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How To Hire The Best Shopify Developers for Your eCommerce Stores
A developer takes a prominent position in building and maintaining any type of website, especially eCommerce. While Shopify is known as an esteemed host platform with nothing short of helpful features, the addition of a developer gives sellers the liberty to take their stores to the next level. As we enter 2025, why not revamp your eCommerce store to take on a new year of prosperity with confidence? Keep reading to learn how to hire Shopify developers via our guide and useful tips.
Is a Shopify Developer Needed?
Yes, having a Shopify developer is highly recommended. If you aim to establish a polished and functional digital storefront, it is much more feasible with the assistance of a well-versed developer. Below are some benefits of a website developer for your Shopify store:
- Exclusive customization: a skilled developer is able to spot whether your store calls for tailored content and design to cater to your target audience.
- Store performance: eCommerce stores need to perform smoothly to attract traffic and drive sales, and developers know what to implement to keep your website in its best shape.
- Third-party integration: they can introduce you to useful tools that streamline your payment, shipping, and customer support systems.
- Website security: your store will receive proper security measures to protect your and your customers’ data.
All in all, the benefits of hiring a Shopify developer are indisputable. The giants in the Shopify ecosystem are all taking advantage of these experts to the fullest, so it is a solid move to follow in their footsteps. Remember to treat your digital storefront like you would a brick-and-mortar shop, in which the store’s building, renovation, and decoration, AKA website development, are not to be understated.
What to Look for in a Shopify Developer
The qualities we have compiled below will provide you with an image of an ideal Shopify developer, no matter which niche you are in. Once you have found one that ticks all the boxes (and then some), it is time to establish a long-term partnership.
Technical Expertise
Technical expertise is the most important thing a Shopify developer should possess to ensure a satisfactory project outcome.
The technical expertise is what makes a Shopify developer, a Shopify developer. Below are the criteria that you ought to look for in their portfolio:
- Proficiency in coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Liquid).
- Knowledge of Shopify APIs, Shopify CLI, Shopify App Bridge, and Shopify Themes.
- Ability to optimize page speed and create efficient codes.
- etc.
The skills listed above are just some of many. Depending on your goals, you could require a Shopify developer with the full package or only a moderate amount of knowledge.
Knowledge about Shopify
A qualified Shopify developer should acquire enough knowledge about the platform to help you fully take advantage of its features.
We have mentioned the emphasis on Shopify knowledge above, but what other aspects of this platform should a labeled Shopify developer take notice of? Below are some suggestions:
- Knowledge about the Shopify ecosystem (Shopify Admin, Shopify Apps, Shopify Plans, Shopify Community, etc.).
- Experience with Shopify’s existing features (themes, layouts, payment and language integrations, etc.)
- Awareness of Shopify’s SEO and marketing tools
Good Feedback
Customer reviews are crucial in the skill testing process with a new developer.
Good feedback is solid proof of a developer’s skills, professionalism, reliability, and potential. If a Shopify developer is highly regarded by their past customers and even their peers, there is a good chance that they will be able to deliver high-quality work. The positive feedback not only takes the form of a five-star rating, but written reviews, in-depth testimonials, and cases of long-lasting partnerships with other customers as well.
Problem-Solving Capability
The ability to find solutions to emerging problems should be held in high regard when it comes to hiring a Shopify developer.
Managing a business is not easy as unexpected problems can present themselves at any moment. In website building, technical errors are a frequent sight, hence problem-solving is a key attribute that a Shopify developer could offer. At first communication and in the initial skill test, evaluate their ability to troubleshoot technical issues, overcome Shopify-related challenges, and resolve conflicts with third-party partners (if any). You can also contact their past clients to get a more detailed assessment of their capability in this criteria.
Where to Find the Best Shopify Developers?
1. Shopify Expert Directory
The Shopify Directory is a platform developed by Shopify that aims to connect developers, designers, and freelancers with business owners. These professionals are verified and neatly categorized for easy browsing, where they share one common trait: the extensive knowledge of Shopify as an eCommerce platform. This is indeed a surefire medium to look for a qualified Shopify developer.
2. Online Developer Communities
Make yourself familiar with different developer communities, namely GitHub, and find the most fitting candidate for your project.
If you want to expand the pool of developers outside of Shopify’s official platform, embark on a journey to the most popping developer communities. GitHub, Slack, Reddit (especially r/shopify and r/webdev), and LinkedIn groups are the best places to reside if you are keen on receiving information about website development as a whole, as well as finding a developer to shoot your shot with. These options enable you to meet international contenders, expand your network, stay on top of the latest news, and most importantly, have direct communication with the developers as opposed to going through a third party.
3. Word-of-Mouth and Networking
The power of word-of-mouth or networking in general is not to be overlooked. Since the dawn of time, people have always loved to express their interests through verbal communication. In the eCommerce scene, this marketing approach is the perfect match for acquiring leads, but it is also an efficient medium to scout for business partners, namely website developers. If you are already in possession of a network, ask for referrals of trustworthy developers with a history of fruitful projects, especially hidden talents who are not prone to promote themselves on public forums.
4. Freelance Platforms
Freelance platforms like Upwork are a goldmine for business owners to connect with aspiring website developers.
Freelance platforms are a hotbed to connect business owners/customers with freelancers across different industries. Whether it is a quick gig or a long-term project, you are guaranteed to find a promising worker who obtains the skills on your checklist. With a brief search, it is not difficult to come across adept Shopify developers on websites like Upwork, Freelancer.com, Fiverr, or Toptal. These sites are all top-tier in terms of the number of potential partners, quick signup, communication support, user-friendly interface, and so on.
5. Specialized Agencies
Gemians is a brand-new service provider with an expert team to help you achieve the best version of your website.
For a more niche set of goals, you might want to look into services with a dedicated and specialized team of experts. For instance, Shopify merchants who utilize GemPages as a landing page builder are welcome to take advantage of Gemians - our very own website development service that has just been freshly launched. Each project is promised to be taken care of with utmost professionalism and attention from the moment your request is initiated up until the delivery. Join us and give it a try today to give your store the upgrade it deserves.
6 Steps to Hire a Shopify Developer
Step 1: Pinpoint Your Objective
Define clear goals for your project. What do you wish to achieve? What is your budget? What is your expected deadline? What do you look for in a developer? The questions go on and on. The more specific you are with each question, the more detailed your objective will be. This step is pivotal, as it starts the bedrock for the whole hiring process.
Step 2: Research and Choose a Hiring Platform
Going in blind will only result in time and effort being wasted, hence the importance of picking a manageable number of platforms and doing your research to find the best match. Our list of Where to Find the Best Shopify Developers? above is a neat starting point for Shopify merchants to narrow down their choices based on personal preferences and budgets. When in doubt, go with the most foolproof medium like the Shopify Directory then broaden your research to more advanced platforms.
Step 3: Reach Out to Your Chosen Developer
If you have found a potential match, congratulations! The next step is to contact your chosen developer. Below are the tasks to prepare beforehand to ensure the most effective communication:
- Craft a detailed inquiry (project scope, timeline, budget)
- Draw up relevant questions to get to know more about the developer
- Pay attention to their responsiveness
- Assemble multiple other contenders at your disposal
Step 4: Discuss Your Goal and Evaluate Skills
This discussion plays a major role in gaining an evaluation of your compatibility. Ensure a two-way conversation by stating your scope and expectations, as well as asking for their input and suggestions. Be sure to be completely transparent and straightforward, as this has a direct impact on the progression of your project if you decide to go with this particular developer. Additionally, a skill test could be carried out to have a deeper look at their expertise.
Step 5: Propose a Contract and Agree on Mutual Terms
Once you have reached this step, it’s time to finish the paperwork. A contract is a must to protect the rights of both parties, establish confidentiality, as well as to quickly resolve conflicts if there are any. For long-haul projects, new versions of the initial contract might be necessary.
Step 6: Begin the Project and Maintain Communication
During the project, both parties are advised to maintain regular communication. This makes a huge difference in how the project progresses, if any problem arises, and so on. If agreed beforehand, take the time to conduct feedback and checkpoints to keep tabs on the procedure as closely as possible. Project management tools like Trello or Asana are godsends to assist you in this step.
3 Shopify Developer Red Flags You Need to Watch Out for
Compiling a list of red flags helps ease your candidate-hunting process and avoid major risks in your business operation.
Poor Communication and Promptness
In every type of partnership, be it professional or casual, communication is everything. That is why when this criteria is not prioritized by your Shopify developer, it is a big no-no. You can spot this red flag by asking these questions:
- Are they responsive to your questions?
- Do they understand your project scope?
- Do they tend to make changes without consulting you first?
- Are they willing to adapt to your requirements?
If their communication habits often leave you feeling frustrated or confused, it is a good sign to terminate the partnership (within the agreed terms).
Similar to communication skills, promptness is an equally vital trait in a developer. Their tardiness has a major impact on your project, and ultimately, your business as a whole. This red flag is most evident in their ability to complete a task in a set timeframe, frequent delays in providing a solution to a problem, and more.
Too Many Negative Reviews
The reviews (often) do not lie. They provide useful insights into the developer’s skills, work ethic, and overall qualification in the area you are looking for. Thus, an abundance of negative reviews is a warning sign for you to proceed with caution when scouting for a new partner. That said, there are cases where developers acquire an overwhelming number of fabricated positive reviews to conceal their true expertise. It is then your task to conduct a thorough assessment of your short-listed candidates, including reaching out to their past clients, for the most genuine judgment.
Lack of Knowledge about Shopify
Website developer is merely an umbrella term, under which a multitude of niche developers are residing. Platform-specific experts like Shopify developers are required to have a good command of how the site works, especially with built-in elements like its coding language or custom apps. A rule of thumb to spot if one is not proficient in Shopify is to look at their website design (layout, navigation system, etc.). Shopify offers a plethora of existing tools to optimize your store for sales, so if one can’t utilize those, they are likely to not be well-versed about this platform.
Find the Most Suitable Shopify Developer to Perfect Your Store
It comes with no doubt that Shopify is regarded as a powerful eCommerce platform, but there ain’t no harm in searching for more guidance to uncover the site’s full potential either. If you have had any hesitation about hiring a third-party Shopify developer before, we hope this blog has managed to answer your concerns and persuade you to give it a shot. Sometimes the secret formula to elevate your store is by giving your website a revamp, so are you ready to partner up with your next Shopify developer?
FAQ about Hiring Shopify Developer
Beginner: $15/hour - Intermediate: $33/hour - Expert: $95/hour (Source: LinkedIn).
1. Shopify Expert Directory
2. Online Developer Communities
3. Word-of-Mouth and Networking
4. Freelance Platforms
5. Specialized Agencies
