Shopify Store Build Scope of Work Template (Google Docs)

Most Shopify store builds look similar from the outside: a theme, some pages, products, payments, shipping, apps, and a launch.

Need a general Shopify scope for any project type? See the Shopify Scope of Work Template.

But scoping is where projects quietly go sideways.

A “basic store build” can be 40 hours or 240 hours depending on a few inputs the scope didn’t make explicit (catalog complexity, integrations, markets, B2B, content migration, subscription logic, etc.). When those inputs aren’t captured clearly, agencies end up with:

• under-scoped build work
• surprise integrations
• timeline drift
• margin compression

This page gives you a copy/paste Shopify store build scope you can put into Google Docs today—plus the variables and exclusions that keep the scope stable.

If you want the scope to assemble itself from those inputs (instead of manually rewriting every time), RuleDox can generate a near-complete draft inside Google Docs.

Assemble a store build scope in Google Docs → https://ruledox.app/live-demo

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• Shopify agencies delivering a repeatable store build offer (Starter / Growth / Plus)
• Teams that scope in Google Docs and want consistent deliverables
• Founder-led shops that need scoping to be delegable without quality drift

• One-off experimental builds where requirements are intentionally undefined
• Projects where the client expects “unlimited iteration” with no change control

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A store build scope should answer—without interpretation:

1. What you will build (deliverables)
2. What you will not build (exclusions)
3. What you need from the client (responsibilities)
4. What changes the plan (assumptions + variables)
5. How changes are handled (change requests)

If any of those are fuzzy, the scope is a suggestion—not an agreement.

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Client: [Client name]

Project: Shopify store build

Goal: [e.g., launch a Shopify store that supports X products, Y collections, and Z operational requirements]

Success criteria:

• Store is live on Shopify, accessible on primary domains
• Checkout works end-to-end for agreed payment methods
• Shipping/tax rules behave as defined in this scope
• Agreed integrations are connected and tested

2.1 Discovery & alignment

• Kickoff workshop(s) to confirm goals, constraints, and priorities
• Finalize scope inputs (catalog size, integrations, markets, B2B, etc.)
• Confirm content responsibilities and deadlines (who supplies what, when)

Outputs:

• Discovery notes + action items
• Final scope inputs + implementation plan

2.2 Information architecture (IA) & page list

• Confirm required page types (e.g., Home, Collection, Product, Cart, Checkout, About, Contact, Policies)
• Define navigation structure (header/footer)

Outputs:

• Page list and navigation map

2.3 Theme setup and baseline configuration

• Shopify store setup and baseline configuration (settings, policies, notifications)
• Theme selection [or] theme build approach as agreed
• Apply brand styling (fonts, colors, basic components)

Outputs:

• Configured Shopify admin settings (as applicable)
• Theme installed and configured

2.4 Design (if included)

• UX/UI design for key templates: [list templates included]
• Responsive design considerations
• Design review rounds: [# of rounds]

Outputs:

• Approved design files for included templates

2.5 Build & implementation

• Implement agreed templates/components in Shopify theme
• Configure collections, menus, and search behavior (as supported by theme/apps)
• Set up core store features:
  • payments (providers as agreed)
  • shipping profiles and rates (rules as agreed)
  • taxes (configuration as agreed; see exclusions)

Outputs:

• Working Shopify storefront on staging theme

2.6 Product/catalog setup (choose one)

Option A — Agency loads products:

• Import up to [N] products and [N] collections from client-supplied data
• Configure variants/options according to provided structure

Option B — Client loads products:

• Provide import template + guidance
• Review a sample set for correctness

Outputs:

• Catalog loaded per agreed option

2.7 Apps & integrations (explicit list)

Integrations must be named to be in scope.

In-scope apps/integrations:

• [App/Integration #1] — purpose, key workflows, what “done” means
• [App/Integration #2]

Implementation includes:

• install + configuration
• basic workflow testing (happy paths)

2.8 Content population (choose one)

Option A — Agency populates content:

• Populate site pages with client-provided copy and assets

Option B — Client populates content:

• Provide page templates + guidance
• Review for structural issues (not copywriting quality)

2.9 QA, testing & acceptance

Agency QA includes:

• Cross-browser checks (latest Chrome/Safari/Firefox)
• Responsive checks (mobile/tablet/desktop)
• Checkout test for agreed payment methods (test mode where applicable)
• Shipping/tax behavior spot checks based on provided scenarios
• Broken links and basic performance checks

Client acceptance includes:

• Review content accuracy and legal/policy text
• Approve design and layout for included templates
• Sign off on launch readiness

2.10 Launch & handover

• Launch plan (timeline + responsibilities)
• Domain connection / DNS coordination (see responsibilities)
• Go-live support window: [e.g., 3 business days]
• Handover training session: [duration]

Outputs:

• Live Shopify store
• Handover notes + admin access confirmed

Unless explicitly listed in “In-scope deliverables,” the following are excluded:

• Copywriting, brand strategy, product photography
• SEO strategy/keyword research beyond basic on-page fields
• Custom app development
• Complex data migrations (orders/customers) from legacy platforms
• Advanced analytics instrumentation beyond basic configuration
• Tax/legal compliance advice (you configure, client confirms)
• Unlimited revisions (see change requests)

• Client provides assets (logos, brand files, copy, product data) by agreed deadlines
• Client provides required access (Shopify admin, domain registrar, app accounts)
• Approvals are returned within [X] business days to maintain timeline
• Scope inputs remain stable; changes follow change request process

• Provide final product data and imagery in the agreed format
• Provide domain/DNS access or coordinate with domain owner
• Provide third-party app accounts/licenses and pay related fees
• Review and approve deliverables on schedule
• Confirm legal and policy content (privacy/returns/shipping)

Replace with your own realistic plan.

• Week 1: discovery + inputs + IA
• Week 2: theme setup + design (if included)
• Week 3–4: build + catalog + integrations
• Week 5: QA + launch

A change request is triggered by:

• new integrations/apps added after scope sign-off
• increase in product/catalog complexity beyond agreed limits
• new templates/pages/features beyond the page list
• major design direction change after approval

Change requests are handled by:

• written description of change
• updated hours/pricing and timeline impact
• approval before work begins

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1. Theme approach: off-the-shelf vs custom build
2. Template count: number of unique templates/components
3. Page count: total pages to populate
4. Catalog size: products, variants, collections
5. Search & filtering: basic vs faceted filtering requirements
6. Markets: single vs multi-currency/multi-language
7. Shipping: simple vs zone-based vs carrier-calculated
8. Payments: providers, 3DS, local methods
9. Subscriptions: yes/no, and business rules
10. B2B / wholesale: account gating, price lists, PO workflows
11. POS: locations, hardware, staff training needs
12. Integrations: ERP/WMS/3PL, accounting, CRM, reviews, loyalty
13. Tracking: GA4/GTM pixels, consent banner requirements
14. Content migration: who moves what, from where
15. Acceptance standard: what “done” means for each deliverable

Pro tip: treat these as scope variables, not “notes.” If they’re variables, they should have rules.

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If it’s not named, it doesn’t exist. Put the exact apps/systems in scope.

Product data is often the hidden time bomb (variants, images, metafields). Make an explicit choice: agency loads vs client loads.

If you include design, define what templates are designed and how many revision cycles are included.

Domains, access, app fees, approvals—if the client doesn’t own these explicitly, you will.

Shopify scoping works best when delivery roles sanity-check the inputs early. Shopify itself has written about scoping being a team sport—not a sales-only activity.

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Templates help you start, but you still spend hours assembling.

RuleDox helps you encode the parts that repeat:

• scope variables (catalog size, integrations, markets)
• conditional sections (include/exclude based on inputs)
• hours/pricing logic (if you use it)

Result: your team generates a consistent first draft in Google Docs, then tweaks what’s unique.

Assemble a store build scope in Google Docs → https://ruledox.app/live-demo

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• General Shopify SOW template: https://ruledox.app/content/shopify/shopify-scope-of-work-template
• Migration scope: https://ruledox.app/content/shopify/shopify-migration-scope-of-work
• Theme customization scope: https://ruledox.app/content/shopify/shopify-theme-customization-scope
• Retainer scope: https://ruledox.app/content/shopify/shopify-retainer-scope

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A store build scope assumes you’re building a new storefront experience. A migration scope must also define data migration, redirects, platform constraints, and cutover risk.

Include only what you actually deliver. For most agencies, that’s basic on-page fields, technical hygiene, and handover. Full SEO strategy belongs in a separate SEO scope.

Because clarity is margin. The point of a scope isn’t to look nice; it’s to prevent misunderstandings, set responsibilities, and make change control enforceable.