How to choose a developer to set up an online store that sells

You've just realised your product or service needs its own storefront, and you're looking at developer profiles trying to figure out which one won't disappear after launch or hand you something unworkable. The difference between a developer who can build an online store and one who can build *your* online store is sharp and practical — and it matters far more than their portfolio images or how quickly they promise delivery.

Does the developer understand your actual business model?

This is the first real filter. A developer who has built stores selling physical goods shipped nationwide is not the same as one who has experience with digital downloads, subscriptions, or made-to-order items with long lead times. Ask them plainly: what kinds of stores do they build most often, and what's different about yours? If they give a generic answer or seem to treat all e-commerce as interchangeable, that's a red flag.

Specifically, ask how they've handled inventory management, shipping integrations, or payment settlement in past projects similar to yours. If you're selling something unconventional — limited drops, custom orders, mixed physical and digital — tell them upfront and listen to whether they ask clarifying questions about how you'll manage it. Developers who dig into your workflow before quoting are filtering themselves: they're only taking on builds they've solved before or can confidently adapt.

Can they show working stores they've actually built?

A portfolio is not proof. Designers often show screenshots of beautiful front-ends; what you need is the URL of a live store they built, so you can add something to a cart, see the checkout, and ideally ask the owner how it's performing. It's reasonable to ask: "Can you share three stores you've built in the last two years, and can I contact one of those owners to ask how it's running?" Developers confident in their work say yes.

Notice whether the store feels responsive on mobile, whether the search function works, how the checkout feels. Is it fast? Does it have obvious gaps (like no way to track orders, or payment options that don't load)? These aren't cosmetic details — they're hints about whether the developer prioritises functionality that drives sales or just visual completion.

Do they have a clear view of your role versus theirs after launch?

Many relationships fracture here. Before you hire, clarify: who updates product images and descriptions? Who handles customer support queries about orders? Who troubleshoots if a payment method breaks? Who runs backups and security updates? A developer who treats launch as the end of the relationship, leaving you scrambling to learn the backend, is not the right fit.

Ask what admin training they offer and whether they'll be reachable for urgent issues in the first month post-launch. Some developers build stores and stay on as part-time support; others hand you the keys and expect you to become fluent. Neither is wrong, but you need to know which one you're getting. If they can't articulate this clearly, ask them directly: "What does ongoing support look like, and what am I responsible for?"

What framework or platform are they proposing, and why?

You've likely heard of Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom builds, but the developer's reasoning matters more than the tool. Ask them: why this choice for your store? If they say "because I know it best" or "because it's fastest," they're optimising for themselves, not you. A developer who says "Shopify because you want to focus on inventory and marketing, not technical upkeep" or "WooCommerce because you need deep integration with your supplier systems" is explaining the trade-off, not hiding it.

Most importantly, can they show you a store they've built on that platform that's been running live for at least a year? Platforms age differently; a store that felt snappy at launch can become sluggish or inflexible as it grows. Real experience with your platform *at scale* is worth more than a smooth sales pitch.

When you're comparing developers, you're really comparing who understands stores that have to work — not just launch and look impressive. Strove lets you filter by verified e-commerce builders and read feedback from shop owners who've already lived through the launch and aftermath. That lived experience from real traders is often the clearest signal of who's ready for yours.