Hiring the wrong Shopify developer is expensive. Not just the money you pay them, but the money you lose to a slow store, missed deadlines and work that has to be redone. These 12 questions will help you find someone who knows what they're doing.
Experience and Skills
1. Can I see Shopify stores you've built?
Look for live stores, not just screenshots. Check them on your phone: are they fast, easy to use and good-looking?
2. Do you work with Online Store 2.0 and Liquid?
A real Shopify developer should be comfortable with Liquid, sections, metafields and app blocks, not just installing themes.
3. Have you built custom apps or used Shopify Functions?
Not every project needs custom apps, but this shows depth. For checkout rules, discounts or integrations, it matters.
4. How do you approach site speed?
Good developers talk about image optimisation, app scripts and Core Web Vitals without being prompted.
Process and Communication
5. What's your process from start to launch?
You want clear stages: discovery, design, build, testing, launch and support.
6. How and when will we communicate?
Agree on channels (email, Slack, WhatsApp), update frequency and response times, especially across time zones.
7. Will you work on a development or unpublished theme?
Changes should never be made directly on your live theme.
8. How do you handle changes to the scope?
A good answer: changes are discussed, estimated and approved before they're done.
Business Terms
9. Is the price fixed or hourly?
Both can work. Make sure you understand what's included and what costs extra.
10. Who owns the code and the store?
You should own the store, the theme code and any custom app code.
11. What happens after launch?
Ask about post-launch support, bug fixes and ongoing maintenance.
12. Can I talk to a past client or read reviews?
Reviews on marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork, or testimonials with real names, help confirm quality.
Red Flags
- Promising a full custom store in a few days for a very low price.
- Asking for your Shopify login password instead of using a collaborator account.
- No portfolio of live Shopify stores.
- Vague answers about timelines and what's included.
- Installing many apps for things a few lines of code could do.
More warning signs in red flags when hiring a web developer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
Both can be great. Freelancers and small studios are often more affordable and personal; agencies may have more people. See freelancer vs agency.
How do I give a developer access safely?
Use Shopify's collaborator access, which gives permissions without sharing your password.
Looking for a Shopify developer? I've built Shopify stores and published two Shopify apps. Happy to answer all 12 questions on a free call. Shopify development or get a free quote.
Got a project in mind?
Tell me what you need — I’ll respond within 24 hours with a realistic plan and timeline.