As an eCommerce business owner, you know how important it is to have a functional and reliable website. Your website is the backbone of your business, and you need it to be optimized for conversions and user experience. That’s where a BigCommerce development agency comes in. Before diving into the six questions, let’s first understand what BigCommerce is and why is it so important to partner with a development agency.
Being one of the most popular eCommerce platforms worldwide, BigCommerce offers a range of features that can help your online business grow. However, to make the most of these features, you need a development agency that knows the ins and outs of the platform. And therefore, such partnerships can be a game-changer. Specializing in designing and developing customized eCommerce solutions on the BigCommerce platform, they can assist your business to achieve its goals faster and more efficiently. However, not all development agencies are created equally. To ensure that you’re working with the right one for your needs, it’s important to ask the following six questions before signing any contracts or making any commitments with them.
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6 Questions To Ensure That You’re Working With The Right BigCommerce Development Agency
Question 1. What is your experience with the BigCommerce platform?
First and foremost, you have to make sure that the agency you’re considering has significant experience working with the BigCommerce platform. For example, Pixel Union, which is a BigCommerce development agency, has worked with over 5,000 eCommerce businesses, including popular brands like Tesla, Red Bull, and Skullcandy. Their expertise in designing and developing high-converting eCommerce websites on the BigCommerce platform has earned them a 4.9-star rating on Clutch, a leading B2B ratings, and reviews platform. Therefore, while searching for agencies with a proven track record of success with past clients, make sure to ask for case studies (like how Pixel Union provides on their website), to support their claims. You can also dig deeper into any project that bears similarities to your business requirements and if possible, cross reference the work/quality delivered to the client’s existing website.
Question 2. What is your approach to project management?
Effective project management is crucial for the success of any website development project, especially when it comes to eCommerce sites that require complex functionality and integration with third-party tools. Ask the agency about their project management methodology and how they keep clients informed and involved throughout the development process. For instance, hiring agencies that use a four-phase project management approach, including discovery, design, development, and deployment gives you an idea to ensure clear communication and timely progress updates, which in turn makes it a smart choice for your business.
Question 3. Can you provide a portfolio of your work?
A reputable BigCommerce development agency should have a portfolio of work they’ve done for other clients. Ask to see examples of their work, and make sure to review their portfolio thoroughly. Look for examples of websites they’ve built on the BigCommerce platform, and pay attention to the design, functionality, and user experience. If possible, also try to find examples of projects that are similar to yours, so that you can get a better sense of what the agency can do for your business.
Question 4. What is your team’s expertise?
When you partner with a BigCommerce development agency, you’re essentially hiring a team of experts to help you build and grow your online store. An agency that provides specialized services such as custom checkouts, store migrations, and other advanced features, can greatly benefit your business. Custom checkouts can improve the user experience and increase conversion rates, while store migrations require technical expertise to ensure a smooth and seamless transition from your existing platform. Furthermore, other advanced features, such as custom app development, API integrations, and advanced analytics, can help your eCommerce business in going to the next level. Therefore, it’s essential to ask the right questions about an agency’s expertise to verify you are working with a team that can deliver the specialized services you need to succeed in today’s competitive eCommerce landscape.
Question 5. How do you ensure website security and performance?
Website security and performance are critical for eCommerce sites as they can impact customer trust and sales. Therefore, it is important to work with a reputable BigCommerce company that implements best practices and the latest security measures. This includes using SSL certificates to encrypt data transmissions, implementing firewalls and intrusion detection systems to prevent unauthorized access, and regularly updating software and patches to prevent vulnerabilities. Additionally, a reliable BigCommerce company will ensure that payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, etc, are integrated correctly and securely to protect customer data during transactions. They will also monitor website performance regularly, (to check if it’s optimized for speed and usability), and take proactive steps to prevent downtime and other performance issues. Thus, by partnering with a trusted and experienced BigCommerce company, businesses can ensure that their eCommerce websites are secure, reliable, and optimized for maximum performance.
Question 6. What is your pricing model?
Before signing a contract with any agency, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of its pricing model and the services that they offer. Some agencies charge a flat fee for their services, while others offer an affordable rate based regardless of the business size. Some BigCommerce web design company like CodeClouds have a monthly service pricing model across all their services – from custom theme development, checkout implementation, app development, etc. You can also get an estimate of your project requirements on their website by filling out a few details to help you get a grasp of the possible expenses and weigh it with your budget restraints, if any.
Key Takeaway
Partnering with a BigCommerce development agency can provide your business with the technical expertise and resources necessary to succeed in the competitive eCommerce industry. However, choosing the right agency ensures that your project is executed efficiently and effectively. By asking the six questions outlined in this article, you can gain a deeper understanding of an agency’s experience, process, communication, pricing, portfolio, and support. Armed with this information, you can also make an informed decision about which agency is the best fit for your specific business needs and goals and whether you should select it or not. So, take the first step today and start asking the right questions to find the perfect BigCommerce development agency for your online business needs.