Choosing A Freelance eCommerce Developer: How to Avoid These Mistakes

Finding the right freelance eCommerce developer can make a world of difference for your online store’s success.

Building a successful online store requires careful planning and execution. One crucial decision involves selecting the right developer to translate your vision into a functional and user-friendly eCommerce platform. While freelance developers offer flexibility and potentially lower costs, navigating the process can be tricky. Avoiding common mistakes is key to ensuring a smooth and successful collaboration.

While access to an e-commerce site has never been easier, it is now more necessary than ever to concentrate on techniques to increase sales through online shopping platforms. In the future, online shopping carts will be increasingly popular as smartphones and tablets increase in popularity.

Online shopping isn’t the only trend that has seen a rise in popularity; the same can be said for the number of new online businesses. Because there are so many businesses in this field, there is a lot of competition.

The current developments in eCommerce development must be kept up with by companies to remain competitive. E-commerce has transformed the retail industry by allowing businesses to reach out to their target audiences and sell their items more effectively.

Any company’s internet presence has numerous advantages over the traditional technique. This is one of the reasons why E-commerce is so popular these days. You already know what kind of project you’re hiring a web developer for before you start browsing for one. You’re aware of your requirements and are looking for someone to assist you in realizing your goals. Unfortunately, you don’t have a time machine or a crystal ball to verify that the freelancer or agency you choose is the proper fit.

When Hiring a Freelance eCommerce Developer, Avoid The Following Blunders

• Understanding Your Needs

Before venturing into your search, take a step back to define your project’s specific requirements and goals. What type of products will you be selling? What features are essential for your online store (e.g., payment gateways, product variations, shipping integrations)? Creating a detailed project outline helps you communicate your vision effectively and attract developers with the necessary skills. It’s also crucial to be realistic about your budget and timeline constraints. Don’t be afraid to adjust your expectations to fit your resources.

• Finding the Right Talent

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, it’s time to start your developer search. Online platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer a readily available pool of freelance talent. However, consider exploring alternative avenues such as asking satisfied colleagues for referrals or attending industry events to build your network. Don’t limit yourself geographically – hiring remote developers can present wider talent options and potentially cost-effective solutions. Weigh the benefits of local developers who may offer easier communication and face-to-face interactions against the potential wider range of expertise available with remote options.

• Considering only local businesses

Understandably, knowing you can talk to someone in person to convey your proposal is appealing. You want to ensure that you’ll be able to communicate with your eCommerce Developer. Here’s why this is a problem: just because someone is nearby doesn’t mean they’re the most outstanding candidate for the job. It doesn’t imply they’ll answer your calls just because you can drive down the road. When hiring on Upwork, keep in mind that you have the entire world to select from, and the most excellent fit for you might not even live in your zip code. You want to make sure that anybody you employ will return your calls, understand your concept, and complete your project on time and within budget.

• Making The Wrong Bid Selection For Your Project

Do you know whether a fixed or hourly bid is required? Do you need some wiggle room, or do you have a firm grasp on what you want, even down to the font size? There are benefits and drawbacks to both bidding strategies. The last thing you want to do is sign a contract for a bid that isn’t appropriate for your project. On the other hand, do you want the freedom to adjust items as your needs change, or is a cent above your budget acceptable? Consider your project before submitting a bid.

• Concentrating on Lower Rates Instead of Final Costs

The bargain bin is always appealing, but don’t be fooled; the lowest price will spell problems and cost you more. It is appealing to think you can get the same level of expertise for a much lower price. However, more hours or unsatisfactory results will result from a lower rate. Therefore, it would be best to choose developers who can deliver the solutions you require, which will not always be the cheapest pricing advertised.

• Choosing an Overcharged Freelancer

Getting the best doesn’t mean spending a lot of money. There will be elements of your project that are simple enough that you don’t want to spend $200 per hour. Finding the perfect fit entails locating a decent middle ground. Consider it the Goldilocks zone: not too cheap, not too costly. Of course, you must stick to your budget, so don’t overspend on diamonds when you receive a glass.

• Assuming Your Idea Is Complete

Most of the time, people assume they have a wholly developed notion of what their final product should look like. Later on, they find that their clients have thought through many of their project parts but not all of them 98 per cent of the time. As a result, every project has unknowns that were not anticipated, resulting in additional time not budgeted for.

Read also: Benefits of Outsourcing Software Development

• Business Plan Doesn’t Include End Product

Your project is well integrated into your company strategy, just like you would with any other investment. Have you considered how you’ll publicize your new site? Have you allocated time for your personnel to become familiar with your new system? If your company plan doesn’t integrate your product into your strategy, your product will collect dust on the shelf. Building something does not guarantee that people will arrive.

• Being Without a Project Manager

While on the subject of budgeting, a project manager is essential for remaining on track. The proper project manager will be able to communicate with you and your team and ask the appropriate questions.

Without one, you’ll be compelled to handle all of the calls and every detail and correct problems and blunders that would not have occurred otherwise. So, unless you enjoy herding cats and squandering money, you’ll need a project manager to keep you on track and receive what you asked for.

• Choosing Freelancers Over Agencies

Having a single point of contact for your project might be enticing. Unfortunately, this is also a problem: only one person is available. You have access to a wide range of abilities when working with an agency. A freelancer can accomplish several things, but they’re a jack of all crafts and a master of none. Make sure you have access to as many masters as feasible.

• Selecting Short-Term Relationships

Many companies don’t think about how their ideas will be received after they are launched. So how will you keep that pricey item in good working order? It’s critical to hire a crew to help you manage your website or operational software. Your product may seem unique when it first launches, but that website may become clumsy and unmanageable without adequate upkeep. Invest in hiring a professional who can assist you in developing and executing your vision.

• A timeline that isn’t realistic

You must act quickly, and at other times, you must make mindful movements ahead. If you need your assignment completed yesterday, you will wind up paying extra for an often poorer outcome. If you expect a large project to be completed fast, you’ll have to work with bored developers for a reason. If a project is hurried, problems will inevitably occur. Realize that you must be realistic in your schedule for your vision to flourish ultimately.

• Employing Someone Who Does Not Comprehend Your Vision

This is the most critical mistake to avoid. You’re seeking someone to assist you in resolving a difficulty so that your vision may be realized. You must choose someone knowledgeable about what you want to accomplish. Each side must communicate adequately, but this will be hampered if the person you employ does not share your overall vision. Avoiding this blunder can ensure that you receive what you want while staying within your budget.

End Thoughts

Choosing the right freelance e-commerce developer is critical for the success of your online store. By taking your time, thoroughly vetting potential developers, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can find a qualified professional who understands your vision and can translate it into a user-friendly and functional platform. Remember, investing time upfront during the selection process can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

At Strivemindz, we ensure that none of the mentioned above blunders harm your company, and we have the finest in the market to provide you with high-quality eCommerce web development services.

We use Magento, Shopify, Prestashop, Zencart, Laravel, Angular, Oscommerce, Woocommerce, and Xcaret as eCommerce platforms. In addition, we have Magento-certified developers on staff who ensure that the web solutions we provide are up-to-date and flawless.