How Can You Be A Shopify Developer

The popularity of Shopify is going North. Millions of merchants worldwide use Shopify, making it one of the most preferred platforms for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups. As entrepreneurs have realized the importance and extent of the online market, they are turning to platforms like Shopify to build an online store to tap customers across the globe.

Undoubtedly, online stores help businesses in more ways than one. These stores increase the reach of the product and services. It is also possible to make the brand popular effortlessly through such stores.

However, intense competition makes it difficult for a simple no-fringe online store to survive. It is required that e-commerce websites are laced with the latest technical expertise and abilities. Hence, opting for an experienced Shopify Developer becomes a necessity.

The Rising Demand of Shopify Developers

Shopify Developers, also known as Shopify Consultants, refer to entrepreneurs who create or sell Shopify Themes, Apps, and other related products. The main objective of such entrepreneurs is to help online stores expand and grow.

There’s a huge demand in the market for Shopify Development Services. A Shopify Developer plays an important role in the success of establishing an online store. Businesses hire them to utilize new techniques and tools that help improve the store’s visibility.

The growth rate of Shopify is relatively high, more than any other SaaS company in the industry. With the ever-increasing demand for Shopify Developers, many entrepreneurs are looking to become Shopify developers themselves.

Who are Shopify Developers?

Shopify Developers are software engineers who build eCommerce website on the Shopify platform. They possess a keen eye for pixel-perfect design and user experience and are highly experienced in front-end development.

Shopify Developers develop apps for eCommerce websites built on the Shopify platform. They use tools like REST APIs and GraphQL to integrate their solutions into the admin of Shopify and solve complicated problems.

Shopify Developers need to be familiar with outside integrations and solutions like payment gateways, shopping, and ERPs. They should know how a Shopify site communicates with third parties.

The Role of Shopify Developers

Shopify Developers collaborate with Shopify to assist businesses in customizing and modifying their website templates. These modifications aim to improve website usability and enhance its visual appeal.

Shopify Developers are masters of their field. They need to possess a thorough knowledge of the latest developments in eCommerce. They utilize their expertise by creating different themes for Shopify stores and niches.

Shopify Developers even offer front-end services and back-end development and maintenance services. They are adept in using HTML5, CS3, and other technologies. This helps them create advanced interfaces, layouts, and designs that are compatible with all devices.

Specialization in Shopify Development

Shopify Development has two main areas - App Development and Theme Building. Shopify apps are also known as plugins that assist several eCommerce website functionalities and help improve sales, marketing, shipping, and conversions, among others.

A Shopify developer can specialize in building Shopify themes that control a business’s online store’s look, features, and feel. Developers can create themes from scratch or customize pre-built ones available through the Shopify Marketplace.

Shopify Themes can be modified by adding the logo of the merchant. Expert web designers also can edit the theme to match the custom design.

Requirements for Shopify Developers

Technical Knowledge

There are specific requirements to become a Shopify developer. They are as follows:

• Familiarity with CSS, JavaScript, and HTML programming languages
• Know how to work with the platform APIs
• Basic understanding of jQuery
• Knowledge of Command Line

Soft Skills

In addition to technical skills, these qualities will contribute to the growth and development of Shopify Developers.

Communication

Shopify Developers need to work with a host of clients. As clients have a lot of queries, Shopify developers need to offer the right solution. Good communication skills and patience help developers grow in this field.

Domain Expertise

Shopify developers can either work as a freelancer or become full-time professionals running an agency. Comprehensive knowledge of eCommerce and development helps Shopify Developers earn the trust of their clients.

Problem-solving skills

Shopify Developers face different types of barriers in a day’s job. They need to be adept at fixing bugs on the websites. They are required to research the problem, search for apt solutions and implement changes on the site or theme.

Visualization skills

Software code is written in a visual language. When a developer is not able to envision the code correctly, it results in flaws which might crash a website. Hence, it is necessary to know how to visualize the program’s code.

Besides the above technical and soft skills, Shopify Developers should possess the humility to ask for help in case of coding difficulties. Instead of facing challenges on their own, building a network that is ready to help makes a huge difference in the career of Shopify Developers.

Tutorials and Resources for Shopify Developers

Shopify Developers should always be on the hunt for new ideas and methods to implement them. There are several resources for beginners and experienced developers on the internet.

Shopify Blogs

Shopify Blogs allow store owners and developers to access information on several topics related to the field. These blogs are written by some of the most experienced Shopify developers, entrepreneurs, and developers and contain the most professional advice that comes in handy while progressing in the field.

Shopify Guides

Shopify Guides offer a wealth of resources for online store owners, with helpful tutorials on topics such as Facebook Advertising and Google Shopping. Shopify developers can stay up-to-date with the latest eCommerce statistics and trends while accessing in-depth articles on crowdfunding, drop shipping, and other relevant information.

Shopify Entrepreneurs Facebook Group

This Facebook group has over 22000 members. The members are either store owners, Shopify specialists, or other experts. The group has updates on guides, walkthroughs, and blogs on problems faced by Shopify Developers and how to resolve them. The group also offers an opportunity to network with professionals in the field.

Shopify Partner Academy

It offers free Shopify courses, examinations, and study guides that prove helpful for the development of required commerce skills. It helps developers test their knowledge and begin their journey as a Shopify partner quickly.

Shopify Essentials for Web Developers

A free Skillshare class, it is taught by Kurt Elster, an agency owner. It explains how to set up Shopify eCommerce sites and customize them. Users can utilize this resource as a starting point for custom Shopify Development. It can also be used as a guide for learning about the Shopify platform.

Advance Theme Development

This is an advanced class for Shopify developers. It teaches them the next level, which is Shopify Theme Development. Web designers, developers, and creators with initial Shopify experience can take the course.

Liquid Cheat Sheet

Liquid, created by Shopify, is a coding language template. It is a cheat sheet that gets all Shopify liquid variables and filters. It is quite helpful for beginners.

Liquid Code Examples

Liquid code examples are a collection of code snippets that allow for faster theme creation and customization using Shopify’s component-based Liquid language. These examples can help developers learn how to write Liquid code more efficiently.

Shopify Theme Kit

It is a command line that helps developers upload their Shopify theme to the Shopify store automatically if they make changes to the theme locally.

Shopify Devs Youtube

It is the official Shopify YouTube channel for Shopify Developers.

Shopify Devs Twitch

It is the official Shopify Twitch channel for Shopify developers.

Shopify for Developers

It is a Youtube playlist. Through this playlist, Shopify developers can learn how to develop real-world Shopify theme development and Shopify Development - App Development.

The Road Ahead

To become a skilled Shopify Developer, professionals and entrepreneurs need to dedicate the regular practice to mastering the core concepts of Shopify app development. Developing apps consistently is essential to building proficiency and expertise in the field.

People learning Shopify app development on their own need to reach smaller milestones. They need to stay updated about the latest theoretical knowledge and skills required for the development. However, there are times when there are no Shopify projects to work on. In such situations, Shopify developers can practice building applications with a live demo. They can even create and customize themes in this manner.

Beginners can look for apps in the market and build the same functionality such apps offer. They can then compare their code line by line with the original app. This goes for the themes as well. Beginners need to practice as much as possible regularly. When they master the basic apps and themes, they can move to the complex ones. For instance, they can add a product widget on the homepage or a static block on the category page sidebar.

As a beginner in Shopify development, it is crucial to attend online training and workshops, which can often be found through developers who offer them. Additionally, staying active on social media can also be helpful by following popular profiles and staying up-to-date with industry news and developments.

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