Hire Someone to Build a Shopify Store: Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about launching your Shopify store, but not sure where to begin?

You’re not alone.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or migrating from another platform, hiring someone to build your Shopify store can save you time, money, and a ton of stress – if you do it right.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before hiring a Shopify expert – where to find one, what to look for, what to prepare, how much it costs, and what to expect from the process.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Key Takeaways 🔍

• You can hire Shopify experts from platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Storetasker.
• Prices range widely from $300 to over $2,500+ depending on the store’s complexity.
• Always look for reviews, past store examples, and a clear process before hiring.
• Preparing a simple brief upfront will save you back-and-forth headaches later.
• Set realistic expectations around timeline, revisions, and support.

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1. Understand What You Actually Need

Before hiring anyone, take time to figure out your goals.

What do you want your Shopify store to do?

Here’s a simple table to help you define what kind of help you’re looking for:

Common use cases:

• Launching a brand-new store: You’ll need help with design, theme selection, product uploads, and setting up payments and shipping.
• Redesigning an existing store: Look for a designer who can audit your current site and improve it for mobile and desktop.
• Technical setup: You’ll need a developer if your store needs integrations (like custom apps or APIs).

If you’re planning to scale with influencer marketing, SEO, or paid traffic, it’s important to plan your store around that from day one. A conversion-focused layout, optimised product pages, and fast load times will make a big difference once traffic starts rolling in.

Also think about your team and tech comfort level. If you’ll be managing the store yourself post-launch, make sure the backend is simple to navigate. It’s better to hire someone who can customise your admin tools as well – not just the storefront.

Tip: Don’t just say “I want a nice-looking store.” Be clear on functionality. Do you want upsells? Email capture? Subscription options? Add that to your brief.

2. Where to Hire Shopify Experts (Extended)

There are several reputable places to find Shopify talent, but not all platforms are equal.

Here are some options:

My personal recommendations:

• Storetasker is great if you want a smooth, curated experience.
• Upwork gives you more control, but expect to do a bit more vetting.
• Shopify Experts Marketplace is ideal if you want someone who’s already certified.

Also keep in mind that many agencies and freelancers now build their presence off-platform. Check out portfolios on Dribbble, Behance, or their personal websites – sometimes the best Shopify designers don’t rely on marketplaces at all.

When in doubt, ask for referrals inside ecommerce communities or Facebook groups. Peer recommendations can cut your vetting time in half.

Be wary of generalist developers offering Shopify services as one of many – it’s usually better to hire someone who builds Shopify stores full-time. The platform has its own quirks, and experience matters when it comes to troubleshooting speed, app conflicts, and checkout UX.

3. What to Look For in a Shopify Developer or Designer

There are hundreds of people calling themselves “Shopify experts.”

Here’s how to spot the good ones.

Key qualifications to check:

• Portfolio with real Shopify examples (check the URLs)
• Experience in your niche (e.g., fashion, fitness, homeware)
• Knowledge of mobile optimisation & CRO
• Strong communication skills
• Clear contract, deadlines, and revision policy

Red flags to avoid:

• No portfolio or only screenshots (not live stores)
• Vague pricing (no clear scope)
• Poor grammar in communication (shows lack of detail)
• Overpromising on timeline (good design takes time)

It’s also worth checking if they have experience with specific Shopify tools you plan to use – like PageFly, ReConvert, or Klaviyo.

If you’re building a subscription model, for instance, make sure they’ve used Recharge or similar tools before. Small tech details can have a big impact on user experience and retention.

Finally, good developers will ask smart questions. If all they do is nod and agree, that’s a red flag. You want someone who’ll challenge your assumptions when needed and push for what works best – not just what’s easiest to build.

Tip: Ask this question: “What’s your process from start to finish?”
Good experts have a step-by-step workflow. They won’t wing it.

4. How Much Does It Cost to Hire Someone to Build a Shopify Store?

Prices vary depending on:

• Project scope
• Design needs
• Features (subscriptions, multilingual setup, etc.)
• Level of customisation

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Hidden costs to keep in mind:

• Shopify plan fees (Basic starts at $29/month)
• Apps (many have monthly subscriptions)
• Domain name
• Product photos or branding assets

It’s a good idea to set aside an extra 15–20% of your budget for unplanned changes. Maybe you need an extra page. Maybe you decide to add a sticky cart or improve mobile UX last minute. Most projects expand once you see your store in action.

You should also consider ongoing support. Some freelancers charge a monthly retainer for updates or tech help, while others bill per task. Clarify how they handle post-launch edits and bug fixes to avoid surprise charges later.

Always clarify what’s included in the quote – revisions, mobile testing, SEO setup, and launch support should all be specified.

5. What to Prepare Before Hiring

Your expert isn’t a mind reader.

Here’s what you should have ready to make the project run smoothly:

Essentials:

• Logo (or at least a brand colour palette)
• Product photos and descriptions
• Your ideal store layout (show 2–3 sites you like)
• Your target customer
• Apps you want to use (email marketing, upsells, etc.)

Optional (but helpful):

• Branding guidelines
• Homepage wireframe or sketch
• Your competitors’ websites
• Content for About, FAQs, Returns pages

You don’t need everything perfect before hiring – but having clarity speeds up the process and lowers the cost. Freelancers spend extra time going back and forth when clients are unsure, which can slow your timeline.

If you’re not confident in your branding yet, consider hiring someone to do that as a first step. A clean logo, typography, and colour palette will guide the entire design and make your store feel consistent from homepage to checkout.

The more you prepare upfront, the faster (and cheaper) the project will be.

6. Understanding the Process

Working with a Shopify developer or designer usually follows this flow:

Typical workflow:

• Initial consult (requirements + budget)
• Proposal and contract (timelines + deliverables)
• Mockup/wireframe (based on your input)
• Design + development phase
• Revisions and testing
• Launch
• Post-launch support (usually 2–4 weeks)

Make sure everything is written down in the contract – including what happens if things go wrong.

It’s also a good idea to agree on a communication schedule upfront. Will you get weekly updates? Are they using project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion?

These small details help keep things on track and avoid last-minute surprises. A clear feedback loop is essential – especially during the revision stage, where delays often happen.

If your store involves more advanced functionality (custom product builders, subscriptions, multilingual setups), ask them to map out how those pieces will be handled early in the process.

Complex features can take more time than expected and may require third-party support or app workarounds. Better to plan now than to patch things later.

7. Should You Hire a Freelancer or an Agency?

Depends on your budget and expectations.

If it’s your first store and you’re on a budget, go with a freelancer. If this is a big brand or long-term business, an agency might be worth it.

Agencies often come with a full team – designer, developer, copywriter, and strategist – so you’re not relying on one person to handle it all.

That’s helpful if your store is part of a larger marketing plan or if your product requires more than just a basic setup. Plus, they’ll usually guide you through strategy, not just execution.

Freelancers, on the other hand, tend to be faster and more affordable. They’re ideal for lean startups, side hustlers, or small businesses testing the waters.

Just make sure you check their past work and confirm they’re comfortable owning the full process from mockup to launch.

8. Tips to Avoid Getting Burned

Plenty of horror stories exist – developers disappearing, timelines dragging on, or stores that don’t work properly.

Here’s how to avoid that:

My personal checklist:

• Ask for 2–3 real store links they’ve built
• Read reviews (check for consistent praise or recurring complaints)
• Pay in milestones (not 100% upfront)
• Get a written agreement or contract
• Clarify post-launch support (bugs, edits, etc.)

If someone’s charging $2,000 but can’t show past stores, walk away.

You can also protect yourself by setting expectations upfront around response times and availability. Will they reply within 24 hours?

Are they in your time zone? These details seem small until you’re mid-project and can’t reach them for days. Freelancers who are booked solid or juggling too many clients can become unresponsive – even if they mean well.

Lastly, don’t skip the onboarding call. It’s your chance to evaluate not just their skills but their attitude. Are they asking the right questions?

Do they understand your niche? Chemistry matters just as much as competence when you’re trusting someone with your store.

9. When to Do It Yourself vs. Hiring Help

You might be tempted to save money and build it yourself – and that’s a valid choice for small test stores or MVPs.

Here’s a side-by-side to help you decide:

Shopify makes it possible to do it yourself, but if you want it done fast and done right, hiring is worth the investment.

If you go the DIY route, expect a learning curve. Shopify is user-friendly, but designing for conversions takes experience.

A professional will think through things like user journey, bounce rates, and mobile UX. DIY setups often miss these small details – which end up costing you in lower conversion rates.

That said, starting on your own can be useful for validating your idea. If your first version gets traction, you can reinvest profits into a custom store later.

Plenty of successful brands started scrappy – but they all upgraded once they had momentum.

10. After Launch: What Happens Next?

Once your store is live, the real work begins – driving traffic, testing conversions, and optimising pages.

Here’s what you’ll want from your developer/designer after launch:

• Support window (7–30 days) for bugs and issues
• Training (if they built custom features)
• Recommendations for next steps (CRO, SEO, email marketing)

Ask them for a walkthrough of the admin panel, so you’re not stuck later.

You should also test your store from both desktop and mobile before launching any ads. Go through the entire buyer journey: homepage > product page > cart > checkout.

Check load speed, broken links, image quality, and button placements. Small tweaks after launch can have a big impact on user experience and sales.

And remember – launching your store is just the beginning. You’ll need to focus on long-term growth with content, social media, paid ads, and email marketing. Many store owners stall out after the build phase. Don’t let that be you.