Shopify Web Developers

How We Create Our List of the Best Shopify Developers

In this section, we’ll share the details of our evaluation process. We’ve customized every step to ensure we’d choose the crème de la crème. First off, we check the Shopify agency’s website to gauge its portfolio and services, and then we move on to assessing client satisfaction and the value for money. 

The Website

The most direct way to select potential candidates is by visiting their website. We believe an excellent Shopify development agency should practice what they preach. We expect a good-looking website with an actual portfolio along with links to the websites they’ve developed. 

Next, we examine the past work of the Shopify developers in question. We try to discover their work style, whether they specialize in specific niches, and how adept they are in delivering custom features, themes, and apps.  

Level of Proficiency

Before analyzing the agencies’ services and specialties that pass the first step of our evaluation, we take note of their accreditation. In other words, we check whether we’re dealing with a Shopify Partner or Shopify Expert. 

Shopify Partners

Shopify Partners are ecommerce development agencies that are part of the Shopify ecommerce development ecosystem. To gain this status, they must first apply for it and then demonstrate their expertise. Becoming a Partner means they have a remarkable record of building successful Shopify sites. Plus, they’ve been given access to special tools that help them do the best work possible.

Shopify Experts

Shopify Experts make up the top tier of the Partner program. These agencies also have access to special tools and resources. Also, they’re provided with unique opportunities to learn, which give them a chance to position themselves as leaders in the Shopify community.

Services & Specialties

Once we verify each of the Shopify designers’ status, we go on to the next step of our evaluation—checking the areas in which they specialize and the team members’ proficiency. Here’s what we assess:

Theme Design

An ecommerce design is more than just the website’s aesthetics—functionality matters too. Shopify has a great suite of themes that are easy to configure. However, many of the themes won’t have the right combination of features, brand feel, or content priority for the client’s needs. 

To assess the Shopify development company’s proficiency in this matter, we implement the same methodology we use to evaluate the top web design experts. The Shopify web designers, in that case, need to be able to build one from scratch, customize it according to the client’s preferences, and make it function seamlessly on all browsers and devices.  

Shopify Development

Development is a core service that every professional Shopify agency should have mastered. We check their ability to build innovative and optimized sites and implement cost-efficient solutions. 

Shopify App Development

Making a business’s web applications accessible across all devices is crucial. That’s why we source Shopify companies that build scalable, responsible, and secure web apps across all screens. Of course, part of their job will be adding extra functionality and custom integrations. They have to be able to use Shopify API to build innovative, optimized, and mobile-friendly apps and implement cost-efficient solutions. 

Shopify Migration

For us, it’s essential to include Shopify web developers that can complete a site migration to Shopify without losing any data. It’s not uncommon for business owners to have already established online stores that they want to migrate to Shopify. After all, it’s a versatile platform packed with an abundance of useful built-in features.

Shopify Integration

Integrating the necessary plugins and modules to improve an online store’s functionality is one of the essential services that a Shopify web developer should offer. They should understand how to create secure, high-performing APIs.

Upgrades & Maintenance

The companies listed here offer continuous site upgrades and maintenance that follows the client’s business requirements. Altogether, this will help clients stay competitive and maximize their conversions. 

SEO & Marketing

The top Shopify development companies boast knowledgeable ecommerce SEO specialists that will establish a good site structure, optimize product pages, produce detailed product descriptions, and choose effective URLs, title tags, and meta descriptions.

Additionally, we give a ranking boost to companies that go beyond SEO and provide other services typical for full-scale digital marketing companies, including social media marketing, email marketing, and PPC.

Project Management

A cumbersome project can alter delivery timelines, impact the team’s productivity, and more. That’s why it’s crucial to find a company that provides robust project management. 

How Do They Handle the Projects?

What project management method do they use? The agile project management style is used primarily in the software development world, so we expect the best Shopify designers to follow it. Because it enables high transparency, cross-functional execution, and continuous planning, it comes with reduced risks, better project control and product quality, and a faster ROI. 

What About Budget Management?

Budget management is one of the most crucial components of successful project management. Careful budget management keeps projects on track, and we make sure to ask the companies’ previous clients about their experience regarding it. Did the companies keep clients in the loop when it came to any budgetary developments? Did they make sure that everyone was on the same page? Were the Shopify developers able to effectively adjust the budget? And so on. 

Communication

Miscommunication can easily throw a project off track. Slack, Dropbox, and Trello are some of the most popular tools for project managers. They allow for efficient communication between different teams or departments. This, in turn, enables them to plan and track projects and issues carefully, organize better, share important data, and gather valuable feedback. 

Reviews

We narrow down our list of the top Shopify website designers and developers by scouting their past clients’ reviews. We check third-party sites, social media profiles, and the companies’ Shopify Expert listings (if they’re part of the program). We consider companies that have more positive than negative reviews. While going through them, we try to uncover each Shopify web development company’s strongest suit. Still, we also see whether the Shopify developer has any weak points—this will help us rank each one accordingly. 

Transparent Pricing Policy & Value for Money

We’ve come across Shopify programmers that charge by the hour and by project when it comes to pricing. Either of these is fine, but we expect the Shopify website development agency to be clear about their pricing policy. Only if we determine that the agency follows the industry standards and brings real value for money will we include it in our list. 

What to Do Before You Hire Shopify Web Developer

Our list is meant to give you an overview of the best companies that build Shopify stores and make the most out of your collaboration with them. However, choosing the actual best Shopify web designer and developer for your business is up to you. We provide you with some basic points you need to consider beforehand. 

What Do You Need?

If you don’t know what you want, you won’t be able to find a suitable Shopify designer and developer. First of all, you need to think about the functions and design elements you want the online store to have. Also, think about their purpose and what’s the end goal of implementing them. Maybe you want new and improved Shopify theme development, or perhaps you need a more robust checkout page. Whatever it is, make sure to clearly define it before your initial talk with your potential Shopify website designer and developer. 

What's Your Budget?

Your budget can play a significant role when choosing Shopify web developers. Generally speaking, these developers charge between $500 and $5,000 for projects; however, more complicated projects require a more significant investment. If your budget is limited, you need to be clear with your chosen agency during your preliminary conversation to ensure their Shopify development services align with what you’re willing to spend.

What Kind of Communication Should You Expect?

During your initial conversations with the potential Shopify web design and development agency, note how responsive they are and whether they understand your needs. Discuss your preferred forms of communication and ask for an appointed contact person. 

Who Will Own the Code and Content?

The only correct answer here is “you.” No matter whether you hire a Shopify app development company, Shopify consultants, or developers, you need to ensure that you’ll own everything they create for you. You shouldn’t underestimate the licensing issues that could arise if you don’t deal with this in time. That’s why it’s best to immediately weed out the companies that won’t provide this kind of agreement. 

Take Note of Their Previous Work

We only consider Shopify companies with an abundant history of developing robust, responsive sites that contribute to the client’s bottom line. However, it’s your job to take a close look at their past projects and determine if they have experience with what you’re looking for. Are you impressed by their solutions? Do they have experience working with businesses in the same niche as you?

It’s Time for Action

If you’re reading this, you’re ready to choose your partner from among the leading Shopify web developers and build the online shop of your dreams. By following our guide, you should shortlist your preferences and find the perfect company that will not only create a custom theme and plugins to suit your needs but will also fit into your budget and company culture.