How to Find the Right eCommerce Web Development Company?

eCommerce has changed the face of retailing by enabling traditional businesses to reach out to targeted customers and sell products more efficiently. Nowadays, the eCommerce market is booming, with online retail sales worldwide predicted to reach $6.54 trillion by 2022.

According to a report, over 2.14 billion digital buyers worldwide purchased goods and services online in 2021.

As the rise in eCommerce’s popularity continues, every brick-and-mortar retailer, be it small or large, is trying to go online with an eCommerce portal. A few benefits of selling online include:

• Reach a Wider Audience
• Acquire New Customers
• Personalized Experiences
• Discounts, Deals, & Coupons
• Targeted Communications
• Lower Operating Costs
• 24/7 Availability

However, setting up and running a successful online store is not as easy as it seems. An aesthetically pleasing design, an impeccable user experience, ongoing updates, bug fixing, and support – there are many aspects you have to deal with to ensure your online store’s long-lasting success. And this is where the need for a reliable eCommerce web development company arises!

Tips to Hire the Best eCommerce Web Development Company

The right development partner not only builds your online store as per your specific requirements but also ensures you’ll always get the best possible results. However, with a large pool of web development companies, choosing the perfect one can sometimes be challenging. To help you simplify the decision-making process, here are some aspects that you should consider while hiring a web development company for your eCommerce business.

#Expertise in Various eCommerce Platforms

There is a big difference between an ordinary website and an online store. A regular site gives users critical information about your business; on the other hand, an eCommerce website deals with purchases and transactions. It has numerous features, ranging from the wish list and eye-pleasing product galleries to multiple payment options and shopping carts.

Look for a web development company specializing in eCommerce-specific platforms, such as Shopify, Magento, and OpenCart. For companies that don’t have expertise in developing functional, intuitive and secure eCommerce solutions, building eCommerce features will cause some hiccups that eventually cause a waste of time, effort, and money. Hire an eCommerce web development company that is proficient in working with your platform of choice.

#Fit to Your Budget

Whether it is custom web development or eCommerce development, it’s all about the money. Your potential eCommerce web development company should be able to fulfill every requirement of your online store without running over your budget. However, it does not necessarily mean that you need to compromise with the work quality. Research, compare and go with the one that matches all your criteria, such as your budget, requirements, and services offered.

Every business owner sets a budget in advance for their project, and you should also do the same. The estimate will act as a good starting point for negotiation with the agency. That means if you find an ideal eCommerce web development company, you can expand the budget further accordingly. In short, aim for the affordable, but steer clear of the cheap.

#Check Reviews & Testimonials

Clients’ reviews and testimonials are a great way to validate an eCommerce web development company’s credibility. They help you learn about existing clients’ experiences, based on which you can judge the company’s reliability and decide whether or not you should go with the agency.

If possible, search for a particular eCommerce web development firm on third-party review portals, such as Clutch and GoodFirms. If most clients appreciate the company for its technical proficiency, quick turnaround, and proactive communication, it may be the right fit for you. In other words, go with the firm that has got more positive reviews.

#Evaluate the Portfolio

No need to go anywhere as the portfolio says it all! Live examples of work the company has done in the past give you valuable insight into how proficient its developers are in eCommerce web development. Additionally, you can see how many online stores similar to yours the agency has launched successfully in the past. Check if their design patterns are matching with your expectations.

The key is here to look beyond the home page screenshots the company has shown in the portfolio. Instead of merely looking at designs, visit each link and navigate through the actual online stores. Analyze how their user interfaces feel and what level of user experiences they offer (namely, pay attention to UI and UX). Take note of the elements you like and dislike; you can discuss them with the developer.

#Timeframes & Deadlines

Time is money! Every eCommerce web development company uses varied methodologies and approaches to streamline the project and complete it on time. Learn about the company’s development process to figure out how well it’s organized. If the process is well defined, the chances are high that the company will complete your project within the stipulated time frame.

If you’re in haste to launch your eCommerce website, then time-to-market is an essential factor to consider as you don’t want to wait for a year to get your store online. Hire an eCommerce web development company that guarantees you to complete your project within the given deadline. Remember, project extensions often lead to a tremendous rise in development costs.

#Post Go-live Support

Once your online store is up and running, it will require regular maintenance. New updates will appear frequently, and to avoid any vulnerabilities, you’ll need to keep your eCommerce site up-to-date with the latest web development technologies. Hence, it’s essential to ask the developers whether or not they offer post-launch support and maintenance.

The eCommerce web development firm you’re going to hire should be able to provide proper maintenance and support after the launch of your online store. Hire a firm that can handle all your future needs and solve any technical issues in the shortest time possible. Also, confirm how the firm charges for post-launch support.

#Additional Services

When you’re planning to hire an eCommerce web development agency, you should think long term and embrace a broader perspective. As a business owner, you not only need a skilled development team, but you might also need to hire some other professionals to tackle your business’s critical areas.

These professionals include UI/UX design experts, SEO specialists, front-end developers, and more. Having a single vendor that offers all these services in bulk will reduce the operational hassles for you. Consequently, you can focus on your core business and maximizing your profits.

#Conclusion

Whether you’re new to the eCommerce game or already running a brick-and-mortar retail store, you cannot underestimate the importance of choosing an ideal eCommerce web development agency for your business. If you fail to hire the right development partner, your project will never be released. Follow the tips above, and you’ll be able to find the best web development company to meet your eCommerce needs within your budget.