It is expected that the ecommerce industry is going to grow by at least 6.3 percent, according to Statista. For ecommerce businesses, this is good news. However, you need an agency working for you to ensure that you are able to take advantage of this boom.
Source: Statista
Finding an ecommerce agency is not easy by any means. While there are thousands of options available, you have to understand a few key factors before you decide to sign up with any ecommerce agency.
This is a big commitment in most cases, with a significant financial outlay involved. Needless to say, you will want to make sure that you hire the right guys for the job.
What Does an Ecommerce Agency Do?
An ecommerce agency offers a variety of services to its clients. They don’t just bring a fresh perspective and technical expertise to the table, but they also offer a range of services that you may require.
For example, an agency can help you with building your own ecommerce website. They can also market it for you. You can choose from hundreds of ecommerce marketing companies to help promote your brand online. So if you have a WooCommerce store, you can choose one of the many WooCommerce agencies to help you out.
They offer care and maintenance packages, and will generally ensure that your website remains up to date. Hiring an ecommerce-centric agency is essential if you want to keep your website competitive.
But how do you find the right ecommerce agency for your business?
Want to Grow Your Ecommerce Agency?
Join the top ecommerce agencies growing with our Agency Partnership Program and enjoy priority support, growth bonuses, onboarding discounts, co-marketing opportunities, and more!
5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Ecommerce Agency
To narrow things down, we recommend that you focus on these 5 key factors if you want to hire a reliable ecommerce agency for your website.
1. Experience and Expertise
Source: Stryde
How much experience and credibility does the digital agency have? If the agency has some renowned clients, you can rest assured that the agency provides quality work.
Let’s say you Googled ‘Ecommerce agency in your area’ and received many search results. Now, how will you find out which of these is the best one for your business?
Navigate to each agency’s website and check its portfolio and clients’ list. Almost all agencies have a portfolio page where they list the clients they have worked with, and the projects they did for them. This can give you comprehensive information about the type of agency you will be working with, and the quality it produces.
The more experienced an agency is, the higher their expertise is likely to be. Thankfully, it’s easy to determine the kind of clients an agency has worked with in the past. You can set an appointment with them and ask any questions that you may have. This will give you an idea about their overall expertise.
2. Reviews and Testimonials
You should also search for the reviews of each ecommerce-centric agency that you are thinking of hiring for your business. Let’s say you have searched for an agency online. After checking out its portfolio and the location, you show interest due to its impressive track record. It’s always important to back up their claims by checking reviews.
Here are the buyer reviews for an ecommerce agency that I have found.
These are the review results about this ecommerce agency on FeaturedCustomers.com website.
It has positive reviews on Google reviews as well.
This is a good start to check if the agency is trustworthy. Due diligence is necessary and can save you a lot of time and trouble in the future.
3. Budget
Before you start searching for any agency, make sure you have a defined budget. With an optimum budget, you will be in a better position to negotiate the services that agency has to offer. In fact, most digital agencies have a budget calculator that will give you a better estimate of the project that you want the agency to complete.
The above image is of a budget calculation form of an ecommerce agency known as Hook. You can see that it asks users their requirements and then provides them with a figure – all done automatically – saving both parties’ time and money.
If you can’t find a budget calculator on their website, not to worry. You can always get in touch with the ecommerce agency and they will give you an estimate based on your requirements.
4. After-Sales Service
After-sales service plays an incredibly important role in making a decision about which ecommerce agency to hire. You are probably going to work with your choice for at least a few weeks, so it’s important that you hire someone who values your business.
In many cases, you will require services even after the work is done. You need someone who is passionate about working with you and actually cares about your work.
You can check the company’s reviews to see if it takes its after-sales service seriously, and remains in touch in case a problem arises. You really don’t want to work with an ecommerce-centric agency that stops responding once the project comes to a close.
5. Approach to Work
Now that you know about the work that the ecommerce-centric agency will offer, you need to find out their strengths. Find out what type and quality of work the agency has delivered for its clients in the past, as well as the results they’ve achieved For example, one ecommerce agency might be good in redesigning the ecommerce store, and another may be good with marketing a product. It is important to find the strengths so that you get the best service for your ecommerce store.
One way to check out the strengths of each ecommerce agency is by searching for them on freelancing websites. This is the image highlighting ecommerce agencies on Freelancer.com. You can view their ratings to get a better idea about their approach to work.
They have specifically provided their own strengths and their charges for an hour of work.
Different ecommerce agencies have a different approach to working on projects. Some will ask you to fill a short form or a brief, and then they will provide you with an estimate. Once you agree to that, they will begin working on that project. They may or may not ask further details during the project; just make sure they keep you updated with the progress.
An example of what can actually happen if you are not actively checking how your project is going.
Is It Best to Hire a Digital Agency or Bring on an Employee?
It’s usually better to hire ecommerce agencies instead of bringing on an employee. For starters, the work will be done by experts you don’t regularly have to pay . When you bring on an employee, you’ll often have to train them, as well as consistently pay them.
On the other hand, ecommerce agencies just charge a fee based on the work. If you are not satisfied, they will make the changes accordingly. Ecommerce marketing agencies are always looking to satisfy their clients, and they make sure that your job is done to the best of their capabilities.
It’s a no-brainer, really.
14 Top Ecommerce Agencies to Supercharge Your Business in 2022
Here’s a list of some of the best ecommerce agencies that you can hire for marketing your store and getting new leads and conversions.
1. Limesharp
Limesharp is an ecommerce marketing agency which primarily focuses on Magento development and marketing, and is working with some of the biggest ecommerce stores in Europe. The agency has Magento certified developers, and is known for its unique and productive development approach to Magento stores.
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $10,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Store branding
- Digital marketing
- Product marketing
- Technical SEO
Top Clients:
- Jo Loves
- Aquascutum
- Sophie Hulme
2. DTF Digital
Based in Huddersfield, DTF DIgital offers award-winning ecommerce marketing services to its clients. It is one of the top ecommerce agencies with years of cumulative experience divided amongst its talented staff.
Average Hourly Rate: Undisclosed
Minimum Project Cost: $1,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Logo designing
- Social media marketing
- PPC Advertising
- Email Marketing
Top Clients:
- Scouts
- PortCullis
- Leeds City Council
3. BathComms
Operating since 1997, BathComms is a results-oriented ecommerce agency that offers excellent ecommerce marketing services. It’s based in Bath, thus the name. These guys know marketing well and have evolved their game for years.
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $5,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Digital marketing
- Store Branding
- Content Marketing
- Email Marketing
Top Clients:
- Pony Magazine
- Horse Rider
- Lovely Tiles
4. Silicon Dales
Silicon Dales is a great choice for clients who want to maximize their ROI by leveraging multiple channels to market their ecommerce stores. It’s one of the most popular ecommerce agencies right now.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Custom development
- Store design
- SEO
- Email Marketing
- Content Marketing
5. Humaan
Next on our list is Humaan, an award-winning digital ecommerce marketing and development agency working with modern, off-beat ecommerce stores. Known for its swift and agile approach to ecommerce marketing, it’s used by a number of manufacturers, thinkers, explorers and theatre singers to build and spread their online presence. It’s one of the most creative ecommerce agencies right now.
The agency is an experimentative, continually evolving to create meaningful digital products that connect with people.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Design
- User Experience
- Content
- Technology
- Customer Interactive Campaigns
Top Clients:
- Sodashi.com.au
- Dusk.com.au
6. Commerceforge
Boston isn’t only famous for its universities. It has some of the best Magento and WooCommerce developers. And, that’s why Commerceforge, a Boston-based agency, has become one of the best ecommerce agencies in the world.
This full-service ecommerce agency identifies and implements solutions to meet your business goals. Its problem-solving approach is to listen to challenges, dig for underlying issues and collaborate with online store owners to craft an appropriate solution – a solution that fuels business growth.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- SEO marketing strategies
- Custom development
- Brand marketing
- Display Ads
- Remarketing
Top Clients:
- Luckyandme.com
- Gorite.com
- Wardmaps.com
- Fashionfirstaid.com
- Lakesuperiorsoaps.com
Looking To Start Your Own Online Store?
Don’t get bogged down with the technicalities of hosting. Let us take care of it for you! Our online store hosting solutions are optimized for e-commerce websites, ensuring fast loading times and secure transactions.
7. 82cart.com
82Cart, a Jakarta-based creative ecommerce marketing agency, specializes in developing clean, modern and high-quality ecommerce websites. For the last 10 years, it has been offering stunning experiences, and creating sumptuous e-store identities backed by powerful technology.
Average Hourly Rate: $100 – $149 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $5,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Custom SEO strategies
- Design
- Website marketing
- Branding
- Webstore Development
Top Clients:
- Dumaofficial.com
- Jjade-jakarta.com
- Arborandtroy.com
- Paulinakatarina.com
- Olivialazuardy.com
- Calla-atelier.com
8. Syncrony Digital
Syncrony is an ecommerce marketing agency established in 1999 by Dr. Howard Rybko. In 2013, it began building stores on the Magento ecommerce platform. Today, Syncrony is known for its quality service and brilliant support. It offers its marketing and development services to clients from all over the world.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Web Design
- Custom Software
- Ecommerce Stores
- Content Management Systems
- SEO
Top Clients:
- Privatehouse.co.za
- Holistix.co.za
- Pandorashop.co.za
- Swept.co.za
- Hairnetwork.co.za
9. Zaproo
Zaproo has a team of certified Magento developers, designers and ecommerce marketing specialists working on cutting-edge technological solutions. Known for its 360-degree service offering, it has more than half-a-thousand satisfied clients who are running their ecommerce platforms remarkably well. Zaproo offers exceptional services that allow its clients to focus on reaching their business goals.
Average Hourly Rate: $50 – $99 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $25,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- UI and UX design
- Integrations and migrations
- Conversion optimisation
- Business assessment
- Ecommerce consulting
- Client support
Top Clients:
- Kodutarve.ee
- Kerastase.com
- Embilo.com
- Kov.entk.ee
- Kodutarve.ee
- Reset.ee
- Teeviit.ee
- Autopartner24.eu
- Carriealong.dk
10. Inigo.net
Inigo has been in the business of web design and ecommerce marketing since 1999. As one of the oldest agencies in the ecommerce domain, it specializes in the nitty-gritty of designing, developing, and managing content for websites.
And it has managed to hold on to its magic. In fact, most ecommerce stores developed by Inigo have a yearly turnover of $100,000 and more. Its team’s experience includes designing, developing, marketing, and conversion optimization for websites.
Moreover, since it has seen the ups and downs of online search marketing, it has also expanded to focus on digital marketing services and copywriting.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Strategy
- Web Design
- Web Development
- WordPress
- WooCommerce
- Digital Marketing
Top Clients:
- Howies.uk.com
- Janedavidson.co.uk
- Fischy.com
- Caringchristmastrees.com
11. NetCrafters
NetCrafters is a Cincinnati-based agency focusing on web development, designing and ecommerce marketing. The company has been in business for the last 20 years, developing websites that become valuable, manageable assets instead of frustrating, quickly outdated online brochures.
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Content Management
- Web Design
- Web Development
- WordPress
- WooCommerce
- Digital Marketing
Top Clients:
- Procter and Gamble
- Morris Group
- Bourn & Koch
12. The Bigger Boat
What do people stuck on a stranded island wish for? A boat! As for stuck ecommerce stores, they need a development team that will rescue them from their plight. That’s what The Bigger Boat does. It is a team of prolific developers and marketers based in the UK, carrying out their projects diligently. It works with some of the top brands and provides full-scale ecommerce services.
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $10,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Design
- Development
- Marketing
- Copywriting
- UI/UX
Top Clients:
- Little Tikes
- Direct 2 Mum
- Stone Menswear
13. Echo
Echo is a team of young, creative web designers and ecommerce marketers based in Peterborough. It has been working with multinational clients for the last few years and is known for its successful implementation of projects. The company has a 5/5 rating out of an aggregate of more than 50 reviews. Most of its clients include charities, national ecommerce businesses, manufacturers of award winning global products and local car garages.
Average Hourly Rate: $150 – $199 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $10,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Design
- Development
- Marketing
- Copywriting
- SEO
- Mobile app development
Top Clients:
- Garden Gift Company
- High Flyers
- Best4Bunny
Ecommerce sales are going to cross four trillion dollars in sales this year. Therefore, it  would be dumb to tell you about the best time to start your ecommerce store. We had a hunch that you would have been looking to build a store for yourself in 2019, and so we decided to help you out with our list of the best tips and recommendations for the top ecommerce agencies in 2021.
Now that you know all about hiring an ecommerce agency for business, it is time to get serious about your business. Choose an agency that you deem fit for business from the list above and start delivering your projects to your clients without any delay.
14. Think Orion
Think Orion is a premier eCommerce marketing agency, that is revolutionizing the way online stores promote their businesses. It has more than a hundred satisfied customers who are using Think Orion for growing their eCommerce stores. Think Orion started as an event marketing agency that has diversified into SaaS marketing, Online course promotion, eCommerce marketing through cross-channel media management.
Average Hourly Rate: $50 – $99 /hr
Minimum Project Cost: $8,000+
Ecommerce Marketing Services:
- Facebook Marketing
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Google Shopping
- Email Marketing For eCommerce Businesses
Top Clients:
- Petduka
- Marriott
- Evenant
- Droomdiner
- Saloncloudsplus
Q1. What’s the average cost of hiring an ecommerce agency?
An ecommerce agency can charge anywhere between $1,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the type of services you are hiring them for.
Q2. What factors should you consider when hiring an ecommerce agency?
When deciding on which ecommerce agency to choose, you should look for the following:
- Their track record with proofs.
- Their expertise and its alignment with your business.
- Their company procedures and processes.
- Their communication guidelines.
Q3. What are some common services that ecommerce agencies offer?
Here is a list of some the services that can be offered by an ecommerce agency:
- Digital marketing services.
- Store branding services.
- Product marketing services.
- Webstore design and development services.
- Campaign performance management services.
Q4. How do I select an ecommerce agency?
You can choose an ecommerce agency by following these tips:
- Look into their past industry experience.
- Read their case studies.
- Research and compare their pricing.
- Go through client reviews and testimonials.
Q5. Is hiring an ecommerce agency beneficial for me?
If you lack the technical knowledge and expertise, or if you don’t have a budget to onboard full-time staff, then hiring an ecommerce agency is your best available option. Moreover, working with a professional ecommerce agency will allow you to scale your business, speed-up growth and survive in the highly-competitive, ever-growing ecommerce industry.
Have anything to say about this article? Let us know in the comments below.
Sajjad Shahid
Sajjad is an Ecommerce Community Manager at Cloudways. He loves helping out Ecommerce store owners, merchants and marketers in establishing their businesses and startups. Sajjad enjoys playing table tennis and cricket over the weekend.
