How to Find and Hire Shopify Experts

# ShopifyAlex Borodin
July 6, 2019
8 min read
How to Find and Hire Shopify Experts

Having the right team is crucial when building and maintaining successful online stores. A critical part of that team is Shopify developers, who are experts in ecommerce sites and can help you customize and optimize your Shopify templates and custom website design to meet the unique needs of your eCommerce business. But with so many options available, how do you find and choose the right Shopify experts for your business?

# Shopify
July 6, 2019
8 min read

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This article will explore different methods to find the right Shopify developers and the factors to consider when choosing the right expert for Shopify store owners.

Define Your Needs

The first step in finding the right Shopify developer is to define your needs. Before you start searching for experts, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what you need help with. Understanding your needs will make it easier to find Shopify experts with the right skills and experience to help you. For those needing assistance with their Shopify websites, there are many tasks that Shopify developers can do.

1. Building a custom theme for your store design

A custom Shopify theme development will give your store a unique look and feel and can be optimized to improve performance and user experience. Shopify developers can craft a custom Shopify theme design that is true to your brand's identity and tailored to match the unique requirements of your business, all while ensuring search engine optimization.

2. Custom Shopify app development

You can hire Shopify app development experts to add custom functionality to your store. Shopify developers can help you develop custom apps that integrate seamlessly with your ecommerce store. These apps can help you automate tasks, integrate with third-party services and ecommerce solutions, do content marketing, Shopify SEO, social media management, email marketing, or add new features to your store.

3. Integrating third-party apps and services with your ecommerce platform

Shopify experts can help you integrate your store with third-party apps and services, including payment gateway, shipping services, and more, to ensure your Shopify stores run smoothly and your customers can check out quickly and securely.

4. Optimizing your store's performance and user experience

Shopify developers can help you optimize your store's performance by analyzing your store's data, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing performance-enhancing changes. They can also help you improve your store's user experience by analyzing customer behavior and making changes to make it easier for customers to find what they're looking for and complete their purchases.

5. Developing custom features and functionality for the Shopify platform

If you need to add unique features to your store, a Shopify developer can help you develop these custom features and ensure they integrate seamlessly with your Shopify site.

6. Maintaining and troubleshooting your Shopify store

Once your store runs, a Shopify developer can help you maintain it and troubleshoot any issues. This can include regular software updates, backups, and monitoring your store's performance to ensure it's running smoothly.

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Here is a checklist of steps for your perfect Shopify developers.

1. Look for Relevant Experience

Shopify website is one of the most influential and flexible ecommerce platforms, but it can be complex to work with. Therefore, when searching for experts, look for those with experience working with the specific features and functionality you need help with. For example, if you need help with custom theme development, look for developers with experience building custom Shopify themes and a portfolio of past work to show.

It's also a good idea to look for Shopify experts who have experience in your industry, as they will better understand your unique challenges and opportunities. They will know how other stores in your industry implement Shopify or Shopify Plus and can offer a wide range of suggestions and solutions that work for your business.

While general experience with Shopify is beneficial, diving deeper into the developer's specialized skills can be enlightening. Some developers might excel in creating visually stunning themes and store setup but might not have extensive experience in backend integrations or custom app development. Conversely, a developer specializing in enhancing store functionalities might not be the best fit for a brand-centric custom design overhaul.

Additionally, it's prudent to inquire if they have kept pace with Shopify's updates and worked on recent projects using the latest features. Familiarity with the most current tools and trends ensures that your store isn't just functional but also contemporary and competitive.

2. Check References and Portfolios

As you narrow your list of potential developers, check their references and portfolios. A good portfolio will showcase the developer's skills and give you a sense of their Shopify store design aesthetic and attention to detail. Reading references from past clients can also give you an idea of the developer's work ethic and ability to communicate effectively. This will help you better understand their experience and how well they work with clients. Finally, look for portfolios that include examples of stores with similar needs as yours. Pay attention to how the web development expert approached the Shopify store design and development of those stores.

You can also check for certifications; it can be a good indicator of their knowledge of the platform. Some reputable ones are from Shopify itself or the Shopify Partners program. This will show you how Shopify experts stay updated with the e-commerce platform's latest development trends, standards, and best practices regarding Shopify stores.

In addition to the technical prowess evident in their portfolio, consider digging deeper into the challenges the developers faced during past projects and how they overcame them. Every Shopify store is unique, and you'll want a developer who can navigate unforeseen issues or roadblocks. Discussing past problems they've solved can give you insight into their problem-solving capabilities, adaptability, and creativity.

It can also be beneficial to see if they're proactive in suggesting improvements or innovative solutions that previous clients hadn't considered. Such forward-thinking and dedication to the craft can be a valuable asset to your ecommerce endeavor.

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3. Communicate with Potential Developers

Before making a final decision, it's essential to communicate with potential developers to understand their communication style and ability to understand your needs. This can be done through email or a call, but in-person or video conferences are better for discussing things in more detail and checking if the developer understands your business and needs. In addition, it's essential to choose a responsive developer who is easy to work with, as you'll be working with them closely throughout the Shopify development process.

In your interactions with potential developers, it's beneficial to present them with hypothetical scenarios or past challenges you've faced. This exercise can shed light on their problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. How they respond can give you a glimpse into their technical proficiency, approach to challenges, and adaptability to evolving project requirements.

It's not just about their technical understanding but also their attitude towards finding solutions. This proactive approach in your communication can be pivotal in determining if the developer aligns with your business ethos and can handle unforeseen challenges.

4. Consider Their Availability and Price

For complex ecommerce website development services, you want to ensure that the Shopify developer you choose can work on your project promptly. You don't want to work with someone who cannot deliver your project within the required time. Additionally, their prices should be reasonable, but remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best. A higher price can sometimes reflect more experience and higher quality work. It's also important to consider the value the Shopify expert will bring to your business and how their services will help your store succeed in the long term.

It's also important to consider how the Shopify expert will manage the project, how they will keep you updated, and how they will handle any issues. A good developer should have a transparent process for managing the project and ensuring it stays on track.

When weighing the availability and pricing of a Shopify developer, it's also crucial to assess their flexibility and scalability. As your business grows and your e-commerce needs change, you might require additional services or sudden modifications. A developer's ability to adapt to these shifts and accommodate urgent requests without compromising the quality of work is invaluable. It's also worth noting how they handle projects during peak seasons or unforeseen challenges.

Furthermore, considering scalability ensures that your developer can handle larger-scale projects or integrate more sophisticated features without switching to a different expert as your store expands. This ensures consistency in the development process and saves time and resources in the long run.

Conclusion

Finding the right Shopify ecommerce developer for your business can be daunting. Still, by following these steps, you can find the perfect expert to help you build and maintain a successful online store. It's essential to define your needs, look for relevant experience, check references and portfolios, communicate with potential Shopify designers, and consider their availability and price. Check if the developer participates in the Shopify Partner program. Then, with the right team in place, you'll be well on your way to building and maintaining a successful online store for your ecommerce brand.

It's important to remember that finding the right developer is not a one-time task, as your store's needs may change over time. Keeping an open line of communication with your Shopify web designer and being responsive to the needs of your business will help ensure that your store continues to thrive. You may also consider building a long-term relationship with a Shopify developer. They can continue to help you optimize and scale your store as your business grows.

By working with the right Shopify expert, you can take your store's design and functionality to the next level and achieve the success you're looking for on the ecommerce platform. They can help you with the technical aspects of your store and offer valuable insights and best practices to help you reach your target market and achieve your business goals. With the right Shopify developer on your team, you can build a store that stands out from the competition and delivers an unparalleled customer experience.

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Author
Alex Borodin - Chief Operating Officer
Alex BorodinChief Operating Officer

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