10 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A PrestaShop Developer

When businesses decide to build or upgrade their online store using PrestaShop, one of the biggest decisions is finding the right developer to bring that vision to life. While PrestaShop is known for its flexibility and strong e-commerce capabilities, the platform’s true potential can only be unlocked if you work with the right professional.

This is where the decision to hire PrestaShop developers comes into play. A skilled developer can customize your store for performance, integrate essential third-party tools, and ensure scalability as your business grows. But here’s the challenge, how do you know if a developer is the right fit before you commit?

Asking the right questions during the hiring process is critical. Just as tech companies thoroughly vet candidates before onboarding them, businesses should have a checklist of questions ready when hiring a PrestaShop developer. These questions not only highlight their technical expertise but also reveal their communication style, problem-solving approach, and overall reliability.

Below, we will walk through 10 essential questions to ask before you make your hiring decision, each one designed to help you filter the best talent and avoid costly mistakes.

Choosing the Right Partner for Seamless Store Development

1. What Is Your Experience with PrestaShop?

The first question is straightforward but vital. Not every PHP developer is automatically skilled in PrestaShop. Ask about specific PrestaShop projects they have worked on, whether they have handled upgrades, custom themes, or large-scale e-commerce stores.

Look for developers who can provide examples of past work and describe the challenges they faced. Their answers will tell you if they have just explored the platform or have deep, hands-on experience.

2. Can You Customize PrestaShop Themes and Modules?

PrestaShop comes with pre-built themes and modules, but serious businesses rarely stick to defaults. You will want to know if your developer can customize themes to match your brand identity and modify modules for unique business logic.

For example, if you are running a subscription-based store, you will need tailored checkout options. Developers with strong customization skills ensure your site is not just functional but also stands out in a competitive market.

3. How Do You Approach Store Performance Optimization?

A beautiful store means nothing if it’s slow. Studies show that 40% of users abandon a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Ask your candidate how they optimize PrestaShop sites for speed.

Do they compress images, use caching, or optimize databases? Their answers will demonstrate whether they understand the fine balance between design and performance, a balance critical for e-commerce success.

4. Do You Have Experience with Third-Party Integrations?

Modern e-commerce stores rarely run in isolation. From CRMs to ERPs and payment gateways, integrations are essential. When you hire PrestaShop developers, ensure they know how to connect PrestaShop with third-party systems like PayPal, Stripe, or Mailchimp.

Tech companies frequently rely on such integrations to streamline operations. Your developer should be able to ensure smooth data flow across platforms, reducing manual work and avoiding errors.

5. How Do You Handle PrestaShop Upgrades and Maintenance?

PrestaShop regularly releases updates that improve performance and security. But upgrades can sometimes break custom themes or modules. Ask your developer how they approach updates.

Do they test on a staging site first? How do they ensure backward compatibility? Their process will show you how reliable they are when it comes to long-term store health and security.

6. What Is Your Approach to Security?

E-commerce stores are frequent targets for cyberattacks. With sensitive customer data at stake, you need a developer who takes security seriously. Ask about their experience with SSL, secure payment gateways, and preventing SQL injections.

For example, do they implement two-factor authentication for admins? Do they regularly update modules to patch vulnerabilities? These details reveal whether your developer can safeguard your business and customer trust.

7. Can You Provide References or Case Studies?

A confident developer should have no issue sharing references or past case studies. This helps you verify their skills and understand how they have helped other businesses.

Reach out to those references if possible. Ask about communication, delivery times, and how the developer handled unexpected challenges. This step can save you from costly mis-hires.

8. How Do You Ensure SEO-Friendliness in Development?

SEO is not just about content, it’s also about technical structure. Developers play a role in ensuring URLs are clean, sitemaps are updated, and page load times are optimized.

When interviewing, ask how they build SEO-friendly PrestaShop sites. Do they have experience implementing schema markup or optimizing for mobile-first indexing? If SEO isn’t baked into development, your store could struggle to rank.

9. What Is Your Communication Process During a Project?

Hiring a talented developer is pointless if they can’t communicate well. Clear, timely communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps projects on track.

Do they use tools like Slack, Trello, or Jira for project management? How often will they provide updates? Tech companies value structured communication, and your business should expect the same.

10. What Are Your Pricing and Engagement Models?

Finally, ask about their pricing structure. Do they work hourly, on a fixed project basis, or through a retainer model for ongoing support? Each has its pros and cons depending on your needs.

Transparency in pricing helps avoid budget overruns. And remember, cheapest is rarely the best. Focus on value delivered, not just hourly rates.

Summing Up

When you are ready to hire PrestaShop developers, the process shouldn’t just be about picking someone with coding knowledge. It’s about finding a partner who understands your business, communicates effectively, and can scale your store for future growth.

By asking these 10 questions, you will be better equipped to separate the amateurs from the experts, ensuring your e-commerce store not only looks good but performs exceptionally. Just like leading tech companies, your business deserves developers who think strategically, deliver consistently, and safeguard your long-term success.