1. Define the Shopify work you need
Write down the store problem and the affected customer journey. Identify whether the work is theme configuration, custom Liquid sections, an app, an integration or a migration. Ask the candidate to explain what can use existing Shopify capabilities and what needs custom development.
2. Prepare a one-page project brief
Include your store URL, affected templates, required features, current theme and apps, integrations, Shopify plan, target launch date and the person who will approve the work. List exclusions and dependencies. Do not include passwords or access tokens in the brief.
3. Request evidence that matches your scope
For theme work, ask for an example of a custom Liquid section and how the merchant edits it. For app or integration work, ask for the APIs and data flows used in a comparable project. For a migration, ask how product data, customer records and URL mappings will be checked. Ask the developer to explain their own contribution to each example.
4. Compare proposals on the same basis
For every proposal, record the deliverables, exclusions, milestones, estimate, separate platform and app costs, QA responsibility and post-launch support. Ask who will do the work, who reviews it and how changes to the agreed scope are approved. Resolve missing details before choosing a developer.
5. Agree staging and acceptance checks
Ask for a duplicate theme or staging environment for review. Name the product, collection and cart journeys to test, the devices and browsers covered, and any integration checks. Record a performance baseline if performance is part of the scope. Agree how defects will be handled and who approves release.
6. Confirm ownership and handover
Include source-code handover, configuration notes, integration documentation and training needs in the written scope. Agree what post-launch support covers and when it ends. Confirm how access will be granted and reviewed through the approved account process.
Project brief template
- Store URL:
- Business problem and affected journey:
- Work type and required deliverables:
- Current theme, apps, plan and integrations:
- Exclusions and dependencies:
- Target launch date:
- Approval owner:
- Staging, QA and acceptance checks:
- Source and documentation handover:
- Post-launch support requirements:
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Akash Singh
View full profileCTO and Co-Founder, CV Infotech · Gurugram, India
Akash has been building Websites, Web Apps, SaaS and Mobile Apps for clients in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Canada since 2012. He leads a 100% in-house team and personally manages every client relationship and technical decision. Francisco Escobar has worked with him since 2012. Steven has trusted the team with his AI platforms since 2019. 512 verified 5.0 reviews on Freelancer.com.