Tips for hiring an eCommerce developer

The eCommerce industry has seen exponential growth since the onset of the pandemic. According to the latest data from Australia Post, 5.5 million households shopped online in January 2022 with a year-on-year increase of 16.6% in eCommerce purchases.

With online selling now the norm across the retail sector and other industries, many businesses are needing support from developers to improve their eCommerce capabilities. If you’re in this situation, where should you start? This article provides tips for managers going through the process of hiring an eCommerce developer.

Establish the scope of your project

Before you can begin the recruitment process, it’s critical to define the scope of your project as this will influence the type of talent and skills you’re looking for.

For example, a small Shopify or Squarespace project might only necessitate hiring a freelance developer for a couple of weeks, whereas a custom eCommerce website could require a longer-term contract or outsourcing to an eCommerce development company.

At this stage, you should work out:

• The project budget
• The goals, features and functionality of your eCommerce website
• The level of customisation required
• Estimated timeline for completion

Review work examples & recommendations

Whether you’re planning to hire an individual or an eCommerce development company, take time to thoroughly review examples of their work. Visit eCommerce stores they have created to make sure you’re satisfied with the design elements and user experience. Consider:

• Does the website work well on multiple devices?
• Does it look and feel professional?
• Is the checkout process straightforward and easy?
• Is any part of the process confusing or unclear?

Also review recommendations and testimonials from former clients, keeping in mind their ability to follow the specifications of a brief, offer expertise and deliver on schedule.

RELATED: 5 common hiring pain points every hiring manager in Australia can relate to

Check their technical skills

Building an eCommerce website requires a breadth of technical skills that not all software developers possess. Some of the key skills to look for in an eCommerce developer include:

• HTML, CSS, Javascript (React.js, Vue,js), JQuery
• Node.js, Laravel, Symfony Ruby on Rails, .Net – particularly if building a custom website
• Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Axure – for design and UX
• Flutter, React Native, Ionic – for mobile app development
• API integration experience – if integrating with other apps or providers 
• SEO knowledge

RELATED: Recruitment strategies in 2022 and beyond

Ask questions

As with any hiring process, asking the right questions is key to finding the right person for the job. When screening potential eCommerce developers, ask relevant questions such as:

• How long have you been building eCommerce websites?
• What types of clients and industries have you worked with in the past?
• Can you provide live examples of your work?
• What software languages and platforms do you have experience with?
• What SEO capabilities will be integrated into the website?
• How will you set up shipping functionality?
• How will you test the usability of the website?
• Do you offer a warranty on your work?
• How will we communicate throughout the project?
• What support will you provide after the website is built?
• How easily will I be able to manage the website myself?

The more information you gather in advance, the better placed you’ll be to hire the most skilled and appropriate eCommerce developer for your requirements.

Are you looking to hire a developer for your business? Michael Page has pre-qualified, specialised eCommerce contractors ready to step in immediately. Contact us today to discuss your needs.