Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on your e-commerce brand launch, especially regarding budgeting and working with a freelancer.
We'll need to look at the freelancers experience...
First off, it sounds like you're looking for a real all-rounder, someone who can not only build and design a Shopify store but also handle your initial digital marketing efforts. That's a pretty broad skillset, so finding the right freelancer is gonna be really important.
I'd say, don't be afraid to ask for detailed portfolios and case studies. See what kind of websites they've built, and more importantly, what results they've achieved with their marketing campaigns. If they can't show you tangible results, that's a red flag.
Look, a slick website design is great, but if it doesn't convert visitors into customers, it's pretty useless. Similarly, a beautifully crafted social media campaign is pointless if it doesn't drive traffic and sales. What you really need to find is someone that understands the whole sales process, not just design or social media.
I'd say you should aim for high quality...
You mentioned that you want to do things right the first time. Trust me, that's the right attitude to have. Cutting corners now will almost certainly cost you more in the long run. You might end up with a website that needs to be completely rebuilt or marketing campaigns that deliver absolutely nothing.
A good freelancer will start by really getting to grips with your business, your target audience, and your competitors. They'll do some proper research before diving into design or marketing. They'll also be upfront about their pricing and what you can expect for your money. If they aren't asking these kind of questions then I would be worried, I would be interested in knowing what processes they go through before starting work.
It's easy to underestimate how much time and effort is involved in setting up a successful e-commerce business. From choosing the right Shopify theme to writing compelling product descriptions, integrating payment gateways, and creating engaging social media content, there's a lot to do. And if you want to stand out from the crowd, you can't just copy what everyone else is doing. You need to find a way to be different, to offer something unique, and that all takes time and creativity.
You probably should split the project into phases...
As for the project structure, I think splitting it into phases is a great idea. It gives you more control and allows you to assess progress at each stage. For example, you could start with the website build and design, then move on to product uploads and configuration, and finally tackle the digital marketing setup and management.
This approach also allows you to make adjustments along the way. If you're not happy with the website design, you can provide feedback and get it changed before moving on to the next phase. Similarly, if the initial marketing campaigns aren't performing as well as you'd hoped, you can tweak the strategy and try something different.
The most important thing here is that you’re involved in the process. Don't just hand everything over to the freelancer and hope for the best. Stay in regular contact, ask questions, provide feedback, and make sure you're happy with the direction things are heading.
You'll need a clear contract...
Regarding what to watch out for, I'd say the most important thing is to have a clear contract in place. This should outline the scope of the project, the deliverables, the timeline, the payment terms, and what happens if things go wrong. It's well worth investing in getting a proper contract drawn up by a solicitor. It will protect you if the freelancer messes things up. A solid contract is worth every penny. It protects both you and the freelancer, and it ensures that everyone is on the same page. It will avoid a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings down the line.
Also, be wary of freelancers who make unrealistic promises or guarantee specific results. No one can guarantee that your website will rank number one on Google or that your social media campaigns will generate thousands of leads. These things depend on a whole range of factors, many of which are beyond the freelancer's control.
Finally, trust your gut instinct. If something feels off, don't ignore it. There are plenty of talented and reliable freelancers out there, so don't settle for someone who doesn't inspire confidence.
This is the main advice I have for you:
| Area | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Freelancer Selection | Thoroughly vet freelancers: check portfolios, case studies, and references. Look for someone with a proven track record of achieving tangible results. |
| Budget Allocation | Be prepared to invest in quality. Aim for £5-10k for an experienced freelancer who can handle the full scope of the project. |
| Project Management | Split the project into phases to maintain control and assess progress at each stage. Stay actively involved in the process, providing regular feedback and guidance. |
| Legal Protection | Have a solid contract in place outlining the project scope, deliverables, timeline, and payment terms. |
| Red Flags | Be wary of freelancers who make unrealistic promises or guarantee specific results. Trust your gut instinct. |
Running an e-commerce brand is not easy, the more good help you can get the more chance you have to suceed. From my experience, people come to us a lot with the exact same issues as you, people who have hired a freelancer but didn't get the results they wanted.
We have worked with a lot of e-commerce brands and we understand the challenges that they face. If you'd like to discuss your project in more detail, we'd be happy to offer you a free consultation. We can help you assess your current situation, identify areas for improvement, and develop a tailored strategy to help you achieve your goals.
Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh
