Shopify Rebuild for AI-Driven Rug Store -- 2

Shopify Expert for Rugistan.com Rebuild – Premium UX, AI/AR, Next.js-Ready, SEO-Optimized
(Inspired by IncredibleRugsAndDecor.com)
Overview
Rugistan sells hand-knotted rugs from Afghanistan, Persia, Turkey, Pakistan, India, with a Chicago showroom (4815 N Western Ave) and global sales. Rebuild Shopify 2.0 (Warehouse/Impulse) into a fast, SEO-optimized, AI-driven store to surpass IncredibleRugsAndDecor.com in UX/speed/conversion. Scalable for furniture/décor; Next.js headless-ready.
Objectives

UX: Clean 4:3 image grid, hover zoom, beige #f9f9f7.
Filters: Match/exceed benchmark (color picker/upload with AI edge detection, sliders, multi-select).
Performance: Mobile ≥92 / Desktop ≥98 (Lighthouse), LCP ≤2s, CLS ≤0.05.
SEO: Local (“Chicago rug store”) + national; schema (Product, LocalBusiness, FAQ).
Scalability: 47k Surya SKUs (noindex bulk), furniture/décor namespaces.
Innovation: AI chatbot/recommendations, AR preview, predictive inventory, rug size guide.

Scope

Theme/UX: Sticky header (Rugs ▾, Sizes ▾, Pads, Furniture ▾, Décor ▾, SALE, Wishlist, Cart, Search). PDP tabs, SALE badge, “In Stock”, Chicago pickup CTA. Mobile sticky Add-to-Cart.
Filters/Search: Boost AI/Searchanise; color (swatches/picker/upload with AI detection), size/price/thickness sliders, multi-select (shape, style, material, weave, origin, use, brand). Predictive search (synonyms/typos). Study IncredibleRugsAndDecor.com UX.
SEO/Schema: Meta: {Style} {Color} {Material} Rug – {Size} | Handmade {Origin}. JSON-LD validated. Local page (map/hours). Redirects (RoomAndRugs.com → furniture, RugsChicago.com → local). Noindex bulk SKUs.
Performance: Inline CSS, defer JS, WebP ≤180KB, lazy-load. ≤8 apps (<200KB scripts). Speed report.
Metafields: rugi.* (style, origin, material, weave, color, size_tag, pile_height, care, GTIN, shipping). Extend to furniture.* / decor.*. Auto alt text. Next.js API-ready.
Apps: Native exit-intent, wishlist, badges, points. Keep: Boost AI, Judge.me, Smile.io, Klaviyo, Google Channel, Shippo, QuickBooks, Inbox/Tidio.
AI/AR: Shopify Magic (descriptions), Klevu recommendations, Tidio chatbot (size/color/pickup), AR preview (model-viewer), predictive inventory (Stock Perfect), sustainability AI, voice search prep.
Content: 6 blog guides (Afghan, Turkish, Size Guide, etc.). Interactive Size Guide (/pages/rug-size-guide) with SVG visuals (dining/living/bedroom/runner + coffee/AI layouts). Glossary with schema.
Analytics/Compliance: GA4/GTM/Meta (view_item, etc.). WCAG AA (alt text, aria, keyboard). Multi-currency/duties.

Deliverables

Live Rugistan.com store.
Filters with color upload.
AI/AR tested.
SEO schema validated, sitemap submitted.
Speed report (Mobile ≥92).
Interactive size guide.
Next.js readiness: API endpoints, metafields for headless.
Docs: Metafield dictionary, image pipeline, product adding, app reductions, AI guide.

Timeline
4–5 weeks (20% design, 25% filters/SEO, 30% AI/AR/content, 20% performance, 5% QA/launch).
Budget
$1,600–$2,200 USD (fixed). Bonus $200 for ≥94 Lighthouse + schema + Next.js prep.
Applicant Questions

2–3 Shopify sites with filters/AI/AR?
How implement “Upload Your Color”/AR?
Core Web Vitals ≥92 process?
LocalBusiness/Product schema/AI app experience?
Next.js headless structure plan?
Cost/timeline/support?

References
Study IncredibleRugsAndDecor.com (filters/UX). Current: Rugistan.com.
Brand
Chicago-based Rugistan sources rugs from Afghanistan, Persia, Turkey, Pakistan, India. Heritage + modern design; free U.S. shipping/pickup. Furniture/décor expansion.