How to Choose an Ecommerce Website Developer: A Checklist for Business Owners

To choose an ecommerce website developer, first write down what your store must do, then compare developers on four things: stores they have already built, the platform they recommend, how they handle payments and security, and what support they give after launch. Finally, agree on the full cost, the timeline and who owns the website before any work starts.

An online store is a sales tool, so the wrong developer costs you more than money. This checklist helps you ask the right questions, spot warning signs and hire with confidence.

What does an ecommerce website developer do?

An ecommerce website developer builds the online store where customers browse products, add them to a cart and pay. In most projects, the developer sets up the store platform, designs or adapts the theme, adds your products and connects payments and delivery options.

However, a good ecommerce website developer does more than build pages. They also make sure the store loads fast on phones, keeps customer data safe and is easy for your team to update.

Step 1: Write down what your store must do

Before you contact any developer, list your needs. Otherwise, every quote will be based on guesses.

• Products. How many products will you sell at launch, and in how many variations, such as size or colour?
• Payments. Which payment methods do your customers prefer, such as cards, bank transfer or pay on delivery?
• Delivery. Will you ship nationwide, abroad or only locally?
• Content. Do you need a blog, product videos or customer reviews?
• Team. Who will add products and process orders after launch?

As a result, you can send every developer the same brief and compare like with like.

Step 2: Check stores the ecommerce website developer has built

Next, ask each ecommerce website developer for links to live stores they built. Then visit those stores on your phone, because most shoppers will meet your store on a phone too.

While you browse, check these points:

• Does the store load quickly?
• Can you find a product and reach checkout in a few taps?
• Do product pages show clear photos, prices and delivery information?
• Does checkout work without errors?

If possible, also contact one or two of their past clients. For example, ask whether the project finished on time and how the developer handled problems.

Step 3: Ask your ecommerce website developer which platform to use

The platform is the software your store runs on. Popular options include WooCommerce, a free plugin that adds a store to a WordPress website, and hosted platforms such as Shopify, which charge a monthly fee.

A good ecommerce website developer explains why one platform suits your business better than another. For instance, a hosted platform can be simpler to run, while WooCommerce gives you more control over your website and its content. Be careful if a developer pushes one platform for every client without asking about your needs first.

Step 4: Check how the ecommerce website developer handles payments

Payments and security protect your customers and your reputation. Therefore, ask every developer these questions:

1. Which payment gateways can you connect for my customers?
2. Will the store run on HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate?
3. How will you keep the platform, theme and plugins up to date?
4. How will you back up the store, and how quickly can you restore it?

Clear answers show experience. In contrast, vague answers are a warning sign.

Step 5: Ask about speed, search and mobile

A store that loads slowly loses buyers. Similarly, a store that search engines cannot read loses free traffic. So ask how the developer will:

• Compress images and keep pages light.
• Make every page work well on small screens.
• Set up product page titles, descriptions and clean web addresses for search engines.
• Connect analytics, so you can see where sales come from. Our guide to UTM parameters explains how to track each marketing channel.

Step 6: Agree on cost, timeline and ownership in writing

Before you pay a deposit, get a written agreement. It should state:

• The full price, including the domain, hosting, paid plugins and themes.
• A timeline with clear milestones.
• How many rounds of changes are included.
• That your business owns the domain, the hosting account and the website files.
• What support you get after launch, and what it costs.

Above all, make sure the domain and hosting accounts are registered in your business name. Otherwise, you may lose control of your own store if the relationship ends.

Warning signs when you hire an ecommerce website developer

Watch out for these red flags:

• No live stores to show.
• A price that seems far too low for the work described.
• No written agreement.
• The developer keeps the domain or hosting in their own name.
• No plan for updates, backups or support.

Questions to ask before you sign

Use this short list in your first call with any ecommerce website developer:

1. Can you show me three stores you built and still maintain?
2. Which platform do you recommend for my store, and why?
3. Which payment methods will my customers be able to use?
4. How will you make the store fast on mobile?
5. Who will own the domain, hosting and website files?
6. What happens if something breaks after launch?

Frequently asked questions about hiring an ecommerce website developer

How long does it take to build an ecommerce website?

It depends on the number of products, the features you need and how quickly you supply content. For this reason, ask each developer for a written timeline with milestones.

Should I choose WooCommerce or a hosted platform?

Choose based on your needs. A hosted platform is often simpler to run, while WooCommerce gives you more control because it runs on your own WordPress website.

Do I need a developer, or can I build the store myself?

You can build a simple store yourself on many platforms. However, a developer saves time when you need custom features, many products or payment integrations.

Who should own the domain name?

Your business should. Always register the domain and hosting in your business name.

Get help with your online store

Choosing the right ecommerce website developer starts with a clear brief and ends with a written agreement. In between, check real stores, ask direct questions and compare answers.

If you would like DeeGeet to plan, build or improve your online store, see our digital marketing services or contact our team. For a wider view of how your store fits into your marketing, read our guide on how to build a digital marketing strategy, or learn more about WooCommerce on its official website.