Ecommerce website design specialists?

Tipp man running

Hi all,

I'm just finishing up my brief for a new Ecommerce website I'm hoping to launch in the coming months and am currently drawing up a list of website design companies to quote for the project. I was wondering would anyone have any recommendations of companies they've worked with in the past?

I've been googling and doing my research but there is so many companies claiming they can do everything. My own background is sales so i can spot a good pitch when i see one. My problem is everyone seems to be a jack of all trades but I'm more interested in a company that specialises in ecommerce websites or even a good freelancer.

I can make a basic ecommerce site myself using some of the free software out there or someone life Shopify but I'm looking for a professional looking site and more importantly good backlinks and seo so want to do this properly. I don't want to outsource the work and would rather pay a premium to have it done in Ireland.

I just want someone i can communicate with, build up a good working relationship for future work, charge a fair price for the work they do and most importantly knows their stuff on ecommerce and be able to explain the workings of whatever ecommerce cart they use and help in best practises to achieve a good organic ranking.

Thanks for reading and all comments and recommendations would be greatly appreciated from designers and consumers alike.

Regards.......Tipp man:)

tomED

Hi Tipp Man

Most web design companies will seem to be Jack of All Trades, because this is their business. Of course some will be more experienced in different areas, but the best ones are most likely to have skills in more than just one specific area.

You hit the nail on the head with your comment about being able to throw something together yourself, most technical people would be able to do something simple, but what makes you stand out from the rest is the professionalism that your designer will bring to the table.

Most of the good web developers will also be able to guide you in the correct direction in terms of the technology to use for your website. For example, it may be more cost effective for you to utilise one of the free open source solutions over a bespoke built or off-the-shelf product - discussing this with a developer will help you make this decision.

On another note, I'd love to throw my hat in the ring if you are sending out a tender document!

Tipp man running

Hi tomED,

Thanks for your reply, you have it in one there, it's the professional touch that a designer brings to the project and the advice they'll give is exactly what i'm looking for. Been a member of boards i've seen so much advice and arguements between people about building your own website but i'm a very much believer in every man to their own trade, especially when you want it done right.

Your more than welcome to have a look at the brief and quote if it's of interest to you. I'll let you know when its ready, hopefully the weekend.:)

Thanks to everyone who sent a private pm as well.

PCPhoto

I've never used him but Axwell would be someone I would recommend you talking to.

I totally understand what you are looking for - someone who is not going to be tied up in other projects and can sit down and develop your idea into a fulling running and functioning website.

I've been looking for similar - except I don't even have the full details of my site. I gave a rough draught to a few web design/programming companies a few years ago - some never quoted me, some came back with scary quotes of €20,000-€30,000.

(I have several sites in mind which will compliment each other - but I don't know where to start.... I've been working on this for a number of years... going through the possible problems and starting over loads of times... I've analysed... and over analysed the idea, the concept, the potential - something there has the potential to be a functioning website I just need to isolate one of the ideas and bring it out)

When I do get it written and created - it will be successful and will result in a small number of jobs (if my calculations are correct) - unfortunately for me - finding a web programmer/designer and my own time to develop the idea and sourcing money are the problems.

Tipp man running

Thanks for the reply PCPhoto,

I can fully understand where your coming from on the over analyzing a project and rechecking what you want, it all takes time. Luckily enough at this stage i know what I want, its going to be an ecommerce store in an industry I've worked all my life. I wont be giving up the day job but i do want a professional well built store that i can grow. All i want now is a capable designer that knows his or her stuff and more importantly i can work with.

Best of luck with your own idea, it sounds like you just have to keep tweaking and it'll eventually come.

Regards....Tipp Man:)

EggDesign

Hi Tipp man running,

I am a freelance web design/developer based in Cork. I hear what your saying about people claiming to know everything however any good designer should know something about all aspects of web design and perhaps specialise in 1 or 2 areas.

I would advise getting advice first on what ecommerce software you should use best suited to the job, as there are countless options out there and web designers will quote depending on what software they are using & how big your site is.

Also ive come across people who were talked into using advanced software like Magento for very basic shops when their shop could have been built with something like Wordpress for much less time & cost. Having said that if you plan on expading he site in the future then its best to build a solid foundation with something like Magento.

Feel free to PM if you need any advice.

John.

en.r4cart

Use google well, it can help you a lot.

I am a freelancer as well. And I have built two websites by myself only although i am an newbie at all. My websites are running well now.
Here is the one: http://www.ndsgamezone.com
If you think it is bad, just ignore it.

Tipp man running

Thanks very much to anyone who has posted here and to all the people that sent private messages. All advice was greatly appreciated. Design brief has gone out and just getting quotes in at the moment. Now the tricky bit of picking the right designer for my project.:)

p

Any decent web design company can do a good web-shop. It's not really a specialty as opposed to the core of a web-design firms business.

There's a lot of really good companies listed here:
http://sortfolio.com/ireland

Tipp man running

Thanks for that p,

It seems a very good site to get lots of designers in one place. I've got a few quotes in already and just have to choose someone that will suit my project really. I'm sure there is a few cowboys about as there is in all trades I'm afraid so will have to take my time and pick carefully.:rolleyes: