Full-service ecommerce agency specializing in Shopify Plus, Magento, and digital marketing with 20+ years experience.
Digital Operative is a full-service digital agency specializing in commerce, content, and community. They support top DTC brands across various industries, including outdoors, active lifestyle, CPG, apparel, and footwear, with expertise in Shopify development and design.
Our take on Digital Operative
Digital Operative operates as a San Diego-based ecommerce agency with 20+ years of dedicated experience in platform development and digital marketing. Founded as an independent firm and later acquired by 85SIXTY, Digital Operative continues to deliver comprehensive ecommerce solutions spanning Shopify Plus, Magento, and complementary marketing services. Their longevity in the industry reflects consistent ability to adapt to platform evolution and maintain client relationships across technology transitions.
The agency's comprehensive approach integrates ecommerce development with digital marketing strategy, positioning them as suitable partners for brands seeking coordinated growth across technology and marketing functions. Digital Operative's team includes experienced developers, strategists, and marketers capable of handling complex implementations. Their expertise spans platform selection and migration, custom development, integrations, and ongoing optimization. Their multi-platform experience means they can guide clients toward optimal platform choices rather than defaulting to single-platform solutions.
What distinguishes Digital Operative is their integration of technical development with marketing expertise—they understand that ecommerce success requires coordination across technology, user experience, and marketing initiatives. For growing brands seeking a partner that can align technology investments with marketing strategy and provide comprehensive ecommerce solutions spanning development and performance marketing, Digital Operative offers proven experience and strategic thinking grounded in two decades of industry evolution.
Verified credentials and recognition earned by Digital Operative
Verified
This agency has a verified website presence.
LinkedIn Verified
This agency has a verified LinkedIn company page.
Rising Star
A promising new agency with a strong initial score.
15+ Years
Established in 2008. Over 15 years of experience.
Boutique
Boutique (2-10)
Rankings earned on AgencyCluster
Common questions about Digital Operative.
Digital Operative has earned rankings on 2 AgencyCluster lists: Top 50 Shopify Development, Top 10 Shopify Development in California. Their highest AgencyCluster Score is 73/100. Rankings are merit-based and determined by evidence across six evaluation pillars — agencies cannot pay for higher positions.
In our evaluation for Shopify Development, Digital Operative scores 73/100 overall. Their strongest areas are Category Fit, Credibility, Reputation. A high Reputation score reflects consistent, positive presence across multiple third-party review platforms.
Digital Operative was founded in 2008, giving them over a decade of experience in shopify development. In an industry where many agencies are less than 5 years old, 18+ years of sustained operations signals stability, client retention, and the ability to adapt through multiple technology cycles. Today, the team is boutique.
A custom Shopify theme costs $15K–$60K. Shopify Plus builds with custom checkout and integrations range from $50K–$200K. App development and custom integrations run $10K–$80K. These are industry benchmarks for shopify development agencies at the level AgencyCluster curates. Actual pricing for Digital Operative will depend on project scope, timeline, and complexity — contact the agency directly for a custom quote.
Yes. Digital Operative has been vetted and verified by AgencyCluster's editorial team through a rigorous, multi-factor review process. Unlike self-serve directories, AgencyCluster does not accept automated submissions — every agency is evaluated manually before being published. Our vetting covers identity verification (website, LinkedIn, domain age), business legitimacy (years of operation, team size, registered presence), evidence of work (case studies, portfolio, client outcomes), reputation checks across third-party platforms, activeness and freshness of their online presence, and screening for red flags including misconduct, fraud, or misleading claims. Agencies that fail any critical check are not listed. For Digital Operative, verified signals include a functioning website, LinkedIn company profile, 18+ years of operating history (founded 2008), 2 earned rankings on curated top lists.
