Professional custom web shop development
Building a webshop that actually converts? We build custom e-commerce solutions that fit your business processes, from product catalogue and checkout flow to integrations with your accounting, stock system and shipping platform. No off-the-shelf theme, but a webshop designed around how your customers buy and how your organisation works.
From product idea to first order: a custom webshop
Building a webshop is more than putting a catalogue online. It covers the entire journey a visitor takes, from finding your shop through search engines to completing an order and receiving a parcel. Every touchpoint in that chain determines whether someone buys or drops off. We design and build that entire journey from your business logic.
More than a product catalogue
Where standard webshop solutions stop at a product overview with a basket, we start with the question of how your customers actually buy. Do you have products with configuration options? Prices that vary by volume? Differences between B2B and B2C customers? That complexity doesn't belong in a workaround, but in the architecture of your webshop. We build checkout flows that suit your range, discount structures that follow your commercial policy, and a product catalogue that behaves the way your customers expect. We lay the foundations so your webshop grows along with your range or customer base.
Our approach always starts with a thorough intake: we map your product structure, customer types, order processes and back-office workflows. Based on that, we choose the technical approach that fits best, whether that is an existing e-commerce platform or a fully bespoke solution. See also our B2B e-commerce portals if you serve business customers specifically.
What we build into your webshop
Every webshop is different, but the building blocks are recognisable. Below are the core areas we address in every e-commerce project, tailored to your specific situation and sector.
Payment methods and PSP integrations
Integrations with payment service providers such as Mollie, Adyen, MultiSafepay and Stripe. We implement iDEAL, credit card, Bancontact, Klarna, Apple Pay and other payment methods that are relevant to your audience. Includes handling of refunds, chargebacks and recurring payments for subscription models.
- Multiple payment methods per region
- Automated handling of returns and refunds
- Subscription and recurring billing support
- PCI DSS compliant via certified PSPs
Product catalogue and stock management
A product catalogue suited to the complexity of your range. From simple products with variants (size, colour) to composite products with configurators, tiered pricing and customer group-specific terms. Stock levels that synchronise in real time with your warehouse or ERP system.
- Product variants, bundles and configurators
- Tiered pricing and customer group pricing
- Real-time stock synchronisation
- Bulk import and PIM integration
Shipping and fulfilment integrations
Automatic shipping label generation, track and trace integration and integration with fulfilment partners. We integrate with PostNL, DHL, DPD, UPS and other carriers. Includes dynamic shipping cost calculation based on weight, dimensions or order value, and support for collection points.
- Automated shipping label generation
- Track and trace in order status
- Dynamic rate calculation
- Multi-carrier support
Checkout and conversion optimisation
The checkout is where revenue is made or lost. We build streamlined checkout flows with as few steps as possible, guest checkout options, address validation and smart upsell opportunities. The entire purchase experience is optimised based on how your customers actually behave, not on a standard template.
- One-page or multi-step checkout
- Address validation and postcode lookup
- Cross-sell and upsell in the basket
- Abandoned basket recovery
Search functionality and navigation
The faster customers find what they are looking for, the higher the conversion. We implement faceted search, autocomplete, filter navigation and category structures that match how your customers think. For large ranges, we integrate specialised search engines that also handle synonyms and spelling mistakes.
- Faceted search and filter navigation
- Autocomplete with product suggestions
- Synonym and spelling error tolerance
- Bespoke category structure
Marketplaces and channel integration
Sell through your own webshop, but also through marketplaces such as bol.com, Amazon or sector-specific platforms. We build integrations that manage product data, stock and orders centrally, so you don't have to work separately for each channel. A single source of truth for your entire commercial operation.
- Central product and stock feed
- Marketplace integrations (bol.com, Amazon)
- Order synchronisation across channels
- Channel-specific pricing and content
Platforms and architecture choices for your webshop
There is no universally best e-commerce platform. The right choice depends on your range, growth expectations, technical requirements and the ecosystem in which your webshop must operate. We advise independently of any platform and build on the technology that best suits your situation.
Headless e-commerce architecture
With a headless commerce architecture, we separate the frontend (what the customer sees) from the backend (where products and orders are managed). This gives maximum freedom in design and performance. The frontend can be built as a very fast static site or progressive web app, while the backend communicates with your ERP, PIM and other systems via APIs. Suited to organisations that prioritise speed, flexibility and omnichannel support.
Bespoke WooCommerce development
Already have a WordPress website, or looking for an affordable entry point into e-commerce? A custom WooCommerce webshop may be the right choice. We don't build standard WooCommerce installations with a bought theme; instead we develop custom themes and plugins that do exactly what you need. From bespoke product types and price calculations to integrations with your warehouse and accounting software. WooCommerce offers a mature ecosystem with a huge range of plugins, but the strength lies in custom work that makes sure everything works together.
Shopify custom development
Shopify offers a solid foundation for e-commerce with a managed ecosystem: hosting, security and updates are handled by the platform. We go beyond standard Shopify themes and build custom storefronts, private apps and integrations that make use of Shopify's Storefront API. Through Shopify's APIs, we connect your store to external systems. Suitable for entrepreneurs who want to start quickly on a reliable platform and scale up later.
Fully custom-built online store
When no existing platform meets your requirements, we build a webshop from the ground up. We do this for organisations with unique business processes: complex pricing engines, sector-specific configurators, multi-warehouse fulfilment or hybrid B2B/B2C models. We choose the technical stack based on your scaling expectations and integration requirements. Read more about our approach to e-commerce development, or see how we build apps for mobile commerce.
Technology and integrations behind your online store
A webshop doesn't stand on its own. Behind every successful online store is an ecosystem of integrations that ensure orders, stock, payments and customer data automatically end up in the right place. We build these API integrations so your webshop works seamlessly with your back office.
Payment providers
Integrations with Mollie, Adyen, Stripe, MultiSafepay and Buckaroo. Support for iDEAL, credit card, PayPal, Klarna, Bancontact, Apple Pay, Google Pay and SEPA direct debit. All transactions run through certified providers that guarantee PCI DSS compliance.
ERP and accounting
Automatic synchronisation of orders, invoices and customer details with Exact Online, Snelstart, Twinfield, AccountView, Unit4 and industry-specific ERP systems. No more manual re-keying: as soon as an order comes in, it flows straight into your financial administration.
CRM and marketing
We connect customer data from your webshop to your CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive) and marketing tools (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign). This lets you run targeted campaigns based on purchasing behaviour, abandoned baskets and the customer lifecycle.
Shipping and logistics
Integrations with PostNL, DHL, DPD, UPS, Sendcloud and Paazl for automatic shipping labels, track & trace and returns handling. Including support for multiple warehouses, dropshipping and fulfilment partners.
PIM and content management
We connect Product Information Management systems such as Akeneo, Pimcore or Plytix to your webshop so product data is managed centrally. Descriptions, images, specifications and translations come from a single source and are automatically pushed to all your sales channels.
Analytics and conversion
Server-side tracking via Google Tag Manager, GA4 enhanced e-commerce, and integration with your BI dashboard. We implement data layers that don't depend on third-party cookies, so your conversion data stays reliable as browser restrictions increase.
Why choose Appfront as your online store developer?
Many parties can build a webshop. What sets us apart is that we deliver not only the webshop itself but also the technical layers beneath it: the integrations with your existing systems, an architecture that scales as you grow, and a codebase that doesn't saddle you with technical debt. See our previous projects or read more about our services.
Platform-agnostic advice
We are not tied to any specific e-commerce platform, and we don't earn more if you choose a more expensive one. Our advice is therefore based on what is the best technical and commercial choice for your situation. Sometimes that is WooCommerce, sometimes Shopify, sometimes headless, and sometimes fully custom. We always explain why we recommend a particular direction and what trade-offs come with it.
- Advice based on your situation, not on licensing interests
- Honest about what each platform can and cannot do
- Experience across multiple e-commerce ecosystems
Development and integration under one roof
Many e-commerce agencies build a webshop and then hand over the integrations to a third party. That leads to lost communication, longer lead times and nobody taking ownership of the whole. We build both the webshop and the integrations with your ERP, accounting and inventory systems. One team, one codebase, one point of contact. Do you need B2B e-commerce with customer portals and quoting modules? That falls within our scope too.
- Webshop and back-office integrations by the same team
- No dependency on external integration partners
- One point of contact for the entire technical stack
Built to grow with you
A webshop that meets today's needs but reaches its limits within a year is an expensive investment. We build with scalability in mind: an architecture that can handle additional product lines, new sales channels and higher visitor numbers without the entire webshop having to be rebuilt. We document our code, adhere to development standards and build testable components.
After launch: continuous improvement
A webshop is not a one-off project. After launch, the real insights emerge: which products are viewed most but not bought? Where do visitors drop off in the checkout? Which search terms do customers use that return no results? We help you interpret that data and turn it into improvements, from A/B testing the checkout to adding new payment methods or sales channels.
Security and compliance for your webshop
A webshop handles sensitive data: customer addresses, order history and payment information. Security is therefore not a separate component but an integral part of every development project. We build your webshop in line with applicable laws and regulations and work exclusively with certified parties for payment processing.
- Payments via PCI DSS-certified payment service providers
- Customer data stored encrypted in line with the GDPR
- HTTPS and TLS encryption on all pages
- Protection against SQL injection, XSS and CSRF attacks
- Cookie consent and privacy policy in line with the GDPR
- Regular security updates and patch management
- Input validation and output encoding on all forms
- Strict access control on admin environments
We never process payments ourselves; these always go through certified PSPs. Customer data is not shared with third parties unless necessary for the order (for example, address details passed to the carrier). This keeps the attack surface small and compliance watertight.
Frequently asked questions about getting a webshop built
Ready to build your webshop?
Whether you want to launch your first webshop or take your existing online store to the next level, we're happy to help. From choosing a platform and UX design to integrations with your accounting and shipping partners. Take a look at our services, read more about e-commerce development, or get in touch directly for a no-obligation conversation.
Is this topic relevant within your own organisation too? You can read more at applatenmaken.com about building a mobile webshop app.