Finding a good ecommerce web development agency is a challenge. Although there are some helpful hints for selecting an e-commerce development company, it might be tough to come up with a list of questions to ask the agencies so that you can compare them and make an informed decision.
As a result, we've come up with a few suggestions that should be of great assistance to you.
They're divided into sections based on the themes they cover and for ease of reading.
Costs of developing an eCommerce website
· How did they arrive at your project's cost estimate?
· Can they summarise their pricing in a few lines or words?
· Why do they have a higher (lower) cost estimate than the majority of other agencies?
· What is the typical Total Cost of Ownership for similar projects that have been completed previously?
It's crucial to ask these questions only after you've considered your budget. If you don't know your budget, there's no point in asking for a price. Also, just because something is inexpensive does not guarantee it is good.
You're looking for evidence of their "process" beneath their pricing. If they can't explain why their price is what it is, they probably don't understand all of the procedures involved in establishing an eCommerce website, as well as the fees associated with each step.
My advice is to look for a new, more experienced ecommerce website development company.
E-commerce Website development experience
- Are they willing to show you their references?
- Have they catered to businesses like yours?
- How many more projects are there?
Those questions are being asked for two key reasons:
a) You're looking for any experience they have with businesses that are similar to yours. Such an agency would most likely spend less time learning about your product and the company's idiosyncrasies.
However, there is an additional question to consider in this circumstance. What if they didn't do a good job the first time? What if they didn't do a good job of learning about and understanding previous clients' businesses?
The answer is straightforward. Make contact with previous clients and inquire about their degree of happiness with the ecommerce website building company. Many development firms include clients in their portfolios just because they are well-known brands. A good-looking brand for their portfolio. As a result, make sure to contact those clients.
b) There's an additional motive to inquire about similar initiatives. You're looking for a similar experience with previous projects that had similar procedures and functionalities by asking those questions.
Whether you're looking for a certain feature, it's a good idea to ask the agency if they can do it or if they've previously done it. They'll probably do it faster if they've had any previous experiences with the requested capability.
eCommerce development steps and timeline
- Could you explain the processes involved in the creation of my eCommerce project?
- What is the anticipated completion date for the project?
- What happens if the estimated deadline is missed?
The process of a well-organized eCommerce development agency will be separated into numerous sections or phases. You're attempting to assess their level of organization by asking these questions.
The higher the level of agency organization, the more likely they are to do a good job.
By requesting a projected time frame, or deadlines, you may determine if it is too long in comparison to your needs and company objectives. Promises of short response times might often be a red flag. When working under a tight schedule, the agency may not deliver or test the completed website properly.
There is also a research report that claims that setting a deadline increases the likelihood of completing the task. Accordingly, if you want something done, there is always a valid reason to establish a deadline.
If an eCommerce agency refuses to provide you with a clear answer to predicted dates or asks you follow-up questions to figure them out, they most likely lack the necessary experience and competence.
eCommerce development agency post-production assistance
- How do you bill for post-production assistance? How much do you charge?
- What types of "problems" are covered by a warranty in the future? Is there a guarantee?
- In the post-development phase, what is your policy for continuous maintenance and upgrades?
The cost of creating a website includes not only the cost of "asset," but also the cost of "operation." In the long run, you must consider "cost." Some agencies charge less upfront and then charge extra for any post-production services.
That is why double-checking everything is also a smart idea. Every step ensures an eCommerce store's full functionality. Even after it has been delivered.
Certifications in eCommerce and knowledge
- How can you ensure that all of your staff have a good level of knowledge?
- As an ecommerce website development company, what certifications do you have?
- What certifications do your project team members possess?
If the agency claims to "have the knowledge," verifying that claim should be simple. Examining certifications is one means of doing so. Both the agency and its individual developers have received certifications.
It's straightforward. The field of eCommerce web development is rapidly evolving. Patches, upgrades, and even new technologies are being developed. You're attempting to determine whether or not they possess that expertise.
Another option is to check their blog (to see whether they are keeping up with the current changes) and portfolio section.
