What to Look for In an E-commerce Development Company
With so many developers out there, finding a reliable one can be an overwhelming task. However, if you know what to look for, you can be confident in your choice of developers. Below is a list of things to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for e-commerce solutions.
Experience
Magento was originally launched more than a decade ago. When looking for a developer, experience should be a big factor in your decision. Find a developer that has worked with a wide variety of e-commerce businesses in the past, and can prove their expertise with real-life examples, statistics, and results. Ask for cases of successful sites they’ve run in the past, and check out any reviews or testimonials available online.
Ask how many clients they have worked with and how long clients tend to work with them. Have they worked primarily with B2B customers, or B2C? Both of those have a unique set of demands, so it’s important that you’re working with a developer who understands what you’ll be needing right from the beginning.
Support
Before choosing a developer, don’t be afraid to ask what kind of support you’ll receive throughout the build of your site and beyond. Does the company offer managed hosting? Do they simply develop your site, or do they offer design and marketing options as well? A great development company will handle everything from start to finish, follow a clear timeline, and keep you updated every step of the way. If you already have a shop set up online, look for a development company that will migrate your content to Magento.
Think about what your business needs to be successful and find a developer that meets those needs. Some companies offer much more beyond development, like SEO, graphic design, marketing, and additional security features. Be sure to ask if you’ll have a dedicated project manager. You want to know that you’ll be working with someone who is focused on getting to know your business inside and out so that you know your unique needs will be met.
Security
Security might be the most important aspect of all. Look for a developer that hasn’t had security problems in the past. And because your site will be dealing with sensitive data like the payment and contact information of customers, developers who secure their sites behind proper encryption are the best choice.
Because security patches are often released for Magento and its plugins, it’s important that the development company you work with strives to keep sites updated with the latest version. This ensures that your customers’ data stays safe and your site is always performing at its best. And make sure that they back up your site regularly to ensure limited downtime in case anything happens.