7 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Ecommerce Developer

Interviewing potential eCommerce developers can be daunting, but it's even more challenging if you don't know what to ask. Before you blindly accept the first developer who sets up a meeting with you — and likely invests their own time and money — make sure to ask these eight questions first.

1. What type of software does your company build? Do they specialize in eCommerce development, or do they only handle one kind of product or service?

First thing first. Ask what kind of eCommerce software they develop and what coding languages they use. Do they only build one type of product, or is their focus on website functionality?

If your potential developer is only in the eCommerce business, you'll need to determine whether that's what you are looking for. It's hard to know which program is best for an eCommerce client if you don't know what kind of program is being used in the first place.

More often than not, Ruby on Rails and Magento developers are the go-to guys/gals to build an eCommerce website. There are instances that a company needs a shopping cart, a website that will accept credit cards, or an entire eCommerce platform. The more programming languages that your developer is familiar with, the better.

2. How many projects have they worked on?

 It's important to find out what their eCommerce development experience looks like. Ideally, the more projects they have worked on, the better because they've been there and done it.

Don't be fooled by their work experience. It's vital to understand whether the company has real-world experience in eCommerce development.

If you are looking to hire an eCommerce developer, make sure to ask this question. This will give you an idea of how experienced they are in this specific field, and it may help you determine whether this is the right person for your project.

The more experience they have, the more likely you can trust their capabilities to deliver quality work that fits your budget.

3. What are their eCommerce development rates?

To understand what the company is willing to pay for you, take a look at what they charge in their own words and with quotes from other clients in their network. It's important to know how much they charge before you even agree to meet with them.

While eCommerce web designers can range in price depending on the quality of work, developers who specialize in eCommerce software cost more than eCommerce developers who don't.

Whether you are paying $20 or $100,000 for an eCommerce development project, it's important to know how much you're getting in the end.

4. How do they work?

Many companies prefer to use their in-house staff to build web applications, but if they cost more than hiring an expert outside of the company, find out what kind of service your developer offers.

The entire process of hiring an eCommerce developer can take up to six months, but if your company finishes the project within that time frame, you'll be able to save money. In addition, if you are looking for a long-term relationship with your eCommerce developer, this is something to consider.

5. When will they be done?

If you want the project finished within a certain period of time, make sure not to leave out this vital question when interviewing potential eCommerce developers.

When you ask the developers when they could finish the project, they should be able to give you a reasonable answer. However, if they are not able to do this, don't expect it to be finished anytime soon.

6. What's their payment policy?

How will your eCommerce developer get paid? You should know how much your eCommerce developer is getting paid upfront and how often.

Depending on the company you are dealing with, their payment policy can vary. Some developers only accept payment in cash, while others will pay by check or wire transfer. There are also different levels of payment timelines, depending on how much money the company has invested in the project.

The more information you have about your eCommerce developer, the better informed you about their payment policy. You can then determine whether or not this is an appropriate company for you to work with.

7. Do they have any references?

You don't have to have any personal experience with your potential developer, but you do need to find out from other companies if they can give you a clean bill of health. After all, hiring a developer is a big decision, and you want to know what others think about them. Asking for references can also help you determine whether or not they are a good fit for your eCommerce website.

Your Key Takeaways

Hiring an eCommerce developer is never an easy task, but you will make the process much easier if you know what to ask before interviewing potential developers.

Find the right person for your project by keeping these questions in mind when contacting potential developers.