Your BigCommerce store is a powerful tool for driving sales and building your brand. But like any powerful tool, it needs ongoing maintenance and updates to function at its best. Whether you’re looking to add new features, update your theme, or optimize your store’s functionality, finding the right developer is crucial. In this day and age when developers seem to lurk around every corner, choosing the wrong one can lead to a frustrating experience, wasted resources, and even potential damage to your store.
This guide will help you with the knowledge and strategies to confidently choose a BigCommerce developer who aligns with your vision, commits to being a true partner, and helps your store reach its full potential.
Why a Certified BigCommerce Developer Matters
BigCommerce is a platform that offers endless customization capabilities. However, navigating the technical complexities behind these customizations requires specialized skill sets. A certified BigCommerce developer has the following advantages over ones who aren’t:
- Deep Understanding of BigCommerce: They have a thorough understanding of BigCommerce’s architecture, APIs, and best practices. This ensures efficient development, quicker turnaround times, and minimized risks of code conflicts with future BigCommerce updates.
- Proven Expertise: BigCommerce certification signifies a developer’s commitment to staying updated with the latest platform advancements. This ensures your store benefits from the newest features and remains secure.
- Access to Exclusive Resources: Certified developers have access to BigCommerce’s developer portal, which includes extensive documentation, code samples, and support channels. This translates to tailored solutions that leverage the full potential of the platform.
- Reduced Development Time: Their familiarity with BigCommerce streamlines the development process, saving you valuable time and money.
- Peace of Mind: When you choose a certified developer, you gain a partner who understands the unique needs of BigCommerce stores. This fosters open communication and a collaborative development experience.
Beyond Certification: Choosing the Right Fit
While certification is an essential starting point, it’s crucial to look beyond the badge and find a developer who aligns with your specific needs and business goals. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Experience with Your Industry: Look for developers who have a proven track record of success in your industry. This ensures they understand the unique challenges and opportunities your online store faces.
- Portfolio Review: Analyze a developer’s portfolio to see examples of work similar to your vision. This will give you a sense of their design aesthetic, development philosophy, and technical capabilities.
- Communication Style: Choose a developer who fosters clear and transparent communication throughout the project. A good developer will actively listen to your goals, ask clarifying questions, and keep you informed of progress.
- Project Management Skills: Successful web development projects require strong project management. Look for a developer who uses established methods and systems to keep projects on track and within budget.
- Client Testimonials & Reviews: Read reviews and testimonials from past clients to understand their experience working with the developer. This can provide valuable insights into their work ethic, communication style, and overall client satisfaction.
Your Store Wizards: A BigCommerce Elite Developer Partner
BigCommerce offers a tiered partner program, with Elite Developers, including Your Store Wizards, representing the highest level of expertise and commitment. These partners have a proven track record of creating exceptional BigCommerce experiences for merchants.
Your Store Wizards is your trusted BigCommerce Elite Developer Partner. We possess strengths that make us uniquely qualified to handle your BigCommerce needs:
- Deep Expertise: Our team has extensive experience working with BigCommerce stores across many different industries. We understand the intricacies of the platform and can translate your vision into a powerful online store.
- Proven Track Record: Our portfolio showcases a wide range of successful BigCommerce projects, including custom feature development, theme customization, and core web vitals optimization.
- Client-Centric Approach: We believe in building strong partnerships with our clients. Open communication, active listening, and a collaborative development process are core values that ensure your project aligns with your goals and vision.
- Focus on Innovation: We stay at the forefront of BigCommerce development, constantly exploring new tools, apps and strategies to push the boundaries of what’s possible for your online store.
Building a Successful Partnership with a BigCommerce Developer
Once you’ve created a shortlist of potential developers, schedule consultations with each one. This will give you a chance to further understand their expertise, communication style, and project approach.
Here are some key questions to ask during consultations:
- Can you walk me through your experience with BigCommerce projects similar to mine?
- Do you have a portfolio of projects showcasing your capabilities?
- How would you approach the specific challenges faced by my store?
- What is your project management process, and how will I be kept informed of progress?
- What are your rates and pricing structures?
- Can you provide references from past clients?
Following the consultation phase, take some time to compare your notes and carefully consider each developer’s strengths and weaknesses. Once you’ve chosen a developer, establish a clear communication channel and set project expectations upfront.
By following these steps and choosing a skilled and experienced BigCommerce developer like Your Store Wizards, you can embark on a successful development journey knowing you and your developer have one goal in common – your eCommerce success!
If you’re ready to discuss how we can help you with your BigCommerce needs, simply email us at support@yourstorewizards.com and we’ll set up a free consultation to learn more about your specific needs.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.