Shopify Plus is a fully hosted corporate eCommerce platform for merchants and brands with a strong growth rate. Shopify’s Plus offering now includes a sophisticated set of features. Then the company gained considerable market share from enterprise incumbents. Therefore, it has more and more popularity thanks to its convenience. Consequently, lots of companies choose this platform to start their company online. However, not every firm can be familiar with this site. Besides, they want to save time to build it and can run their online business immediately. As a result, the Shopify Plus agency appears and gives you service to build your site quickly. But it can make you feel confused because you don’t know how to choose between a pool of agencies. Each firm claims that it can give you the best services and different operations. In this article, Magesolution will point out some features to help you find out what agency suits your business.
Shopify Plus partner vs Shopify expert
Shopify’s entry-level accreditation for agencies using its platform is “Shopify expert.” To gain Shopify experts, they are officially acknowledged by the Shopify platform. However, the standards for achieving this certification are not strict or onerous. Any agency that works with Shopify can be certified as a Shopify specialist, although one agency may offer far inferior services than another.
Shopify’s badge of merit is “Shopify Plus Partner.” These firms must pass a thorough evaluation process that includes a track record of proven Shopify success stories. Shopify Plus partners don’t simply talk; they have a track record of delivering results and taking action.
Therefore, according to our advice, Shopify Plus partners will be a good choice. Because they really understand what they do.
Searching for a Shopify plus agency – what to look for
A Shopify Plus agency to suit your company, brand, and project
Industry
Every Shopify Plus agency has a portfolio of previous work from a single or a few industries. In order to filter and choose, you should make your way through each agency’s website.
It’s worth noting that, while working in the same business, each Shopify Plus agency will have its own strategy and look. For example, two companies dealing with businesses in the Fashion market will not create the same types of websites. Because the appearance and feel will differ.
As a result, you’ll need to select a Shopify Plus partner who not only understands your business but also understands your brand. One who knows and supports your business philosophy and can relate to your target market. What is the best way to achieve this? Look for firms who have created designs you like, have development processes you like, or have previously worked with companies you trust.
You won’t only have a development agency on your side if you find one that checks these boxes. You’ll also have a proactive e-commerce partner.
Services
You can’t only hunt for Shopify Plus agency in your sector, though. For example, you’re in the fashion sector and need UI/UX development and strategy for your new platform. Then you’ll need a company that can handle both.
Filter your search on the directory once again, and then work your way through the Shopify Plus partners. Check out their websites, but keep in mind that the platforms are only as good as the people behind them! Contact the agencies you’re interested in to learn more about their specific expertise and interests. (At some point, you’ll need to pitch one or both of these agencies.) If you’re not sure how to accomplish it, take a look at our instructions here.)
The Plus partners will know whether or not they are the ideal fit for your project and will tell you so. If you’re lucky, they could even be able to suggest you in the direction of a more acceptable Plus partner if they can’t accept your proposal.
You can also request a referral from Shopify. Their partner managers are intimately familiar with each Shopify Plus partner and can assist you in matching expertise to your specific project.
A Partner That Suits Your Budget
You have to be concerned about your budget. Each Shopify Plus agency will have its own pricing structure, with some being flexible and others not. Hence, there are agencies that provide the services you require and have worked with the types of brands you desire. However, it will not be the best if they are too pricey.
When speaking with Shopify plus agency, be sure to bring up the topic of pricing. Some may have varied frameworks for different clients and may be willing to work with even the smallest budgets.
You will be asked about your project budget at some point during the process. This is very typical, so don’t be offended if the agency asks. Because they’re only trying to figure out what deliverables are realistic for your budget.
Be open and honest about your financial situation. If you go in low to try to obtain the job for less money, the agency will suggest work that fits within your budget. It means you might not receive everything you wanted, even if you could afford it.
Before giving your budget, it’s a good idea to ask for a pricing range. This will allow you to:
- See if your budget is realistic
- Avoid getting overcharged if your budget is high
- Better understand the factors that can influence the price
Choose an agency you can build a long-term relationship with
Let’s get to the meat of the matter. Ideally, you want to work with a Shopify Plus agency that will be a long-term partner. You aren’t seeking instant outcomes because that isn’t how businesses operate. Sure, you want someone who can assist you get things started quickly, but what happens once your website is up and running? Seeking an agency that will address your inquiries by picking up the phone or scheduling a meeting with you. Look for someone who can assist you in implementing continuing tactics that will help your company grow and prosper over time.
Look for quality over quantity
When it comes to hiring someone to assist you with your business, you should always look for top-notch talent. If the Shopify Plus agency you’re working with isn’t responsive or qualified for the task, it doesn’t matter if they have 50 or 500 employees. Before you sign up with a firm, talk to them to find out what they have to offer. Meet the folks with whom you’ll be collaborating and speak with an account manager. Senior talent should be sought out above entry-level employees and unpaid interns. When it comes to getting down to business, a personalized experience and someone who can pick up the phone or respond to an email will make all the difference.
Refer to portfolio
Always request a portfolio of previous projects from a possible agency; most will be pleased to oblige.
Keep in mind, however, that most agencies are quite busy and may not have time to present each project in their portfolio with a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind it, how it was accomplished, and so on. This has nothing to do with the quality of their work; it’s simply a reflection of the time they have available (and surely that’s a positive indicator if they spend all of their time working on their clients’ sites?).
Another thing to keep in mind is that once a client has a website, they can make adjustments at any moment. As a result, the site you’re viewing may not be the version given by the agency; the client may have made changes at a later date. So, instead of judging them solely on the basis of one project, consider their entire body of work.
You should also consider the kind of clientele with whom the agency works. Do they prefer to work with small businesses or large corporations? Are they able to create fully customized websites or theme setups? What are the names of the companies with whom they’ve collaborated?
Consider about reviews
Look for reputable recommendations from previous clients in addition to previous work.
You can find and read on reputable websites like Google, Trustpilot, Facebook, and Yelp. After you’ve considered the review, look through the portfolio to see if you can locate the client who left it. This will assist you in matching the outcomes to the input.
You could also investigate the accounts that wrote the reviews to make sure they are genuine customers. Also, if you come across any negative feedback, dig into it deeper. What was the agency’s response? Bad reviews happen; the main thing is to understand why they happened and what the agency did to try to fix the problem.
How to contact a Shopify Plus agency
First impressions matter
First impressions play an important role in contacting a Shopify Plus agency.
The initial contact will most likely consist of you introducing the project, discussing your goals and expectations, and determining whether the agency is available and able to assist you.
Here’s a hint that will save you time and money at this stage: everyone in this profession is usually extremely busy, and many are in a position to select the clients with whom they want to deal. This holds true the more skilled an agency is and the higher its reputation is.
If you want to work with a Shopify Plus agency, you should stay away from the following:
- Being disrespectful
- Behaving as though they should feel honored that you’re interested in working with them
- Being a slacker and merely supplying the bare minimum of information
- Being irresponsible
Providing a brief
Your concept for the site will be laid down in the initial brief. It’s tempting to give only the bare minimum of information at this point, but it’s critical to think about things from the agency’s perspective. They’ll go through every detail in your brief and consider how they can put it into action. As a result, make sure your brief is as detailed and accurate as possible.
If you’re commissioning a custom design, be as specific as possible in your brief. This will provide a precise starting point for the designers. Then it guarantees that the developers are aware of the features and functions they will need to implement.
If the brief isn’t for a fully customized site, divide it into two sections: must-haves and optional features. Remember that each must-have point can raise the price, so depending on your budget and whether you’re building an MVP or not, make sure the must-have list only includes the absolute necessities.
Design firms may occasionally supply a quick formatting document to ensure you include all of the information they require. If they offer it, take advantage of it.
Ask price range before the price
The pricing procedure can take a long time because it takes time to figure out all of the work that needs to be done. If the agency asks for more information, it’s because they want to obtain a better view of the project as a whole. So don’t pressure them into giving you a final price before you have all of the relevant information – this will simply lead to them giving you a higher quote just to be safe.
Instead, get a pricing range to verify that it will fit within your budget.
See how the company approaches your project
Finally, think about how the agency will approach your project. You should be able to observe their customer service and experience in action.
Remember that you should choose an expert who can lead you through the process and provide the best recommendations for your company. Consult with the agency to see what they recommend and if they can provide you with solutions to boost the project’s value.
Conclusion
There are more and more agencies in this field so it’s quite difficult to pick one without any standard. Therefore, through this article, we make a list for you to check which agencies will be suitable for your business. If you are still confused about it, Magesolution will be a good choice. Our company is a partner with Shopify, so we are confident to provide the best service: Shopify plus development. Therefore, if you have any questions, contact us to have more information.
