Shopify Store Evaluation & Launch Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced, highly professional Shopify specialist to evaluate, complete and launch an existing merchandise store.

Some work has already been completed by a previous contractor. We now require a suitably qualified specialist to inspect the store, determine precisely what has and has not been completed, identify anything that requires correction or improvement, and recommend the most effective path to a professional launch.

This project will not automatically be awarded to the lowest bidder. We are looking for the applicant who demonstrates the strongest combination of Shopify expertise, e-commerce knowledge, design judgment, print-on-demand or dropshipping experience, professionalism, communication and attention to detail.

INITIAL PAID EVALUATION

We intend to shortlist approximately three candidates. Each shortlisted candidate will be offered a paid two-hour assignment at their quoted hourly rate:

• Approximately one hour to inspect and evaluate the existing Shopify store.

• Approximately one hour to prepare a written evaluation, recommendations and completion proposal.

Each candidate will be given an individually arranged time to access and evaluate the store.

The evaluation must identify:

• What is complete, incomplete, unsuitable or in need of correction.

• Whether the current theme, layout, collections, menus, navigation and customer journey are suitable.

• What artwork, images, written content and other assets are available, suitable or still required.

• Any unresolved payment, checkout, shipping, tax, fulfilment, domain, policy or technical requirements.

• Useful Shopify AI or automation opportunities.

• A recommended completion plan and clearly scoped quotation for Stage One.

INITIAL STORE STRUCTURE

The store will initially contain six main customer categories:

1. Men and Teen Boys
2. Women and Teen Girls
3. Boys
4. Girls
5. Toddlers
6. General Merchandise

The initial launch will generally contain approximately three products in each category. These will primarily be T-shirts and other tops, potentially including tank tops or singlets. Some designs may be used on more than one appropriate product, so the final structure will be confirmed after the evaluation.

We already have a substantial collection of artwork and images. The evaluation must establish what is present, what additional imagery is available, which designs suit particular products, whether files require preparation, and what further artwork or mock-ups are required.

The appointed specialist will be expected to assist with preparing and correctly applying the remaining artwork and images through our existing print-on-demand or dropshipping supplier.

We will provide creative direction and assistance when genuinely required. However, we need someone capable of performing the work and taking responsibility for delivering the completed store—not someone who expects the client to prepare and configure everything on their behalf.

STAGE ONE: STORE COMPLETION AND LAUNCH

After reviewing the paid evaluation reports, we will select the strongest candidate. A detailed Stage One brief will then be prepared based on the findings and agreed recommendations.

Stage One is expected to include:

• Completing and improving the existing store and correcting unsuitable or incomplete work.

• Creating a clean, professional storefront with intuitive navigation, collections, menus and filters.

• Adding and configuring approximately three initial products per category.

• Preparing or assisting with artwork, product images and mock-ups.

• Connecting our existing supplier and correctly configuring products, variants, sizes, colours, pricing and fulfilment.

• Configuring Australian payments, checkout, shipping, taxes, notifications, policies and essential customer pages.

• Checking desktop, tablet and mobile presentation.

• Testing the complete customer journey through payment, order confirmation and supplier fulfilment.

• Making the store operational and ready to accept genuine customer orders.

SHOPIFY AI AND AUTOMATION

We are interested in applicants with practical knowledge of Shopify’s current AI and automation capabilities.

Relevant experience may include product descriptions, tagging, product discovery, customer support, email workflows, image preparation, administration and reporting. We do not want unnecessary AI features. Applicants should explain which tools would provide genuine value, what they cost and what should be postponed.

PLANNING FOR FUTURE GROWTH

Although the initial launch will be deliberately manageable, the store must be structured to support future growth.

The store may later expand from six to approximately eight categories and grow to approximately 20–30 products. Future merchandise may include caps, mugs, shorts, aprons, additional clothing and other general merchandise.

The navigation, collections, product organisation, supplier connections and underlying store structure must therefore be planned properly from the beginning.

Stage One should establish a strong, scalable foundation without unnecessarily overbuilding the initial store.

The store will initially market and deliver primarily within Australia. International expansion may be considered later, so the underlying structure should not prevent future expansion into other markets.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Substantial experience building and launching Shopify stores.

• Strong knowledge of themes, navigation, collections, filters, products and store organisation.

• Practical Shopify AI and e-commerce automation knowledge.

• Experience with print-on-demand or dropshipping integration and order fulfilment.

• Experience configuring Australian payments, checkout, shipping, taxes and notifications.

• Experience preparing imagery and mock-ups, including resolution, transparent backgrounds and print areas.

• Strong visual judgment, written communication, independent working ability and responsibility for deliverables.

• The ability to inspect existing work and decide what should be retained, improved or rebuilt.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please include all of the following:

1. Links to two or three live Shopify stores that you personally helped build, complete or launch. We require links only to the public storefronts; we do not require access to their Shopify administration areas.

2. A clear explanation of exactly what work you personally performed on each example.

3. Confirmation that the examples genuinely represent your work and that you are prepared to discuss and verify your involvement.

4. Details of your experience connecting Shopify stores with print-on-demand or dropshipping suppliers.

5. Details of your experience using Shopify AI, Shopify automation or other AI-assisted e-commerce systems.

6. Details of your experience launching or operating Shopify stores for the Australian market.

7. Your hourly rate for the initial paid two-hour evaluation.

8. Confirmation that, after the evaluation, you can provide a clearly scoped proposal and quotation to complete Stage One and prepare the store for launch.

9. A brief explanation of how you would approach evaluating a partially completed Shopify store.

10. Details of any access, information or preparation you would require before beginning the evaluation.

11. Your availability and how soon you could begin the paid evaluation if shortlisted.

READING CONFIRMATION

To confirm that you have read the complete job description, begin your application with the exact words:

SOLID FOUNDATION

Immediately after those words, identify the one aspect of the existing Shopify store that you would examine first and briefly explain why.

Applications that do not include both parts may not be shortlisted.

Please do not submit a generic or automatically generated application. Your response should demonstrate that you understand the specific requirements of this project.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection will be based on demonstrated Shopify and e-commerce expertise; relevant previous work; AI and automation knowledge; supplier-integration experience; professionalism and communication; the quality of the paid evaluation; practical design and operational recommendations; artwork capability; and confidence that the applicant can take responsibility for a reliable launch. Overall value and suitability matter more than the cheapest quotation.

POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUING WORK

The immediate assignment is to evaluate, complete and launch Stage One of the Shopify store.

There may be opportunities for continuing work as the product range and store operations grow. Any continuing engagement will depend on the quality, professionalism, reliability and results demonstrated during the initial project.