If you’re running an eCommerce business and using BigCommerce, you already know how powerful the platform is for scaling and growing online. But here’s the thing—no matter how great the platform is, your store’s design is what will make or break the customer experience. And that’s why finding the right BigCommerce designer is so important.

The right designer can take your store from just “okay” to “wow” by making it look great and function like a charm—quick to load, easy to navigate, and ready to convert visitors into buyers. If you’re planning on teaming up with a BigCommerce marketing agency, picking the right one is your key to success.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top qualities to look for when hiring a BigCommerce designer, so you can make sure your store is set up for success from the start.

Quality 1: Deep Understanding of BigCommerce Features

One of the first things you’ll want in a BigCommerce designer is a deep understanding of the platform’s core features. BigCommerce is packed with built-in tools like SEO capabilities, advanced product filtering, and customer management, which can make a huge difference in how well your store performs.

A designer who knows their way around these features can make sure everything is set up to run smoothly, from optimizing product pages to making checkout a breeze. 

For example, built-in SEO tools help improve your store’s visibility, while advanced product filtering makes it easier for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for. And don’t forget customer management features that can help with tracking orders and managing customer accounts—all crucial for smooth operations. 

A designer who’s well-versed in these tools will set your store up to deliver a top-notch user experience while also boosting sales. Plus, a designer who really gets BigCommerce can spot opportunities to push your store further, taking full advantage of the platform’s strengths to grow your business.

Quality 2: Strong Front-End Design Skills

Once your BigCommerce designer has a solid grasp of the platform’s features, the next thing to look for is strong UI/UX design skills. Why? Because an attractive, intuitive shopping experience keeps your customers engaged—and, more importantly, gets them to hit that “buy” button.

Your designer should know how to build a site that functions seamlessly. What this means is creating a mobile-responsive design (since most shoppers use their phones these days) and making sure the site reflects your brand’s unique style. 

A well-designed site makes your customers feel confident and comfortable navigating through your product listings, which is crucial to converting visitors into buyers.

Speed matters, too. Fast load times and smooth navigation are a must. Nobody wants to wait for pages to load, and if the shopping experience is clunky, users are more likely to leave. A designer who pays attention to user experience can boost conversion rates by guaranteeing everything runs like clockwork. 

The easier it is to browse and buy, the more likely your customers will stick around and complete their purchase.

Quality 3: Technical Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

When it comes to customizing your BigCommerce store, having a designer with strong technical skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a game-changer—especially if you want a completely custom website from scratch. These front-end coding languages ensure your store functions exactly the way you need it to. 

The technical foundation also allows the designer to make precise adjustments to your website and match your brand’s unique needs.

Even if you’re using a BigCommerce theme, a designer with these skills can fine-tune it, add interactive elements, or integrate custom features. This way, you’re not stuck with a generic setup but get a site tailored to your vision. The result? A designer with these skills can deliver a store that reflects your brand’s personality while offering a fresh, engaging user experience.

Quality 4: Experience with API Integrations

BigCommerce is known for its flexibility, which allows businesses to integrate a wide variety of third-party apps, such as payment gateways, CRM systems, and marketing tools. To make the most of these capabilities, you’ll want a BigCommerce designer with solid experience in API integrations.

API (Application Programming Interface) knowledge allows the designer to connect your store with essential external systems seamlessly to enhance functionality and improve efficiency. 

A designer who understands APIs can make all the difference. With seamless integrations, you’ll streamline workflows, automate tasks, and ensure all your tools work together without a hitch.

Quality 5: Knowledge of Conversion Optimization

It’s not enough for a BigCommerce designer to create a visually stunning website—they also need to understand conversion optimization. A great designer knows how to use data-driven insights to make sure every design choice helps turn visitors into customers.

This means strategically placing call-to-action (CTA) buttons where they’ll drive the most engagement, designing smooth checkout flows to minimize cart abandonment, and using product recommendations that encourage users to explore more of what you offer. 

The designer should build your store to actively work on increasing conversion rates and boosting sales.

Quality 6: Familiarity with SEO Best Practices

When hiring a BigCommerce designer, you’ll want one who’s familiar with SEO best practices. They should know how to optimize your site’s meta tags, create clean URL structures, and improve site speed—all of which are needed to get your store to rank better in search engines and drive organic traffic.

A well-optimized site is easier for search engines like Google to crawl, which directly impacts how high your store appears in search results. A designer with SEO knowledge will work to make your store discoverable for your target audience.

Quality 7: Portfolio of Successful BigCommerce Projects

Always ask for a portfolio. Seeing a proven track record of successful projects is one of the best ways to evaluate a designer’s skills and see if they can deliver what they promise. A designer with a portfolio of BigCommerce stores they’ve worked on can show you real examples of how they’ve improved site functionality, enhanced aesthetics, and boosted conversion rates for past clients.

Look for examples where they made tangible improvements in terms of user experience and performance. A strong portfolio proves the designer has the experience to meet your business’s unique needs.

Quality 8: Good Communication and Project Management Skills

Good communication matters when working with a BigCommerce designer. A designer who understands your business goals and vision can better tailor the site to meet your needs. Open communication ensures they’re on the same page with you throughout the process, from the initial design concepts to the final tweaks.

Along with communication, strong project management skills are a must. You want a designer who can meet deadlines, keep the project on track, and handle any potential roadblocks with ease. 

A designer who knows how to manage timelines and deliver results efficiently ensures the entire project runs smoothly and stress-free.

Conclusion

Choosing the right BigCommerce designer is about finding someone who has both the technical expertise and the creative vision to turn your business goals into a functional, scalable online store. The right designer will understand the platform inside and out while also delivering a user-friendly, high-converting site that drives growth.

Let Epic Build You the BigCommerce Store You Need

We at Epic craft BigCommerce stores designed to grow with your business. Need a custom design, seamless integration, or expert optimization? Our team brings the experience and know-how to deliver a high-converting store tailored to your vision.

Let’s turn your BigCommerce investment into a powerhouse of growth. Contact Epic today to see how we can help bring your eCommerce goals to life!