Every year, more and more people are shopping at online stores. In fact, 20.1% of retail purchases are expected to occur online in 2024, up from 19.4% in 2023, according to an eMarketer report.
If you want to capitalize on the opportunities in the growing eCommerce industry, you need to hire a top-notch eCommerce consultant for your brand. But with thousands of consultants available, how can you choose a suitable one for your business?
In this blog post, we’ll explore seven must-ask questions you should ask all potential hires to ensure you hire the best eCommerce specialist for your brand.
7 Essential Questions to Ask When Hiring an eCommerce Consultant
Hiring an eCommerce specialist can enable you to boost brand awareness, attract qualified leads, and boost revenue. However, not every eCommerce specialist is ideal for your business. To ensure you hire the right person, here are seven key questions to ask when hiring an eCommerce consultant:
What Are Your Core Competencies as an eCommerce Consultant?
Digital marketing is a wide field that comprises various niches such as email marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and more. As a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all marketing expert. While many eCommerce specialists are conversant with various marketing aspects, they usually tend to specialize in a few niches.
This question can help you determine whether the eCommerce specialist you’re considering is a good fit for your needs. For instance, if your primary goal is to drive more traffic to your online store, you’ll want to hire an eCommerce SEO consultant specializing in SEO.
Conversely, if your main goal is to create content for your online store, you’ll want to hire an eCommerce consultant specializing in content marketing.
However, if you’re looking for an all-in-one service, you might want to consider partnering with a digital marketing agency with a large team of specialists.
What eCommerce Niche Have You Worked With Previously?
The eCommerce sector is multifaceted, with businesses from various industries such as fashion and apparel, electronics, beauty, furniture, and food delivery.
This question can shed light on the eCommerce expert’s capabilities and versatility. Ideally, you’ll want to hire an eCommerce consultant with experience in your industry.
However, that doesn’t mean you should dismiss candidates without experience working with businesses similar to yours. If the specialist has worked with clients from various industries, it might demonstrate their adaptability and potential to create tailored solutions for your unique needs.
Can I See Examples of Your Past Work or Talk With Your Past Clients?
The best eCommerce consultants don’t boast about their achievements. They let their work do the talking. Asking for a portfolio or case studies can allow you to assess the consultant’s capabilities and see how the consultant has delivered results for businesses like yours.
Besides asking for a portfolio or case study, ask the eCommerce specialist for references. Why? While examining a portfolio or case study can enable you to evaluate the specialist’s hard skills, it won’t reveal much about their soft skills.
On the other hand, talking to past clients can tell you more about the specialist’s soft skills, like communication, time management, and collaboration, which are also vital to a harmonious working relationship and marketing success.
How Do You Keep Up With the Latest eCommerce Trends and Best Practices?
eCommerce is a dynamic industry with emerging trends like live commerce, social commerce, and augmented reality (AR) transforming the industry.
Asking this question can enable you to determine whether potential candidates you’re vetting are committed to continuous learning.
Look for specialists who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning by attending industry conferences, reading relevant industry publications, listening to industry podcasts, and participating in online communities and forums.
What Challenges Have You Encountered During Past Projects, and How Did You Solve Them?
It isn’t uncommon for eCommerce consultants to encounter challenges during projects, such as integration issues. This question explores the consultant’s problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Ideally, you should hire a specialist who openly talks about obstacles they faced during projects and how they found innovative solutions to overcome the barriers.
How Will You Measure the Effectiveness of Your eCommerce Strategies?
One key trait all eCommerce specialists worth their salt have is a data-driven mindset. Why? Data-driven marketing is vital to making informed decisions and boosting marketing return on investment (ROI).
Ask potential candidates about the key performance indicators (KPIs) they track to determine the effectiveness of their strategies. Some actionable online store metrics eCommerce specialists should track include sales conversion rates, average order value (AOV), customer lifetime value (CLV), cost per acquisition (CPA), and shopping cart abandonment rates.
If the prospective hire focuses on these actionable metrics rather than vanity metrics like website page views, total customers acquired, and social media likes, it’s highly likely the specialist will know how to implement effective strategies and refine them when required to help you achieve your business goals.
How Much Do You Charge For Your Services?
Last but not least, inquire about the eCommerce consultant’s fees, as fees may vary from one consultant to another based on experience, location, and project complexity. Also, ask about the expert’s pricing structure. While many experts charge an hourly rate, others may charge a daily, weekly, monthly, or fixed fee per project.
Asking potential candidates about their rates and pricing structures can ensure you hire a specialist within your budget. However, don’t be quick to hire the cheapest option. Evaluate the specialist’s capabilities and experience against your budget to ensure you get value for your money.
Key Considerations When Choosing an eCommerce Consultant
Hiring a suitable eCommerce specialist for your brand can feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. By asking these seven questions, you can hire the right specialist for your business. In a nutshell, here are some essential considerations to remember when hiring an eCommerce consultant:
Track Record of eCommerce Consultant
Actions speak louder than words when it comes to digital marketing and eCommerce. Look for an eCommerce specialist with a portfolio, case studies, and a roster of satisfied clients, as they can serve as tangible proof of the specialist’s capabilities.
Customized Strategy by Your eCommerce Specialist
No one business is the same. So, you shouldn’t settle for an expert who uses a one-size-fits-all strategy for all the businesses they work with. Choose a specialist who offers a tailor-made approach for your needs, target audience, and sector.
Communication Skill of eCommerce Specialist
Effective communication is essential to a good working relationship with the eCommerce specialist you hire. Ensure that the specialist’s communication style is aligned with yours, that they are responsive, and that they provide regular updates.
Ongoing Support from Your eCommerce Consultant
Think beyond the short-term. Look for an expert committed to helping you achieve your long-term business goals and offers post-implementation support services such as ongoing maintenance, monitoring, optimization, and troubleshooting.
Trust Your Intuition When Hiring an eCommerce Expert
Lastly, trust your gut feeling. If you feel a consultant you’re considering guarantees rapid results within an unreasonable timeline, you might want to explore other options. Also, you should choose a specialist who shares your vision and values to ensure a harmonious working relationship.
Hire an Experienced eCommerce Consultant for Your Brand
Analysts expect the eCommerce industry to experience significant growth. In 2024, experts predict global retail eCommerce sales will be about $6.3 trillion, up from $5.8 trillion in 2023. This means hiring an eCommerce consultant can be an excellent investment for your online store.
Ready to hire a seasoned eCommerce consultant? Then your search can end here! With nearly two decades of experience in the eCommerce sector managing millions in ad spend and working with hundreds of brands, I’ve developed an arsenal of effective strategies guaranteed to increase revenue.
But don’t take my word for it. Contact me today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn how I’ve helped multiple businesses generate $1 million in sales within less than a year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is an eCommerce Consultant?
An eCommerce consultant is an expert with in-depth knowledge of the eCommerce space. eCommerce specialists help online store owners achieve goals such as increasing web traffic, improving store performance, and increasing conversions.
What Services Do eCommerce Consultants Offer?
eCommerce consultants can advise on various areas, including web design and development, product development, marketing strategy, and logistics.
Are eCommerce Consultants Integral to Success?
eCommerce consultants aren’t integral to success. However, if you experience declining sales, high customer churn, and high shopping cart abandonment rates, hiring one can help you easily navigate these and other challenges.
When Should I Partner With an eCommerce Specialist?
You should consider hiring an eCommerce specialist if you’re understaffed and need specific tasks done, want impartial advice about your online store, or want to target a new market. You should also consider hiring an eCommerce specialist if your online sales have rapidly declined.
What eCommerce Platforms Should eCommerce Specialists Be Conversant With?
There are various eCommerce platforms. Some popular ones include Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce. Generally, most eCommerce experts specialize in one platform. Before hiring a consultant, make sure the consultant is an expert in your platform.
