How to Hire a Remote Shopify Developer: Cost, Skills & Process Explained

As eCommerce continues to grow rapidly, Shopify has become one of the most popular platforms for building scalable online stores. However, hiring the right Shopify talent—especially in competitive markets like the US—can be expensive and time-consuming.
That’s why many businesses today prefer to hire a remote Shopify developer, particularly from cost-effective regions like India. This guide explains how to hire a remote Shopify developer, compares Shopify developer hourly rates, outlines essential skills, and walks you through the entire hiring process—so you can make an informed decision.
Why Hire a Remote Shopify Developer?
Hiring remotely gives businesses access to a global talent pool without geographical limitations. Some key benefits include:
- Significant cost savings
- Access to specialized Shopify expertise
- Faster hiring timelines
- Flexible engagement models
- Easy scalability
For startups, SMBs, and enterprises, choosing a remote Shopify developer ensures both flexibility and efficiency.
Shopify Developer Hourly Rate: India vs US
One of the biggest advantages of remote hiring is cost efficiency, especially when you hire developers in India.
Cost Comparison
| Location | Average Hourly Rate |
| United States | $75 – $150/hour |
| India | $20 – $40/hour |
By choosing to hire developers in India, businesses can reduce development costs by up to 60–70% while maintaining high-quality standards.
Skills to Look for in a Remote Shopify Developer
Before you hire a remote Shopify developer, ensure they have the right mix of technical and soft skills.
Technical Skills
- Shopify theme development & customization
- Liquid templating language
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Shopify APIs & third-party integrations
- Performance optimization
- SEO-friendly Shopify development
Non-Technical Skills
- Clear communication
- Experience working remotely
- Time management
- Problem-solving ability
How to Hire a Remote Shopify Developer: Step-by-Step Process
1. Define Your Requirements
Clarify your project scope, budget, timeline, and whether you want to hire developers in India on an hourly, monthly, or dedicated basis.
2. Choose the Right Hiring Model
- Hourly (based on Shopify developer hourly rate)
- Dedicated developer
- Team augmentation
3. Screen & Interview
Assess portfolios, conduct interviews, and review Shopify-specific experience.
4. Start With a Trial
A trial helps evaluate performance, communication, and reliability before long-term commitment.
5. Onboard & Scale
Once selected, onboard your remote Shopify developer and scale as your business grows.
Best Platforms to Hire Remote Shopify Developers
You can hire developers in India through:
- Freelance platforms
- Shopify development agencies
- Staff augmentation companies
Agencies often provide pre-vetted remote Shopify developers, faster onboarding, and ongoing support.
Why Hire Developers in India for Shopify?
India is a preferred destination because of:
- Large pool of skilled Shopify developers
- Strong English communication
- Proven global client experience
- Competitive Shopify developer hourly rate
- Flexible hiring models
This makes India ideal for long-term Shopify projects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Remote Shopify Developer
- Prioritizing low cost over skills
- Skipping technical evaluation
- Unclear deliverables
- Poor communication alignment
Avoiding these mistakes ensures a smooth hiring experience.
Final Thoughts
If you want to build or scale your Shopify store cost-effectively, choosing to hire a remote Shopify developer—especially when you hire developers in India—is a smart business move.
With the right process and skill evaluation, you can access top Shopify talent while keeping your Shopify developer hourly rate within budget.
Looking to Hire a Remote Shopify Developer?
We help businesses hire developers in India with proven Shopify expertise, flexible pricing, and fast onboarding.



