How to Choose The Perfect Shopify Development Company

Shopify

With the current competitive landscape of e-commerce, an aggressive development approach to your Shopify store is only needed for your business’s success. Maximizing your store’s growth, optimizing web presence marketing, and being able to stand out from your competitors require specialized knowledge and a particular set of skill sets.

Here comes the shopify development companies or agencies that can boost your shopify store performance, increase engagement and reach and achieve much more lucrative and ambitious goals.

However, with so many options available, it becomes an overwhelming pursuit to find a perfect Shopify agency. In this article, we are going to lay out the step-by-step plan for choosing the ideal Shopify development company in detail to help you make an informed decision faster.

Step-by-Step Guide To Choose The Best Shopify Development Company

Here’s a step-by-step guide featuring ten easy steps you can follow that will help you choose the best shopify development company:

Step 1: Define your Objectives & Requirements

Since you are pursuing a shopify development company, then evidently, you’ve decided to take things to the next level with your shopify store.

But the million-dollar question is – What do you need?

You have to be more specific than “taking things to the next level,” which means defining what are your objectives and requirements.

In short,

  • What do you want to achieve with the help of shopify experts?
  • Which particular type of shopify service are you looking for?
  • What specialties, features, or functionality are you prioritizing?

As you gain clarity on this, write down all the pointers to state your requirements and set objectives. Feel free to get a hands-on couple of references to communicate your expectations to the experts.

Step 2: Set Your Project Budget

The second step is to set your project cost or budget. You need to evaluate how much a shopify development service is going to cost you. Then, also look at how much you’re willing to spend.

Deciding the approximate amount in your mind will help you with quotation as well as choosing the shopify expert within your budget.

Step 3: Fix Your Project Deadline

Once you’ve decided on your budget or set aside a cost for the project, it’s time to figure out the estimated turnaround time (TAT) for this project.  It is crucial to have a realistic timeline to ensure all the expectations are met while the project progresses.

Step 4: Preferred Location Of Agency

Set preference for the location of the shopify agency. To begin with, would you prefer to work with an agency in your area or remotely?

You need to evaluate specific requirements such as project timeline, features, budget, and other factors and make sure that they all remain within your financial capabilities. Also, the project complement must stay realistic and attainable.

Step 5: Narrow Down Based On Specialization 

To make this process easier and faster, first, you need to look for reliable shopify agencies that specialize in shopify development services.

This will help you narrow down your search dramatically and cut down all those irrelevant options that wouldn’t be the best option for you.

Step 6:  Evaluating The Shopify Agency In Detail

Now it is time to evaluate shopify agency in detail to honestly asses the effectiveness and credibility of Shopify web development companies.

You can evaluate their portfolio and case studies in detail. You have to check whether their portfolio matches your own vision or not. 

There are other factors on which you should examine the quality of the agency, such as website speed, user experience, traffic numbers, checkout process, and mobile responsiveness.

Step 7:  Reach Out to Them For a Quotation

Once you have evaluated their portfolios, case studies, and websites and reviewed them, this is the best time to reach out to the top-listed ones for a quotation.

This is where you will require the project definition and objectives you prepared earlier. To reach out, simply fill out their contact form, email them or call them directly for a faster response. 

As you get quotations from all of them, refer to your set budget or project cost and see which Shopify agency fits your budget. Ensure that everything they offer is included in the quoted price, and you’re looking at a transparent pricing plan to avoid hidden charges or unwelcome bills down the line.

Step 8: Interview Shortlisted Shopify Agencies

After shortlisting Shopify agencies that meet your budget, it is time to meet with them or set interviews to move further.

Here are the list of questions you can ask to the Shopify development companies:

• What sets you apart from other shopify development companies?
• Can you walk me through the entire development process from start to finish?
• What is your problem-solving methodology?
• What is your estimated timeline for finishing this project?
• What are your working practices and strategies?
• Which brands/companies you have previously worked with?
• How were your past projects?
• Can I talk to the skilled shopify developer on your team?
• What is your preferred communication method?
• What post-sales support services do you provide?
• What is your policy for changes and revisions in the project scope?
• Are there any additional fees, hidden costs or extra services that I will have to pay in the future?

Step 9:  Detailed Comparison Based On Key Factors

After all the interviews or meetings, you will have very few selected through different criteria, including their offers and responses. This is the time to compare your available finalists based on some essential factors finally.

Here’s a detailed comparison table or scoreboard where you would want to put your finalists and score them accordingly.

FactorsWeightageQualdevCompany XCompany Y
Clarity on the Development Process20%4/53/54/5
Communication20%5/55/53/5
Skillful Developers20%5/52/54/5
Cost-effective15%4/54/53/5
Long-term vision10%5/53/54/5
Post-Sale Support15%5/53/53/5
TOTAL100%4/54/53/5

In this table, we compared three top companies, including Qualdev, a leading and reliable brand for shopify development, which also scored the best amongst other competitors. You can do your own evaluation and even add other assessments to the table, such as services, portfolio, reviews/testimonials, experience and more.

Step 10: Hire The Best Shopify Development Company

You’ve finally concluded after detailed research and comparison. So now, make your final decision. This is where you will discuss the project in more detail. You may also sign the contract with the agency. Make sure to go through the agreement before you make the final decision.

Choosing Qualdev As The Best Shopify Development Company

We at Qualdev are a leading development and marketing agency specializing in shopify development, offering highly-skilled shopify developers with a dedicated team and numerous features such as personalization, theme customization, SEO, marketing, maintenance and support. Our experts will offer customized solutions to achieve your specific Shopify store objectives.  Contact our Qualdev team to get a free consultation.