Choosing your Shopify expert

At a time when a large proportion of consumers are choosing to shop online, Shopify is taking a prominent place in the e-commerce sector. This has led to the emergence of numerous Shopify experts. Indeed, launching an online store is not just about creating a website, but goes far beyond that: this is where Shopify experts can make a difference. Are you looking to find out how to choose the trusted expert to create the perfect digital strategy that will make your product a success? Continue reading or consult our complete guide directly.

What is a Shopify Expert?

A Shopify expert is a professional who knows this platform inside out: they specialize in designing online stores using the Shopify platform. When well chosen, this expert can have a significant impact on a company's success.

A Shopify expert has extensive experience in the field and has already worked on the technical and commercial aspects of Shopify projects. To be certified, they must have worked on at least 5 Shopify stores. With these multiple skills, the Shopify expert helps their clients to:

• identify and perfectly meet their needs;
• choose the right Shopify theme for their business;
• add the necessary applications to their site for their business. With adapted applications, the company is sure to trigger more sales.

The services of a Shopify expert are not limited to technical aspects but go far beyond. They can also provide the best advice in terms of development strategy.

Choosing a Shopify Expert Based on Your Needs

Before embarking on the search for a Shopify expert, it is essential to define your needs in order to define the scope of the project. The search will be simplified if you know the type of mission, the amount of work to be done, the deadlines to be met, and the budget. The missions can be extremely varied: for example, they can involve technical aspects or web marketing.

Regarding technical missions, these can include:

• the complete creation of a Shopify e-commerce site;
• improving the design of an online store;
• fixing CSS or JS issues;
• adding functionalities to a Shopify store;
• etc.

In terms of web marketing, a Shopify expert can intervene for:

• search engine optimization (SEO);
• content creation to improve SEO score;
• creating optimized product pages;
• a remarketing or communication campaign;
• etc.

Where to Find a Shopify Expert?

Once the requirements are defined and you have a good idea of what you want to achieve, it's time to start looking for an expert who can meet those needs. There are several solutions for this search.

1. Consult the Shopify marketplace: Shopify has a marketplace where merchants can find a professional. You can browse the list, but also add filters (price, expert type, service, region, language) to facilitate your search. Each professional then has a profile that can be viewed.
2. Find an expert by creating a job description: this can also be done on the marketplace. It's an ideal solution because the needs are detailed in the description.
3. Hire an expert from the Shopify admin panel: the Shopify help center also allows you to find an expert. After clicking on the "Hire a Shopify expert" option in the admin panel, you are asked to create a category and choose an objective. You are then asked to provide the requirements and details, clients, timeline, and budget of the company.

Verifying a Shopify Expert

The profile of each Shopify expert includes essential information that can help a business make its choice. Among the things to pay particular attention to, here are the main ones.

1. Testimonials: To ensure you hire a competent and trustworthy expert, it's advisable to check reviews left by other clients or contact these clients directly.
2. Their expertise: Does this expert already have experience in your sector of activity? It is preferable for an e-merchant to hire an expert who already has expertise in their specialized field.
3. Their portfolio: It can be beneficial to review previous projects.

Naturally, meeting with the candidate is a good way to get a feel for them. This is how you can clarify any ambiguities and ensure they understand the project and have the necessary skills to meet expectations. This interview also helps to check if the expert is cooperative. Good communication is a fundamental factor for the success of the project.

Choosing the Ideal Shopify Expert: Agency, Freelancer, or In-house?

Regarding web development, there are several solutions: the freelancer, the in-house developer, or the web agency. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best option depends on a company's needs and preferences.

The Freelancer

Freelancers are often the cheapest option on the market, largely due to competition. However, they may not always be available and do not provide supervision during their holidays. Moreover, there is a greater risk of disengagement: sometimes, a freelancer may end a collaboration overnight. But freelancing remains a good solution for small, one-off tasks. In this case, be careful not to choose a freelancer primarily based on the price of the service (you get what you pay for).

The In-house Developer

Hiring an in-house developer is an ideal solution in terms of availability. Here, it is a question of a long-term commitment, according to the contract the company offers. In this scenario, the Shopify expert can be available throughout the project. The disadvantage of such a contract lies in the much higher price.

The Shopify Web Agency

Both freelancers and in-house developers have their advantages and disadvantages. But a third option exists, which seems to be a good blend of the first two: the Shopify web agency. Here are its main advantages.

1. On the market, Shopify web agencies represent an average price and therefore remain very accessible.
2. By working with a Shopify web agency, you can benefit from a range of skills from a team that is rare to find in a single person. In this context, problems encountered can often be resolved more quickly.
3. A certified Shopify agency will be able to fully leverage what this platform can offer.
4. A Shopify agency can offer ongoing support and maintenance for an online store.

By using a Shopify expert, you ensure that you benefit from the best technical skills and, above all, you choose to save time.