Choosing a Shopify retainer is easier said than done. Industry expertise, past experience and AI capabilities, are just some factors to assess the agencies for.
Whether you’re a Shopify startup or an established brand looking to scale and grow your business with AI-powered services, you require Shopify retainer packages from the best retainer partners.
This blog will help you get started.
Different types of Shopify retainer packages to choose from
51% of agency leaders are optimistic about the future of retainer and freelancer partnerships with brands. With changes in technology and market trends, agencies are providing various styles of packages.
Compare retainer Shopify plans to choose the best type agency that aligns with your business goals.
Specialized service retainers
Specialized retainers provide specific services required by Shopify stores. These retainers help you with specific services while the other aspects are taken care of internally or by other resources. For instance,
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Shopify design and development retainer for theme customization, app integrations, and technical aspects
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Conversion rate optimization (CRO) retainers to optimize sales funnels for better revenue generation
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Regular support retainers for maintenance, bug fixes, and general troubleshooting.
Full-service retainers
You can hire Shopify retailers that provide complete services for your store. This type of retainer is suitable when you want a single resource for different types of services. Here’s what you can expect from full-service retainers:
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Shopify development and design
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Growth marketing
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Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
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Store speed optimization
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Growth and strategy retainer
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Technical support
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Customization support retainer
Hour-based or monthly retainers
Retainers are paid based on the hours worked or fixed tasks for a monthly fee. Hourly retainers offer flexibility to Shopify stores as their services can be availed based on requirement. However, this can lead to inconsistencies and delays.
Monthly retainers work for a fixed fee and pre-defined deliverables. They also prioritize the customer, hence tend to be more beneficial to Shopify stores.
AI-powered retainers
New age agencies offer AI-powered Shopify retainer packages to meet the increasing demands of Shopify brands.
These included automation and AI tools for A/B testing, customer segmentation, personalization, and predictive analytics. From setup and optimization to chatbots with natural language processing, and automated notifications, AI-powered retainers offer various services.
What to expect from Shopify retainers
Apart from the core services that your retainers will provide, there are some other factors that you must know about and expect from the agencies. Here are some of the best Shopify retainer services to look for:
1. Clear scope and deliverables
Your requirements will be specific to your business. A good Shopify retainer will tailor deliverables and scope of work based on your needs.
To do that, the retainer will need to conduct a thorough audit and get an understanding of your business needs. The scope should be clear and deliverables measurable.
2. Priority support and defined response timelines
Top quality retainers define details about timelines. For example, response times based on the task or requirement.
When the requirement is critical, they offer priority support. Many quality Shopify retainers also provide emergency contacts for after-hours and critical issues.
3. Strategic consultations and monthly reporting
Your Shopify retainer packages should include monthly reporting along with strategic consultation.
The monthly reporting meeting should include reviews and metrics. Alongside, it should also include discussions on new strategies and the plan for the upcoming month. The best Shopify retainer agencies recommend new strategies based on trends and goals.
4. AI-led implementation services
The global AI in eCommerce market size is said to be $9.1 billion in 2025, and is predicted to be more than $64 billion by 2034. New age retainers are catching up with this trend, offering AI-powered services, including automation, machine learning and more.
The services include CRO experiments, automated audits for design and content, real-time user behavior tracking, among others. AI can make your Shopify processes more efficient and cost-effective.
5. Tool implementation and integration
Retainers should also provide consultation and recommendations for the implementation of AI tools that can add efficiency to your processes.
For instance, the retainers should have the expertise to implement AI chatbots for customer service, personalization tools for marketing, inventory management tools with predictive analytics, etc.
How do agency retainers compare by cost and value?
The costing and pricing of your Shopify retainers will depend on various factors, such as the scope of work, experience, expertise, technology capability, and more. Here’s how to compare Shopify retainer plans based on cost and fee.
1. Price range based on services
Shopify retainer packages offering basic services, such as content, design, CRO, and web development cost less than advanced services that require deeper expertise and more skilled resources.
AI-powered services cost more as it requires advanced tools and software, as well as resources who have the expertise and knowledge to work with the tools.
2. Common red flags in low-cost retainers
You might face some issues with low-cost retainers. For example, they may rely on manual processes compared to AI-powered tools.
This can limit your business scalability. The retainers might lack data-driven decision making capabilities. Moreover, if they do not have strategic consultation capabilities, it may hinder your business growth.
3. Value added components
The best Shopify retainers services include value-added services, and hence, the premium pricing.
For instance, not only do they provide basic services, they also have the ability to offer strategic guidance on various matters. Their capability and knowledge of AI-powered tools can help brands stay ahead in the fast-paced digital world.
They know how to automate tasks such as abandoned cart recovery, churn management, upselling and cross-selling, so that you can focus on more strategic matters.
What questions should you ask before hiring retainers?
You might have many questions when assessing a retainer, and you shouldn’t hesitate to ask them. Here are some questions to get you started with.
1. Team expertise and experience
Get a sense of the team members’ knowledge, skills, and experience levels. Ask questions about whether they have worked on Shopify or Shopify Plus stores, if they have implemented AI tools and automation, and ask them to share case studies of their work in the same industry as yours.
2. Success measurement and data usage
Ask questions about how the retainer agency measures success and the metrics they track. Understand if they use AI and ML to analyze customer data, how they identify optimization opportunities, and what tools they use for tracking and analysis. The best Shopify retainer packages include the use of advanced AI tools.
3. Results and case studies
Ask the retainer agencies to share case studies from similar projects they’ve done. Ask them to show projects that demonstrate their skills in AI, automation, ML, and predictive analytics, etc. Assess the metrics and results mentioned in the case studies, and get a sense of whether or not their experience aligns with your business goals.
4. AI tool implementation
Understand the retainer agency’s experience and expertise with AI tool implementation. If you want to enhance your platform with tools such as product recommendation, smart search functions, and personalization, you must compare Shopify retainer plans and pick a partner that has the knowledge and expertise in the area of AI and automation.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a Shopify retainer
Before you zero in on a Shopify retainer package with an agency, ensure you avoid some of the common mistakes.
1. Price-only decision making
Avoid choosing an agency only based on Shopify retainer pricing. Low-cost retainers may not be the best and might lack expertise and experience. Consider all factors such as their experience, skills, team members, value-added services, and more.
2. Vague contract terms
When signing contracts with retainers, ensure the terms are not vague. For instance, check the deliverables, timelines, and technology capability of the retainers. Ensure all details are clearly mentioned, including AI and automation tools usage.
3. Misaligned business goals
Ensure your retainer agency understands your long-term business goals. This will ensure the agency takes a long-term approach, and implements strategies that align with your goals. If the agency is not equipped to scale your business with AI and technology, it might stunt your business growth.
4. Ignoring cultural fit
Whether or not there is a culture-fit with the retainer agency is an equally important aspect. This will ensure long-term association and smooth functioning between the retainer and your in-house team. Assess their working style, communication systems, and business philosophy.
Summing up - find the best Shopify retainer packages
AI and automation are changing the eCommerce space rapidly. And if you do not integrate these advanced technologies into your Shopify experience, you might end up struggling to keep up in the future.
The right retainer agency can ensure you stay competitive in the market and are ready to grow. Choose the best Shopify retainer agency that aligns with your business goals, requirements, and is AI and automation forward.
If you’re looking for an AI-powered Shopify retainer, contact XgenTech.
