Hire Shopify Designers: Where and How to Find the Best Designers for Your Shopify Store

Many eCommerce hustlers take matters into their own hands when it comes to customizing their digital storefronts. While this can eliminate the extra cost of hiring a third-party professional, it is not always optimal if one does not possess the needed skillsets to bang out a functional website. That is when Shopify designers come in. These professionals are on a mission to assist you in building the most visually appealing and high-converting store on this renowned platform, and we will tell you all the secrets to finding the most well-suited designers for your brand in this blog post.

Why Should You Hire a Shopify Designer?

A Shopify designer does more than just make your store look good, hence the demand for this service as the industry grows.

If you are a Shopify seller or have been checking out the platform’s services, it is evident that there is a plethora of built-in features that are sufficient to launch a working store. That said, when there’s a need, there’s a way. More elaborate brands are always on the hunt to add cutting-edge features to their stores while retaining their striking visuals, hence the reason why Shopify designers are getting more recognition. The key points below will give you a more in-depth look at the role of designers for a Shopify store.

A Professional and Polished Appearance

Shopify stores come in all shapes and sizes, and it is not difficult to come across sites that embrace styles ranging from minimalism, editorial, contemporary, high-tech, and many more. While a Shopify-powered theme can help you achieve the look, there is a risk of fading into the crowd due to the uniformity in the interface and components. A Shopify designer provides more room to create distinct features, branding elements, and most importantly, a polished appearance that oozes professionalism. 

Better UI & UX

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are a dynamic duo that is mentioned in countless articles about eCommerce website building, and this is no exception. A Shopify designer’s job is not only to show your store’s best angle, they are tasked with obtaining customer satisfaction and conversion as well. If you want to level up your store’s navigation system, layout, loading speed, and mobile compatibility, hiring a well-versed designer is a good call. By incorporating CTAs, trust signals, smart filters, interactive details, etc., conversion rates and revenue are promptly boosted.

Custom Features and Functionality

We have glazed over the basic features that can be added to your site by a Shopify designer, but they are capable of doing so much more. Ever landed on a well-known brand’s digital store and gotten blown away by its intuitive design? In most cases, that’s the work of a design expert. Building a functional website is one thing, showcasing features that leave an impression on your visitors is major. Below are some examples:

• Themes with custom page sections (i.e. different fonts, colors, and layouts)

• Interactive elements (360° product view, product swatches, before-and-after slider)

• AI-powered functionalities

• Custom payment gateways

Mobile Optimization

Mobile optimization is a staple in eCommerce. Without it, a brand might not be able to unlock its full potential to maximize earnings. Remember that an average person can access the entire world from the vertical screen on their mobile device, therefore, working with a professional designer to come up with the best mobile layout is a must. With their expertise, factors like a thumb-friendly design, loading time, button and font sizes, and so on, are all taken into account. 

5 Qualities to Look for in a Shopify Designer

Use our list of the best qualities to look for in a Shopify designer as a cheat sheet to work with your ideal partner.

Take notes of these top five qualities to streamline your hiring process.

Experience with eCommerce and Shopify

Being aware of the industry and platform is not enough, the keyword is experience - the foremost criterion a Shopify designer should have. This encompasses the knowledge of Shopify-specific features, namely theme customization, app integration, Liquid, speed optimization, and the like. As web design comprises UX and UI, elements such as mobile optimization, CRO, SEO-friendly design, and visual identity need to be thoroughly studied. The more experienced a designer is with these criteria, the better they will be at delivering your desired result.

A Diverse and Compatible Portfolio

A portfolio tells you everything about what a designer has to offer, thus, opt for those with diverse and coherent profiles that have the potential to help you reach your goals. For some business owners, one with a multifaceted portfolio who excels in various niches is favored, while other merchants seek a designer that masters a specific area (i.e. minimalist design in fashion). No matter the end goal, make sure that they have a proven work record and brand alignment.

Problem-solving and Communication Skills

A competent Shopify designer needs to sell their service effectively to secure projects, that’s why problem-solving and communication skills are regarded as a positive trait to look for. From first contact up until the end of the project, take notice of their willingness to offer a solution should a problem arise, as well as the response time and ability to meet deadlines. Even if the original plan went astray, good communication between both sides is the key to unlocking success.

Post-Launch Support Offer

A design project can take months and even years, and when it’s done, it’s possible that you will need further technical support from your designer. In this case, go with the ones who explicitly offer post-launch support when modifications need to be made.

Top 3 Places to Find the Best Shopify Designers

1. Shopify Expert Directory

The Shopify Expert Directory connects you with partners that take care of every facet of your digital storefront.

Shopify Expert Directory is a goldmine for forming solid connections with professional designers. It is the official curated database with a wide array of freelancers, agencies, and design firms, whose past projects and reviews are all verified. With this option, all the experts come with a rich knowledge of the platform.

2. Freelance Platforms

Fiverr is a popular medium to scout for the best talents, in which website designers are one of the most commonly hired freelancers.

The names Fiverr and Upwork are no strangers to online hustlers since they are the most famous freelance platforms. Search for the design service you want, use the filter, and feel free to take a peep at hundreds of options in every price range. You are bound to find the next Shopify designers on these handy websites.

3. Digital Design Agency

The launch of Gemians marks our commitment to build the highest-converting Shopify stores in the market.

Our freshly launched service is called Gemians - a CRO-focused website enhancement solution. We aim to create tailored landing pages that boost conversion, where visually pleasing layouts and custom features are combined to drive business growth. With GemPages’ experience in the Shopify ecosystem, this service will be a good match for all your web design needs.

Shopify Designer Red Flags: What to Avoid

Noticing these traits helps you avoid incompetent Shopify designers, thus getting you closer to the most compatible ones.

Little to No Knowledge about Shopify

One could brand themselves as a website designer, but it is not enough. If you are a Shopify merchant, expect the partner to have adequate knowledge of the platform. Better yet, if their past projects are of Shopify stores, you will have a better chance at scoring a proficient designer who knows the ins and outs of the host platform. The last thing you want is to gamble on a lacking designer, as the final product might not be up to par after financial and time investment. To avoid this, make sure to vet them and communicate thoroughly before sealing the deal.

Designs that Do Not Match Your Brand

When a designer gets an abundance of positive reviews, it is hard to ignore the raves. However, it is vital to ask yourself the question: are they a good match with my brand?

Since eCommerce niches are diverse, so are their corresponding designers. One who specializes in FnB has different expertise from those whose focuses are on electronics or beauty. Thus, they might be able to materialize an enticing website, but it does not encapsulate your brand’s mission. Your duty is to properly analyze their portfolios, as well as past work to have a feel for their aesthetics.

Poor Communication Skills

It goes without saying that communication is key, as it is apparent with every partner you have as a business owner. Since Shopify designers work directly with your website, branding, and sometimes, insider information about your company, communication, and mutual understanding are not to be overlooked. If a designer exhibits signs of delayed response, inadequate presentation skills, or an unwillingness to reach an agreement between two parties, it is advised to pull back and evaluate the partnership before finalizing the contract.

Negative Customer Reviews

A Shopify designer might tick all the boxes at first glance, but customer reviews can reveal the hidden truth about their expertise. Check out sites like Trustpilot, and Clutch, or directly from freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to read reviews about the ones you are eyeing. If possible, contact the reviewers to verify their experience to weed out fake negative reviews.

Lack of Pricing Transparency

Since it is an additional service, merchants are expected to up their spending to hire a reliable Shopify designer. While prices are understandably not disclosed on their public profiles due to their competitive strategies, they should be clearly provided upon contact. If the designers make changes without prior discussion while the project is in process, that’s a red flag.

To Conclude

It is totally normal to not be a jack of all trades and let the experts handle the fine points of your website, that is why Shopify designers have been such an integral part of running an eCommerce business. By applying our tips and evaluating your unique goals, you will be on the right path to finding the most compatible Shopify designer. 

FAQ about Hiring Shopify Designers