platform assessment and migration planning—understanding what you have, what you need, and what the path forward looks like
• Complete data migration with integrity checks—products, customers, orders, everything moved accurately
• Theme customization and optimization—your new store should work better than the old one, not just look different
• Integration setup and post-launch support—making sure everything connects properly and continues working
• SEO and redirects carefully planned and executed—you shouldn't lose search rankings when you move platforms

A migration isn't just moving data from one system to another. It's an opportunity to improve how your store works, fix problems that existed before, and set things up properly from the start. I approach migrations as strategic projects, not just technical exercises.

Strategic Consultancy: Making Decisions That Make Sense

Sometimes you don't need someone to build something. You need someone to help you decide what to build, or whether to build it at all. That's where strategic consultancy comes in.

I've been working exclusively with Shopify since 2015. That focus means I know the platform inside out—what works, what doesn't, what's coming next, and what you should avoid. You get deep expertise, not someone trying to be good at everything.

Strategic consultancy might mean:

• Platform decisions: Should you move to Shopify Plus? Is that app worth the monthly cost? Will this integration cause problems?
• E-commerce strategy: How should your store be structured? What's the best approach for your product catalog? How do you handle B2B and B2C on the same platform?
• Technical architecture: What's the right way to build this feature? Should you use an app or custom development? How do you future-proof this decision?
• Performance optimization: Why is your store slow? What's actually causing the problem? What's the most effective way to fix it?

I'll bring expertise, challenge assumptions, and make clear recommendations. But it's your business, your call. If you take a different path, I'll respect it and help you make it work. I'm not here to be precious about my ideas—I'm here to help you succeed.

Competitive Advantages: Why This Is Different

12 Years of Consultancy Experience

I founded Archer Cooper in 2012. That's 12 years of building consultancy relationships, not just delivering projects. Most Shopify agencies are newer—they might have been around for a few years, but they haven't been doing this for over a decade. That experience matters. It means I've seen what works and what doesn't, I've learned from mistakes (mine and others'), and I understand how to build relationships that last.

Exclusive Shopify Focus Since 2015

Since 2015, I've worked exclusively with Shopify. That's rare. Most agencies work with multiple platforms—Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, whatever the client needs. I made a deliberate choice to focus on one platform and get really good at it.

That focus means I know Shopify inside out. I know what works, what doesn't, what's coming next, and what you should avoid. I know the apps that are worth the money and the ones that will cause problems. I know how to build things that work with Shopify's architecture rather than fighting against it. You get deep expertise, not someone trying to be good at everything.

Deliberately Small: Never More Than Three People

I've deliberately kept things small. I've never had more than three people working with me, and I don't plan to. That's not because I can't grow—it's because I don't want to.

When you work with a large agency, you're one of many clients. You might have an account manager who doesn't know your business, a project coordinator who's managing ten projects at once, and developers who've never spoken to you directly. When you work with me, you work directly with me. No layers, no handoffs, no explaining your business context to someone new every time.

Being small means I can't take on every client. That's intentional. I'd rather work with fewer clients and do better work than take on more clients and deliver average results. If you're looking for someone who will treat you as a priority rather than a number, that's what you get here.

Retainer Model vs Project-and-Disappear

Most agencies work on a project basis: they build your store, hand it over, and disappear until you need them again. That works fine if you only need help occasionally, but it means starting from scratch every time. You have to explain your business context again, scope the project again, and hope the person doing the work understands what you need.

The Orbit Programme is different. It's a retainer model that positions me as an ongoing strategic partner. You have one trusted relationship that knows your business, your history, and your goals. You can move seamlessly from fixing urgent bugs to developing long-term strategic projects without complex scoping or handoffs.

This is actually quite unique in the Manchester Shopify agency market. Most agencies offer "support packages" but few position it as an ongoing strategic partnership the way the Orbit Programme does. It's not reactive support—it's proactive partnership.

Strategic Positioning vs Execution-Focused Competitors

Many Shopify agencies are execution-focused. They'll build what you ask for, integrate what you specify, and deliver on time and budget. That's valuable, but it's not strategic.

I bring strategic thinking to every project. I'll challenge assumptions, ask why you're doing something a certain way, and suggest alternatives that might work better. I'll think about what comes next, not just what you need today. I'll consider the long-term implications of decisions, not just whether something works right now.

This comes from 12 years of consultancy experience and a focus on building relationships rather than just delivering projects. When you work with me, you get someone who thinks strategically about your business, not just technically about your store.

Anti-Scale Philosophy

Most agencies are built to scale. They take on as many clients as possible, hire more people, grow the team, expand the office. That's the traditional agency model, and it works for some businesses.

I've deliberately chosen not to scale. I've never had more than three people working with me, and I don't plan to. That means I can't take on every client, but it also means the clients I do work with get better service.

This anti-scale philosophy might resonate with certain businesses—those that value quality over quantity, relationships over transactions, and strategic thinking over growth at any cost. If you're looking for a Shopify agency that prioritises doing great work with fewer clients over doing average work with many clients, that's what you get here.

Madison Avenue Inspiration vs "Growth Hacking"

I'm inspired by the strategic thinking of Madison Avenue agencies—the focus on understanding the business, thinking long-term, and building relationships that last. That's different from the "growth hacking" approach that dominates much of the e-commerce agency world.

Growth hacking is about quick wins, not long-term thinking. It only carries you so far. Most of my clients are building brands they can be proud of, not just selling products. You need someone who thinks strategically about your business, understands the long-term implications of decisions, and builds things that last.

I work with sophisticated clientele who value strategic thinking. They're not looking for someone to "growth hack" their way to more sales, they're looking for someone who understands their business, thinks about what comes next, and builds things that make sense for the long term.

Case Studies: Manchester and UK Clients

Fred Aldous: Manchester Art Supplies Retailer

Fred Aldous is a Manchester-based art and craft supplies retailer with a long history in the city. I've been working with them through the Orbit Programme, providing ongoing support for their Shopify store. That means everything from small fixes to larger improvements, all handled through one ongoing relationship.

The relationship works because I understand their business. I know their product catalog, their customers, and their priorities. When something needs doing, I can do it quickly because I don't need to learn their business from scratch. When they need strategic advice, I can provide it because I understand their context.

This is what the Orbit Programme looks like in practice: ongoing support that feels like having a Shopify expert on your team, not a vendor you call when something breaks.

Clogau: Welsh Jewellery Brand Migration

Clogau is a Welsh jewellery brand that needed to migrate their outlet site to Shopify on a tight deadline. I delivered to a fixed budget and timeline, handling the complete migration from their previous platform to Shopify.

The migration included data transfer, theme build, and post-launch support. But more importantly, it established a relationship that continues today. Clogau now supports all of their stores through the Orbit Programme. A real signal of trust and long-term partnership.

This is the kind of relationship that works: I handle the migration, they see it works, and we continue working together long term. It's not project-and-disappear—it's project-and-partner.

Manchester Cultural Institutions

I've worked with Manchester cultural institutions including The Whitworth and Manchester Museum. These aren't typical e-commerce clients—they have unique needs, specific requirements, and different priorities than commercial retailers.

Working with cultural institutions requires understanding their context: they're not just selling products, they're serving communities, and fulfilling educational missions.

This experience with diverse Manchester businesses—retailers, cultural institutions, growing e-commerce brands—means I understand how different businesses operate and what they need from a Shopify store. Whether you're selling art supplies, jewellery, fashion, or cultural experiences, I can help you build a store that works for your specific business.

The Orbit Programme: A Unique Approach to Ongoing Partnership

The Orbit Programme isn't a support package. It's not maintenance insurance. It's an ongoing strategic partnership that positions me as part of your team rather than a vendor you call when something breaks.

Most agencies offer support packages that are reactive: you have a problem, you report it, they fix it. The Orbit Programme is different. It's proactive partnership: we work together on ongoing improvements, strategic decisions, and long-term planning. You have someone who knows your business and can help you make decisions that make sense.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

Seamless transitions: On Monday, you might need an urgent bug fix. On Wednesday, you might want to discuss a long-term strategic project. With the Orbit Programme, you can move seamlessly between these without complex scoping, handoffs, or explaining your business context again.

Strategic thinking: Because I know your business, I can think strategically about what you need. I'm not just executing what you ask for—I'm thinking about what comes next, what makes sense long-term, and what will help you achieve your goals.

One trusted relationship: You don't need to explain your business to someone new every time. You have one person who knows your history, understands your goals, and can help you make decisions that make sense.

Transparent project management: Fortnightly check-ins and transparent project management via Trello mean you always know what's happening and why. No black boxes, no wondering what's being worked on.

Emergency support included: When something urgent comes up, you have access to help. Not just during business hours, not just for certain types of problems—when you need it most.

This is actually quite unique in the Manchester Shopify agency market. Most agencies offer "support packages" but few position it as an ongoing strategic partnership. The Orbit Programme is designed for businesses that want a long-term relationship with someone who understands their business, not just reactive support when things break.

Trust Signals

Shopify Plus Partner

I'm a Shopify Plus Partner, which means I have the expertise and platform access to handle complex projects. But more importantly, it means I'm committed to Shopify as a platform and to helping businesses succeed on it.

The Shopify Plus Partner badge isn't just a credential—it's a commitment to quality, expertise, and ongoing learning. Shopify regularly updates their platform, adds new features, and changes how things work. As a Plus Partner, I stay current with these changes and understand how to use them effectively.

Years of Experience

12 years of consultancy experience (founded 2012): I've been building consultancy relationships for over a decade. That's longer than most Shopify agencies have been around.

Exclusive Shopify focus since 2015: Since 2015, I've worked exclusively with Shopify. That focus means deep expertise, not someone trying to be good at everything.

Manchester-based since the beginning: I understand Manchester businesses, the local market, and how things work in the North West.

Client Relationships

I work with businesses across Manchester, the UK, and internationally. These aren't one-off projects—they're ongoing relationships. Fred Aldous, Clogau, 4TH ARQ, O My Bag—these are clients I've worked with for years, not just delivered a project and moved on.

That longevity matters. It means I build things that last, make decisions that make sense long-term, and focus on relationships rather than transactions.

Over in Ancoats

Manchester Address: First Floor, Swan Buildings 20 Swan Street Manchester M4 5JW Phone: 0161 883 2683 Email: [email protected]

My office is based in Manchester and I typically work from home. I work with businesses across the UK, Europe, and the United States. Being Manchester-based means I understand local businesses and can meet in person when needed, but it doesn't limit who I can help.

Why I'm different

I'm inspired by the strategic thinking of Madison Avenue agencies—the focus on understanding the business, thinking long-term, and building relationships that last. That's different from growth hacking, and it resonates with certain businesses.

Relationship-focused vs transaction-focused: I build long-term relationships, not just deliver projects. When you work with me, you're not a transaction—you're a partnership.

Strategic vs tactical: I think about what comes next, not just what you need today. I'll challenge assumptions, ask why you're doing something a certain way, and suggest alternatives that might work better.

Quality over scale: I've deliberately kept things small. I'd rather work with fewer clients and do better work than take on more clients and deliver average results.

Long-term thinking: Every decision is made with an eye on what's next. Can it scale? Will it need rebuilding in six months? I aim to build things that make the next job easier, or unnecessary.

This anti-growth-hacker positioning might resonate with businesses that value strategic thinking, quality relationships, and long-term partnerships over quick wins and rapid scaling. If you're looking for a Shopify agency that thinks strategically about your business rather than just executing tactics, that's what you get here.

Get Started

Ready to talk about your Shopify project? Whether you need ongoing support through the Orbit Programme, a new store build, help migrating from another platform, or strategic consultancy to help you make decisions, let's have a conversation.

I'll give you straight answers about what's possible, what makes sense, and whether we're a good fit. No sales pitch, no overpromising—just honest conversation about what you need and how I can help.

Start a conversation