A website for online shopping is more than just a platform for showcasing products and promoting a company's marketing efforts. It encompasses various essential components, such as keeping track of purchases and maintaining a comprehensive catalog that catalogs daily, weekly, and yearly transactions.
Nowadays, there is an abundance of eCommerce agencies available. However, selecting the most suitable eCommerce website design company is a challenging decision to make, to be honest. So we are here to assist you in selecting the best agency for your eCommerce success. Rely on our tips to make the right choice.
Read on.
Tip #1. Check the vendor’ site
The vendor’s website serves as a reflection of their capabilities, professionalism, and attention to detail. Here are some key aspects to evaluate while reviewing the vendor’s site:
- Design quality
Assess the overall design quality of their website. Look for a visually appealing and well-structured layout that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Pay attention to the use of colors, typography, and imagery. A well-designed website demonstrates the vendor’s commitment to delivering a high-quality user experience.
- User experience
Evaluate the user experience provided by their website. Check how intuitive the navigation is, whether the information is easily accessible, and if the website is responsive across different devices. A vendor that prioritizes a seamless user experience on their own site is likely to do the same for their clients.
- Responsiveness & performance
Test the responsiveness and loading speed of their website on various devices and internet connections. A fast and responsive website indicates their expertise in optimizing performance, which is crucial for eCommerce success. In fact, over 45% of visitors are less likely to make a purchase because of low site speed and almost 37% will never return for the same reason. A slow-loading or unresponsive website may indicate potential issues when it comes to delivering efficient eCommerce solutions.
Web Design Create a visually captivating and highly functional online store that drives conversions and sets you apart from the competition.
- Content & messaging
Review the content and messaging on their website. Is the information clear, concise, and engaging? Do they effectively communicate their services, expertise, and value proposition? A vendor that can articulate their offerings and provide compelling content showcases professionalism and effective communication skills.
- Blog & resources
Assess if the vendor maintains an active blog or resources section on their website. This demonstrates their commitment to sharing industry knowledge, staying updated with the latest trends, and providing value-added content to their clients. A blog can also give you an idea of their expertise and thought leadership in the eCommerce field.
Tip #2. Study their portfolio
The initial step in evaluating a potential company is to carefully examine their portfolio. By visiting their website, you can quickly review the eCommerce projects they have successfully completed. However, it is important to go beyond merely observing screenshots and delve deeper. Take the extra effort to click on the provided links and explore the actual websites they have developed to gauge their feel and level of user experience. Consider whether this is the type of experience you would like to replicate for your own website.
Assessing the company’s portfolio allows you to gauge the quality and variety of their projects, providing a reasonable sample of their work’s caliber. It is worth noting that a superficial examination of the website may not fully reveal the actual progress and outcomes of their projects. Nonetheless, it serves as a valuable starting point. The portfolio can provide a rough indication of the company’s specific expertise, which may not always align with their marketing materials and messaging. For instance, they might position themselves as an “eCommerce development company” but have only recently entered the industry and are seeking their first client.
Ideally, you are seeking a company that not only claims to possess experience in a particular area but also has a track record of successfully completing several related projects. Examining the portfolio allows you to gain a broader understanding of the types of projects they have handled in the past, providing a general idea of their expertise.
Also, you can directly approach the company and request relevant portfolio examples, use cases, and success stories related to your intended project. Reaching out to the company is essential because some projects might not be publicly listed on their website due to confidentiality agreements or outdated site content. By directly contacting them, you can obtain more detailed information about their work in a specific context. Focus on finding work examples that closely match your project’s requirements.
Tip #3. Examine client reviews
There are websites dedicated to reviews of software development services. Clutch is just one of them — it offers detailed client testimonials, helping companies find the best providers for their projects.
Websites like Clutch are a rich trove of information, allowing you to verify the reputation of the company and check if there are any recurrent issues in the way the projects are handled. On top of looking around the Clutch profile, you can ask for testimonials. This enables you to learn from their present and previous clients’ experience. It will make it easier for you to decide whether you want to work with them or not.
Tip #4. Consider costs
When it comes to selecting an eCommerce website design company, the stakes are high. Your money, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation are all on the line. This can lead to serious concerns and a need to address various complex questions. Ensuring that everything goes according to plan, especially in terms of expenses, is crucial. While it may be challenging to estimate development costs precisely, having confidence in budget estimates is essential.
The total cost of the project will depend on the following factors:
- Hosting costs
Determining how and where your platform will be hosted (SaaS hosting, on-premise hosting, or other cloud hosting options) allows you to estimate hosting expenses.
- Payment processing costs
Utilizing third-party payment gateways incurs expenses that need to be accounted for.
- Custom design expenses
Opting for custom UI and UX design features will involve additional costs as the vendor will spend more time designing and implementing them.
- Security expenses
Acquiring security certifications for your platform may require additional financial investment. Partnering with a company offering professional financial processing solution development services can help reduce these expenses.
- Cost of custom features
Each custom feature you incorporate into your platform will require additional time and resources for implementation. The more feature-rich you want your platform to be, the higher the cost will be.
- Maintenance costs
Ongoing platform maintenance necessitates investment to ensure smooth operation and keep up with evolving market standards.
Tip #5. Ask about their development process
When selecting an eCommerce design company, it is crucial to inquire about their development process. Understanding how the company approaches and manages the development of your eCommerce platform is essential for a successful partnership. Asking about their development process allows you to gain insight into their methodology, organization, and efficiency.
It provides an opportunity to assess their approach to project management, communication, and collaboration. By discussing their development process, you can determine if it aligns with your expectations and requirements. Look for a company that demonstrates a clear and structured development process, emphasizing effective communication, regular progress updates, and a collaborative approach that involves your input and feedback throughout the project lifecycle.
Questions to ask an eCommerce design company?
So, when choosing an eCommerce website design company, here are some questions to ask the vendor to gather important information and make an informed decision:
- What is your experience in eCommerce development? How many years have you been working in this field?
- Can you provide examples of eCommerce websites or projects you have successfully developed in the past? Do any of them align with our industry or specific requirements?
- What eCommerce platforms are you proficient in? Are you experienced with the platform we want to use for our project?
- Can you walk me through your development process? How do you typically approach eCommerce projects from start to finish?
- What is your approach to project management? How do you ensure effective communication, timely updates, and project transparency throughout the development process?
- How do you handle customization and integration requirements? Can you accommodate specific features or functionality we need for our eCommerce platform?
- Do you have a team of in-house developers or do you outsource the development work? Can you provide information about your development team’s expertise and qualifications?
- What is your approach to user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design for eCommerce websites? How do you ensure a seamless and intuitive shopping experience for customers?
- What post-development support and maintenance services do you offer? How do you handle bug fixes, updates, and ongoing technical support after the launch of the eCommerce platform?
- Can you provide references or client testimonials from past eCommerce projects? Can we reach out to some of your previous clients to inquire about their experience working with your company?
- What is the estimated timeline for our project? Can you provide a breakdown of key milestones and deliverables?
- How do you handle pricing and billing for eCommerce development projects? Do you offer fixed pricing or do costs vary based on project requirements?
- What is your approach to ensuring security and data protection for eCommerce websites? How do you safeguard sensitive customer information and implement secure payment gateways?
- How do you stay updated with the latest eCommerce trends, technologies, and best practices? Are you proactive in recommending innovative solutions that can benefit our business?
- What sets your eCommerce development company apart from your competitors? What unique value or expertise do you bring to the table?
How to choose the best eCommerce website design company?
Software, including eCommerce applications, can encounter issues both minor and major over time. It is crucial to avoid being left unsupported when problems arise. The challenge lies in the fact that many eCommerce app development companies may deliver a solution initially but fail to follow through with ongoing support. This can result in clients having an eCommerce platform that functions adequately in the early months but faces unforeseen technical difficulties later on, potentially leading to significant issues.
Furthermore, even the most exceptional and reliable software requires regular updates and maintenance as time progresses. Outdated software can incur significant expenses for a business as it fails to meet the evolving needs of customers. Moreover, if an eCommerce platform crashes, it can result in missed business opportunities.
Therefore, it is vital to choose an eCommerce app development company that not only provides a solution but also offers ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the platform’s longevity and uninterrupted performance.
At GoMage, we prioritize providing comprehensive solutions that extend beyond the initial development phase. We are committed to maintaining the stability, reliability, and efficiency of your platform, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of your business and customers, and helps your business thrive. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and discuss your project.
