Hiring the right freelance ecommerce developer is crucial for any business with an ecommerce website. With ecommerce growth predictions of 8.8% in 2024 it is more important than ever to make the best hiring choices for your company. According to CareerBuilder, the average cost of the wrong hire is $17,000, something 75% of employers surveyed said they have done. Challenges like emerging technologies, changes in skill sets, demand, and market trends play a major role in today’s hiring process.
We know the days of walking into a company and handing someone your resume have long been gone, but now with more and more people choosing the path of freelance work, we must once again shift how we hire. There are now 1.5 billion freelance workers worldwide and platforms to find these workers, like the ones in this guide, will hit a staggering $9570.3 million in 2030. With billions of potential employees and a vast sea of places to find them on the web, how do you even begin to find the right fit?
We have curated a list of the top places to find the right fit for your needs, what skills to keep an eye out for, how to write your job description to attract prime candidates, and even what questions you absolutely should be asking when it comes to interview time.
Hiring a Freelance Ecommerce Developer
Hiring a freelance ecommerce developer gives you the flexibility to hire on a full-time or part-time basis based on your needs. They provide flexibility and access to a global pool of talent that can offer special skills you simply might not be able to find locally. They are efficient at adapting to each company's needs allowing them to aid in scaling your business efficiently.
What does a Freelance Ecommerce Developer do?
Ecommerce developers are responsible for the foundation and maintenance of your online store. They handle everything from creating a friendly user experience to integrating secure payment gateways. Ecommerce experts ensure that your online presence not only looks good but runs smoothly and stays protected.
An efficient ecommerce developer will understand both the front and back end of the business they are working for. They will be able to build ecommerce solutions that drive sales and create great customer experience while simultaneously understanding from a front-end perspective why they are producing those solutions.
One successful freelance specialist explained just one of the many benefits of hiring workers like him by stating, “Unlike traditional 9-to-5 employees, freelancers are not bound by rigid working hours. They offer round-the-clock service, promptly addressing issues, bugs, or critical updates. In the 24/7 online marketplace, this non-stop availability is a game-changer.”
Freelancers not only utilize the flexible hours they work to ensure the work you need is done correctly and on time, but to further their skills by utilizing this flexibility to master multiple forms of technology making their expertise even more vital and useful.
When you hire dedicated freelancers you allow yourself the flexibility of hiring different people to fit the unique needs of each of your project requirements. While one freelancer might be perfect for project A, they might struggle to accomplish the needs of project B. By having the option and ease of choice that comes with hiring freelancers you will be able to make certain each item on your checklist gets done and done right.
A great freelance developer will be able to build custom ecommerce websites, integrate third-party services, optimize site performance, ensure the security of your website, develop mobile applications, and drive online sales.
Why Hire Freelance Ecommerce Developers?
Hiring freelancers allows you to have a unique custom approach to the project you need to work on utilizing different freelancers for different needs. Freelancers will always come with less initial costs than an in-house hire. Choosing from a vast pool of freelancers allows you to custom-fit experts for each unique problem or project you have.
We cannot talk about the benefits of hiring freelancers without mentioning the cost-effectiveness of doing so. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration employees cost on average 1.25 to 1.4 times their salary after you add in the additional costs associated with hiring in-house employees. Not to mention that according to the Society for Human Resource Management the cost of hiring an employee in 2022 was on average $4,700 and has only gone up in the last two years.
How to Hire Freelance Ecommerce Developers
The hiring process of finding the right freelancer can quickly become an overwhelming one once you realize just how many freelancers are ready to work for you and the list of platforms to locate them on is ever-expanding. The most efficient way to start your search is to understand exactly what your needs are. Do they have expertise in the technologies your company uses?
Once you understand the unique skills you need from your freelancer, the next question is where to find them. Lucky for you we have already done that work which you can refer to the list in this article to save you time. Once you choose one of these great websites and start looking for a freelancer, the next step is to decide what level of freelancer you need. A junior freelancer is a great cost-effective choice when you are just looking for basic maintenance. A mid-level developer will be able to accomplish the majority of tasks without needing much guidance and supervision. And of course, experienced developers will be able to do everything from confirming their work stays on brand with your company to developing software from scratch.
What Skills to Look For When Hiring Freelance Ecommerce Designers
| Technical Proficiency | Knowledge of eCommerce platforms (Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce), coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and frameworks. |
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| Experience with Payment Gateways | Integration and security. |
| UI/UX Design | Ability to create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces. |
| SEO and Analytics | Understanding of SEO best practices and ability to analyze site performance. |
| Problem-Solving Skills | Ability to troubleshoot and solve issues efficiently. |
| Communication | Clear communication skills for effective collaboration. |
| Project Management | Ability to manage deadlines and deliverables. |
| Adaptability | Ability to keep up with changing technologies and trends. |
Now that you know where to look for your freelancer you must make sure their skill set aligns with your needs. The ecommerce developer skills you will be looking for will mostly fall into three categories: Technical, cultural, and collaborative.
Are you looking to revamp your website? Make sure you focus on freelancers who showcase creativity and have done past work that fits the same aesthetic you are looking for. Do you need mobile applications to go along with your website? Focus on portfolios that showcase a lot of UI/UX design work. Elite freelancers are proficient in a wide range of tech and are an ecommerce development expert who can handle your unique needs.
Along with having a great set of technical skills, the freelancer you choose should fit in well with your company's culture, be a great communicator, and bring a collaborative approach to the work they will do for you.
When defining job requirements for freelance developers remember the following skills:
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Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of ecommerce platforms (Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce), coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and frameworks.
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Experience with Payment Gateways: Integration and security.
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UI/UX Design: Ability to create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces.
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SEO and Analytics: Understanding of SEO best practices and ability to analyze site performance.
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Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and solve issues efficiently.
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Communication: Clear communication skills for effective collaboration.
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Project Management: Ability to manage deadlines and deliverables.
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Adaptability: Ability to keep up with changing technologies and trends.
Tips for Writing a Freelance Ecommerce Designer Job Description
A well-seasoned freelancer can be picky with where they want to work so it is up to you to entice the right candidates. When putting together an ecommerce developer job description there are several factors to pay close attention to.
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Highlight exciting projects and cultural benefits your company can offer.
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Describe the hiring process in a clear and concise way.
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Utilize technical assessments for junior and mid-level developers.
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Schedule face-to-face interviews to determine cultural and collaborative synergy.
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Implement pair programming exercises to confirm a candidate is an all-around good fit.
Common Interview Questions to Ask When You Are Looking to Hire a Freelance Ecommerce Developer
When you reach the interview, you should have a good idea of what technologies they work with, similar ecommerce projects they have done in the past, and their overall skill set. The most important questions to ask will vary based on your needs for each project. If you are looking for simple technical skills your questions can be more surface level. Can they integrate third-party plugins and tools? What security measures will they integrate? How do they approach maintenance and support? A good response would be to discuss their past work with the tech you use, anecdotal evidence from when they have faced problems, and a thorough breakdown of how they approach maintaining these things.
If you are looking for someone to do large projects or completely overhaul your website it is important to ask more expansive and detailed questions. How do they approach such a large project? What kind of research do they do to make sure they are following the brand voice of your company? What is their turnaround time for such a large project and how much collaboration would they like to have?
How to Find Freelance Ecommerce Developers for Hire
Finding the right freelance ecommerce developer will take a flexible approach and the willingness to explore various potential channels. From job boards and talent agencies to simple networking can all aid in your search. But, the best sites to hire freelance ecommerce developers are platforms like the ones mentioned in this article.
A strategic approach to hiring ecommerce developers is essential for building your business. With an understanding of the evolving landscape, clearly defining job requirements, conducting effective interviews, and leveraging the right resources you can attract and retain top talent.
Considering that by 2040 its estimated that 95% of all purchases will be made through ecommerce, it's a good moment to start thinking about having a website that can sell your products or services.
All of these sites can help you find eCommerce website specialists. However, some sites are going to be a better fit than others based on your business needs.
For example, if expediency is of the utmost importance you may want to utilize a freelance marketplace that guarantees to match you with qualified eCommerce developers within a certain time period. Toptal provides a 48-hour guarantee, making it the fastest service on this list.
If you rather not leverage freelance talent, you may want to consider using a recruiting service or trying your luck on a niche job board.
Before committing to any one site or service, you should take a full survey of your organization’s needs. Consider the factors below:
- How quickly you want to hire an eCommerce developer
- Whether or not your company is equipped to hire freelance eCommerce developers
- Whether or not you need a Magento eCommerce developer
- How much money you have available for this hire
- How much you need to scale
- Whether or not you want the best eCommerce developers
Hiring Ecommerce developers FAQs
- How Do I Hire E-Commerce Developers?
With so many choices for e-commerce platforms, developers often specialize. You may prefer to choose a platform, then hire a developer with experience using it; you also might ask e-commerce developers for their recommendations regarding which platform to use. Before searching for a developer, set the parameters for your project:
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Budget
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The number of developers you need
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Measurable goals and expectations
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Hiring preference (part-time, full-time, or freelance)
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Scope, timeline, and duration
You can use top talent matching sites, freelance job boards, or a recruiting service to hire e-commerce developers. Adding skilled freelancers to your team often saves money.
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- How Much Does It Cost To Hire an E-Commerce Developer?
E-commerce developers earn an average of $94,389 yearly in the U.S., or $45 per hour. Annual earnings can vary between $25,000 and $182,000, depending on the developer’s years of experience, skill level, and location.
- Where can I find freelance Ecommerce developers?
- Some of the best platforms to hire are:
- Toptal
- GitHub
- Dice
- Gigster
- Upwork
See the complete list of sites to hire Ecommerce developers.
- Why Should You Hire an E-Commerce Developer?
If your e-commerce site doesn’t capture a consumer’s attention in eight seconds, they’ll likely go to a different site, and you lose a potential sale. In today’s competitive market, your online store needs to:
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Load quickly
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Have visual appeal and correct formatting for multiple devices
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Be user-friendly and easy to navigate
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Showcase your brand
There are many platforms and tools to enhance e-commerce store sites, with new technologies and features added often. To increase your exposure, brand awareness, and profits, consider hiring an experienced e-commerce developer to build, update, and maintain your site.
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- Are E-Commerce Developers in Demand?
Consumer trends show that more people prefer to make purchases online, and e-commerce growth rates continue to accelerate. As more companies open e-commerce stores, you need a competitive edge to succeed. The high demand for talented e-commerce developers should keep growing as more companies establish e-commerce stores.
