E-commerce is where generalist agencies get found out. The difference between a partner that lives in Shopify or Adobe Commerce and one that dabbles is measured in launch delays and lost revenue.
Platform expertise first
Ask how many builds they have shipped on your platform in the last year, and which partner tier they hold. Certified partners get platform support channels that matter when things break.
Migration is the risky part
- Order history, customer accounts and SEO equity all need explicit migration plans.
- Get the redirect strategy in writing before contracts are signed.
- Plan a soft launch window — avoid peak trading.
Beyond the build
The best e-commerce agencies think in lifetime value: retention, email flows, CRO and merchandising. A beautiful store with no post-launch growth plan is an expensive business card.
Shortlist on evidence
Filter the e-commerce niche on AgencyScore by score and review count, then ask for revenue-impact case studies — not just pretty storefronts.