As of 2021, 27.6% of the global population was shopping online. And the numbers are set to grow exponentially in the near future.
A brick-and-mortar store is simply not enough. You need a digital shopfront.
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And what better platform for that than Shopify.
One of the best eCommerce website builders, Shopify servers over a million businesses.
That’s because it has everything you need to get an eStore up and running.
- It has a range of free and paid templates to choose from.
- There are several additional apps and integration options for feature enhancement.
- And you get access to customization to make the store truly your own.
But if you need to stand apart from the million other Shopify users, you need experts to help you build your store.
And you are here, which means that you have already made up your mind to hire experts remotely. That, for one, is a smart choice.
With remote Shopify developers, you saving overheads is only one part of the deal. What’s more, is that you also get access to a wider talent pool.
And this guide right here will teach you the right way to hire a Shopify developer remotely.
So without further ado, let’s get straight to it.
Step 1: Understand why remote hiring appeals to you
Remote hiring has several benefits. Which one appeals the most to you?
- Are you looking for a remote Shopify developer because you feel local experts don’t have the skills you’d need?
- Do you just want to hire someone remotely so as to avoid overheads?
- Is your objective behind hiring a remote developer to achieve diversity in your team?
How the process will move forward depends a great deal on your answer to this vital question.
If you are looking for cost benefits, hire experts from countries that offer a currency exchange benefit. Thus, you’d not just be saving more than just overheads. Also, if money matters the most to you, consider hiring freelance Shopify developers.
For access to a wider and diverse talent pool, it would be worth hiring experts from geographically distant locations. The time difference will also come with its own set of advantages. You could let your Shopify developer know what needs to be done before going to bed and wake up to the job being done.
Step 2: Outline your Shopify developer needs
Once you know why you are drawn to remote developers, outline the skills you need in your Shopify developer.
Isn’t there a fixed set of skills that any Shopify developer should have?
Yes, there is. But it varies based on your specific project needs.
Do you want your Shopify developer to create a custom theme for you? Look for theme development skills then. For custom plugin development, look for those skills.
Do you want your Shopify expert to also carry out basic technical SEO? You need to specifically mention that. Not all Shopify developers can help your store rank higher in SERPs.
Also, if you are looking for someone who can offer long-term maintenance for your Shopify store, you’ll need a different set of skills.
Step 3: Find the most suitable hiring mode
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There are many ways to hire someone remotely. Some of the ways have been detailed below along with their primary pros and cons.
1. Hiring remote freelancers from platforms like Upwork, Fiver, etc.
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Pros:
- Cost-effective
- No strings attached mode of employment
Cons:
- Lack of stability with employers
- Platforms like Upwork don’t let you communicate with the freelancers outside the platform.
Ideal for: Smaller, short-term Shopify development projects. Or when you need only a helping hand in building your online store.
2. Hiring an offshore Shopify agency
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Pros:
- Useful if you are looking for multiple experts with diverse skills sets (For example, Shopify developers with SEO skills and those who can create custom themes and plugins)
- You can get into long-term contracts for Shopify store maintenance and upkeep.
Cons:
- Costly and not ideal for cash-strapped companies.
- Possibility of data thefts as your Shopify store will be built, run, and managed by third-party experts.
Ideal for: Large scale Shopify store building projects where you need a lot of developers with diverse skills working together.
3. Hiring a Shopify developer from a talent connect platform
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Pros:
- Quick and hassle-free method of hiring experts
- You can get replacements in the absence of the original recruit and also request for personnel changes if you sense friction with one Shopify developer
Cons:
- You don’t get a direct say in the hiring process
Ideal for: Both long-term and short-term projects as the employee you hire will be working on your payroll and you are in charge of their tenure.
4. Hiring experts by inviting applications
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Pros:
- Gives you more control over the hiring process
Cons:
- Costly and time taking process
- Limits your options to only the people that your organization can directly reach out to for applications.
Ideal for: Organizations that have a dedicated in-house human resourcing department with expert recruiters. Or when you have a lot of time and resources to spend on hiring processes.
Step 4: Find suitable Shopify developers
Once you have finalized a remote hiring method, it is time to scavenge through the resumes/proposals/options you’ve got.
For that, begin by taking out the skill outline you created in Step 2. Based on the skills you need, eliminate the Shopify developers and teams that don’t fit in.
Once you have assessed the technical capabilities of the developers, move on towards their remote working skills. Good communication, stable connectivity, and a proactive approach are the most important things to look for.
If you are going via freelancer hiring platforms, the reviews and job completion rates will guide you.
For offshore agencies, their reviews on Google should be considered. You can also request references and portfolios to see the Shopify developers’ work in action.
With talent connect platforms, most of this sorting, filtering, and validating would have been done for you. All you’d have to do is pick one of the top available talents.
Step 5: Onboard the ideal Shopify expert
Most people believe that finding a Shopify expert to build your online store is the toughest part. However, the real task is onboarding the expert in the right way. To onboard a remote expert, take care of the following:
- Clearly communicate the mode (currency) of payment.
- Decide on viable working hours and timing. Due to time differences, (if you are hiring internationally) you might want to cross-check about the time.
- Make sure you specify clear channels of communication for routine tasks as well as for emergencies.
- Check if there are some labor or employment laws that will be applicable if you hire someone internationally.
- Make sure you introduce the Shopify expert to others in the team so that they can all work collaboratively.
- Guide and acquaint your Shopify developer with your target audience and market. This knowledge is extremely important while designing a Shopify store.
- If there are any company-sponsored tools that you want your Shopify store builder to use, give them access to those as well.
Take the first step today
That was all you need to know before taking the first step.
Trusting someone to build your online store on Shopify is a tough call. And exercising caution is imperative.
With this guide by your side, you’d have a friend lighting down the path for you.
So start today by trying to understand why you are drawn to remote hiring a Shopify developer. Then continue doing as the guide says. And soon you’ll be onboarding a remote Shopify developer who’ll build your store for you.
