Traverse Design
Traverse Design is a boutique, founder-led Shopify Expert Development Studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, providing custom Shopify and Shopify Plus theme development, UX consulting, and bespoke ecommerce feature development primarily to outdoor, lifestyle, and apparel brands through direct, word-of-mouth client relationships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersFort Collins, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Traverse Design does
Traverse Design is a boutique Shopify Expert Development Studio founded in 2013 by Darren Squashic and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company provides custom Shopify and Shopify Plus theme development, UX design and consulting, ecommerce strategy, and bespoke feature development for a portfolio that spans outdoor, lifestyle, apparel, watches, music, beverage, ceramics, and sustainability brands. Its core technical work is built on Shopify's platform architecture (Liquid, Hydrogen) and integrates certified partner technologies including Recharge for subscriptions, Klaviyo for email automation, and Rebuy and Shoplift for personalization and upsell.
The studio operates as a founder-led professional services business with an estimated headcount of 1-10. Revenue is generated through project-based custom development, Shopify Plus feature work, UX consulting engagements, and ongoing development retainers with select enterprise clients such as Topo Designs, Vortic Watch Co, and Vinyl Me Please. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but is positioned as agency-grade output at a lower cost than larger firms. Customer acquisition is entirely word-of-mouth-driven, with 90+ websites built and 70+ clients served over 12+ years.
Traverse holds Shopify Expert and Shopify Plus Partner certifications and maintains formal technology partnerships across the Shopify app ecosystem (Recharge, Klaviyo, Rebuy, Shoplift). Distribution is direct-to-client, with no intermediaries or marketplace channels, and the company maintains a minimal marketing footprint limited to its website, founder Instagram, GitHub, and Shopify Experts Directory listing. No external funding, acquisitions, or institutional ownership have been disclosed.
Traverse Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Traverse Design
- Legal name
- Traverse
- Website
- https://traversedesign.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Traverse Design is a boutique, founder-led Shopify Expert Development Studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, providing custom Shopify and Shopify Plus theme development, UX consulting, and bespoke ecommerce feature development primarily to outdoor, lifestyle, and apparel brands through direct, word-of-mouth client relationships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Traverse Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Collins
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Traverse Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Shopify Development Services: Custom theme design and development services for Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants, including full-service builds, theme selection/setup, and customizations.
- UX Consulting & Strategy: Ecommerce advice, strategy, and UX consulting services to help optimize and improve client operations and revenue.
- Ongoing Feature Development: Long-term partnerships with brands for continuous feature development and website improvements, providing ongoing development services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Traverse Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Traverse Design is a boutique Shopify Expert Development Studio that provides custom Shopify and Shopify Plus theme design and development, UX design and consulting, and bespoke ecommerce feature development for outdoor, lifestyle, and apparel brands. Engagements range from full-service website builds to ongoing feature development partnerships, delivering agency-quality output at a fraction of larger agency cost with founder-led, personalized attention.
Product overview
Traverse Design is a Shopify Expert Development Studio offering a unified suite of ecommerce development and consulting services. The core offerings include Shopify Ecommerce Advice & Strategy (revenue optimization consulting), UX Design and Consulting (reviews, wireframes, user testing), and Shopify Theme Development & Customization (custom theme design and development). These services are delivered together as integrated engagements, with additional specialization in Shopify Feature Development and Shopify Plus Development for enterprise merchants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shopify Ecommerce Advice & Strategy Strategic ecommerce consulting for Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants, focused on driving smooth operations and revenue growth through clear communication, fresh perspectives, and end-to-end process reviews.
- UX Design and Consulting Comprehensive UX reviews, sitemaps, structure, strategy, and wireframes for ecommerce sites, including user testing, competitor analysis, and research to identify the best path to conversion success.
- Shopify Theme Development & Customization Full-service custom Shopify theme design and development, theme selection and setup, customizations and improvements, and the addition of new features to existing themes on established Shopify shops.
- Shopify Feature Development Custom ecommerce feature development for Shopify and Shopify Plus, including bespoke functionality such as product configurators and custom shopping experiences designed to differentiate merchant storefronts.
- Shopify Plus Development Specialized development services for Shopify Plus merchants, including advanced feature development, UX consulting, and ongoing technical support for enterprise storefronts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Created Watch Builder feature for Vortic that was subsequently replicated by two major competitors, demonstrating competitive impact
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Traverse Design
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Traverse Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Traverse Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ShopifycoreOfficial Shopify Expert Studio with certified expertise in Shopify and Shopify Plus platform development. Badged as Shopify Experts Program member with capability for Shopify Plus feature development. Relationship is technology platform partnership with ongoing certification and program participation.
- Shopify PluscoreCertified partner for Shopify Plus enterprise platform feature development and UX consulting. Active in Shopify Plus partner ecosystem for building and scaling enterprise merchant stores.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Traverse Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swanky: Shopify Plus partner agency delivering custom themes, conversion optimization, and app development for DTC brands; a direct competitor in the boutique Shopify Plus agency segment.
- Eastside Co: A UK-based Shopify Plus agency delivering custom theme development, UX, and feature work for DTC brands — directly comparable to Traverse in platform focus, tier (Plus), and bespoke service model.
- Pixel Union: Shopify theme maker and design studio producing themes and design assets for Shopify merchants — directly comparable in theme development capability and merchant base, though more productized than Traverse.
- We Make Websites: Established Shopify Plus partner agency providing design, development, and ongoing feature work for enterprise merchants; matches Traverse's Shopify-Plus-focused service mix and project/retainer blend.
- Blueacorn: Shopify Plus agency offering design, development, and CRO services to enterprise merchants — overlapping with Traverse on Shopify Plus certification, enterprise customer segment, and ongoing retainer engagements.
- Electric Eye: Shopify Plus partner agency delivering bespoke ecommerce builds and custom features for lifestyle and DTC brands — overlaps directly with Traverse's target verticals and Shopify Plus service offering.
- Forix: Shopify Plus agency focused on enterprise ecommerce implementations, custom development, and UX strategy — comparable to Traverse in platform certification, project scope, and enterprise target.
Broad incumbents
- Lounge Lizard: Larger web design and digital agency working across multiple platforms and verticals including Shopify; competes with Traverse for brand design budgets but at broader scope and higher price points.
- OuterBox: Ecommerce-focused digital agency specializing in Shopify and Magento design/development/CRO for mid-market and enterprise merchants — comparable ecommerce agency positioning with broader platform scope than Traverse.
- WebFX: Established full-service digital marketing and web design agency serving SMB and mid-market clients — overlaps with Traverse on ecommerce web design but operates at much larger scale and broader service portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Traverse Design social profiles
Digital presenceTraverse Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Traverse Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Traverse Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Traverse Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Traverse Design
What does Traverse Design do?
Traverse Design is a boutique Shopify Expert Development Studio that provides custom Shopify and Shopify Plus theme design and development, UX design and consulting, and bespoke ecommerce feature development for outdoor, lifestyle, and apparel brands. Engagements range from full-service website builds to ongoing feature development partnerships, delivering agency-quality output at a fraction of larger agency cost with founder-led, personalized attention.
Is Traverse Design a public or private company?
Traverse Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Traverse Design founded?
Traverse Design was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Traverse Design based?
Traverse Design is headquartered in Fort Collins, United States, in the North America region.
How does Traverse Design make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Shopify Development Services are the primary driver. The others are UX Consulting & Strategy and ongoing Feature Development.
Who are Traverse Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swanky, Eastside Co, Pixel Union, We Make Websites, Blueacorn, Electric Eye and Forix. Broad incumbents are Lounge Lizard, OuterBox and WebFX.
Does Traverse Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Traverse Design.