28 Apr 25
What Questions to Ask When Hiring WooCommerce Developers
Too many businesses jump into WooCommerce development without vetting their developer – and end up paying “too much” for it later. Slow site speeds, broken checkouts, or constant plugin issues can cripple your sales.
WooCommerce is powerful—don’t get me wrong. But if your developer doesn’t really know their stuff, your customers will feel it every time they visit your store. Slow loading pages, clunky checkout flows, or worse—lost sales. It’s a mess you don’t want.
So, here’s the deal: before you hand over your project, ask the right questions. This helps you spot the pros, and skip the amateurs.
Why Hiring the Right WooCommerce Developer Matters
Built on WordPress, WooCommerce is a go-to choice for many online stores thanks to its power and flexibility. It’s flexible and powerful—but that flexibility can trip you up if your developer doesn’t really know their stuff.
A developer who only scratches the surface can cause:
- Poor website performance and SEO
- Checkout issues that cost you conversions
- Security vulnerabilities
- Difficulty scaling as your business grows
I remember working with a client last year—their checkout was dropping orders because of a badly coded plugin. Fixing it cost them double what hiring the right dev upfront would have.
That’s why asking the right questions early isn’t just smart. It’s essential.
Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a WooCommerce Developer
Here are some solid questions to put to your potential dev:
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How long have you been working with WooCommerce and WordPress?
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What programming languages and tech do you use for WooCommerce?
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Can you create custom themes and plugins, or just tweak existing ones?
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How do you manage WooCommerce updates without breaking the site?
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Can you show me WooCommerce sites you’ve built before?
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Have you done projects similar to mine?
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What’s your approach to site speed and performance optimisation?
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How do you make sure the checkout process is easy for customers?
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Do you build with SEO best practices in mind?
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Will the site integrate with marketing tools and analytics?
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How do you protect customer data and ensure security?
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What’s your process for revisions and feedback?
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How do you communicate during and after the project?
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Do you offer ongoing support once the site launches?
If any of these get vague or defensive answers, that’s a red flag.
What Good Looks Like: Benefits of Hiring the Right Developer
Finding the right person isn’t just about code—it’s about a partner who understands your business and can help your store thrive. Here’s what you want from a dev:
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Deep WooCommerce experience so they know all the quirks and gotchas
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A strong portfolio showing they’ve tackled projects like yours
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eCommerce know-how to build a site that actually converts visitors into buyers
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Focus on speed and security because slow or unsafe sites lose customers fast
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Great communication and ongoing support so you’re never left hanging
When I worked on a site for a local Melbourne retailer, we cut page load times in half and streamlined the checkout—result? Sales jumped 25% in three months.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Some developers might talk a good game but reveal warning signs if you know where to look.
These are the common red flags that could signal trouble down the track:
- Vague or generic answers that lack technical depth
- No portfolio or past client references
- Avoidance of security and performance discussions
- Limited understanding of marketing or SEO
- Overreliance on plugins to solve every problem
- Unwillingness to explain their process in plain language
- Poor communication or long response times
- No clear testing or QA process before launch
- Lack of interest in long-term support or scalability
- Reluctance to work collaboratively with your in-house team or designer
- Inflexibility with feedback or revision rounds
- Unclear or poorly structured contracts and pricing
- Heavy use of jargon to mask lack of real expertise
Why Chromatix is the Right WooCommerce Developer for You
A successful WooCommerce site is about more than just clean code. It’s about building a seamless user journey that converts – and that’s exactly what we do at Chromatix.
Our web design agency in Melbourne combines deep WooCommerce expertise with a laser focus on performance, UX, and CRO (Conversion Rate Optimisation). This is to ensure your online store doesn’t just look good, but drives real business results.
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter builds. Every solution we create is tailored to your business goals, using custom development where it counts, and strategic thinking throughout. From fast-loading pages to secure checkouts and marketing-ready integrations, we bring the full package to help your store scale with confidence.
Conclusion
Hiring a WooCommerce developer is a major decision—one that can set the foundation for long-term eCommerce success or present ongoing roadblocks. The questions above are designed to help you dig deeper and find a partner, not just a coder.
Looking to build something exceptional with WooCommerce? Chromatix specialise in crafting custom, conversion-focused websites personalised to your business.
Reach out today for a free, no-obligation eCommerce website design and development consultation.