How to trust shop editors you don't know

[Mpiper]

I'm sure any new shop owner gets a ton of messages from self-proclaimed "Shopify partners" or "Shopify experts" on facebook, Instagram, etc. trying to get you to trust them to edit your store to make a custom design or do your marketing, etc. Many I received I was easily able to prove were scam artists. Ask for their website, and when they can't provide, then easy to tell they don't have enough of a presence even to afford a website to highlight their skills and run their business. Or they send you "examples" and when you contact that store and they say that the name I give them didn't do the website. But there are a few that seem to check out. and they keep contacting me and asking how things are going when I tell them I'm not ready to make the investment to redo the website yet. (I say that and if they can't make a quick buck right that second they move on. Another way to weed out scam artists.)

So I'm close to letting someone make some changes, run the marketing, etc. But I have a huge trust issue. I don't want to let someone go in and edit the site and accidentally break some links or automation and then I'm left high and dry with a non-functional website. Or they make a marketing post that gets me in Facebook jail or get the ad account shut down.

How do you get to the point you can trust letting someone do something for you?  I would be able to trust a big company, one with a fully developed website that shows their skill, client references, etc. and I reach out to them. But, most of those are talking $10,000 per month marketing budget or some other large number that is not in the range I can do now. So I'm a bit afraid to let someone touch and possibly mess up my new startup. I know how to do the basics. Edit basic code, do paid ads in Facebook and Instagram or google. But I know my limitations. I am not the greatest marketer or able to build a full liquid shop theme from scratch. So I need someone to do those that is better than I am. But I'm very nervous about letting someone touch anything.

[Kate_WSQ · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mpiper ,

I totally understand your concerns, and you’re absolutely right. Here are some tips to help you avoid issues when hiring someone for development work:

1. Always Make a Backup:

   • Before allowing anyone to make changes to your site, ensure you have a backup. This is a standard practice for developers, but as the store owner, it’s crucial for you to have a backup as well.

2. Be Careful with Access:

   • Only share necessary access with developers. Developers typically use a collaborator account to access a client’s website, where they can request permissions for specific modules. As the store owner, you can adjust these permissions at any time. 

3. Choose Reputable Companies:

   • Opt for established companies rather than individuals, and sign contracts to protect yourself. Reputable companies offer warranties and are more likely to be responsible for the project. They have internal processes to guarantee work quality, and their past work can also be easily verified.

I hope these points help you. Let me know if you need further assistance!