Skip to content 
From Headless Back to Shopify: Why Merchants Are Making the Switch
- MM Team
In recent years, headless commerce has been widely embraced by e-commerce brands seeking ultimate flexibility and customization. However, as a Shopify Agency, we are witnessing a growing number of merchants choosing to revert back to Shopify’s native ecosystem. But why is this happening? In this article, we explore the common pain points of headless commerce, the benefits of Shopify’s all-in-one solution, and how and when businesses can successfully make the transition back to Shopify.
The Rise of Headless Commerce
Headless commerce gained popularity as a way for businesses to decouple the front-end and back-end of their online stores, enabling greater design freedom, faster performance, and API-driven integrations. The promise of complete control over the user experience seemed like an attractive option, particularly for brands looking to push the limits of Shopify store customization.
The Challenges
of Headless Commerce
Despite its advantages, many merchants have faced significant challenges with headless commerce implementations, leading them to reconsider their choices. Some of the most common struggles include:
- High Development and Maintenance Costs – Headless commerce setups require continuous development, often demanding in-house teams or costly external agencies to maintain and update the store.
- Complex Operations – Running a headless Shopify store means juggling multiple services, third-party APIs, and custom solutions, leading to operational inefficiencies.
- Limited Agility for Marketing Teams – Shopify’s native features like drag-and-drop builders, customizable themes, and easy app integrations allow marketing teams to launch campaigns quickly. With headless Shopify, many marketing teams struggle with a lack of direct control.
- Integration Challenges – Shopify’s ecosystem offers seamless integrations with payment processors, Shopify apps, and shipping solutions. Headless commerce stores often face unexpected compatibility issues, requiring additional development work.
- Performance and SEO Issues – While headless Shopify commerce promises speed, poor implementations can lead to slow load times, SEO challenges, and a negative impact on conversion rates.
Headless is an excellent solution for specific needs. Generally speaking, we suggest headless commerce only when a merchant requires highly customized functionality or features that Shopify cannot support, even with workarounds. However, merchants must be aware of the considerably higher costs and complexities of headless setups, which is why this solution is typically best suited for large-scale e-commerce brands.
When Headless Makes Sense
Why Merchants
Are Moving Back
to Shopify
After experiencing these challenges, many merchants are realizing that Shopify provides a more scalable, cost-effective, and efficient e-commerce solution. The key reasons for moving from headless back to Shopify include:
- All-in-One Convenience – Shopify’s robust infrastructure removes the need for managing multiple third-party services, making it easier for merchants to focus on Shopify store growth.
- Cost Efficiency – Instead of spending thousands on ongoing development, businesses can leverage Shopify’s built-in e-commerce tools to achieve similar results at a fraction of the cost.
- Ease of Use – Shopify’s user-friendly admin panel empowers business owners and marketing teams to make quick changes without relying on developers.
- Improved Performance & Security – Shopify hosting ensures optimized site speed, automatic updates, and strong security measures, relieving merchants from technical burdens.
- Seamless Integrations – With a vast Shopify app marketplace and native integrations, Shopify enables businesses to add functionalities effortlessly.
How to Transition from Headless Back to Shopify
For merchants looking to move from a headless e-commerce setup back to Shopify, a structured approach is essential to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s how:
Evaluate Your Current Setup – Identify what’s working and what isn’t in your headless commerce architecture. Understand which data, features, and integrations need to be migrated.
Partner with a Shopify Agency – At MM Shopy Devs, we have successfully transitioned brands such as Marfa Stance back to Shopify. Choosing the right partner is crucial, and in many cases, all-in-one solutions may not be the best fit. Boutique agencies specializing in Shopify theme development offer a more personalized and tailored service.
Redesign Your Store – If your headless setup already includes a UX design, this is a great opportunity to review and improve it. A skilled development partner will create a Shopify theme that mirrors your design while optimizing CRO (conversion rate optimization) and functionality.
Migrate Data & Content – Ensure a seamless transfer of products, customers, orders, and SEO settings to avoid any loss of business.
Test and Optimize – Before going live, rigorously test the new Shopify store to ensure smooth functionality, performance, and user experience.
Go Live & Train Your Team – Once migrated, educate your team on Shopify’s features to maximize efficiency.
While headless Shopify commerce offers undeniable advantages, it is not always the best fit for every business. Many merchants are discovering that Shopify’s simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive ecosystem provide a more sustainable path to success. If you’re considering making the switch back to Shopify, now is the time to explore a solution that offers flexibility without the headaches of ongoing development and maintenance.
Are you thinking about moving from headless back to Shopify? Let’s talk! Our team of Shopify experts can help you transition smoothly and optimize your Shopify store for growth.
FAQ
Is headless commerce the right choice, or should I stay on Shopify?
Headless commerce can be beneficial for large-scale e-commerce brands that require highly customized functionalities not supported by Shopify’s native capabilities. However, it comes with significant costs and complexities.
How difficult is the transition from headless back to Shopify?
The complexity of moving back depends on the current setup. If your store relies heavily on custom integrations, a Shopify expert can help ensure a smooth transition by preserving your design, migrating data, and optimizing your new Shopify store.
I was recommended by an agency to go for Shopify headless, what should I do?
If an agency has recommended Shopify headless, evaluate whether your business truly needs it. Headless commerce is beneficial for large-scale brands with complex customizations, multi-channel experiences, or specific API-driven needs. However, if your business doesn’t require extreme flexibility or if Shopify’s built-in features already cover your needs, a traditional Shopify setup (or Shopify Plus) may be the better and more cost-effective option. Consider seeking a second opinion from a Shopify expert like MM Shopy Devs to assess whether headless is the right fit for you.
Is headless commerce worth it for my business?
Headless commerce is beneficial for brands needing advanced API-driven experiences, highly customized storefronts, or multi-channel integration beyond Shopify’s capabilities. However, it requires ongoing developer support and higher costs.
Can I keep my custom design when moving from headless commerce back to Shopify?
Yes, a skilled Shopify developer as MM Shopy Devs can replicate your existing design within Shopify while optimizing for performance, usability, and conversions.
How much does it cost to move from headless commerce back to Shopify?
Costs vary depending on the size of your store, the complexity of integrations, and custom design needs. However, moving back to Shopify can significantly reduce long-term expenses associated with development and maintenance.
What is headless commerce, and how does it compare to Shopify?
Headless commerce is an e-commerce architecture where the front-end and back-end are separated, allowing for greater customization and flexibility. Shopify, on the other hand, provides an all-in-one, user-friendly e-commerce platform that integrates both front-end and back-end functionalities, making store management easier and more cost-effective.
How does Shopify Plus compare to headless commerce?
Shopify Plus offers advanced features, high scalability, and automation tools, making it an excellent alternative to headless commerce for high-growth brands. It provides API flexibility, international expansion tools, and enterprise-level security, eliminating the need for complex headless setups.
Can I move from Shopify back to headless commerce in the future?
Yes, but it requires a complete replatforming effort, including custom front-end development, API integrations, and additional hosting costs. Before going headless, ensure that Shopify’s built-in tools cannot meet your needs.
How long does it take to transition from headless commerce back to Shopify?
The timeline depends on store complexity, data migration needs, and design requirements. On average, a Shopify migration takes between 4 to 12 weeks, depending on how customized the store setup is.
Who should consider staying on headless commerce instead of Shopify?
Businesses that need extreme customization, multi-platform selling, or unique checkout experiences may benefit from headless commerce. However, these businesses must also have a dedicated development team and a high budget for ongoing maintenance.
How does Shopify’s speed compare to a headless commerce website?
Shopify’s optimized hosting and built-in CDN (Content Delivery Network) ensure fast load speeds and high performance. A poorly built headless commerce site can suffer from slow response times due to API calls and heavy front-end frameworks.
Will Shopify support future growth if I move from headless commerce back to Shopify?
Yes, Shopify and Shopify Plus offer robust scalability, allowing businesses to expand internationally, add custom functionalities, and scale up operations without the complexity of a headless setup.
Will Shopify allow my business to expand internationally after moving from headless commerce?
Yes, Shopify Plus provides advanced features like Shopify Markets, which enable businesses to sell in multiple regions, support multiple currencies, and offer localized content without needing a custom headless build.
Does Shopify provide omnichannel capabilities like headless commerce?
Yes, Shopify’s native omnichannel features allow seamless selling across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google, Amazon, and brick-and-mortar stores without the need for headless commerce.
What are common mistakes to avoid when migrating back to Shopify?
- Not setting up 301 redirects, leading to SEO ranking loss.
- Failing to test integrations before launching.
- Overcomplicating the migration, instead of using Shopify’s built-in tools.
- Neglecting mobile optimization, which can impact user experience and conversions.