Times are changing, and so is the online world. Everything from socializing to shopping is moving on digital platforms. There are dedicated platforms to cater to your customized needs. If you want to share cool pictures and engage your audience; you have Snapchat and Instagram. If you want to buy a party dress but are running out of time; you have Amazon at your rescue.
Thus, every application be it mobile, or web has its dedicated framework on which it is built. One such eCommerce platform is Shopify. As a fun fact, Shopify was the result of an online store for snowboarding products. Interesting Fact: The person who invented this platform actually wanted to build an online portal dedicated to snowboarding.
There is no space for doubt that Shopify is one of the most sought after eCommerce platforms, to the extent that it is loved by nearly 1,000,000 merchants in about 200 nations, globally.
Considering the popularity Shopify has gained over the years, entrepreneurs and businesses have started adapting this platform to build their online stores. But, what bothers them is the hiring process of Shopify Developers. The most common challenge faced is what to ask when hiring Shopify Developers. And believe me, ask the right questions, and you’re halfway there.
We have made your task easy! Yes, we have curated a set of questions you should ask when hiring Shopify Developers.
How many years of experience do you have in eCommerce Development Projects?
This might sound basic to you, but let me tell you that your following conversations are going to rely on this answer. Imagine a newbie handling your project requirements where you have more than 2000 products for your store.
Optimizing an eCommerce store is as challenging as building one. The reason being, there are going to be hundreds of pictures, payment gateways, checkout options, SEO-optimized designs and a million other things. Make sure you build an eCommerce that can withstand time and trends. And only an experienced Shopify Developer would help you pull off that vision.
What are the recent eCommerce projects you have worked upon?
This will be a follow-up question if the answer to the above question is satisfactory.
Their recent projects would reflect their understanding of modern designs, human-friendly navigation and implementing glitch-proof checkout processes.
Their portfolio would also help you come up with technical questions you would want answers for. Say, how would you ensure that an eCommerce portal with 2000+ products loads faster? You can ask questions that are relevant to your online store, which would decide whether he/she is the best guy for your eCommerce project.
Would you be able to build an SEO-friendly eCommerce store?
Building a great online shopping portal is not the only objective. I mean, what is the point of building a website that can’t be found by your target audience? The search queries fired must land on your shop. So, it is important to know how your Shopify developer makes the store searchable.
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Can you perform data migration and integration?
You may need to transfer crucial data from your existing eCommerce website into a new one. And as you know that two of the vital and strategic functions of any eCommerce platform, including Shopify, are data integration and migration. So, I believe an expert must carry it out.
What are the Project Management and Communication Tools you use?
So consider hiring a team of Shopify Developers for your project. Now that you are going to lead this team as if you own it, you’ll be required to take follow-ups for the tasks delegated. It means you have to decide the preferred mode of communication with your Shopify Developers.
With so many Project Management and Communication tools available in the market, your developers might be using say Proofhub and you Slack. Ask them upfront whether they are open to adapting the tools of your choice. Because your involvement and feedback are going to shape your final product, and you’d want to have a transparent communication channel.
Would you be able to optimize the store for mobile users?
Did you know, by 2021, sales through mobile eCommerce are expected to account for54% of total eCommerce sales?
M-Commerce or Mobile Commerce is picking up the trend. Consumer behaviors are changing not only in terms of buying but also in terms of preferring their smart devices. Smartphones and tablets are going to drive the future of online shopping as they are believed to be a potential and preferred channel to do online shopping.
A study by Business Insider predicts that “M-commerce volume to rise at a 25.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2019 to hit $488.0 billion, or 44% of e-commerce, in 2024.”
So, it’s better to play safe and emphasize building your e-store, which is mobile friendly too.
Conclusion
Down the line, our businesses, especially the brick-and-mortar businesses, have started consuming the concept of developing online stores to expand and grow their business.
So, after interviewing with this set of questions, you can make sure that you get to know better and make better decisions before hiring Shopify Experts. If you want to hire dedicated Shopify developers, there is no better place to start with than Uplers.