What to Look for When Choosing a BigCommerce Partner or Agency
Nowadays, having a BigCommerce partner or agency is crucial to the success of your eCommerce store. Once you’ve decided that taking on a partnership is the right move, what is there to do next? Weigh your options according to your business.
We at DigitlHaus are passionate about eCommerce and want businesses to grow and thrive. As industry pros, we know there are some agencies out there that will be perfect for you, and others… not so much.
To help you out, here’s a checklist of what we think are the most important questions you need to consider when you need to choose a BigCommerce Partner or agency.
Do they have reviews?
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you need look at an agency’s reviews. What are their credentials? Do their reviews from other clients match up with what they display on their website?
An agency can boast all they want on their site, but that means next to nothing if you can’t find any reviews from previous clients. If they have none—thank you, next.
Are they an elite partner?
By going to the BigCommerce Elite Partners webpage you can browse through a list of agencies. You can look at their services, reviews, and other credentials by clicking on their elite partner page. Just a little research and you might find your agency match.
Can they meet your timeline?
One of the most important things is to be transparent about your timeline with an agency. Clearly define your expectations and goals when it comes to the work you need done and when you need it done. Reach out to a BigCommerce elite partner and see if they can accommodate your needs.
Do they have the experience your looking for?
Most of the time, a portfolio speaks volumes about an agency. Take the time to look through their work and see if they’ve done the work you want from them.
For example, if you’re looking for a redesign, you’re not going to go with an agency that is clearly lackluster in their design style. Their portfolio needs to be immaculate and what you want displayed for your business.
How does the statement of work (SOW) / proposal look?
Any agency or partner’s statement of work or proposal needs to be specific. You need to ensure that the proposal is presented in detail and covers both you and the agency itself. Neither party needs or wants to get screwed over.
If a proposal is only one page, you should be biting your fingernails. Huge red flag. Simply look elsewhere.
Do they meet your budget range?
By choosing an agency that is cheaper than your budget range, you get what you pay for. Lower quality work for your eCommerce store is not the way to go. You deserve the best, so you need to partner with the best in the industry.
Also, make sure they know your budget and provide a project around your budget. If they don’t ask what your budget is, they are giving to you an already put together package of what they sell to every client. If they do ask, they are providing you with a custom SOW tailored to your needs and budget.
How do they present themselves?
The agency’s website needs to reflect the quality of work that you want and expect. The trick here is to not skip over the details you find important. Does the website flow smoothly? Is everything easy to find? Chances are, if you’re not impressed with their own design, you won’t be impressed when they are working for you.
Have they done platform migrations to BigCommerce?
Even if you don’t need a platform migration, an agency that knows how to do one is better than one that doesn’t. The key takeaway here is experience—the agency that has done successful migrations in the past knows what they’re doing. It’s better to know you’re well taken care of by an agency with the credentials.
Do they properly communicate with you?
Pick an agency that vibes well with you. Are they prompt in responding to calls or emails? Do you connect well with them after speaking for the first few times? If you’re annoyed from the start, that’s probably how the rest of your professional relationship is going to go.
Choosing a BigCommerce partner or agency can be unsettling. However, if you do the right amount of research and ask yourself the right questions, you might just find the partnership of your dreams. Good luck!
