Don't just launch. Convert.

Shopify and Shopify Plus are the default for most DTC eCommerce builds — they balance launch speed, performance, and scalability better than the alternatives. We also handle Magento → Shopify migrations regularly, custom headless commerce on Next.js or Astro for brands with specific performance or content requirements, and ongoing Magento development for enterprise clients already on the platform. We don't push a platform we don't believe fits — the audit drives the recommendation.

Most builds run 8-14 weeks from kickoff to launch. The variation is in scope: a custom design with a 200-product catalog and 4-5 third-party integrations is closer to 14 weeks; a tighter scope rebuild with an existing design system and minimal integrations is closer to 8 weeks. Migrations from Magento or other platforms typically run 12-16 weeks because data integrity and SEO preservation add complexity.

Yes — migrations are a substantial portion of our development practice. The Parts Place Inc and ML Furs case studies are both Magento → Shopify migrations. The migration playbook covers data integrity, URL structure preservation, SEO equity transfer, and post-launch traffic recovery. We've never lost organic traffic on a properly executed migration.

Either works. About 40% of our builds are with brands that have an in-house or contracted design team — we provide development and CRO; they handle visual design. The remaining 60% are full-service where we cover all three disciplines. The model that fits depends on your team and timeline.

Monthly retainer with a quarterly testing roadmap. We typically run 8-12 tests per quarter — A/B tests on core conversion paths, multivariate tests on key landing pages, occasional larger tests on flow architecture. Each test runs to statistical significance before promoting; winning variants get rolled into the codebase, losing variants document the lesson. Most clients see 1.5-2.5x annual conversion lift on the testing program alone.

The Web Retainer is for brands that have a site they want to keep evolving — not rebuild, just keep moving forward. $2,500/month buys 16 hours across design, development, and maintenance. Use it for new landing pages, component additions, performance tuning, third-party integration support, and the steady stream of small site improvements that compound over a year. Brands typically engage the retainer either after we ship a Full Build (we keep the relationship going) or when they have an existing site that's working but hasn't had real attention in 18+ months. If your needs cross 16 hours/month consistently, we have higher tiers — but most brands don't need them.

AI Solutions is a separate practice from web development — same agency, different scope. Web development builds your customer-facing site. AI Solutions builds the software that runs your business: legacy system replacements, SaaS tool replacements, internal workflow automation, custom dashboards, customer portals. $3,000/month flat with weekly shipping cycles and unlimited features. The math: most brands at $5M+ revenue are running $4-8K/month in SaaS subscriptions for tools that solve 80% of the problem. AI Solutions replaces that stack with software you own, maintained on the same retainer. Learn more at ai.actbold.com or book a call to walk through what your stack looks like.

Yes — most clients move into a Web Retainer post-launch covering technical maintenance, performance monitoring, security updates, minor feature additions, and bug fixes. Retainer scope is set during the SOW and adjusted as the relationship evolves. Sites we built are sites we maintain. Brands that also want a CRO testing program layered on top engage the CRO retainer separately.