Curious about why your Shopify store might be struggling with sales while your competitor, who’s in a similar business, is thriving?
It’s not luck — they most likely hired a Shopify expert.
Maybe you’re wondering how much an e-commerce store costs to build and run, and you want to save on costs and time.
These experts can help with everything from website performance to streamlining marketing strategies. Whether it’s superficial improvements or security upgrades, a Shopify expert may be the solution you’ve been searching for.
Considering that not all freelancers will fit your project, let’s look at the 5 main areas to consider when hiring a Shopify expert for your store.
Table of Contents
5 things to consider when choosing a Shopify expert
Treat this somewhat like an audit — follow this step-by-step checkup to ensure that the expert you hire will be the perfect fit for your Shopify store.
#1. Evaluate your unique business requirements
You won’t be able to find the perfect Shopify freelancer unless you understand precisely what your business needs. Start by identifying your store’s weakest points and areas of improvement:
- Are drops in website speed causing customers to abandon their carts?
- Does your outdated site require a much-needed makeover?
- Is your Shopify store taking up too much time in your workday?
Via in-depth research into your company’s strengths and weaknesses, you can find the appropriate expert for the job. If security is a blindspot, should you invest in a Shopify security expert?
Shopify professionals specialize in vastly different areas, so finding an expert with the correct skillset is vital.
#2. Assess work experience and portfolio
Like any other position you fill, a Shopify expert should undergo the same rigorous hiring process.
Dive into their experience and references. Do they check out? Most important are client testimonials and reviews.
If you’re searching for a professional Shopify freelancer, look for the following:
- Verifiable work experience in your required field;
- Positive testimonials from similar companies;
- A diverse portfolio, ideally with examples of your needs.
Sometimes you find the perfect freelancer, but they specialize in another area. It can’t hurt to ask if they have the skills you’re looking for — chances are, they’ve done it before and are happy to do it again.
#3. All things communication
One of the most crucial components during the hiring process is communication.
Bad communication is a slow and painful killer, especially if you’re in the market for long-term collaboration.
There are a few things to keep in mind surrounding communication:
- The communication channel you agree on should be easily accessible.
- Do you need your Shopify expert available to chat during business hours?
- How do they talk? Business relationships get tested during stressful times, so find a freelancer who can keep their cool.
- Poor communication leads to poor understanding, so an expert who is clear and knowledgeable is key.
This also brings attention to the Shopify expert’s language. If handling complex projects and issues, ensure your expert is fluent in your language.
#4. Decide on location requirements
Similarly, even the most eloquent English speaker may be of no use to you if they live on the other side of the globe. Depending on your needs, you might even require a local freelancer who can be available for in-person meetings.
On the other hand, having your Shopify expert working while you sleep can be a huge time-saver. You can send instructions at the end of the day and receive your results by the morning.
The larger freelance job sites out there allow you to filter by country to find someone nearby whom you might even be able to meet.
Most businesses find a comfortable middle ground, preferring a Shopify expert who can be available most of the time. Every company differs, so what does your business need?
#5. Find a suitable pricing model
In the end, you get what you pay for. You’ll rarely snag an experienced, communicative, and skillful expert on the cheap. Luckily, you’ll find freelancers who work in any price bracket to suit your budget.
If you have a small budget, look for an expert who:
- Works at a lower rate, preferably on fixed-price contracts (so you can agree on prices beforehand);
- Specializes in smaller store improvements and customisations;
- Uses AI tools to automate lengthy processes;
- Has proven skills but is looking for work experience.
Those on larger budgets aren’t as restricted and can find the best candidate for the position. Be aware on hourly-rate contracts, the bills for highly skilled Shopify experts can soar.
What areas can a Shopify expert help with?
A proficient Shopify freelancer can aid your business in numerous ways:
- Webstore optimisation: Attract and retain more customers with an intuitive, responsive website. How often do you use online stores that are difficult to navigate?
- Security upgrades: Cybersecurity programs can be implemented like firewalls, antivirus, VPNs, and secure payment gateways.
- Aid business growth: Experts can identify flaws, and help to grow your Shopify store, including content marketing and website development. Trust in the know-how of experts to speed up your business’s growth.
- Provide personalized services: By understanding your business’s unique needs, a Shopify expert can provide tailored services. They can spot the areas you’re spending too much time on and where you should be focusing.
- Take time off your hands: Many store owners use an expert simply to save time and focus on big-picture concerns. Maybe you just want some extra time to plan your next business trip or holiday.
Where to find experienced Shopify professionals
If any of these fields interest you, it sounds like you need to find a Shopify expert — but where to find them… At the moment, the best job sites to find Shopify freelancers are:
- Shopify Experts: The official marketplace for Shopify experts.
- Toptal: Claims to offer the top 3% of freelancers.
- Upwork: Freelancers in any price bracket.
- GeeksPerHour: IT-focused freelancers, specialising in development.
- Fiverr: Budget options for smaller fixes and larger projects.
Source: Shopify Experts
As important as reading customer reviews, spend a little time researching the job sites you hire from. Phishing sites are pretty common, so a VPN Chrome extension free to use keeps your business data hidden while you browse.
Shopify expert FAQs
Why should I hire a Shopify expert?
These specialists know the ins and outs of Shopify. With hands-on experience in the field with e-commerce stores of all kinds, Shopify experts know what works and what doesn’t, allowing you to optimize your efforts and time.
Is it worth it to hire a Shopify expert?
Hiring the services of a Shopify expert is an investment in your store and business. If searching for savings on time and efficiency, a Shopify expert is a no-brainer. The only constraint is your budget.
Can I trust Shopify experts?
Any job site may be subject to scammers, so it’s important to have a basic awareness of social engineering and other types of cyber attacks. Hire someone with a proven track record and positive reviews.
Additionally, you’ll want to avoid any “Shopify experts” that contact you through email, or your site. Not all are scammers, but it’s not worth the risk. Stick to legitimate job sites like Shopify Experts, and the others listed above.
How much does it cost to hire a Shopify expert?
The industry for Shopify specialists is growing, so depending on the size of your project, there are some pretty competitive prices. You can hire for small projects for as little as £3, but the average rate of a full-time Shopify expert is between £40 to £120 per hour.
Conclusion
You’ve already made an incredibly valuable decision by considering a Shopify expert for your store. Helping with visual components, back-end, and marketing, a Shopify professional is a valuable asset to e-commerce stores.
So, if your store is looking like a run-down Fiat when it should be a Ferrari — it’s due time that you hire an experienced Shopify professional.
