Ecommerce

The Shopify platform supports an estimated one million businesses worldwide.

That figure might surprise you. You might even see it as a double-edged sword.

Shopify is undoubtedly a wise (and popular) choice for your eCommerce platform. But equally, you face stiff competition with your store launch, even if you possess a unique and innovative product.

Using a professional expert for your Shopify store development might be the thing that helps your new business fly.

Before deciding, check out our reasons why hiring Shopify experts is a savvy business move and how to start your search for the right professional.

The Shopify platform is an out-of-the-box website builder. In other words, you can create an eCommerce store without coding knowledge.

With that in mind, why pay a professional? Well, here are a few compelling arguments for going down the professional route:

You’ll help your brand dominate

Shopify comes with free and premium templates. While they have a fantastic look and feel, you run the risk that your business will look identical to many other Shopify stores.

Using online store designers can help you create a unique brand that wows your target audience. When you build an online store, stunning branding is what will win over a new customer.

Your website will be more user-friendly

Have you ever discovered a website for the first time, and it just feels right? It’s slick, intuitive, and beautiful. 

Chances are the business hired an expert team of Shopify developers who used methods like a user-centred design process to achieve that premium customer experience.

User experience is critical for any eCommerce store. Friction, whether confusion about the navigation, or kinks in the checkout process, might compel visitors to abandon their purchase. 

Speed up your market launch

Undoubtedly, being first to market with a new product gives you a distinct advantage over your competitors.

So why waste months scratching your head with the intricacies of a Shopify setup when you can delegate that work to an expert? 

To maximise your conversion rate

A good Shopify expert will understand the importance of CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization). That is the practice of fine-tuning a shop set up to improve your conversion rate (in other words, the percentage of visitors who buy from you). 

That takes experience. Without expertise, you’ll probably find yourself relying on trial and error to raise that conversion rate. That takes time, effort, and money. 

Peace of mind

Shopify might be an easy platform to understand, but that doesn’t mean all aspects of a website build are straightforward. You need to ensure your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and secure.

These technical details are much better in the hands of experts. We can get the development perfect from the outset and give you peace of mind that your website is technically sound. 

It gives you extra time to focus on your launch

Whether you are a new business or an eCommerce store looking for a rebrand, there’s much to do before a new website launch.

Our team of Shopify experts manage the technical build and give you the time to make sure everything else is in hand.

You can focus your attention on your product design and manufacturing, warehouse plans, store policies, and marketing strategy.

Once you’ve decided that professional support is the best way to go, it’s time to find the right partner. Here are a few pointers to finding the perfect expert: 

Look for industry expertise

Expertise in your industry isn’t a must, but it can be hugely valuable.

We’re Shopify experts who understand what customers in your industry want, which means that we can focus our time on bespoke additions to your eCommerce store that your audience will love.

Our professional experience in your industry means that our Shopify experts understand some of the pitfalls you might encounter during the development or launch.

Take fashion, for example. This industry has a higher-than-average product return rate, so the agency might have some valuable insight into getting that figure down. 

Read customer testimonials

Professional design support is a significant decision for your business. So take the time to do your research and find out a little about the agency’s reputation.

A good agency will be happy to share testimonials from past customers, so don’t be afraid to ask.

You’ll notice that in our case studies at Cake, we share the conversion data we achieved for our clients, so we back up our claims with plenty of evidence to help you make your decision! 

View their portfolio

Not all agencies are the same; each agency has its unique style. You want to find one that aligns with your business and the brand you are hoping to create.

The simplest way to find that out is by browsing the agency’s portfolio. It will give you a feel for what you want, and it will tell you if that design team is the right one for you.

Our agency goes one step further than a design portfolio. We’ve put together detailed case studies that will tell you a little more about our approach and what to expect when you work with us. 

Be clear on what you want

Online store designers have a creative flair and, given a comprehensive brief, can turn your idea into a beautiful website. But you must communicate your vision clearly from the outset.

The more an agency knows about what you are looking for, the more chance it’ll meet your expectations.  

Arrange an informal chat

The most helpful way to grasp an agency’s skills and experience is to chat directly. That also allows you the opportunity to ask any questions you have before you make a final decision.

When talking to an agency for the first time, make sure you find out about their approach, what input they want from you, and when. It will help you plan your website build in parallel to the rest of your business launch.

You only get one shot at your business launch. You want to get it right. So don’t shortcut your website build. Instead, take the time to consider what type of professional support you need, and reach out to that agency.

We hope Cake is on your shortlist, and we’d love to have an informal chat so you can share your business vision with us. We can introduce you to our fantastic Shopify experts, who can help you turn that vision into a reality.

You can take that first step right now by dropping your contact details here.