Whether you’re launching a new store or fixing an existing one, the developer you hire will have their hands on your business. It’s worth a 30-minute conversation to make sure they’re the right fit.
These are the questions I’d ask if I were hiring someone, including me.
1. “Can you show me stores you’ve worked on?”
Look at the live stores, not just screenshots. Open them on your phone. Do they load quickly? Are they easy to use? Ask what exactly they did on each one; “worked on” can mean anything from building the whole store to changing one button.
2. “How will you understand my business before you start?”
A good developer asks you plenty of questions first: who your customers are, what sells best, what’s not working today. If someone quotes a price without asking anything, they’re quoting for a generic store, not yours.
3. “What exactly is included in the price?”
Get it in writing. Is it a fixed price or hourly? How many revisions? Does it include apps, theme purchase, content entry and product uploads? Unclear scope is the number one cause of disputes.
4. “How will you keep me updated?”
You shouldn’t have to chase anyone for news. Agree on how often you’ll get updates (weekly is a good minimum), and how: email, WhatsApp or short video calls.
5. “How do you test the store before launch?”
This one tells you a lot. A vague “I check it” is a warning sign. You want to hear about testing on real phones, placing test orders, checking shipping and emails, and fixing issues before launch day. (Testing is a big part of how I work. I wrote about my pre-launch QA checklist here.)
6. “Will I be able to edit the store myself?”
You should be able to change text, images, products and simple sections without paying a developer every time. Ask whether they’ll build with Shopify’s theme editor in mind, and whether they’ll show you how it works.
7. “How many apps will you install, and what will they cost?”
Every app has a monthly cost and can slow your store down. A thoughtful developer recommends as few as possible and can explain why each one is needed.
8. “What happens after launch?”
Bugs appear, Shopify releases updates and you’ll want small changes. Ask whether support after launch is included, for how long, and what it costs after that.
9. “Who owns everything?”
Your store, your theme, your content, your domain and your accounts should all belong to you, set up under your own email. Never let a developer keep the store under their account.
Red flags to watch for
- Promises of guaranteed sales or “100% speed scores”.
- Pressure to pay everything upfront.
- No questions about your business.
- No written scope.
- Reluctance to show live work.
And green flags
- They explain things in plain language.
- They tell you what you don’t need.
- They’re honest about timelines and limits.
- They care about what happens after launch.
If you’re looking for a Shopify developer and want honest answers to all nine questions, book a free meeting. Even if we don’t end up working together, you’ll leave with clearer ideas for your store.
Shopify consultant, developer and tester. I build Shopify stores that look great, load fast and are tested before a single customer sees them.
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