Quick answer: hire a Shopify developer who can show you live stores they built, explains whether you need theme customisation or a custom theme, talks about speed and app costs without being asked, and gives you a written scope and fixed price. Typical freelance rates are around $30 to $100+ per hour.
Shopify is built to be easy, so many people who set up one store call themselves Shopify developers. That is fine for simple jobs. For a store that is your business, a few questions separate the experts from the enthusiasts.
What a Shopify developer does
From store setup and theme customisation to custom themes coded in Liquid, product configurators, metafields, checkout extensions and integrations. I explain the levels in Shopify development explained.
Decide what you need first
- Setup and design tweaks: a good Shopify designer or site builder can handle it.
- Custom sections, features or speed work: you need a developer comfortable with Liquid and JavaScript.
- Integrations with other systems: look for API experience.
What to check
- Live stores, tested on your phone, including checkout
- Reviews you can verify, for example on Upwork, Fiverr or the Shopify Partner directory
- Clear communication in the first conversation
- Questions about your products, customers and goals
Red flags
- Recommending lots of paid apps for simple needs
- No mention of store speed
- Wanting the store created under their account
- Vague quotes like “starting from” without a scope
What it costs
Store setups commonly cost $1,000 to $5,000 depending on products, design and features. Ongoing costs include your Shopify plan, apps and payment fees. I break this down in how much does a Shopify store cost.
How to brief a Shopify developer
- What you sell, how many products and variants
- Where you ship and how you price shipping
- Stores you like, and what specifically you like
- Apps you already use and why
- Budget, deadline and who will run the store day to day
Freelancer, agency or Shopify Expert?
For most small brands, an experienced freelancer offers the best mix of quality, cost and communication. Agencies suit large brands needing full teams. Whatever you choose, make sure the store and theme are owned by you.
Weighing WooCommerce too? Read how to hire a WooCommerce developer. To work with me, see my Shopify development service, the online store package, or send me your brief.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a Shopify developer?
Freelance Shopify developers commonly charge $30 to $100+ per hour. Store setups often cost $1,000 to $5,000, and custom themes or features cost more.
What does a Shopify developer do?
A Shopify developer sets up and customises stores, edits or builds themes in Liquid, configures apps, builds custom features and integrations, and improves store speed.
Should I hire a Shopify Partner?
Shopify Partners are listed in Shopify's directory, which is a useful starting point. Being a Partner is not a quality guarantee, so still check live stores and reviews.
