Shopify Developer in 2026: Complete Guide to Skills, APIs, Freelancing, Themes & Expert Growth

Hey guys, In this post I want to share the exact steps I would take if my goal was to become a Shopify expert developer today.This is only for people who care about execution and want real results. If that sounds like you, let’s dive right in.

Step 1: Build a Strong Technical Foundation (HTML & CSS)

The first thing you need is a basic technical foundation, especially if you don’t know how to code yet.

For the first two weeks, I would focus only on HTML and CSS. Nothing else. The goal here is to practice as much as possible. You can follow a crash course or a few tutorials, but the key is to quickly move into building real projects.

By real projects, I mean portfolio-worthy projects—things that actually look like real websites. This includes:

• Landing pages

• Block-based layouts

• Login and signup forms

• Mobile-responsive designs

Future clients and employers looking for Shopify experts will always check your work first. They want proof that you can handle real-world tasks. So instead of random practice, build projects that look similar to what a Shopify dev would actually work on.

This entire step is just two weeks of focused effort—learning HTML and CSS and creating as many solid demo projects as you can.

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Step 2: Learn the Shopify Platform Inside Out

Next, I would spend another two full weeks learning Shopify itself.

Start with the platform basics. Try building good-looking eCommerce stores using stock images and different Shopify themes. Explore how themes work and how layouts are structured.

Make sure you understand the Shopify backend, including:

• Adding products and collections

• Tax and shipping settings

• Payment gateways

• Google Analytics integration

You should also explore third-party Shopify apps for common use cases like product reviews, multilingual stores, and basic marketing features. This knowledge is extremely valuable if you want to grow as a Shopify expert developer or eventually move toward being a Shopify API developer.

The real beauty of Shopify is that it’s a low-code platform. You can already build fully functional eCommerce websites without writing a single line of code, which is why so many people enter this space.

That said, I’ll be honest—it’s definitely harder today to find work only offering store setups compared to before. The market is more competitive, and more people are becoming Shopify devs. That’s exactly why having strong fundamentals and real projects matters more than ever.

The Time Window for Shopify Experts

But conservatively, I would say you still have one to two years left to properly position yourself. My personal prediction is that the whole Shopify ecosystem is shifting upmarket. That’s a different topic for a different video, but the point here is—you still have time.

Step 3: Start Customizing Shopify Themes (Use Your Coding Skills)

Once you have a basic understanding of the Shopify platform, you can start looking into theme files. This is where your HTML and CSS skills really start paying off.

Try to use what you’ve already learned to:

• Make simple customizations

• Build basic custom sections

• Adjust layouts and styling

Even small changes already put you ahead of people without any coding experience, which is a big advantage if you want to grow as a Shopify expert developer or Shopify dev. And of course, make sure you save all these projects, because you’ll need them for your portfolio later.

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Step 4: Build a Clean, Professional Portfolio

Now, speaking of that portfolio—this is step three, and you really don’t want to complicated it.

Creating the initial version shouldn’t take more than a few days. To speed things up, I’d use Webflow with a clean template. You don’t need to build this from scratch.

A few important tips here:

• Your portfolio must look professional

• Compare it with other Shopify expert portfolios and see how it stacks up

• Ideally, get it reviewed by someone experienced

You also want to clearly show who you are. Upload a professional photo of yourself—or even better, a short cover letter video. If you’re not comfortable showing yourself, that’s usually a mindset issue. You have to stand behind the services you offer.

Showing yourself subconsciously communicates:

“I stand behind my work. I take responsibility.”

This builds instant trust, especially when you don’t yet have reviews or testimonials.

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Show Your Work the Right Way (Very Important)

Obviously, you also want to showcase the work you’re capable of doing. This is where all the demo projects you’ve built come in.

One super common mistake—don’t send people away from your website.

Avoid:

• CodePen links

• GitHub repositories

Clients don’t know how to read code. Instead:

• Take screenshots

• Explain what the project is about

• Present the work the way you want it to be seen

And lastly, add a simple way to contact you, ideally an embedded contact form. Once that’s done, you’re good to go.

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Step 5: Get Your First Paid Shopify Job (Any Job)

At this point, you’ve spent about four to four and a half weeks on everything so far. Believe it or not, now it’s time to land your first paid job as a Shopify dev.

What kind of job should this be?
Honestly—anything.

As long as:

• There’s a chance you can complete it (or research the solution)

• You get paid, even a small amount

• You can add it to your portfolio

• You can get a review or testimonial

It doesn’t matter whether it’s:

• A Shopify store setup

• A small bug fix

• Building a custom section

• Integrating a third-party app

Every single job helps you build momentum and credibility as a Shopify expert developer. The first paid job is also a huge mental milestone.

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How to Actually Get That First Paid Job

The answer is simple: whatever it takes.

Start by:

• Contacting everyone you know

• Asking if they know someone who needs website help

Then:

• Reach out to all your social media connections

• Create a freelancing profile on one platform only

• Focus on daily outreach instead of spreading yourself thin

You can also connect with 10–20 people per day in the Shopify space. LinkedIn works especially well for this, particularly if you want to move toward higher-paying Shopify expert or Shopify API developer roles.