Online shopping is now very common and isn’t going away. COVID-19 made it grow faster and there’s a big need for people who can build, fix, and make online stores better. If you want to start or improve your online shop, you need the best people for the job. But how do you find, check, and work with them well? This article has all you need to know about hiring ecommerce developers in 2024.
What are ecommerce developers and what do they do?
Ecommerce developers are software engineers who specialize in creating, managing, and optimizing ecommerce websites and applications. They employ different tech, frameworks, and tools to create ecommerce solutions for online shoppers and businesses. Ecommerce developers are responsible for:
- Implementing the frontend and backend functionality of ecommerce platforms.
- Integrating ecommerce platforms with third-party services and APIs, such as payment gateways, shipping providers, and analytics tools.
- Ensuring the security, performance, scalability, and usability of ecommerce platforms.
- Testing, debugging, and troubleshooting ecommerce platforms.
- Updating and maintaining ecommerce platforms according to changing requirements and trends.
Why do you need ecommerce developers for your online store?
Ecommerce developers are essential for your online store because they can help you:
- Create a unique and attractive online presence that showcases your brand and products.
- Provide a seamless and satisfying shopping experience for your customers across different devices and channels.
- Increase your sales, conversions, and customer loyalty by implementing features such as personalization, recommendations, reviews, and loyalty programs.
- Stay ahead of the competition by adopting the latest ecommerce trends and innovations, such as voice search, AI, AR/VR, and social commerce.
- Reduce your operational costs and risks by automating and streamlining your ecommerce processes and workflows.
- Grow and scale your online store according to your business goals and customer demands.
How to find ecommerce developers for your online store?
There are many ways to find ecommerce developers for your online store, depending on your budget, timeline, and preferences. Some of the most common methods are:
- Hiring freelance ecommerce developers: This is a flexible and cost-effective option if you need ecommerce developers for a specific project or task. You can discover independent ecommerce developers on different platforms like Toptal, Upwork, and Fiverr. However, you need to be careful about the quality, reliability, and communication of the freelancers you hire.
- Hiring in-house ecommerce developers: This is a more stable and long-term option if you need ecommerce developers for your core team. You can find in-house ecommerce developers by posting job ads on various platforms, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. However, you need to invest more time, money, and resources in recruiting, training, and retaining the developers you hire.
- Hiring ecommerce development agencies: This is a more comprehensive and professional option if you need ecommerce developers for a complex or large-scale project. You can find ecommerce development agencies by searching online, asking for referrals, or checking reviews and ratings. However, you need to pay more attention to the reputation, expertise, and portfolio of the agencies you hire.
How to evaluate ecommerce developers for your online store?
Once you have found some potential ecommerce developers for your online store, you need to evaluate them based on their skills, experience, and fit. Some of the criteria you should consider are:
- Technical skills: Ecommerce developers should have proficiency in various technologies, frameworks, and tools that are relevant for your ecommerce platform. For example, if you use Shopify, you should look for developers who know Shopify Liquid, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Shopify APIs. You can assess their technical skills by reviewing their portfolios, asking for code samples, or giving them technical tests or challenges.
- Ecommerce experience: Ecommerce developers should have experience in working on ecommerce projects that are similar to yours in terms of size, scope, and industry. You can assess their ecommerce experience by asking for references, testimonials, or case studies, or by checking their ratings and reviews on platforms where they work.
- Communication skills: E-commerce developers need to communicate well to grasp what you need, what you expect, and how you feel about their work. To see if they communicate effectively, you can talk to them, review what they write and say, and see how they respond and behave professionally.
- Cultural fit: Ecommerce developers should have a good cultural fit with your team, company, and customers. You can assess their cultural fit by asking about their values, work style, and personality, and by involving them in your team activities and discussions.
How to work with ecommerce developers for your online store?
After you have hired ecommerce developers for your online store, you need to work with them effectively to ensure the success of your ecommerce project. Some of the best practices you should follow are:
- Define your ecommerce goals and scope: Make sure you tell your developers exactly what you want for your online store, like what you want to do, what stuff you need it to do, and when you want it done and how much you’re willing to spend. Also, write down all the details about what you need for your online store, like stories about what users will do, drawings of what it will look like, and pretend versions of it.
- Establish your ecommerce processes and workflows: You need to set up how you’ll do your online store tasks with your tech team. This includes planning, doing, checking, and reviewing your online shop work. Also, you should say who does what, how you talk, how often, how you report, and how you measure success.
- Use the right ecommerce tools and platforms: You need to pick the correct ecommerce tools and platforms with your developers. Choose ones that match your ecommerce platform, tech stack, and how you manage projects. For instance, go for Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento for your online store. Use GitHub, Bitbucket, or GitLab for storing your code. And consider Jira, Trello, or Asana for managing your projects.
- Test and optimize your ecommerce platform: Test and make your online store better with your team. Try it out with users to see if it works well, check if it’s easy to use, make sure it’s safe, and see how fast it is. Also, listen to what your customers say, study the data, and make changes based on what they need.
Conclusion
Hiring ecommerce developers is really important for your online shop. They can assist you in making, handling, and improving your ecommerce website. But it can be tough to find, assess, and collaborate with ecommerce developers, particularly in 2024, when ecommerce trends and technologies are always changing.
That’s why you need a reliable and professional partner who can provide you with the best ecommerce developers for your online store. ONextDigital is a leading ecommerce development agency that can help you with your ecommerce needs. We offer web development, mobile app development, UX/UI design, white label software, and CRM and automation solutions for ecommerce businesses. Contact us today and let us help you grow your online store.