Shopify powers over 4 million eCommerce stores worldwide, and with more businesses going online each day, the demand to hire Shopify developers has surged. But hiring the wrong developer can cost you more than money—it can hurt your brand, delay your launch, and frustrate your customers. That’s why interviewing isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding who can build, scale, and troubleshoot your online store with precision.
Whether you’re a startup trying to stand out in a saturated eCommerce market or one of the many tech companies offering Shopify-based solutions to clients, finding the right fit matters. This guide walks you through how to structure an interview that reveals the strengths (and red flags) of a potential Shopify developer. From technical questions to evaluating real-world experience, this is your roadmap to a better hire.
Questions, Red Flags, and Insights That Help You Hire the Right Shopify Talent
1. Start With Business Context, Not Just Code
Before diving into technical questions, set the stage. Explain your business, your store’s current challenges, and your future goals. This isn’t just small talk—it helps you gauge whether the candidate can think beyond the code and align their work with your brand’s needs.
Great Shopify developers don’t just know Liquid—they understand conversion flows, SEO impact, and mobile-first UX. Ask questions like:
- “What do you think are the key elements of a high-converting Shopify homepage?”
- “Can you walk me through how you’ve improved performance or UX in a past project?”
You’re not just looking for someone who can customize a theme. You’re looking to hire a professional Shopify developer who can think like a business owner and solve problems proactively.
If they’re only interested in pushing pixels and not discussing outcomes, that’s a sign they might not be the right fit—especially if you’re planning to scale.
2. Assess Their Experience With Liquid, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Shopify’s templating language, Liquid, is the backbone of every Shopify theme. Any serious developer should be fluent in it—but they also need solid front-end skills to build custom features and clean, responsive designs.
Your goal here is to confirm their range. Ask:
- “Can you describe a time you built or heavily customized a Shopify theme using Liquid?”
- “How do you manage CSS for large Shopify stores to maintain consistency?”
- “What JavaScript libraries or techniques do you commonly use to enhance Shopify UX?”
If you’re looking to hire expert Shopify developers, they should demonstrate strong command over Liquid and be comfortable extending Shopify’s default functionalities.
Don’t forget: tech companies often need more than just visual updates—they need performance improvements, integrations, and sometimes custom app development. This technical depth matters more than aesthetic tweaks.
3. Test Their Ability to Integrate Third-Party Apps and APIs
Shopify is powerful on its own—but third-party integrations (like CRMs, marketing platforms, inventory systems, or ERPs) are where many stores either thrive or hit serious roadblocks.
If you’re hiring for a growing eCommerce brand, you need someone who understands the Shopify ecosystem and knows how to plug into it without breaking things.
Ask:
- “What are some third-party apps you frequently work with, and why?”
- “Have you worked with Shopify APIs to customize customer, order, or product data?”
- “Can you explain how you’ve handled app conflicts or custom API logic in the past?”
You’re not just hiring a code monkey—you’re looking to hire expert Shopify developers who can make your store work seamlessly behind the scenes, not just in the front-end.
This is where many interviews go wrong—they focus too much on design and forget about the backend and data layer, which are essential for scaling and automation.
4. Dig Into Their Problem-Solving and Debugging Skills
Even the most beautiful Shopify store will eventually run into issues—whether it’s broken checkout code, slow load times, or app conflicts. That’s why you need developers who don’t panic under pressure.
When interviewing, shift from hypotheticals to real situations. Ask:
- “Tell me about a time a store bug affected sales. How did you identify and fix it?”
- “How do you test new features to avoid breaking existing functionality?”
- “What tools do you use to audit site speed or debug performance issues?”
If you’re going to hire Shopify developers, make sure they know how to diagnose and solve issues without creating bigger problems.
Their answers should reflect real-world experience—not just textbook knowledge. A developer who can troubleshoot efficiently will save your team hours (and your store, thousands of dollars in lost sales).
5. Evaluate Their Understanding of Shopify Limitations and Workarounds
Every platform has its quirks—and Shopify is no exception. From its checkout limitations to its strict theme structure, a good developer knows not just what’s possible, but what’s not—and how to work around it creatively.
Ask:
- “What are some Shopify platform limitations you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome them?”
- “How do you handle scenarios where a client’s request isn’t possible within Shopify’s native features?”
- “Have you ever had to use Shopify Functions or Scripts? Can you walk me through an example?”
A Shopify expert for hire should be upfront about platform constraints and bring alternative solutions to the table. You want someone who offers honest advice, not unrealistic promises.
Tech companies in particular benefit from hiring developers who understand scalability limitations. For example, handling metafields smartly or optimizing data-heavy pages can have a big impact on performance and SEO.
6. Ask About Their Process for Working With Designers and Teams
Shopify development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Developers often work with marketers, designers, product managers, and business owners. Collaboration is a skill you have to screen for—especially if you’re looking to hire a Shopify expert for a long-term project.
Ask:
- “How do you typically collaborate with designers—Figma files, design systems, or handoffs?”
- “Have you worked in cross-functional teams? What did that process look like?”
- “What tools do you use for project management (Jira, Trello, Slack, etc.)?”
Strong communication skills can make or break a development cycle. Look for signs that the developer is proactive, responsive, and comfortable working in collaborative settings.
This is especially important for tech companies managing multiple Shopify storefronts or agencies balancing multiple client timelines. You need someone who won’t just disappear after deployment.
7. Review Their Portfolio and Ask for a Technical Assignment
Words are one thing—results are another. Always ask for real, live examples of Shopify stores they’ve worked on. If possible, get links, metrics, or testimonials.
Don’t just look at the homepage design—explore the product pages, cart flow, mobile experience, and load speed. Better yet, ask:
- “What was your role in this project?”
- “Which parts were the most technically challenging?”
- “If you could improve one thing about this store today, what would it be?”
If you’re serious about hiring, consider giving a short paid test project. It could be as simple as customizing a product card layout or troubleshooting a minor issue. This helps you see how they code, communicate, and deliver.
When you hire a Shopify developer, you’re not just hiring talent—you’re buying peace of mind. That peace should be backed by proof, not just promises.
Final Thoughts: Interviewing Right Means Hiring Smart
Hiring a Shopify developer isn’t about who has the longest resume or the flashiest portfolio—it’s about finding someone who understands your goals, writes clean code, and communicates well with your team. Whether you’re building a new storefront or refining an existing one, taking the time to run a great interview sets the tone for your entire project.
Author Bio;
For such content and more, feel free to contact Colton Harris He’s a highly experienced SEO expert with over 6 years of experience. His extensive knowledge and expertise in the field has helped numerous businesses and individuals to improve their online visibility and traffic. Harris writes and publishes content on business, technology, finance, marketing, and Cryptocurrency-related trends. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping others to grow their online businesses.
