Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Turbify is the current brand name for the e-commerce platform previously known as Yahoo Store, then Yahoo Small Business, then Verizon Small Business Essentials. In 2022-2023, Infinite Computer Solutions acquired the platform and rebranded it as Turbify. The underlying store builder, RTML template language, store editor, and merchant dashboard remain largely the same - only the brand name and some backend URLs changed. If you have an existing Yahoo Store, you are already a Turbify merchant.

Turbify remains a solid, stable platform for established small-to-medium e-commerce businesses, particularly those with large existing product catalogs, long-standing SEO rankings, and custom store builds. With proper custom development and SEO optimization, Turbify stores compete effectively in search results.

RTML (Rich Text Markup Language) is Turbify's proprietary template programming language used to control every aspect of your store's layout, design, and functionality. Unlike standard HTML or PHP, RTML is unique to the Turbify/Yahoo Store platform - very few developers worldwide have expertise in it. Turbify's own support team does not assist with RTML customization. This is why most store owners who want a custom design, advanced features, or specific functionality need to hire a specialist Turbify/RTML developer. Attempting RTML changes without experience can break your live store.

Yahoo Small Business was first transferred to Verizon, then acquired by Infinite Computer Solutions and rebranded as Turbify in 2022-2023. Your store data, products, orders, and domain remain intact. However, the rebrand required URL changes - any hardcoded references to old Yahoo-owned domains in your RTML templates, CSS, or JavaScript needed updating to new Turbify URLs. Stores that were not updated experienced broken images, scripts, and functionality. If your store was affected, a Turbify developer can audit and fix all outdated URL references.

Absolutely - with proper optimization. Turbify stores can rank just as well as Shopify stores in Google search. The platform supports custom meta titles, descriptions, image alt tags, schema markup, breadcrumbs, sitemaps, and clean URL structures - all key SEO factors. Many long-established Yahoo Store/Turbify stores already hold strong rankings built over years. The key difference is that Turbify SEO requires manual custom coding rather than plugin-based tools, which is why working with an experienced Turbify SEO developer matters significantly.

Yes. Despite common misconceptions, anything achievable in standard HTML/CSS can be implemented in a Turbify store through custom RTML templates. You are not limited to Turbify's built-in theme options. A custom Turbify design means your store will have a unique look tailored to your brand - not the generic "template look" shared by thousands of other stores. Custom designs are built directly in RTML and are fully responsive, mobile-friendly, and SEO-optimised.

A standard Turbify store redesign typically takes 2-4 weeks from project start to launch, depending on the complexity of the design, number of page types, and custom features required. Simple theme refreshes can be completed in 3-7 business days. Full custom RTML builds with multiple advanced features may take 4-6 weeks. We provide a clear timeline with every project quote so you always know exactly what to expect and when.

Only if done incorrectly. A properly executed Turbify redesign preserves all existing URLs, meta data, heading structures, and internal linking - meaning your current rankings are protected. In fact, a redesign done by an experienced Turbify developer typically improves rankings by fixing technical SEO issues, improving page speed, adding schema markup, and making the store fully mobile-friendly. We never change URL structures or remove SEO elements without explicit discussion and proper redirect planning.

Yes - this is one of our most requested services. We can add individual custom features to your live Turbify store without touching the overall design or disrupting your product catalog. Features like rotating banners, floating cart, product comparison, quantity pricing, recently viewed items, rich snippets, and 30+ more can all be implemented as standalone additions to your current store setup.

Yes. We regularly take over maintenance and development of Turbify stores previously worked on by other developers. We begin with a thorough code review to understand what has been implemented, identify any existing issues, and document the current setup before making any changes. We frequently fix problems created by inexperienced developers and readily take on stores where the original developer is no longer available or responsive.

There are several common reasons a Turbify store underperforms in Google search: missing or duplicate meta titles and descriptions, no schema markup, images without alt tags, slow page load speed, non-mobile-friendly layout, legacy search system still active, broken internal links, or thin/duplicate product content. We offer a free consultation where we identify the specific issues affecting your store's visibility and recommend the right fixes. Most Turbify SEO problems are fully solvable with targeted code changes.

Yes - but only when structured data (schema markup) is properly coded into your RTML templates. Rich results like star ratings, product prices, availability status, and breadcrumb trails in Google search require specific JSON-LD schema markup embedded in your store's code. This is not something Turbify enables by default - it requires custom RTML development. When implemented correctly, rich results significantly improve your click-through rate from search results pages and make your listings visually stand out from competitors.

Yes. Common causes of slow Turbify stores include unoptimized images, excessive third-party scripts, inefficient RTML template code, render-blocking resources, and missing alt tags or oversized images. We perform a Core Web Vitals audit, identify bottlenecks, and implement targeted optimizations such as image compression, CSS/JS minification, proper alt text, and responsive image sizing.

However, there are certain limitations: server-side changes, third-party snippet optimization, or modifications to Turbify’s in-built features (e.g., Site Search Settings, Floating Cart) cannot be directly controlled. In those cases, we investigate possible fixes from our side, and if the issue persists, escalation to Turbify Support is the only option.

Most Turbify stores can still achieve significant speed improvements through front-end optimizations, directly benefiting user experience and Google search rankings, since page speed is a confirmed ranking factor.

Yahoo Store's legacy search (identifiable by URLs containing search.storeyahoo.net) was permanently retired on April 30, 2018. The new Turbify search displays results in a modern grid format with pagination and built-in filter options. Legacy search results appeared in an outdated table format with no filtering. More critically, legacy search is not mobile-friendly - a significant SEO problem since Google uses mobile-friendliness as a direct ranking factor. If your store still uses legacy search, upgrading is essential and we handle this migration cleanly with no disruption to your live store.

Making a Turbify store truly mobile‑friendly requires a responsive RTML template — one where the layout, navigation, images, and checkout all adapt fluidly to any screen size. This cannot be achieved by simply changing a setting in the Turbify dashboard; it requires custom RTML development. Google’s Mobile‑Friendly Test will show whether your current store passes. Since April 2015, Google has used mobile‑friendliness as a ranking signal, and non‑responsive stores are penalized in mobile search results, which now account for over 60% of all searches globally.

There are two main approaches:

1. Turbify's Mobile Storefront
   • Provides a default mobile template.
   • Meets the basic requirement of having a mobile site, but the UI is limited and less attractive.
   • Uses a separate codebase, meaning any custom features or code must be updated twice (desktop and mobile).
   • Best suited only for fulfilling the mobile requirement, not for delivering a modern shopping experience.
2. Responsive HTML/RTML Conversion (Recommended)
   • Converts your existing desktop template, promotional banners, and theme into a responsive design.
   • Single codebase: changes and customizations apply to both desktop and mobile automatically.
   • Provides a seamless, modern shopping experience across all devices.
   • Stronger long-term solution for usability, SEO, and customer satisfaction.

Pricing depends on project scope. Individual custom feature additions start from $99. Store redesigns facelifts or full custom RTML builds start from $499. Ongoing monthly maintenance plans start from $99/month. We provide a detailed, transparent quote after a free consultation - no hidden fees, no surprise charges. Because Turbify development is a specialist skill, be cautious of very low quotes from generalist developers unfamiliar with RTML; these projects frequently result in broken stores and additional repair costs.

Ask them specific questions: Can they explain the difference between RTML variables and page types? Have they worked with Turbify's store editor, catalog manager, and advanced edit interface? Can they show a portfolio of completed Turbify stores? Do they understand the Yahoo-to-Turbify URL migration issues? A genuine Turbify expert will answer these confidently and specifically. A generalist developer will give vague answers or claim they can "figure it out." With RTML, the learning curve is steep and mistakes on a live store can be costly to fix.

Yes. We guarantee all our work. If something we build develops a bug or stops working correctly at any point, we fix it at no charge. As part of our process, we perform thorough cross-browser testing before making any project live to ensure compatibility across major browsers and devices. If an issue arises later, we are ready to resolve it promptly without additional cost. This lifetime bug guarantee applies regardless of how much time has passed since delivery, giving you complete peace of mind.

We also do not consider a project complete until you are fully satisfied with the result. We won't close a project and disappear something that is unfortunately common with freelancers who are unfamiliar with the Turbify platform.

Yes. We offer priority support for urgent issues including broken checkout pages, broken product pages, display errors, payment issues, and problems caused by platform updates. If your store is generating errors or is not functional, contact us immediately with as much detail as possible and we will assess and respond within a few hours on business days. A broken Turbify store means lost revenue every hour, we treat urgent fixes as our top priority.

From our long experience, layout breaks or functionality issues often arise when custom variables, HTML, or CSS are edited without proper knowledge. Common causes include non-closing tags, syntax errors, or missing quotation marks. These mistakes can disrupt the store’s design and functionality. We are equipped to quickly identify and resolve such issues, ensuring your store is restored and running smoothly.

Yes - we work with Turbify merchants worldwide. Our clients are primarily in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, but we assist store owners in any country. All communication is conducted in English. Turbify (formerly Yahoo Store) is primarily used by US-based merchants, but the platform and our services are available internationally. Time zone differences are managed through clear communication and agreed project timelines so work is never delayed.

As of 2026, Turbify continues to operate and serve merchants under Infinite Computer Solutions. There has been no official announcement of platform discontinuation. However, as with any hosted e-commerce platform, it is wise to maintain regular backups of your product catalog, customer data, and order history. If platform continuity is a concern for your business, we can advise on backup strategies and contingency planning - without necessarily requiring you to migrate your entire store right away.

This depends entirely on your specific situation. For established Turbify stores with strong organic rankings, a large product catalog, and years of SEO history - migration carries significant risk. Changing platforms often results in URL changes, temporary ranking drops, and catalog restructuring costs. For stores with poor current performance, a declining niche, or very simple product needs, migration may make sense. We provide honest, unbiased consultation on this decision. In many cases, a Turbify redesign and proper optimization delivers better ROI than a full platform migration.

Yes. If you have decided to migrate from Turbify to Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or another platform, we can assist with exporting your product catalog, planning and implementing 301 redirects to preserve your SEO rankings, and advising on the migration process to minimise traffic and ranking disruption. We will be honest with you about what you stand to gain and lose in a migration - and whether it is the right decision for your specific store and niche before you commit.