Shopify Development Company vs. Freelancer: Which Is Right for You?

When it comes to developing Shopify stores, there’s a lot of confusion whether to hire a Shopify development company or a freelancer for the project. While freelancers can be more budget-friendly upfront, a specialized Shopify development agency is often the smarter choice for creating a high-performing store that will serve you well for years to come.

The investment in a Shopify Development Company’s expertise, reliability, scalability, and accountability pays off in the long run. In this blog, we shed light on this topic, comparing both options and determining the superior choice.

Shopify Development Agency vs. Freelancer

Agency

An agency has a team of developers, designers, and project managers focused on Shopify. They are continuously updating their knowledge on the latest features, apps, and best practices. With an agency, you’ll get:

• Experience: Agencies have launched many Shopify stores, so they know what works.
• Pool of Talent: Agencies employ developers and designers with proven Shopify skills and experience.
• Support:Agencies offer ongoing support to help keep your store running well after the initial build.

Freelancer

Hiring a freelance Shopify expert can also be a great option, especially for smaller projects. Some benefits of working with a freelancer include:

• Lower cost: Freelancers typically charge less than an agency, especially if you find someone relatively new to Shopify.
• Flexibility: It may be easier to find a freelancer for a short-term project versus signing a long-term contract with an agency.
• Personalized service: Working one-on-one with a freelancer can feel more personalized versus dealing with an agency team.

Key Benefits of Working With an Shopify Development Agency

Working with an agency that specializes in Shopify development has some key benefits over hiring a freelancer. A few points are mentioned below:

• Expertise: Shopify agencies have teams of developers, designers, and project managers who focus exclusively on building Shopify stores. They possess comprehensive knowledge of the platform and remain updated on the latest features, apps, and best practices. Freelancers typically work with a variety of technologies and may lack in-depth Shopify knowledge. 
• Capacity: An agency has the resources and capacity to scale up development and support to match your needs. They can also help strategize ways to improve conversion rates, increase traffic, and boost sales over the long run. Freelancers may struggle to keep up with the demands of an expanding store.
• Accountability: Reputable agencies stand behind their work and customer service. If there are any issues with your store after launch, the agency will fix them. They have a vested interest in your success and satisfaction. Freelancers frequently lack the capacity to offer equivalent support and accountability.
• Dedicated team: With an agency, you get an entire team of Shopify experts focused on your store, not just one person. This means more brainpower, experience, and accountability. If someone is out sick or quits, the rest of the team has your back. Shopify agencies have proven processes and dedicated project managers to keep things on schedule.
• Ongoing support: Most agencies offer ongoing support and maintenance for your store to keep it secure, up to date, and performing well. With a freelancer, the relationship usually ends once the initial build is done.

Conclusion

For larger, complex projects or if you need ongoing support, an agency like CartCoders may be better equipped. Freelancers may have more limited availability. Make sure you check any freelancers work thoroughly to ensure they have the necessary experience. An agency may also be able to deliver a more polished end result with input from multiple team members.

In the end, you need to weigh the pros and cons for your specific needs and budget. Either choice, if made carefully, can lead to a successful Shopify store build and partnership. The most important things are a proven track record of success, open communication, and a shared vision for your store goals.

So, unless you have a very small budget or simple needs, a professional Shopify development agency is probably your best bet. They have the team, experience, reliability, and knowledge to build and support a Shopify store that can scale with your business. An investment in the right agency partner will pay off with a successful store that keeps your customers coming back.