New software developer to big shopify based e-com company

[Livia_c]

Hey everyone,

I was just hired as the first IT/dev person to a shopify powered company. I also have limited coding experience, having worked only with ruby (built websites using ruby on rails) and some basic front end knowledge. I guess I convinced the team in my new company that I am digital savvy enough and willing to learn so they trusted me.

The company is a rather big one, and is using shopify for a couple of years already, but they want more and more customisation.

My question would be, where would you say I should start? Any courses that might help me ramp up? Any tips that you wish you knew in the beginning? (Now I am just searching apps and setting them up, but I want to learn how to build custom plug ins and apps for them).

Second Q would be, how can I built a test environment to their website? I have a task now and I saw some apps that offer a solution but I want to test the apps before suggesting one that I think fits the best. I would like to do that in on a separate website and not go live or do any changes on the current one.

As they have been working with shopify for so long, they use so many apps, have so many themes, tailor made adjustments. It makes the whole learning journey pretty complicated.

Thank you so much in advance for your answer. 

[NomtechSolution]

To create a test environment for a Shopify website where you can try out different apps and make changes without affecting the live site, you can follow these steps:

1. Create a development store: Shopify allows you to create development or trial stores for testing purposes. Go to the Shopify website (www.shopify.com) and sign up for a new account. During the sign-up process, select the option to create a new development store.

2. Customize the development store: Once you have your development store set up, you can install the same theme used in the live store or any other theme you want to test. You can also make adjustments and modifications to the theme as needed.

3. Install apps: In your development store, you can browse and install the apps you want to test. You can search for apps in the Shopify App Store and install them directly in your development store. Test out the functionality and features of the apps to see if they meet your requirements.

[kanhasoft]

Landing your first software developer role at a big Shopify-based e-commerce company is a fantastic opportunity! Here's some advice to help you thrive:

1. Embrace the Learning Curve:

• Shopify Ecosystem: Shopify has its own ecosystem with Liquid (templating language), APIs, and themes. Dive into the documentation, tutorials, and Shopify Partner Academy resources to get familiar.
• E-commerce Domain: E-commerce has unique challenges (high traffic, security, scalability). Be prepared to learn about online payments, order management, and customer data.
• Company Culture: Every company has its own way of doing things. Observe, ask questions, and adapt to the team's workflow and communication style.

2. Focus on Fundamentals:

• Solid Programming: Even with Shopify's specifics, strong programming fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, design patterns) are crucial. Practice and refine these.
• Version Control (Git): Master Git. It's essential for collaboration and managing code changes.
• Testing: Get comfortable with different types of testing (unit, integration, end-to-end). Quality code is paramount in e-commerce.

3. Be Proactive and Curious:

• Ask Questions: Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's better to clarify early than make mistakes later.
• Seek Feedback: Actively solicit feedback on your code and approach. It's a great way to learn and improve.
• Explore and Experiment: Take initiative to explore new technologies and experiment with different solutions.

4. Communication is Key:

• Clear and Concise: Communicate clearly with your team, especially when explaining technical concepts.
• Active Listening: Listen carefully to understand requirements and feedback.
• Document Your Work: Good documentation helps others understand your code and makes maintenance easier.

5. Contribute and Collaborate:

• Team Player: Be a team player. Help others, share your knowledge, and contribute to a positive work environment.
• Code Reviews: Participate actively in code reviews. It's a great way to learn from others and improve your code.

6. Continuous Learning:

• Stay Updated: The tech world changes rapidly. Keep learning new skills and technologies relevant to Shopify and e-commerce.
• Attend Workshops/Conferences: These can be great for networking and staying up-to-date.

How KanhaSoft Can Help (Even After You've Landed the Job):

While you're already in a development role, KanhaSoft can still be a valuable resource:

• Custom Integrations: If your company needs custom integrations between Shopify and other systems (CRM, ERP, etc.), KanhaSoft's custom software development expertise could be relevant to projects you might work on.
• Specialized Solutions: For more complex Shopify app development or custom e-commerce solutions, understanding what KanhaSoft offers can give you a broader perspective on the possibilities within the e-commerce space. This knowledge can be beneficial in your own work and contributions.