An effective ecommerce website is an invaluable tool for generating online sales, but it requires time, expertise, and a strategic approach. A visually appealing site is just the beginning; it also needs to be user-friendly, load quickly, and be optimised for conversions. This ensures visitors stay on your site and complete their purchases.
When faced with endless options after searching "Shopify web design agency" on Google, you may have even considered building the site yourself (we wouldn’t blame you). While it might seem like a good idea at first, trust us, it takes a significant amount of time and resources, pulling your focus away from other key areas of your business. Partnering with an experienced e-commerce web design agency takes the stress out of the process. With their expertise across different industries, they’ll know exactly what features and functionalities will work best for your business.
In this blog post, we’ll break down how to choose the best Shopify agency, helping you find the perfect match for your business. Let’s start with five key things to look for when making your decision…
Do some background checks
We all love a bit of detective work. This is your chance to get as nosy as you like. Start with their About page to get a feel for who they are and how they operate. Are they a local agency? Do they have a strong portfolio of recognisable brands? If sustainable web design is important to you, are they a B Corp agency?
Every brand has unique needs, so it’s important to dig into your shortlisted agencies to ensure their background, ethics, and overall mission align with yours, or could benefit you in some way.
Look at their examples of work
Most Shopify Agencies showcase their portfolio or list brands they’ve worked with. Get familiar with these sites, click around, explore the pages, and see what kind of work they’ve produced. This is one of the best ways to get a feel for the quality and style of work you can expect.
Research their industry expertise and sector experience
When choosing a Shopify Agency, it’s crucial to understand their experience across different industries. If you operate in a niche market, you’ll want to work with an agency that understands the unique challenges of your sector.
A Shopify agency with relevant sector experience can offer valuable insights, proven strategies, and industry-specific best practices. Look for case studies, client testimonials, and portfolio examples to see if they have experience in your industry. This can be particularly useful when it comes to compliance, customer behaviour, and industry-specific features.
Find out how they communicate
As the saying goes, communication is key, and that applies to working with a web design agency too. Do they have an in-house team of web designers and developers, or do they operate remotely? Will you have a dedicated project manager to keep you updated and answer your questions?
A reliable agency will keep you in the loop rather than leaving you in the dark with the occasional email update.
See what they actually offer
Chances are, right now you’re in the current situation of needing a new website for your e-commerce brand. But what about marketing, SEO, and strategies to attract more visitors? Choosing an agency that also offers services like Klaviyo email marketing or ongoing website optimisation could be the difference between having a site that just ticks over and one that truly thrives.
Why partner with an Shopify Agency
Choosing the right Shopify web design agency isn’t just about finding someone who can build a website. It is about partnering with experts who truly understand the challenges of selling online. A specialist agency will know how to create a seamless shopping experience, optimise your site for conversions, and ensure it meets the needs of both your business and your customers. They will focus on more than just design, helping you build a site that drives sales, strengthens customer relationships, and grows with your ecommerce brand.
Questions to ask an ecommerce web company
When you're choosing an ecommerce website design company, here are some important questions to ask to get the info you need and make sure you’re making the right choice:
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What experience do you have with ecommerce websites?
(Look for experience with platforms that are built for online sellers, like Shopify, and check if they’ve worked on projects similar to yours.)
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Can you show me examples of ecommerce websites you've designed?
(Request a portfolio of past work to assess the quality and relevance of their designs.)
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What is your design process, and how do you collaborate with clients?
(Understand how they work with clients from initial concept to final design and how feedback is incorporated.)
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How do you ensure the website is mobile-friendly and responsive?
(Ask about their approach to creating websites that perform well on all devices, especially mobile.)
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Do you offer SEO services, and how do you optimise an ecommerce site for search engines?
(It’s crucial that your site is optimised for SEO to drive traffic and sales.)
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What ecommerce features do you recommend for my business?
(Ask for suggestions on features like product filters, wish lists, loyalty programs, or payment gateways based on your business type.)
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How do you handle payment gateway integrations?
(Ensure they can integrate secure and reliable payment systems like PayPal, Stripe, or others that suit your needs.)
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What is your approach to website security, and how do you protect customer data?
(Security is essential for an ecommerce site. Ask about SSL certificates, encryption, and security protocols.)
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What ongoing support do you provide once the website is live?
(Check if they offer ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, updates, and performance optimisation.)
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How long will it take to design and launch my e-commerce website?
(Get an estimate of timelines, and ensure their process matches your expectations for when the site needs to be live.)
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What is your pricing structure, and are there any hidden fees?
(Understand the full cost of the project and if there are any additional costs for things like hosting, updates, or future changes.)
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Can you assist with ecommerce website migration if I’m moving from another platform?
(If you’re switching from another platform, ask if they can handle the migration of your existing products, content, and customer data.)
How to choose a Shopify Agency
Picking a Shopify Agency isn’t straightforward. You need a team that not only knows how to build a great-looking site but also understands how to turn visitors into customers. It’s about finding experts who get your brand, your goals, and what actually works in online shopping.
Building an ecommerce site on your own might seem doable, but having an experienced agency by your side can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes. The right team will understand your brand inside out and create a site that not only looks great but actually drives sales.
At Noughts & Ones, we’ve helped brands in health & beauty, sports & fitness, and food & drink level up their online stores, and turn browsers into buyers in no time.
Want to get that Shopify bell ringing? Let’s chat.