The rise of the Internet, and web technologies coupled with online payment facilities have resulted in exponential growth in e-commerce. More and more businesses are going online to sell their products and services. Because web-based business provides the seller the opportunity to tap new markets in different locations across the world. Online business has grown by leaps and bounds in the retail and business sectors.
If you are a retailer or a corporate seller, you must have a website to sell your products or services. An attractive e-commerce website can skyrocket the growth of your business. Building a good e-commerce website is just like constructing a physical store. Any physical store must have an eye-catching structure, aesthetic interior, stunning showcasing of products, ready-to-assist customer help desk, return counter, and easy checkout facility. The same criteria are applied to an online store/ website. The only difference is that instead of bricks and mortar, an online store is developed using web technologies.
There are several technologies and customizable platforms available to create an e-commerce website. Shopify, Magento, WordPress, and BIGCommerce are some e-commerce website development platforms. Among these, Shopify is a preferred choice for e-commerce developers to create an online store for their clients. If you own a business and want to expand your business online or even if you already have an online store and want to switch to Shopify then this article is for you.
There are many online resources for hiring a Shopify expert. After reading this article, you’ll gain new insights and tips for hiring a great Shopify development agency.
Here I unveil the ultimate guide to hiring a Shopify development agency:
Understand your business requirements
To create a great online store, hiring the right Shopify website development company is crucial for your business’s success. But before that do your homework precisely. Carefully note each requirement that you would like to have in your e-commerce store. Here is a partial list of requirements
- Attention-grabbing UI of your E-commerce website
- Hassle-free Signup and Sign-in process by the customer
- Attractive display of products
- Ease in product navigation
- Effective showcasing of similar products/ accessories based on the search by the customers
- Product return/ Product replacement
- Secured payment/ checkout
- Customers’ Feedback
- Customization as per your requirement
- Special offers/ Festive season offers/Holiday offers
- Do not forget the project scope and flexibility for expansion in the future.
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Look for Potential Shopify Experts
Now that you know your project and have your requirements, it’s time to find the best Shopify expert developers. As you start your hunt follow these Do’s and don’ts:
Do’s:
- Explore Shopify/ Shopify Plus experts’ track record.
- Go through their Work Portfolio and check if any of them resonates with your vision and goals.
- Check Shopify agencies’ ratings and reviews on rating agencies like Upwork, Clutch, GoodFirms, Google, social media and Shopify
- Read their clients’ recommendations. You may directly contact their clients and ask for feedback.
- If required, communicate with the potential Shopify agencies and put forward your requirements.
Don’ts:
- Do not end your search by settling down with the initial agency. Check all shortlisted agencies.
- Simply ignore the poorly designed website, lack of proper communication, and undisclosed physical location.
Expertise in Shopify and e-commerce trends
It is important to hire a Shopify expert who has a good understanding of the Shopify platform. With the help of an experienced and expert Shopify agency, you can reach your business goals in an online environment that is constantly evolving. By leveraging their knowledge of the features of Shopify, a skilled Shopify agency can create customized solutions for your business. To find the right agency for your needs, you should create a shortlist of potential Shopify development agencies based on the do’s and don’ts mentioned above.
Engage with potential agencies
Ask the shortlisted Shopify experts service providers about their approach to your online store development
- Timeline of the project
- Previous similar project experience if any
- Scope and scalability of the project
- Shopify expert cost of the project
It’s important to discuss the roadmap that an agency would follow for your project. You should inform them about your vision and goals as they will play a key role in achieving your objectives. It’s also a good idea to seek their advice on any software or tech-related issues you may face in your online business.
Having reliable tech support during and after the project is crucial to ensure everything goes smoothly. Therefore, it’s essential to discuss the type of tech support an agency offers. Additionally, don’t forget to discuss the contract, terms and conditions, and payment terms to avoid any issues later on.
SEO of your website
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in ranking your online store on Google and other search engines. Effective SEO will improve your e-commerce site ranking and give you more hits on your website and increase your conversion ratio. Look for Shopify SEO experts also who have successfully done SEO for their clients in the past. Ask them about effective SEO for your project which will give you a strategic boost to your online business.
Request Proposals
After all the negotiations and deliberations, ask shortlisted Shopify expert developers to send their proposals encompassing your discussions. Written proposals will help you to review the agencies.
Evaluate
Assess the proposals based on expertise, past work, ratings, Shopify expert’s service cost, and alignment with your goals. You may assign a rating scale to the criteria and give your rating.
For example, based on the expertise you can rate each agency on a scale of 10. Similarly, you can rate them on other criteria and aggregate them to finalize.
Finalize
Before signing a contract with the best Shopify expert, carefully evaluate your requirements and negotiate terms that best suit you. Once the contract is signed, the project can be initiated. The agency will then begin its onboarding process, ensuring that they have all the necessary information.
It is crucial to stay in constant communication with the agency and provide them with anything they need from you. You should also review every progressive outcome to ensure that the agency’s strategies are working.
The best part of hiring an agency is that you can focus entirely on running your business and completing your day-to-day tasks without having to worry about marketing.
Conclusion
Hiring the best Shopify expert or Shopify Plus expert can be a game changer for your online business. Choose a Shopify expert who is not only a Shopify expert service provider; he is a partner who helps you reach your goals. Your online store is at the forefront of your business in the vast digital landscape so choose the agency with insights and wisdom. Right Shopify SEO expert will optimize your online store for higher visibility and sales growth. In the end, I would say that leave no stone unturned for hiring the best Shopify expert developer so that you can rest assured of the success of your project.
FAQ on hiring Shopify Expert
How do I choose an eCommerce agency?
Explore potential eCommerce development agencies that fit best for your business. Look for agencies that specialize in e-commerce and have experience in your industry. Review case studies and portfolios from the agencies you are considering.
What is Shopify used for?
Shopify is a prominent eCommerce platform for all types of businesses to create online stores. Shopify is used for building an online store and running an eCommerce business. You can use Shopify’s suite of tools to manage your inventory, accept online payments, ship products, and more.
What is a Dropshipping business and why Shopify is used for such a business?
Shopify is a preferred choice for dropshipping businesses. With seamless integration of numerous apps, it lets you easily import products from various suppliers directly into your Shopify store. This eliminates the need for physical inventory and simplifies inventory management and shipping logistics.
Are Shopify websites mobile-friendly?
When it comes to mobile-friendly websites, Shopify’s themes guarantee an exceptional user experience on any device. No matter if they’re browsing on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, your customers can easily navigate and view with optimal performance.
What is a Shopify agency?
A Shopify development agency is a web development business that specializes in developing online stores using Shopify or Shopify Plus platforms. Such agencies offer a range of services such as web design, marketing, content creation, SEO, and more. They also provide tech support and post-installation services to their clients.
How much does it cost to hire a Shopify expert?
This is an obvious question. Generally, a project cost depends on the scope of the project, major requirements of the client, customization, and location. It also varies from one Shopify expert to another depending upon their expertise and ranking by rating agencies like Clutch, Upwork.
Project cost can be decided either you hire Shopify experts on an hourly basis or you opt to outsource the entire project.
Which type of specific Shopify expert do I need?
It depends on the requirements of your project. You must have crystal clear goals for what you want to achieve through your online store. You need to carry out a SWOT analysis of your business which will help you to find the best Shopify expert for your project.
