First Pier | Shopify Growth Partner for Consumer Brands
Based in Portland, Maine
Shopify-exclusive since 2009
Top Clutch Shopify Company US 2026 · Clutch 1000
First Pier is a Shopify-exclusive ecommerce agency helping consumer brands doing $500K–$15M build, optimize, and grow. Strategy, development, CRO, paid media, Klaviyo email & SMS, SEO, and analytics — one senior team, under one roof.
We measure success by your revenue, not our deliverables. Clients have seen 140% year-over-year Shopify sales growth and record-profit quarters directly attributable to our work. As one put it: "We come up with ideas we would never be able to pull off. We pitch them to First Pier and they figure out how to do it."
We're also ahead of the biggest shift in ecommerce discovery. Our Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and AI commerce practice gets brands cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews — not just ranked in traditional search — and prepares your product data for agentic shopping.
Our expertise:
Shopify & Shopify Plus development (building on Plus since 2019)
Conversion Revenue Optimization — bigger swings than button-color A/B tests
Google Ads & paid social
Klaviyo email & SMS (certified partners)
Ecommerce SEO & AEO
Analytics & attribution
AI-ready ecommerce & agentic commerce setup
Why First Pier? We don't just build Shopify stores — we build stronger ecommerce businesses. Whether you're launching, migrating, or scaling, we work as an extension of your team: senior expertise, straightforward communication, no black boxes, and a sincere focus on long-term growth over one-time projects.
Ready to make waves? Drop us a line.
Start with a free store teardown Not ready for a call? Send us your Shopify store URL at firstpier.com and we'll send back 3 quick wins — free, no pitch, usually within 2 business days. If you like how we think, that's the best signal you'll get from any agency profile.
First Pier offers competitive pricing with projects typically ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, depending on scope. Clients appreciate the value for cost, highlighting effective communication, timely delivery, and comprehensive services that enhance business growth and operational efficiency.
First Pier demonstrates strong technical expertise in customizing websites to meet specific client needs, including complex integrations and personalized features that improve user interaction.
Challenges with Team Continuity
One client mentioned the challenge of ensuring continuity in the team, though First Pier has generally maintained staffing effectively, suggesting an area for potential vigilance.
Responsive and Approachable Team
Clients appreciate First Pier's responsive and approachable team, which is always ready to address questions and provide support, enhancing the overall client experience.
Strong Client Relationships
First Pier consistently builds strong relationships with clients, treating them as priorities and maintaining open communication, which has resulted in long-term collaborations and client satisfaction.
Commitment to Client Goals
The company is known for its commitment to client goals, often going above and beyond to ensure successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.
Communication and Client Inclusion
First Pier is praised for including clients in the decision-making process and maintaining transparency, ensuring that clients feel involved and informed throughout the project.
Branding, Web Development & Packaging Design for Cheese Shop
BrandingPackaging DesignWeb Development
Brand messagingBrand strategyCorporate identity
$50,000 to $199,999
Apr. - Nov. 2024
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We really appreciated the holistic approach to the rebrand."
Mar 5, 2025
Executive, Sissle & Daughters
Anonymous
Verified
Other industries
Portland, Maine
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
First Pier provided branding, website development and design, and packaging design services for a cheese shop. The team also created a new logo and designed physical assets.
First Pier's work received positive feedback from the client. The team delivered all tasks on time, quickly responded to questions, worked on additional projects that popped up seamlessly into the timeline, and was receptive to feedback. First Pier's holistic approach was impressive.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am an executive of Sissle & Daughters
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Family owned cut-to-order cheese shop and specialty grocer.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire First Pier to accomplish?
Rebranding
Website buildout
Packaging design
SOLUTION
How did you find First Pier?
Referral
Why did you select First Pier over others?
Great culture fit
Referred to me
Company values aligned
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
First Pier assisted us as we both rebranded and launched a second location. They created our new logo, designed physical assets such as signage, bags & product labels, and designed & built out our new website.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Being just a few months into the launch of the rebrand, we don't have a lot of measurable outcomes just yet. However, we have received nothing but positive feedback from our customers.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
First Pier hit each and every deadline. We never had to question whether deliverables would be ready on time. They were quick to respond to questions, worked additional projects that popped up seamlessly into the timeline, and were receptive to feedback.
What was your primary form of communication with First Pier?
Virtual Meeting
Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
We really appreciated the holistic approach to the rebrand. First Pier's process really allowed us to think deeply and creatively about who we are, and what we aspire to be as a company.
Are there any areas for improvement or something First Pier could have done differently?
Not that I can think of!
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web Design & Branding for Home Decor & Gift Boutique
First Pier provided full rebranding services for a home decor and gift boutique. The scope included a website overhaul of the client's e-commerce store and Shopify integrations.
The client was pleased with First Pier's work. They had a very detailed scope with actionable deadlines and were prompt and highly responsive throughout the project. Communication was efficient through virtual meetings and email. First Pier was an organized team that could meet the client's needs.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Owner, Buyer of Viand Mercantile
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Brick & mortar and e-comm home decor and gift boutique.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire First Pier to accomplish?
Website Design
Full Rebranding
Shopify Integrations
SOLUTION
How did you find First Pier?
Other
Why did you select First Pier over others?
High ratings
Close to my geographic location
Great culture fit
Company values aligned
How many teammates from First Pier were assigned to this project?
6-10 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Helm and First Pier did an extensive rebranding and shopify website overhaul for the launch of our brick and mortar + e-comm store. They met our very quick turn around, and helped us come up with solutions to match our budget.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Their team maintaned a very detailed scope with actionable deadlines throughout our project timeline.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
They were very prompt and extremely responsive.
What was your primary form of communication with First Pier?
Virtual Meeting
Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
They have a very organized team that could meet all of our needs from Shopify to design to advertising.
Are there any areas for improvement or something First Pier could have done differently?
None - they are very buttoned up and are absolutely wonderful!
RATINGS
5.0
"We love them and highly recommend their services no matter how big or small."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Not only do we love everything they did for us, our customers love our website and design elements, too. We get compliments daily."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"Their organization and timelines was crucial to meeting our tight deadline."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"They are very fairly priced and worked with us to choose what could wait and what should be prioritized first for our budget."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"These guys are the real deal. Hiring them will be good for your business.
Branding, SEO, & E-Commerce Dev for Footwear Retailer
E-Commerce Development
Less than $10,000
Oct. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Their timeline management and collaborative approach are impressive."
Nov 27, 2019
President, Wholesale Footwear Retailer
Anonymous
Verified
Other industries
Scarborough, Maine
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
First Pier provides a broad range of services to a wholesale footwear retailer, from e-commerce development to SEO and even branding. They've also integrated the solution with an ERP system.
The site has led to an immediate increase in profitable direct to consumer (D2C) sales. First Pier's account representative ensures that the engagement is seamless.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
M. Leonard International Inc. is a wholesaler and retailer of footwear. I am the president and owner of the company.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire First Pier?
Launching a new website and maintaining that website in an ongoing manner.
What were your goals for this project?
To launch an e-commerce site that was both brand-forward and transactionally functional.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
After interviewing many local web developers.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
Web design and development
SEO
Brand book
Maintenance
E-commerce integration with ERP
What was the team composition?
Designers, developers, account management reps, etc.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
Immediate profitable D2C sales increases.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
Via account rep; it was seamless.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Their timeline management and collaborative approach are impressive.
Are there any areas for improvement?
No.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Showing 21-23 of
23 Reviews
Shopify Growth Diagnostic: CRO, SEO & Email Audit
A senior-led teardown of your live Shopify store — conversion, SEO, and email/SMS — scored against top performers in your category. You get a written findings report, a prioritized 90-day roadmap, and a 60-minute readout with the strategist who did the work. 100% of the fee credits toward any project or retainer within 90 days.
We are First Pier, a Portland-based Shopify & ecommerce growth team combining development, design, data and marketing to help DTC and wholesale brands scale. Rooted in integrated solutions—Shopify builds/migrations, analytics, CRO, retention, paid media and branding—our experts turn platform complexity into reliable growth. Our portfolio spans migrations, subscriptions, loyalty and ERP integrations that drove measurable acquisition, conversion and lifetime value gains.
Premier Verified means Clutch independently confirmed First Pier is a legally registered business, financially sound (Creditsafe: Moderate Risk), and backed by 23 verified client reviews averaging 4.9 stars.
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