Shopify Plus is the go-to platform for eCommerce businesses to develop their platform. Many agencies develop eCommerce solutions for eCommerce brands on the Shopify Plus platform. The Shopify Plus developers are associated with agencies that help brands develop the desired features and functionalities. They are well-versed in developing a wide range of Shopify Plus solutions integrated into your platform and offer you the desired outcomes. These functionalities ensure a smoother user experience and boost the platform’s performance.
Though Shopify Plus agencies should be your first consideration in developing eCommerce solutions, it can be challenging to find the best agencies that offer the same service you want and have expertise in developing industry-specific functionalities. To help you find the best agency, here are four questions you need to ask them.
- What Shopify Plus Features and Industries Do You Specialize In?
It can be tricky to find compatible Shopify Plus developers for your project. You need concrete evidence from the developers that will prove their development expertise. Their portfolio of previous projects can be a great start to determine their expertise. Whether they are Shopify Plus Experts or members of the Shopify Plus Partner program, there are many e-commerce functionalities and APIs.
You need to make sure they have the necessary specialization to develop the features you desire. Many Shopify Plus developers specialize in specific industries and are well-versed in developing industry-specific e-commerce functionalities. For example, suppose you are a fashion eCommerce brand looking for social media sharing functionality on your platform. In that case, you need to look for developers that work with fashion brands and have worked on similar features before.
- Why should you choose Shopify Plus?
Any developer that claims to be an expert in Shopify Plus should be able to explain to you why it is a good idea to choose Shopify Plus over other platforms. All the major benefits of Shopify Plus are related to technical features such as improved security, better survey uptime, friendly UI, top-notch user experience, etc. They should be able to explain to you which eCommerce features should be included. They should also highlight how this platform offers ease of developing and integrating various eCommerce apps such as rating systems, social media sharing, and other third-party app integrations. Make sure you ask these questions to the developer before hiring.
- How much would it cost to develop this project?
Project development cost is one of the aspects that should be on the top of your list of questions. You need to have a clear idea of how much it would cost to develop this project. Though the cost of your project depends on which features you want in your platform. Based on your requirements, the developer should be able to tell the overall cost of your project.
Agencies have different pricing models for their services, and they often bundle their services into various packages at increasing costs. Each of these packages determines the functionality of various features. The primary and cheapest package includes essential services like platform development, minimum hosting space, and security features.
On the other hand, the premium and the most expensive package includes all the services from previous packages plus additional features and services like more technical support, access to a community of developers and industry leaders, and discounts. Therefore you should always discuss the project’s cost before hiring the developers.
- What is the list of essential APIs your site must have?
Every eCommerce project is different. They can vary in functionality, design, content, and aesthetics based on their industry. For example, a sports brand and a pharmaceutical company have different approaches to development, design, and functionality. Fitness brands need to look more energetic and active. Whole pharmaceutical brands must promote health and trust in their products. That’s why the developers should be able to create specific functionality according to clients’ industry and references.
Apart from the industry-specific functionality, some basic features should be available for any eCommerce platform irrespective of its industry. Features such as product catalogs, add to cart functions, session tracking, social media sharing, customer reviews, customer relation management, inventory management, etc., are some of the common features that need to be on your eCommerce platform. The developer should understand how your brand functions and suggest the right must-have and additional features that your platform must-have.
Hiring the right Shopify Plus developer for your project is very important, and you need to ensure all the features are working as intended. You also need to provide the developers with the necessary tools, skills, and expertise to ensure your project’s timely completion within the predefined budget.