How to choose the best Shopify agency for your online store?

Not all e-commerce sites are alike. Depending on your business challenges, but also on the type of products or services you offer, you'll need to highlight certain functionalities. If you don't have the necessary resources in-house, outsource the management of your online store may prove indispensable. Certified agencies integrate specific skills in areas such as SEO, web design, content management and online marketing.

To anticipate your short- and long-term needs, take the time to talk to your consultant. As project manager, he'll be able to guide you towards the most appropriate solutions, as well as gathering your requirements and translating them into functional specifications. You will then be invited to validate the specifications which will serve as a reference document for all phases of the project.

If you don't have any contacts with professionals who can refer you to a Shopify agency, you can rely on objective and subjective criteria to help you make the right decision. On the Internet, you'll find information on required certificationsbut also reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers.

Here are a few examples of selection criteria to consider when finding your future agency:

- Technical expertise The creation and management of an online store requires a wide range of expertise, including application development, UX design and advanced module customization. You can check out the technical team's level of expertise by consulting the agency's portfolio and exploring their most recent achievements.

- The service portfolio When it comes to e-boutiques: choose agencies that work in project mode and offer 360° services, including site creation, webmarketing, tracking and technical optimization. This way, you'll have everything you need to optimize the visibility and performance of your e-shop. What's more, you won't need to call on the services of several service providers, which could complicate the day-to-day management of your website.

- Cost: of course, too high a price is a deterrent, especially if your budget is limited. However, beware of very attractive prices, which may reflect a lack of expertise on the part of the service provider. Our tip: check that your agency will take care of after-sales follow-up, and that it will be there to listen to you once your project has been completed. Shopify website developed. Certified agencies include corrective maintenance and technical support in their contracts.

- Reputation and customer feedback Word-of-mouth and positive reviews on Google and social networks are good indicators. However, these elements need to be considered with caution and put into perspective with a catalog of solid references.

Requesting several quotes is not enough to compare service providers effectively. It's important to meet the consultants and production team to get a clearer idea of the agency's level of expertise. These meetings are also an opportunity to ask technical or general questions before laying the foundations for a long-term collaboration. You can draw inspiration from this specifications to get an idea of the questions to ask and the technical elements to validate.

To choose the right Shopify agency, you need to put the services you offer into perspective. Price is of course an important factor, but it's not the only one. Don't forget that you can only compare what's comparable: the quality of serviceWe'll be happy to provide you with all the information you need, including technical support, skills and expertise, as well as certifications and references. As part of an invitation to tender, you'll receive several detailed proposals. You'll be able to project yourself more easily, and check that your vision matches that of your contacts. A clear understanding of your business challenges, constraints and objectives is essential.

The contract for the creation and management of your e-commerce site is a formal document that should not be taken lightly. It defines the relationships and interests established between each party: the prime contractor (project sponsor) and the project owner. This invaluable document sets out the conditions under which the work will be carried out, in terms of costs, deadlines and quality. It is passed on to the technical teams, who use it as a basis for their work. Certain aspects relating to performance and objectives can also be set to reinforce your protection. For example, part of the payment can be released on completion of the contract, i.e. the delivery of a site in compliance with specifications or improving the site's visibility in search engines. Be sure to reread the terms of the contract before signing, and ask for any clarifications you may need.

A successful collaboration with your Shopify agency is based on good communication, established right from the start. It is essential to consider the creation and management of your e-commerce site as an integral part of your business. long-term partnershipwhich will not stop once your site is online. To do this, don't hesitate to involve your staff and organize training courses on the new tools to achieve maximum efficiency.