What to Look for When Hiring a Shopify Designer (2025 Guide)

Before searching for a designer, it’s important to clarify exactly what you need. Shopify projects can vary widely:

• Developers focus on coding and custom functionality.
• Designers specialise in visuals, branding, and UX.
• Full-service experts combine design with strategic thinking.

Choosing someone who understands both UX/UI and business performance can save time, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure your store is built to convert.

Consider whether you need:

• A full site redesign
• Conversion rate optimisation on an existing store
• A migration from another platform
• Ongoing design support

Understanding your specific needs will help you find a designer with the right skills and experience.

Shopify is a unique platform, and experience matters. A designer familiar with Shopify knows the platform’s capabilities, apps, and limitations, and can deliver a store that works seamlessly.

When evaluating potential designers, look for:

• Case studies and live stores they’ve designed — Can you see real examples of their work?
• Clear examples of conversion improvements or business results — Do they show metrics?
• Knowledge of Shopify’s ecosystem — Are they familiar with themes, apps, and UK-specific checkout or shipping requirements?

Don’t just look at pretty portfolios. Ask about the results their designs achieved. A beautiful store that doesn’t convert is just an expensive brochure.

Good Shopify design goes beyond aesthetics. It should focus on user experience, intuitive navigation, and clear conversion paths.

Ask yourself:

• Does the designer create custom UX solutions or just use generic templates?
• Do they provide prototypes or wireframes before development?
• Can they optimise the customer journey from landing page to checkout?

A designer who incorporates conversion rate optimisation into their workflow is far more valuable than one who only makes a store look nice.

Questions to ask:

• “Can you show me examples of how you’ve improved conversion rates?”
• “Do you design in Figma or another tool before building?”
• “How do you approach mobile-first design?”

Successful collaboration is crucial. Freelancers often offer a more personalised and flexible experience than large agencies. A clear process can make all the difference:

1. Discovery: Understanding your business goals and audience
2. Strategy: Planning UX and conversion-focused layouts
3. Design: Creating prototypes or high-fidelity mockups
4. Build or Handover: Ensuring your store is fully functional and optimised

Look for designers who:

• Communicate clearly and respond promptly
• Set realistic timelines and stick to them
• Provide regular updates throughout the project
• Are willing to explain their decisions

Red flags include:

• Vague timelines or scope
• Poor communication or slow responses
• No clear process outlined
• Unwillingness to show previous work or provide references

It can be tempting to go with the cheapest option, but a Shopify website is an investment. A well-designed, conversion-focused store can pay for itself many times over.

When comparing designers, focus on:

• Expertise and experience — What results have they achieved?
• Quality of past work — Does their portfolio demonstrate strong UX thinking?
• Process and communication — Will they be easy to work with?

A £3,000 store that converts at 3% is far more valuable than a £1,000 store that converts at 0.5%.

Consider the long-term value:

• Will this store scale with your business?
• Can you easily update it yourself?
• Is it built on solid UX principles that won’t need immediate revision?

Even narrative reviews (not just star ratings) can give insight into a designer’s professionalism, reliability, and quality of work.

Look for:

• Feedback from similar businesses — Have they worked with brands like yours?
• Examples of problem-solving or creative solutions — Do they go beyond just executing a brief?
• Consistency in delivery and communication — Are clients happy with the process?

Don’t just read the testimonials on their website. Check for reviews on:

• Google
• LinkedIn recommendations
• Clutch or similar platforms
• Direct referrals from their previous clients

Your relationship with a designer shouldn’t end at launch. Ask about:

• Training on how to use Shopify
• Ongoing support or retainer options
• Who will handle updates and troubleshooting
• Handover documentation

Some designers offer ongoing relationships where they help with CRO, seasonal updates, or new feature implementation. This can be valuable if you want a long-term partner rather than a one-off project.

A great Shopify designer doesn’t just apply a template to your products. They take time to understand:

• Your brand values and positioning
• Your target audience and their needs
• Your competitive landscape
• Your unique selling points

During initial conversations, pay attention to whether they ask thoughtful questions about your business or jump straight to talking about design aesthetics.

Here’s a checklist of questions to ask potential designers:

1. Can you show me similar projects you’ve completed?
2. What’s your typical project timeline?
3. Do you create prototypes before development?
4. How do you approach mobile design?
5. What’s your experience with conversion optimisation?
6. Do you provide training on managing the store?
7. What happens if something breaks after launch?
8. Can you provide client references?
9. What apps or integrations do you typically recommend?
10. How do you handle revisions during the project?

Avoid designers who:

• Promise unrealistic timelines (a quality custom store takes time)
• Can’t show live examples of their work
• Use only generic templates without customisation
• Don’t ask questions about your business
• Have no clear contract or scope of work
• Request full payment upfront
• Don’t mention UX or conversion optimisation
• Can’t explain their design decisions

Trust your instincts. If something feels off during initial conversations, it probably won’t improve during the project.

Finding the right Shopify designer takes research, but it’s worth the effort. Look for proven experience, a clear process, strong communication, and evidence of results, not just pretty portfolios.

The right designer will:

• Understand your business goals
• Create designs that convert
• Communicate clearly throughout the project
• Deliver on time and within budget
• Build you a store that’s easy to manage

If you’re looking for a Shopify Designer UK who combines Shopify expertise with conversion-focused UX/UI design, explore my services here or get in touch to discuss your project.

With the right designer, your Shopify store can become a powerful, high-performing asset for your business in 2025 and beyond.