Selecting the best Shopify app development company is a crucial for the success of your e-commerce business or a startup. Both businesses can have different sets of requirements thus it is important to understand the difference in requirement for both the businesses.
Skip to steps to find best shopify app development agency
E-commerce business: Let’s assume that e-commerce store – X has a Shopify store that is selling the eyewear and needs custom eyewear that is the best selling category for your business. In order to become a leader in this category it will be wise to provide a seamless experience that cannot be achieved by over 50 Shopify product customizer apps available in the Shopify app store. In this case you may need a private Shopify app that can do that for you
Private Shopify app can achieve your goals by providing users an option to select the frame type, color, size, glass color, type and even an option to upload prescription, if needed. At the same you want to show in real time, how the product will look as the user starts making different selections or make changes in those variants.
Because not all eyewear brands deal in custom eyewear and need sophisticated functionality on their Shopify store as eCommerce Store – X need. In this scenario, X can go for a private app that will be designed-and-deployed on this store only and will not be available to the public.
Private apps doesn’t go through complex Shopify app review process by Shopify app review team and can be deployed on the site as soon as it gets ready.
Startups/SAAS companies
Startups and SAAS companies are in constant search of finding the next big idea and building their business around that. Sometimes they want to tap in the opportunities created by Shopify. They may like to build an app that will work as an extension to their existing software or have an idea that can help hundreds of thousands Shopify store owners by either improving their business processes or build the feature that is not offered by Shopify
Public Shopify app is the best choice for startups that are looking to build an app that will resolve the problem of hundreds of thousands of store owners because their business model relies on app subscriptions, so more paid installation means more revenue.
Public Shopify apps must be reviewed by the Shopify app review team before they can be published on the Shopify app store.
Know more about difference between Private Shopify app and Public Shopify app in detail
Here are the steps to help you choose the right agency
1. Define Your Requirements: Start by clearly defining what you need in a Shopify app. Determine the features and functionalities you want and your timeline. Having a clear scope will help you identify the right shopify app development partner.2. Research: Use online resources, including Shopify’s Development Partner Directory, Google, and e-commerce forums to compile a list of potential Shopify app development companies. Your shortlisted shopify app development companies must have experience of developing Shopify apps.
3. Check Portfolios: Visit the websites of the companies on your list and check their shopify app portfolios. Look for case studies or examples of previous Shopify apps they have developed. This will give you an idea of their expertise and the quality of their work.
4. Read Reviews and Testimonials:
Search for reviews and testimonials from clients who have worked with these companies. Reading about other clients’ experiences can provide insights into their professionalism, communication, and the success of their projects. *Note – You may not find reviews and testimonials specifically about Shopify apps from their clients as many times clients fail to mention that they hired the agency for Shopify app development.
5. Contact References: Don’t hesitate to reach out to the shopify development companies and ask for references. Speaking directly with their previous clients can give you a better understanding of what it’s like to work with them.
6. Evaluate Expertise: Assess the technical expertise of the company. Do they have a team of experienced shopify developers, designers, and project managers?
7. Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication is essential. Engage in initial conversations with the companies to gauge their responsiveness, willingness to understand your project, and ability to communicate clearly.
8. Ask About Process: Inquire about their development process. A well-defined process ensures that the project is completed on time and within budget. Ask how they handle project management, changes in scope, and potential delays.
9. Cost and Timeline: Get detailed quotes from multiple companies. Compare the cost, timeline, and payment terms to ensure they align with your budget and schedule.
10. Support and Maintenance: Inquire about post-launch support and maintenance services. A good shopify app development agency should offer ongoing support and updates for your app with the paid monthly support plan.
11. Nearshore or Offshore: Hiring a Shopify agency near your business can be really good because you can meet them in person but make sure they are really great in Shopify app development. If you are planning to hire someone offshore make sure you have detailed project scope to avoid any issues in the long-run.
12. Divide project into small sprints: It is best to divide the project into multiple sprints to make sure that your shopify agency is doing the good job and project is right on track and nothing is missed in the development process.
13. Regular review meetings: This is the most important aspect of Shopify app development process and yet the most overlooked one. Schedule regular meetings with shopify agency to make sure that you know what’s going on with the project and it is aligned with your project.
14. Be realistic with expectations: Shopify has some api’s available to Shopify plus plan only so if you need a feature that is only available to Shopify Plus, you will need to either remove that feature or build the app to work on Shopify Basic and Shopify Plus.
15. Cost over quality: Seen many startups and e-commerce companies go for the cheapest quote they get their hands on, instead look for quality else the smallest amount you pay for an app would go to waste. Bounty point – Shopify app development lifecycle starts from 3 months and can take more than a year as well. Based on our experience Shopify app development cost starts from $10,000 and can go upto 100k in some cases
Remember that finding the right Shopify app development company is not just about cost; it’s also about finding a shopify partner who understands your business goals and can deliver a high-quality product. Take your time during the selection process to make an informed decision.
