Top 10 Technical Considerations When Hiring a Shopify Development Team
In the competitive world of e-commerce, Shopify has emerged as a leading platform for businesses aiming to build or scale their online presence. However, the success of a Shopify store depends heavily on the technical expertise of the team behind it. Hiring the right development team requires a careful evaluation of their skills, processes, and understanding of Shopify’s ecosystem. Below are ten technical factors to prioritize when hiring a Shopify development team.
Expertise in the Shopify Platform
Not all developers possess in-depth knowledge of Shopify’s architecture, which can lead to inefficient solutions or unexpected limitations. A team’s familiarity with the platform forms the foundation of a functional, scalable store.
Experience with Shopify Plus vs. Standard Plans:
Shopify Plus caters to high-volume businesses with advanced needs like custom checkout scripts and multi-store management. A competent team should clarify whether your business requires Plus or if a standard plan suffices. Teams unfamiliar with Plus-specific features may struggle to handle scalability or complex automation.
Familiarity with Shopify’s REST and GraphQL APIs:
APIs connect your store to external systems, such as inventory management tools or CRMs. Developers should explain how they plan to use REST (for basic data operations) or GraphQL (for efficient, granular queries). Misuse of APIs can lead to slow performance or broken integrations.
Knowledge of Theme Structure and App Ecosystem:
Shopify’s theme architecture relies on specific files like sections, templates, and snippets. A skilled team can customize themes without destabilizing core functionalities. Over-dependence on third-party apps for basic features (e.g., product filtering) often indicates a lack of coding proficiency.
Red Flags: Proposals recommending numerous paid apps for simple tasks, or vague explanations of Shopify’s core features.
Proficiency in Liquid Templating Language
Liquid is Shopify’s proprietary language for creating dynamic content in themes. Mastery of Liquid ensures your store’s design and functionality align with your brand’s needs.
Clean, Efficient Liquid Code:
Poorly structured Liquid code can slow down page loads or cause rendering errors. Developers should follow best practices, such as minimizing loops and using built-in filters. For instance, a cluttered product.liquid template might affect product page performance.
Modifying Existing Themes vs. Building from Scratch:
While pre-built themes save time, heavy customization requires coding expertise. A team should assess whether modifying a theme (e.g., Dawn) meets your goals or if a custom theme is necessary. Copy-pasting code from tutorials often leads to compatibility issues.
Understanding Template Hierarchy and Section Schemas:
Shopify themes use a specific hierarchy to render pages. Developers must know how templates like collection. liquid or article. liquid interact with sections. Misconfigured schemas in the theme editor can limit client-side customization.
Red Flags: Reliance on drag-and-drop page builders like PageFly for core functionalities, or inability to explain template inheritance.
Also Read: Why Should you Hire Shopify App Experts for Your Online Store?
API Integration Capabilities
Integrating third-party systems with Shopify is often critical for automating workflows, syncing data, or enhancing user experiences.
REST/GraphQL for Data Syncing:
REST APIs are simpler for basic tasks like updating product listings, while GraphQL is ideal for fetching specific data (e.g., inventory levels for a single variant). A team should know when to use each method to avoid overloading servers with unnecessary requests.
Webhooks and Third-Party Integrations:
Webhooks enable real-time updates, such as notifying an ERP when an order is placed. Developers must configure these correctly to prevent delays or data mismatches. For example, payment gateways like Stripe require precise webhook setups to handle failed transactions.
Handling Rate Limits and Error Logging:
Shopify imposes API rate limits (e.g., 40 requests per minute for REST). A skilled team implements retry mechanisms and logs errors to avoid disruptions. Poorly handled rate limits can halt order processing during peak traffic.
Red Flags: No clarity on OAuth 2.0 for app installations or API key management for private integrations.
Custom App Development Skills
Off-the-shelf apps may not address unique business requirements, making custom app development essential for advanced functionality.
Shopify App Bridge and Polaris:
App Bridge allows apps to embed seamlessly into the Shopify admin interface, while Polaris ensures UI consistency. Developers unfamiliar with these tools may create apps that feel disjointed or difficult to navigate.
App Certification and Compliance:
Apps published on the Shopify App Store must follow strict guidelines for security and user experience. Teams should understand review processes, such as data privacy checks and performance benchmarks, to avoid rejections.
Backend Languages and Frameworks:
Shopify apps often use Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or PHP for backend logic. The team should justify its tech stack based on scalability needs. For example, Node.js suits real-time features like live inventory updates.
Red Flags: No prior experience submitting apps to the Shopify App Store or using deprecated APIs like AJAX API.
Also Read: Launch Your Shopify Store Easily with Experienced White Label Professionals
Understanding of Shopify Security Best Practices
E-commerce platforms are frequent targets for cyberattacks, making security a non-negotiable priority.
SSL, GDPR, and PCI Compliance:
SSL encryption is mandatory for all Shopify stores, but developers should also ensure forms comply with GDPR (e.g., cookie consent) and payment gateways meet PCI standards. Non-compliance risks fines or loss of customer trust.
Secure Data Handling:
Customer data, such as emails or payment details, must be encrypted and stored securely. Developers should avoid hardcoding API keys in theme files or exposing sensitive data in client-side scripts.
Regular Security Audits:
Proactive measures like penetration testing or monitoring for malware prevent breaches. Teams should implement tools like Shopify’s built-in fraud analysis or third-party scanners.
Red Flags: Storing logs in public repositories or lacking multi-factor authentication for admin access.
SEO and Performance Optimization Expertise
A slow or poorly optimized store loses visibility in search results and frustrates visitors.
Core Web Vitals Optimization:
Google prioritizes metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). Developers should compress images, lazy-load offscreen content, and minimize CSS/JavaScript to improve scores.
Image Compression and CDN Usage:
Shopify’s CDN accelerates content delivery, but teams must still optimize image sizes (e.g., using WebP format) to reduce load times. Heavy images in product galleries can drastically slow mobile performance.
Structured Data and Mobile-First Indexing:
Structured data markup helps search engines understand product details, while mobile-first indexing requires flawless responsive design. Ignoring meta tags or alt text limits visibility in organic searches.
Red Flags: Overlooking Shopify’s built-in SEO tools, such as editable meta fields or canonical tags.
Mobile Responsiveness and Cross-Browser Compatibility
With most traffic coming from mobile devices, a poor mobile experience directly impacts conversions.
Testing Across Devices and Browsers:
Designs must adapt to various screen sizes and browsers. Developers should use tools like BrowserStack to simulate iOS, Android, Chrome, and Safari environments. A checkout page breaking on Safari could lead to abandoned carts.
Responsive Design Frameworks:
Frameworks like Tailwind CSS or Bootstrap streamline responsive layouts. However, overloading themes with unused CSS classes affects performance.
Mobile-Specific UX Considerations:
Touch-friendly buttons, swipeable galleries, and simplified menus improve mobile usability. Teams should avoid hover-based interactions, which don’t translate to touchscreens.
Red Flags: Desktop-only previews during demos or unoptimized video content causing layout shifts.
Version Control and Deployment Processes
Disorganized workflows lead to bugs, conflicts, or downtime during updates.
Git for Code Management:
Version control systems like Git track changes and enable collaboration. Developers should maintain separate branches for features, fixes, and releases to avoid overwriting work.
Staging Environments:
Testing changes in a staging environment mirrors the live store without affecting customers. Teams without staging setups risk deploying broken features, such as a malfunctioning discount rule.
CI/CD Pipelines:
Automated pipeline test code and deployed updates efficiently. Manual deployments, especially during peak sales periods, increase human error risks.
Red Flags: Editing code directly in the Shopify admin or lacking rollback strategies for failed updates.
Post-Launch Support and Maintenance
Ongoing support addresses bugs, updates features, and scales the store.
24/7 Monitoring and Emergency Fixes:
Unexpected issues, like payment gateway outages, require immediate attention. Teams should offer monitoring tools like New Relic or Shopify’s own reports.
Backup and Recovery Tools:
Regular backups protect against data loss from accidental deletions or failed updates. Developers should know how to restore a store from backups using Shopify’s tools or third-party apps like Rewind.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs):
SLAs define response times for critical issues. A team promising “24-hour response” for urgent bugs may leave your store non-functional during a holiday sale.
Red Flags: No mention of post-launch support packages or unclear escalation paths for emergencies.
Communication and Project Management Practices
Miscommunication results in missed deadlines, budget overruns, or features that don’t meet expectations.
Project Management Tools:
Platforms like Jira or Trello track tasks, deadlines, and dependencies. Teams relying solely on emails or unstructured meetings often lose track of priorities.
Agile vs. Waterfall Methodologies:
Agile allows iterative improvements, while Waterfall follows a linear path. For complex projects, Agile’s flexibility helps accommodate changing requirements, such as adding a subscription model mid-development.
Documentation Practices:
Technical specs, user guides, and code comments ensure future teams can maintain the store. Poor documentation complicates troubleshooting or scaling efforts.
Red Flags: Vague progress reports, missed milestones, or reluctance to share project boards.
Conclusion
Hiring a Shopify development team is a strategic decision that impacts your store’s functionality, security, and growth. By prioritizing technical expertise in areas like Liquid coding, API integrations, and mobile responsiveness, businesses can avoid costly pitfalls and build a robust online presence. Always verify a team’s experience through case studies, client references, and trial projects to ensure they align with your goals.
Are you ready to elevate your Shopify store with cutting-edge development expertise? At CartCoders, our dedicated team specializes in crafting custom Shopify solutions that not only streamline your online operations but also boost your store’s performance. Discover how our tailored services can transform your business by visiting our Hire Us page. For personalized support and further inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team and take the first step toward a more robust e-commerce presence.
