Things to Consider Before Hiring Shopify Developer

October 18, 2021

Shopify Development

As the world moves towards digitalization, with no one having time to go shopping in person, people are increasingly drawn to online shopping or eCommerce.

Shopify, an eCommerce software platform launched in 2006 by Tobias Lutke and Scott Lake has become a favourite of many. This scalable platform powers over 1,700,000 businesses from startups to Fortune 500. Currently, Shopify has the largest ecommerce market share in the USA as of September 2021, with 29% of businesses using it.

Furthermore, Shopify is used by brands like Pepsi, Nestle, Budweiser and even artists entrepreneurs like Kanye West, Eminem, and Justin Bieber. All these statistics indicate that Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Shopify Developers

- 1. How many years of experience do they have?

This may seem fundamental to you, but have trust when experts say that your subsequent talks will be based on this response. Consider having a rookie manage your project needs, especially if your business has over 2000 products. It’s just as challenging to optimize an eCommerce store as it is to create one. The reason for this is that there will be hundreds of images, payment gateways, checkout alternatives, SEO, and a million other things to consider. You need an expert Shopify Developer who can assist you in setup and configuration.

There’s a chance you’ll need to migrate essential data from your old eCommerce site to a new one. Data integration and migration are two of the most critical tasks of any eCommerce platform, including Shopify and a developer must be well versed with these tasks as well.

- 2. Are they well-versed in Shopify APIs?

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, enable Shopify expert developers to transform a simple website into an entire e-commerce store.

There are numerous Shopify APIs available to handle a variety of business challenges. The Storefront API, for example, allows developers to customize shopping experiences. In contrast, the Marketing Events API will enable developers to construct various marketing events, such as events triggered during email campaigns.

A Shopify developer will not provide you with the value you desire unless they have extensive understanding and experience with these APIs. Here is where you must complete your homework.

Make some notes on the various Shopify APIs on the official API guidelines page. There’s no need to be too technical with this. Make a list of the APIs on the page and click on their links to learn more about them.

Then, when you speak with a Shopify developer, inquire about the API guides you have selected. Continue your search if you believe the developer’s expertise in the APIs is insufficient.

Confidence in responses and explanations, on the other hand, indicates that the developer is knowledgeable about the issue and that you can trust them.

- 3. Will they continue to support and maintain the project after it goes live?

Shopify development services include support and maintenance even after making an online store go LIVE. It’s advisable to go to the developer’s website and look for the information.

For a limited time, some companies may offer free support and maintenance services. Others may begin charging a fee from the first day of deployment. In any situation, a post-launch service is required.

- 4. Can they optimize Shopify stores for mobile devices?

According to Statista, the count of mobile phone users in the globe will reach 7.33 billion by 2023. A substantial fraction of this group enjoys shopping on mobile. With growing mobile commerce, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want your online store to be really mobile-friendly.

It’s critical to learn about the developer’s familiarity with mobile devices. Inquire about how they test the final product. What platforms and devices do they employ to provide their customers with the best mobile experience possible.

Keep in mind that virtual devices alone will not provide you with the most significant benefit. Because you can only observe how some features work on real smartphones or tablets, you will need your Shopify store to be run on physical devices.

- 5. What tools do they use for project management and communication?

This question implies that you always have to ask the question to ask before hiring Shopify developers.

Because there are so many Project Management and Communication platforms on the market, your devs may be using Proofhub while you use Slack. Inquire ahead of time if they are willing to adapt the instruments of your choosing.

Because your participation and feedback will influence the final product, and you’ll want a clear line of communication.

- 6. Does their offer feature free bug fixes and Minor updates?

No one wants to make free corrections. When a Shopify developer doesn’t include bug patches or minor upgrades in their package, it’s a sign that they aren’t skilled or experienced enough to do a job correctly the first time.

Minor updates are vital for you, the customer, because they allow you to make minor modifications to your project without paying anything. Updates may have zero to do with the quality of the work. Sometimes all you need to do is change the call-to-action language on a button.

There must, of course, be a limit. It’s usual to have a round or two of minor updates. However, the developer’s refusal to provide any minor changes indicates that he wants you to pay for each cosmetic modification as if it were an entirely new order.

- 7. Do they provide transparent communication without delays?

In the construction of a Shopify web store, clear communication is crucial. A misunderstanding between you and a developer could result in increased costs.

A reputable Shopify development company will have a dedicated Project Manager who can promptly answer all of your queries about the project’s business and technical aspects.

Please send an email to the Shopify developer with your questions, or contact them through a sales chat. Keep an eye on how quickly they respond and whether their responses are precise and to the point.

You May Also Like This: How to Get Sales on Shopify

- 8. Do they provide asap services for rush projects?

Time is money in a fast-paced, high-dynamic corporate atmosphere, no matter how clichéd that phrase may sound. You might be working on a last-minute assignment that you “should have finished yesterday.” This is something that only a large Shopify development business can provide, as freelancers cannot typically manage projects with tight deadlines.

What’s more, a large Shopify development agency may complete a project twice as fast without sacrificing quality. This is made feasible by several previously completed ASAP projects and a precisely tailored, smooth workflow for these specific circumstances.

So, if the individual or firm has any experience with ASAP projects, you’ll know where to turn for assistance if the need arises.

- 9. What is their usual project timeline?

As developers have built hundreds or thousands of web stores, a large company with substantial Shopify (e-commerce) development experience knows exactly what it takes to construct a web store. That means an ETA should arrive in 1 or 2 business days at the most. This ETA will include every single item you’ll need to pay for, along with a cost estimate.

This also implies that the team will start working on your project nearly immediately once you approve it. A major, reputable Shopify development firm will have a couple of pros ready to go just a few hours after the starting pistol is fired.

10. What are the top skills a Shopify developer should have?
- ⦁ Complete understanding of JQuery, PHP and JavaScript
- ⦁ Hands-on practice working with APIs platform
- ⦁ Well versed with version control for the development of Shopify theme
- ⦁ Should have a strong portfolio of past clients
- ⦁ Good presentation and communication skills

Let’s look at the advantages that a Shopify expert should be able to deliver.

• Boost Sales: With the help of experienced Shopify developer, you can increase your conversion rate by optimizing your online store.
⦁ Personalize Your Store: With bespoke graphic elements, store design and setup advice, logo and visual branding, theme customization, and other options.
⦁ High-Quality Work: Ensure that the work Shopify developer do is of the highest quality to gain more delighted customers.
⦁ Constant Support: Shopify professionals can assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a result, you have constant support and synchronization, which keeps you from falling at any time.

Final Thoughts:

If you are still not convinced and want to learn more about how a Shopify developer can help you, consider this blog. You can locate and meet Shopify developers on a variety of platforms. You can simply hire Shopify experts or make a decision to outsource the Shopify store development. Whatever path you take and whoever you hire, you must ask these questions to ensure the success of your eCommerce business.