Shopify Design for DTC Brands
Direct-to-consumer brands face unique challenges that off-the-shelf Shopify themes can’t solve. With over 20 years of experience in brand and ecommerce design, I specialise in creating Shopify stores that convert visitors into customers through smart UX, brand elevation, and conversion-focused design. From subscription flows to storytelling product pages, every design decision is rooted in reducing friction and building trust. Unlike agencies that treat DTC as just another project type, I understand the specific needs of brands selling direct and design stores that reflect that from day one. Discover all my Shopify design services.
Shopify DTC Designer
Shopify stores designed for direct-to-consumer success
DTC brands need more than beautiful design, they need stores optimised for customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value. I create Shopify experiences tailored to direct-to-consumer business models, from seamless subscription setups to loyalty-driving UX that keeps customers coming back. Each build is grounded in understanding your customer journey, your margins, and your growth goals.
Eccomerce designer uk
What is DTC?
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) means selling directly to customers without retailers or wholesalers. DTC brands control their customer relationships, brand experience, and margins, but face unique design challenges around subscriptions, retention, and storytelling.
Custom Shopify Stores
DTC Shopify stores that drive customer loyalty
From subscription-first brands to direct sales models, I’ve designed Shopify stores for DTC companies that need more than off-the-shelf themes can deliver. Each project focuses on conversion-driven UX, brand elevation, and creating purchase journeys that feel effortless to customers. These aren’t just beautiful stores, they’re built to convert.
Latest Shopify DTC Project
Fuzzball | Premium Health-Focused Cat Food Subscription
Fuzzball is a premium, health-focused cat food subscription brand with a playful personality. The challenge was creating a bespoke quiz-driven subscription experience that felt personal, engaging, and trustworthy while educating customers about product quality and health benefits.
I delivered a fully bespoke Shopify store with a custom interactive quiz, build-a-box subscription flows, and a comprehensive design system. The playful UI and simplified purchase journey transformed the subscription experience from complex to delightful.
Quiz summary page to checkout click
Increase in overall site purchase conversion rate
Latest Shopify DTC Project
East at Home — Restaurant-Quality Indian Food DTC Brand
East at Home is on a mission to make restaurant-quality curries achievable at home, with a range of stir-in sauces and spice kits inspired by authentic Indian recipes. The challenge was creating a conversion-focused Shopify store that reflected their bold new branding while maintaining a healthy conversion rate and increasing average order value.
I delivered a bespoke Shopify design with custom bundle builder, quantity-based savings indicators, and a mobile-first design system. The result is a vibrant, engaging shopping experience that drives both conversion and basket size.
16%
Increase in basket value
26%
Increase in revenue per session
Client Success Story
Shopify Bespoke DTC Design Success Story
When I first saw Anthony's work I knew that he was the right person for us, my initial hunch turned out to be correct. He was a joy to work with, a true craftsman who takes pride in his work with expert knowledge and delivers amazing results.
Ali Zaman | East At Home Owner
Let's create your DTC Shopify success story
My Design Process
How I approach DTC Shopify projects
Every DTC brand has unique challenges, but my process ensures we address the fundamentals while customising for your specific business model.
Customer Purchase Journey Review
Finding pain points and areas for wins
Before jumping into design, I start by understanding how your customers actually use your store. I analyse your GA4 data to see where people click, where they drop off, and which pages convert best. This helps me spot the friction points that are costing you sales.
I map the entire journey on a Miro board, looking at mobile and desktop separately since DTC customers shop differently on each. The result is a clear picture of what’s working, what’s broken, and where small design changes can make a big impact on conversion rates.
Bespoke Design System Creation
Refining or creating a new accessible mobile-first system
Once I understand your customers and goals, I build (or refine) a design system in Figma. This isn’t just a style guide. It’s a complete library of reusable components, button states, form inputs, subscription flows, and product cards that work together consistently across your entire store.
I design mobile-first because that’s where most DTC traffic comes from. Every interaction is tested for accessibility and clarity. The system gives your developers everything they need to build accurately and gives you the flexibility to create new landing pages and campaigns without starting from scratch each time.
Conversion Rate Optimisation Expert
Page creation and clickable prototype
With the design system in place, I create fully interactive Figma prototypes for key pages like product pages, collection layouts, checkout flows, and subscription journeys. These aren’t static mockups. You can click through them, test different user paths, and see exactly how the store will feel before any code is written.
This is where CRO happens. I refine layouts based on what we learned in the UX review, test different approaches to trust signals and CTAs, and make sure every page guides customers naturally toward purchase. Developers get clear specs, you get confidence in the direction, and your customers get a store designed specifically to convert.
Related Shopify Services
Explore more Shopify services to support your DTC growth
From bespoke Shopify builds to conversion optimisation, I help DTC merchants create stores that acquire customers efficiently and retain them profitably.
Featured Client: Drink Finder
Shopify Conversion Rate Optimisation
Optimise your DTC store to convert more traffic into customers. I analyse user behaviour, test checkout flows, and implement data-backed UX improvements to increase revenue and reduce cart abandonment.
Featured Client: Whistlefish
Featured Client: Fuzzball
Shopify Subscriptions
Subscription commerce is the foundation of DTC success. I design flexible, customer-friendly subscription experiences that maximise retention and customer lifetime value.
Featured Client: Drink Finder
Shopify Migration
Many DTC brands start on basic platforms and outgrow them as they scale. I specialise in migrations that don’t just move your store, they transform it. From replatforming legacy systems to Shopify Plus, I redesign the entire customer journey with DTC priorities in mind: subscription flows, brand storytelling, and conversion-focused UX. The result is a Shopify store designed to support your growth, not hold it back.
Why Work With Me
With 20+ years of design experience and 6+ years focused exclusively on Shopify, I help brands create stores that convert. Every project combines brand strategy, UX expertise, and conversion-focused design.
Shopify Insights for DTC Brands
Expert tips and advice to fine-tune your DTC store
Practical advice, UX insights, and conversion strategies to help DTC brands build high-performing Shopify stores that drive customer loyalty.
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DTC brands focus on building direct customer relationships rather than selling through retailers. This means your Shopify store needs features like subscription management, robust email capture, loyalty program integration, and brand storytelling throughout the purchase journey. You’re not just completing transactions — you’re building a community and maximising customer lifetime value.
Yes. Subscription commerce is a core focus of my DTC work. I design seamless subscription experiences using platforms like Recharge, Bold, and native Shopify subscriptions. This includes build-a-box flows, flexible subscription management, gift subscriptions, and retention-focused account dashboards.
Retention starts with understanding why customers come back. I design post-purchase experiences, loyalty program integration, personalised recommendations, and account dashboards that make customers feel valued. Combined with email/SMS capture strategies and retention-focused UX patterns, these elements work together to increase repeat purchase rates.
Absolutely. Most DTC brands rely on platforms like Klaviyo for email marketing, Attentive for SMS, Recharge for subscriptions, and Gorgias for customer support. I design with these integrations in mind, ensuring your Shopify store works seamlessly with your entire DTC tech stack.
I’ve worked with DTC brands across pet food & subscriptions (Fuzzball), food & beverage (East at Home), beauty & skincare (Dr Lipp), home & lifestyle (Window Fleur), and wellness products. While each industry has nuances, the core DTC principles — subscription UX, retention focus, brand storytelling, and customer lifetime value optimisation — apply universally.
Timeline depends on complexity and features. A standard DTC build with subscription functionality typically takes 8-12 weeks from kickoff to launch. More complex projects with custom features or integrations may take 12-16 weeks. I’ll provide a detailed timeline during our initial consultation.
Shopify Expert
Ready to build a DTC Shopify store that drives loyalty?
Shopify expert who can help elevate your store to the next level
20 years of agency and direct client experience, without the high price tag
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