Use a practical shortlist checklist instead of an unsupported league table of agencies.
1. Relevant work
Ask to see projects with a similar catalogue or customer journey. Discuss the provider’s actual role and ask for permission-based references. A familiar logo in a portfolio is not proof that the provider built every part of the site.
2. A written scope
Compare the number of templates, sections, integrations and review rounds. A clear specification makes a quote more useful than a vague promise of a premium store.
3. Merchant editing
Ask how your team will replace a banner, update product details and add a section. A good handover should cover routine work without requiring code changes for every update.
4. Platform knowledge
Use a concrete requirement to discuss the platform’s supported options and limits. Be cautious of promises that every checkout, account or B2B change is available on any plan.
5. Recurring costs
Request an itemised list of subscriptions and provider fees. Confirm who owns the accounts and whether an app is essential, optional or replacing a native feature.
6. Migration planning
If you have an existing store, ask about product mappings, order cutover, customer access and important old URLs. A migration needs validation, not just an import button.
7. Performance evidence
Ask which pages were measured, on what device and under what conditions. A single score screenshot does not establish the experience of every visitor.
8. Testing and acceptance
Review how variants, stock states, cart actions and notifications will be checked. Agree the acceptance criteria before development starts.
9. Ownership and access
Document domain, store and source-code access, licence terms and the handover process. Contract terms should explain rights rather than relying on a verbal promise.
10. Support boundaries
Clarify bug-fix coverage, ongoing support and the way new requests are quoted. Response expectations need to be agreed, not inferred from a badge.
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