In today’s competitive online marketplace, the success of an eCommerce platform hinges not only on the quality of its products but also on the expertise behind its development. While general developers possess valuable coding skills, the unique demands of eCommerce require a specialized approach.

This blog post explores the critical reasons why hiring eCommerce developers is essential for a successful implementation. We’ll delve into the complexities of the eCommerce landscape, the multifaceted role of developers, and the unparalleled advantages of using a framework we’ve helped shape over the years.

Quick Jump

The profession of a developer

Compared to other professions like a carpenter or a sailor, the profession of a developer is relatively young. It’s no surprise, then, that many people are unaware of how complex this work environment is. Mastery of programming languages, specific frameworks, and an in-depth understanding of computers are just the beginning. Often, developers dedicate a significant portion of their lives to reaching a proficient level. Every year, new technologies emerge, and existing ones become more intricate and complex, making it challenging to keep up.

Now, what if we add a specific industry to the mix? That’s right, programming extends beyond just eCommerce. Let’s not forget about developers building desktop applications, games, banking apps, or even smartphone applications.

Throughout my career, I have encountered many highly experienced developers with over a decade of experience, even those working with the same technology, such as PHP and Symfony. However, when it came to building an online store, they often lacked the necessary experience, having previously worked on accounting software, for example. Despite their 10 years of experience, they were once again like juniors.

The importance of specialization in eCommerce

This brings us to the core of why specialization in eCommerce development is crucial. Building an eCommerce platform is not just about knowing how to code. It requires a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in online sales, customer experience, payment gateways, security protocols, and scalability concerns specific to online stores.

Developers who specialize in eCommerce are familiar with the nuances of different eCommerce platforms, like Sylius or Shopware, and understand the importance of seamless user experience and efficient backend processes. They know how to optimize a website for search engines, ensure fast loading times, and integrate various third-party services that are essential for a fully functional eCommerce site.

Unique challenges in eCommerce development

One of the unique challenges in eCommerce development is handling high traffic volumes, especially during peak times like Black Friday or holiday sales. Regular developers might not be prepared for the complexities of scaling an online store to handle thousands of concurrent users while maintaining performance and security. eCommerce developers, on the other hand, have the experience and knowledge to implement solutions that ensure your site can handle these traffic spikes without crashing or slowing down.

Moreover, eCommerce sites are prime targets for cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature of customer information they handle. eCommerce developers are well-versed in the latest security protocols and best practices to safeguard against data breaches, ensuring that both your business and your customers are protected.

eCommerce: A vast world

Online sales have been growing year after year, with more and more experienced and new companies entering the world of online retail. You might not have even noticed, as these changes are happening constantly, but online stores have come a long way. Today, it’s not enough to simply list a product for sale, add a photo, and wait for sales to happen. The competition is fierce, and customer expectations are even higher.

Intuitive, user-friendly product search engines, filters, integrations with payment gateways, courier brokers, ERP systems, content management on the site, live chats, customer behavior analysis on the site, SEO… The list goes on. But this is a typical implementation in every one of our projects

Even a developer with many years of experience in another industry has likely never done this before.

The evolving landscape of eCommerce

The landscape of eCommerce has evolved significantly over the past few years. What used to be a straightforward process of setting up an online store has now transformed into a multifaceted endeavor that requires expertise in various areas. Today’s eCommerce platforms must offer a seamless and engaging user experience, robust security measures, and efficient back-end operations to stay competitive.

Key components of modern eCommerce development

  • User Experience (UX): Modern eCommerce sites need to be highly intuitive and easy to navigate. This includes advanced product search functionalities, comprehensive filtering options, and responsive design to ensure a smooth shopping experience across all devices.
  • Payment Gateway Integration: Integrating with multiple payment gateways is crucial to offer customers a variety of payment options. This requires knowledge of different APIs and the ability to ensure secure transactions.
  • Shipping and Logistics: Efficient integration with courier services and logistics providers is essential for smooth order fulfillment. This includes real-time tracking and automated updates to keep customers informed about their orders.
  • ERP Systems: Integration with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems helps streamline business processes, including inventory management, order processing, and customer relationship management. 
  • Content Management: Managing content effectively on an eCommerce site involves regular updates to product listings, blogs, and other information to keep the site relevant and engaging.
  • Customer Support: Features like live chat support can significantly enhance customer satisfaction by providing immediate assistance and addressing queries in real-time.
  • Data Analysis: Analyzing customer behavior on the site helps in understanding buying patterns and preferences, which can be used to optimize the shopping experience and marketing strategies.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Implementing SEO best practices is crucial to ensure that the online store ranks well on search engines, driving organic traffic and increasing visibility.

Why specialized eCommerce developers are essential

Given the complexity and specialized nature of these components, a developer with experience in general software development may not possess the specific skills and knowledge required for eCommerce development. This is where specialized eCommerce developers come in. They are well-versed in the unique challenges and requirements of building and maintaining successful online stores.

Their expertise ensures that the eCommerce platform not only functions correctly but also stands out in a crowded marketplace. They bring a deep understanding of industry-specific tools, best practices, and the latest trends, which are crucial for delivering a robust, secure, and user-friendly online shopping experience.

What are the most challenging parts of any eCommerce project?

The role of an eCommerce developer: Beyond just coding

When we build online stores, clients expect more than just coding. They look to us for support, assistance, and guidance. They want to describe their needs and rely on us to determine the best, fastest, and most cost-effective way to achieve their goals.

Given that the number of eCommerce projects we have implemented can be counted in the hundreds, we can confidently say we know our craft. Drawing from previous projects, we are aware of potential challenges and have solved virtually every eCommerce problem at least once. Often, a client will come to us with an idea, only to find that we have a much better solution. I’ve lost count of how many times clients have been grateful because we did something much better and faster simply because we already had experience in that area.

Understanding coding standards: A deep dive into best practices

Consultation and strategy: Key components of eCommerce development

An eCommerce developer’s role extends far beyond writing lines of code. Here are a few aspects that highlight the broader responsibilities we undertake:

  • Client Consultation: From the outset, we engage with clients to thoroughly understand their business needs and objectives. This involves detailed discussions about their vision, target audience, product range, and competitive landscape. Our goal is to translate their ideas into a functional and successful online store.
  • Strategic Planning: Based on our extensive experience, we offer strategic advice on the best practices for eCommerce. This includes recommendations on platform selection, design layouts, user experience enhancements, and marketing strategies that align with the client’s goals.
  • Problem-Solving Expertise: With hundreds of eCommerce projects under our belt, we have encountered and resolved a wide range of challenges. This expertise allows us to foresee potential issues and implement solutions proactively. Whether it’s optimizing site performance, enhancing security measures, or integrating complex systems, we’ve done it all.
  • Innovation and Improvement: Often, clients approach us with specific ideas, but our experience enables us to suggest more efficient or effective alternatives. This iterative process of consultation and improvement often leads to better results as we apply tried-and-tested methods tailored to the client’s unique situation.
  • Training and Support: Post-deployment, we provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure that clients can manage and optimize their online stores effectively. This includes user manuals, training sessions, and technical support.

Building long-term relationships

The relationship between an eCommerce developer and a client is not a one-time transaction. It is a partnership aimed at achieving sustained success. By providing continuous support and staying updated with the latest industry trends, we ensure that our clients remain competitive and their online stores continue to thrive.

The framework we love

Now, imagine adding a framework that we’ve been helping to build for many years into the mix. Over the years, we have developed dozens of plugins to address the most common issues, and for those that need to be implemented on a per-project basis, we have our tried-and-true methods. We know how to do this quickly; we don’t have to learn everything from scratch. We know our tools inside out, and this is our strength.

Sylius – The framework we love

Learn more >>
sylius-logo

Mastery of our framework

Our deep involvement in the development of the framework we use sets us apart. Here’s why our expertise in this particular framework is a game-changer:

  • Extensive Plugin Library: We have created a vast library of plugins designed to solve the most frequent problems encountered in eCommerce development. This means we can implement solutions quickly and efficiently without having to start from scratch each time.
  • Proven Solutions: For issues that need bespoke solutions, we have honed our approaches over numerous projects. Our methods are reliable and have been tested in a variety of scenarios, ensuring robustness and efficiency.
  • In-Depth Knowledge: Our long-term involvement with the framework means we have an intimate understanding of its capabilities and limitations. This allows us to leverage its full potential and avoid common pitfalls that less experienced developers might encounter.
  • Speed and Efficiency: Familiarity with our tools allows us to work faster and more effectively. We don’t waste time learning the basics; instead, we dive straight into solving problems and optimizing the eCommerce platform to meet the client’s needs.
  • Continuous Improvement: Being part of the community that builds and maintains the framework means we are always up-to-date with the latest developments and improvements. This continuous learning process ensures that we can offer the most advanced solutions to our clients.

Leveraging our strength

The framework we use is more than just a tool; it is a cornerstone of our success. By mastering it, we can deliver high-quality solutions that are tailored to our clients’ specific needs. This mastery translates into several key benefits for our clients:

  • Reduced Development Time: Our familiarity with the framework significantly reduces the time required to develop and deploy eCommerce solutions. This means faster time-to-market for our clients.
  • Cost Efficiency: Efficient development processes lead to cost savings, which we can pass on to our clients. This makes our services not only effective but also economical.
  • High-Quality Solutions: Our extensive experience ensures that the solutions we deliver are of the highest quality, with fewer bugs and issues. This leads to better performance and a smoother user experience for end customers.
  • Customization and Flexibility: Our deep knowledge of the framework allows us to offer highly customized solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each client, providing flexibility and adaptability.

Conclusion

Our long-term dedication to building and refining our chosen framework is a significant advantage. It equips us with the tools, knowledge, and experience needed to deliver exceptional eCommerce solutions quickly and efficiently. By leveraging our framework, we not only enhance our own capabilities but also provide our clients with reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective solutions that set them up for success in the competitive world of online retail. Our strength lies in our mastery of our tools, and this is what drives our ability to consistently exceed client expectations.

Are you looking for eCommerce developers for your project?

Contact us