Unless you’re a professional e-commerce website developer yourself, you probably won’t be building a website for your e-commerce business on your own. E-commerce websites are considerably different than the standard business website. It’s important for you to look for a website developer who specialises in e-commerce websites and can deliver the features and functions that you will need.
During the process of searching for the best e-commerce website developer, there are a few things that you have to remember. Let’s take a look.
Avoid hiring anybody who can build a website
It may be tempting to hire a buddy who’s an amateur website developer because it’ll save you a considerable amount of money. However, if your budget allows, it’s always better to go with an experienced website development firm. You want to grow into your website, not update it as you grow. Your e-commerce website should be a site that you can settle into for the long-term. A temporary site will eventually have to be replaced. It’s also important to remember that an e-commerce site requires considerably more attention compared to a standard business site. You’ll always be adding and removing products, updating stock, advertising deals, and more. Someone will always have to be on-call, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. Your amateur friend can’t offer that kind of agility. This is the simple reason why a specialised firm will be better at meeting your needs.
Ask to see a portfolio
One of the best ways to avoid people who will just waste your time is to ask to see a portfolio before you set up any video calls or face-to-face meetings. A look at their past work is all you need to tell a professional from someone who’s new to the industry. Portfolios are able to indicate the type of work that a company is able to deliver. You need to evaluate the quality of design as well as the functionality of the site. That means that screenshots won’t do – you want to be able to browse and interact with sites that your potential developer built.
Know how much you’re willing to pay
When it comes to website development, you get what you pay for. That being said, the cost of developing a good e-commerce site will vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your location, your developer’s training and experience, and the features that you need. It can be difficult to say how much you should expect. Prices can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to tens of thousands.
Determine whether you want to hire a website development firm or a freelancer
There are some freelancers out there who can offer incredible results for a decent price. However, as we mentioned earlier, there are certain things a firm can offer that an individual can’t. Established firms are able to create websites from the bottom up. This means that you’ll be getting a custom site designed to match your specific needs. Plus, firms can often offer other services such as content creation, graphic design, copy-writing, hosting, and even online marketing. This can be an incredible way of having someone else take care of all of your online needs so that you can focus on your core business.
Ask about a CMS
You don’t want to be calling your website developer every time you want to upload a blog post or make a small change to your about page. A CMS allows you to update your website with the help of an easy user interface. This is incredibly important for any e-commerce website. Look for a developer with experience in the CMS platform of your liking.
Make sure there aren’t any hidden fees
It definitely wouldn’t be ideal to watch the perfect website come to life then be slapped back to reality by some unforeseen charges. Ask your web developer to be completely transparent regarding all the expenses that you’ll have to pay.
The process of building an e-commerce website can be stressful for both the web developer and the client. When you make expectations clear beforehand, however, the whole experience will be a lot more pleasant for everyone.