OC Ramps Shopify Rebuild
A Conversion-Driven Ecommerce Platform for Growing Skate Brands
Executive Summary
NINE15: Your Partner for High-Conversion Shopify Builds
NINE15 is a boutique ecommerce and growth marketing agency specializing in high-conversion Shopify builds for growing brands. We've built our reputation on three core capabilities that align precisely with OC Ramps' needs:
Conversion-Rate Optimization
We engineer customer journeys that increase AOV without sacrificing conversion rates. Our work focuses on reducing friction through trust-building UX, clear product storytelling, and strategic upsell/cross-sell implementation.
Technical Shopify Expertise
We've been building custom themes since the inception of the Shopify theme store. We build 2.0 themes optimized for performance, using a mix of theme-native solutions and metafields/metaobjects to minimize technical debt and get away from app bloat.
Complex Shopify Back-End Infrastructure
We've successfully implemented sophisticated Shopify back-end systems, from fully custom apps to complex integrations.
Your project requires a partner who understands both the technical complexity of product configuration and the psychology of high-AOV purchasing behavior. We deliver both.
Discovery & Strategy
Weeks 1-2
01
Kick-off Workshop
A session with your team to align on brand voice, customer personas, conversion goals, and technical requirements.
02
Customer Journey Mapping
We'll analyze current user flows through GA4, session recordings, and cart abandonment data to identify friction points in the purchase journey.
03
Competitive Analysis
Review competitors in skate equipment and similar high-ticket DIY markets (trampolines, playsets, home gym equipment) to identify UX patterns that drive conversion.
04
Conversion Audit
Detailed analysis of current site performance: page speed, mobile UX, checkout flow, PDP effectiveness, and trust signals.
05
Technical Audit
Review the theme implementation, app dependencies, and identify opportunities to replace Hextom features with native functionality.
Design Phase
Weeks 3-7
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Initial wireframe sketches to establish layout structure and user flows for:
  • Homepage hero and key page templates
  • Configurator UI and interaction patterns
  • "Get Started" funnel (multi-step journey)
  • Custom quote forms (wood/concrete builds)
  • PDP templates with add-on selection flow
  • Cart/checkout with configuration clarity
High-Fidelity Designs
Figma mockups for:
  • Homepage with flexible hero system
  • Collection pages optimized for product discovery
  • PDP templates with configurator UI, financing messaging, and cross-sell modules
  • Cart/checkout with add-on selection clarity
  • Custom quote forms (wood/concrete builds)
  • Blog templates with CTA insertion points
  • Blueprint glossary and educational content pages
  • "Get Started" funnel
Component Library
Establish design system with reusable components based on approved high-fidelity designs: buttons, form fields, product cards, CTAs, and configurator elements.
Mobile-First Approach
All designs prioritize mobile experience (your primary traffic source).
Accessibility Review
WCAG 2.1 AA compliance check at design stage.
Development Phase
Weeks 8-14
Custom 2.0 Shopify Theme
Built on Shopify best practices with modular sections, clean Liquid code, and minimal external dependencies.
Configurator Implementation
Using line-item properties we can hide options from checkout while maintaining clarity for fulfillment. Dynamic pricing updates, real-time shipping weight calculations.
Performance Optimization
Replace Hextom features with scheduled theme sections. Implement lazy loading for images and video. Optimize JavaScript delivery.
Cross-Sell/Upsell Engine
Dynamic recommendations based on cart contents, appearing on PDPs and in cart/mini-cart without disrupting conversion flow.
Financing Integration
Shop Pay Installments messaging on PDPs. Affirm pre-qualification widget (pending ROI analysis and A/B test plan).
Quiz Integration
Design and integrate conditional quiz with Klaviyo for segmentation and lead routing.
AI Support Migration
Coordinate with Matt on Gorgias AI implementation, ensuring smooth handoff from Zendesk, or use Halo - our own app that's currently under development.
Content Migration & SEO
Weeks 14-18
Our comprehensive SEO migration process ensures your organic rankings are preserved and enhanced. We handle everything from content transfer to structured data implementation, with continuous monitoring to catch and fix any issues immediately.
Content Migration
Transfer existing products, collections, blog posts, and media.
Blueprint Library
Template structure for DIYskate.com content with cross-linking to products, SEO optimization, and clear hierarchy.
Redirect Mapping
Comprehensive 301 redirect plan to preserve organic rankings.
Structured Data
Product, Article, Video, and Organization schema implementation.
QA & Launch
Weeks 18-22
Comprehensive QA Testing Protocol
Functional & Cross-Platform Testing
Browser, device, and mobile testing across all major platforms.
Configurator & Checkout Validation
Thorough testing of all purchase flows, from customization to payment.
Performance & Speed Audits
Optimization based on Lighthouse scores and Core Web Vitals analysis.
SEO & Analytics Validation
Verification of redirects, tracking setup, and structured data implementation.
Integration & Edge Case Testing
Ensuring compatibility with third-party tools and handling unusual user scenarios.
6
User Acceptance Testing
Client team walkthrough, feedback incorporation, final approval sign-off
Training & Launch
Training
Detailed documentation and live sessions to empower your team.
Soft Launch
A staged rollout allowing for close monitoring and immediate adjustments.
Post-Launch Support
30 days of dedicated monitoring, bug fixes, and continuous optimization.
Questions & Concerns
Configurator Solution
Recommended Pattern
Primary Approach: Line-Item Properties
  • Use line-item properties for add-ons (extensions, surfaces, paint)
  • Prefix with underscore to hide from checkout display
  • Maintain visibility for fulfillment team in order management
  • Enable dynamic pricing updates in real-time
  • Support flexible combinations without variant explosion
Supplemental: Shopify Bundles
  • Use for fixed kit configurations (e.g., "Starter Package")
  • Real-time inventory sync across bundle components
  • Simpler for multipacks or pre-configured sets
This solution provides:
  • Flexibility – Line-item properties handle infinite add-on combinations
  • Clarity – Customers see clear pricing; fulfillment sees complete order details
  • Performance – Native Shopify functionality, no heavy third-party apps
  • Scalability – Easy to add new add-ons without variant maintenance
Key Solutions: Performance, AR & SEO
1
Hextom Replacement
Recommendation: Replace with Native Functionality
Hextom significantly impacts page speed (your Core Web Vitals goal). You're paying for features you can build natively. Native sections are more maintainable long-term.
Native Solutions: Countdown Timers – Custom theme section with JavaScript countdown. Sales Badges – Dynamic badge system using product tags/metafields. Announcement Bars – announcement bar section with scheduling logic.
Campaign Scheduling: Use metafields to set start/end dates for promotions. Theme sections check dates and display/hide accordingly. No developer needed for scheduling once system is built.
Performance Benefit: Eliminate external app JavaScript. Reduce HTTP requests. Improve Lighthouse scores and Core Web Vitals.
2
Page Speed Performance
Our Approach:
Image Optimization – WebP format with JPEG fallback. Responsive image sizing. Lazy loading for below-fold images.
JavaScript Optimization – Minimal third-party scripts. Defer non-critical JS. Move analytics to GTM with async loading.
CSS Optimization – Critical CSS inline for above-fold content. Deferred loading for non-critical styles. Eliminate unused CSS.
Theme Architecture – Modular sections that load only required assets. Conditional loading based on page type. Optimized Liquid logic to reduce render time.
App Strategy – Replace heavy apps with native functionality. Audit remaining apps for performance impact. Consolidate with mini-platforms: Replace multiple single-purpose apps with comprehensive platforms like Okendo (reviews, quizzes, referrals) and Rebuy (upsells, cross-sells, personalization) to reduce app bloat and improve performance.
Tools: Lighthouse CI for continuous monitoring. WebPageTest for real-world performance. Chrome DevTools for diagnostics. Shopify Theme Inspector for Liquid profiling.
Monitoring: Weekly performance audits during development. Pre-launch performance validation. Post-launch monitoring for 30 days.
3
AR Integration
Experience: Shopify Native 3D/AR
We have experience implementing Shopify's native 3D model viewer and AR features.
Phase 1: Shopify Native (Recommended) – Upload 3D models (GLB format) to Shopify media library. Use Shopify's built-in AR viewer (works on iOS/Android). No additional platform fees. Seamless integration with product pages. Mobile-optimized experience.
Benefits: Free (after 3D model creation cost). Native performance. No ongoing platform fees. Works with existing Shopify infrastructure.
Phase 2: External Platform (If Needed) – If native AR proves insufficient, we can evaluate: VU Custom - one of our partners - https://www.bauer.com/products/mybauer-flylite-skate-custom. Zakeke or other alternatives.
It would be hard for us to give you an accurate quote on this. It would be somewhere between $5k - $15k depending on what tools and implementation.
SEO Migration: Preserving Your Rankings
Our Process:
Phase 1: Pre-Migration
Crawl current site to map all URLs (products, collections, pages, blog posts). Document current site structure and internal linking. Identify high-value pages (traffic, rankings, conversions).
Phase 2: URL Mapping
Map old URLs to new URLs (1:1 where possible). Flag URLs that will be consolidated or eliminated. Create redirect rules in spreadsheet.
Phase 3: Structured Data
Implement Product schema on PDPs (price, availability, reviews, SKU). Article schema on blog posts. Video schema on tutorial content. Organization schema for brand entity. Breadcrumb schema for navigation.
Phase 4: Technical SEO
Optimize title tags and meta descriptions. Implement canonical tags. Set up robots.txt. Ensure proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3).
Phase 5: Redirect Implementation
Implement 301 redirects in Shopify. Test redirect chains. Verify redirect status codes.
Phase 6: Launch Day
Submit new sitemap to Google Search Console. Monitor crawl errors. Check redirect functionality. Validate structured data with Rich Results Test.
Phase 7: Post-Launch Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of Google Search Console for errors. Monitor organic traffic patterns. Fix any crawl errors or redirect issues. Document ranking changes and traffic impact.
Ranking Preservation Strategy:
  • Maintain URL structure where possible
  • Preserve content hierarchy
  • Keep high-value content on same URLs
  • Improve page speed (positive ranking signal)
  • Enhance mobile experience (mobile-first indexing)
  • Add structured data (better SERP visibility)
Risk Mitigation:
  • Pre-migration ranking documentation for comparison
  • Redirect testing before launch
  • 30-day post-launch monitoring and fixes included
Why Choose NINE15
Shopify Expertise
We were one of the first ones to publish themes in the theme store when it was introduced in 2010. Performance-first approach (Core Web Vitals, mobile optimization). Native solutions over app bloat.
CRO & UX Maturity
Data-driven conversion optimization. High-AOV purchasing behavior expertise. Trust-building UX for complex products.
Configurator Experience
Complex product configuration with clear UX. Line-item properties and bundle implementation. Fulfillment-team clarity without sacrificing customer experience.
Performance Discipline
Proven track record of fast, accessible builds. App reduction strategies. Mobile-first optimization.
Timeline Alignment
22-week timeline fits your February-Summer 2026 window. Well before Q4 deadline. Phased approach allows flexibility.
Communication
Transparent reporting, weekly check-ins. Defined project management structure. Collaborative, partnership approach.
Project Investment
$47,500
Timeline: 22 Weeks (Early February - Late June/Early July 2026)
Let's Build Something Exceptional
We're excited about the opportunity to partner with OC Ramps on this project. Your vision for a high-performance, community-focused ecommerce platform aligns perfectly with our expertise in conversion-driven Shopify builds.
Amine Ouahidi
Founder, NINE15
amine@nine15.com
(858) 775-0221