Here’s our top 5 factors to keep in mind when scouting out your next Shopify e-commerce agency:

‍1. Check Their Credentials 

This might seem obvious, but double check that your agency actually offers the services you’re after. From SEO to ERP, many agencies pepper their websites with a whole manner of digital jargon and buzzwords, and acronyms, so it’s worth reading between the lines to be sure of the true services they actually offer. Do they have case studies that showcase their work? If they offer email marketing services, are they accredited by the likes of Klaviyo or Omnisend? If they say they're a Shopify Plus agency, are they actually in the Shopify Plus Partner directory?

Sometimes a jack of all trades truly is a master of none. If they claim to offer every service under the sun, do your homework and check they have the experience and team to back these claims up.

2. Portfolio

‍How does each agency’s portfolio of work look? If you're a furniture brand, for example, it might seem obvious to scout around for an e-commerce agency who works primarily with home and interiors brands. But this might not necessarily be the right approach. Industry is one thing, but it’s also important to check the variety of work and complexity of projects they take on. 

Sometimes industries and brands that at first appear to be polar opposites can actually have surprisingly similar requirements. Do your reading and delve deeper into what the agency has actually done for those clients. Sure, names mean a lot, but project services mean more.‍

3. Team‍

When it comes to selecting the team who you’ll be working with for the next few weeks, months or even years, this isn’t something you should take lightly. About Us pages are there for a reason! 

Consider location, skill and years of experience. Are all their workers remote, or do they have proper offices? How many years have the team members worked there? And make sure the numbers add up. If your potential agency is promising 20+ services ranging from SEO to video content but only has 5 team members, alarm bells should be ringing. Either they’re superheroes who don’t sleep, or they won’t offer you a very in-depth service.‍

4. Scope

You've found what you hope is the right e-commerce agency for you, and they've sent you a scoping document. Now what? Once you’ve got your scope across, get out your magnifying glass and check out how detailed it is. Is there anything obviously missing? A scope needs to outline what you need and not what you want. The agency should be upfront about what it will take to make your vision a success.

They should carefully analyse your current tech stack, being clear about what works and what doesn’t, outlining the tech required, and importantly how much it will cost - not only in the first instance, but running costs over time and total cost of ownership. 

Costs aren’t only financial either - a scope should assess the impact upon your team too. Does it consider education and training required? Is there scope for business consultancy to reflect the wider changes your business will experience? 

With the details considered, there’s still questions to be asked. Is the total project viable in the timeframes the agency has laid out? And for retained services, does your budget match the goals your agency claims they’ll be able to meet? Don’t be afraid to push back if there are sections missing or the scope doesn’t match your expectations. This is your blueprint for the work to come - it should impress you from the start.

‍5. Finance

A financially stable and resilient agency will be able to make a project or retainer payment plan appealing to merchants, instead of just suiting their own needs. 

You’re the one paying for their services, so make sure that the finance plan suits you. Is the agency clamouring for large payments upfront? Be mindful of why this might be and do your homework. If a more steady and regular payment plan works for you, then don't be afraid to ask for it. The right e-commerce agency will be able to find a finance plan for you.

It Checks Out

Choosing an agency seems like a daunting task at the outset, and with significant investment on the line, you need to choose wisely. But by taking your time, asking the right questions, and by sweating the details, you’ll be able to make the right choice for your business. 

Still looking for an agency? Be sure to check out the rest of our website, and don’t forget to compare Kubix to this list. Whether for projects or marketing, we think you’ll like what you see.