The Demand for BigCommerce Developers Continues to Rise
As of 2025, BigCommerce developers are in high demand as businesses recognize the significance of adaptable and customizable online shopping platforms. BigCommerce, a leading SaaS-based e-commerce solution, has shown consistent growth in recent years. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported a total revenue of $83.7 million, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. From small startups to enterprise-level organizations, the platform powers e-commerce sites worldwide, making its developers indispensable for creating and optimizing these digital storefronts.
Skilled BigCommerce developers are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-changing world of online retail, as companies prioritize sophisticated e-commerce strategies to improve user experience and maximize sales. However, with the rising demand for BigCommerce solutions, finding top-tier developers with the right skills and experience has become more challenging. The rise of BigCommerce as a leading e-commerce platform has made it more difficult for organizations to secure talented developers.
BigCommerce experts specialize in building and customizing functional and aesthetically pleasing BigCommerce websites on the platform, and they ensure that their work is aligned with the business’s objectives. This growing demand, paired with the increasing complexity of modern projects, means that organizations must put in extra effort to identify developers with the right technical expertise and experience. This guide will help hiring managers and recruiters identify highly qualified BigCommerce development talent to meet the unique demands of your company’s projects and business needs.
What Attributes Distinguish Quality BigCommerce Developers From Others?
BigCommerce developers need a multifaceted skill set that combines technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of e-commerce principles. Quality developers have expertise in integrating third-party apps, tailoring BigCommerce themes to their client’s needs, and delivering highly performant and conversion-optimizing stores.
Engineers creating custom frontends must be proficient in BigCommerce’s Stencil framework and the Cornerstone theme. Familiarity with APIs, webhooks, and BigCommerce’s GraphQL Storefront API provides them with the tools to build customized integrations. Developers should also be acquainted with modern web development technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and libraries like React or Vue.js.
A firm grasp of SEO best practices, mobile responsiveness, and accessibility standards ensures stores perform well across devices and rank favorably in search engines. Beyond technical skills, knowledgeable developers possess a strong understanding of UX/UI principles that aid them in creating conversion-driving shopping experiences.
Finally, successful BigCommerce professionals are excellent communicators. They can collaborate with designers, marketers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality projects that meet predefined requirements and business goals. Their ability to employ their communication skills to translate technical requirements into concrete solutions makes them indispensable for your development team.
How Can You Identify the Ideal BigCommerce Developer for You?
Finding the right BigCommerce developer requires a clear understanding of your project’s scope and requirements. Identifying your priorities will guide the hiring process, whether you need a new store built from scratch or ongoing store optimization.
Junior Developers
Junior Developers are well-suited for smaller tasks such as modifying templates, basic store setups, and other minor customizations. They are especially appropriate for businesses with limited budgets or those looking to handle routine updates. While juniors may need mentorship for complex projects, their enthusiasm and adaptability can bring fresh ideas to your development team. It also allows you to grow your development team in-house, as fostering a junior developer’s growth ensures they learn the tools and techniques most relevant to your company’s needs.
Senior Developers
Senior Developers, on the other hand, bring several years of experience in designing elaborate e-commerce solutions. They can architect custom integrations, troubleshoot intricate performance issues, and implement advanced features such as multi-storefront setups or internationalization. Senior developers are often a better fit for large-scale projects requiring technical depth and strategic insight.
To refine your search, look for certifications and training like those offered by BigCommerce University or developer badges from well-regarded agencies. These credentials signal a solid knowledge of the BigCommerce platform and hands-on experience. Additionally, reviewing a candidate’s portfolio can provide insight into their past work, design sensibilities, and problem-solving skills.
Complementary Technology Skills for BigCommerce Developers
BigCommerce developers often operate at the intersection of various technologies, so they must be proficient in related tools and platforms. Some key skills that add value to your candidate’s curriculum include:
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API Integration Expertise: BigCommerce’s API ecosystem supports integration with third-party tools like ERPs, CRMs, and payment gateways. Experience with REST and GraphQL APIs is invaluable for creating multifaceted stores.
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Headless Commerce Knowledge: As BigCommerce expands its headless commerce capabilities, engineers must be familiar with decoupled architectures and API-first solutions. Headless implementations allow greater flexibility in customizing storefronts while utilizing the platform’s backend capabilities. This is especially valuable for businesses looking for highly tailored and unique e-commerce experiences. A senior developer’s expertise in headless commerce can be a key differentiator.
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Performance Optimization: Proficiency in tools like Google Lighthouse or GTmetrix helps developers identify performance issues and optimize website speed, resulting in faster load times and a superior user experience.
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E-commerce Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, or BigCommerce’s analytics suite enables developers to implement tracking solutions that provide insights into customer behavior.
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Security Best Practices: Developers must ensure stores are protected against threats like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) or Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, particularly when handling sensitive customer data.
How to Write a BigCommerce Developer Job Description
Crafting a compelling job description will help attract the best talent. Start with a clear and specific title, such as “Senior BigCommerce Developer” or “BigCommerce Integration Specialist,” to highlight the role’s focus.
Introduce your company by describing its mission and values, e-commerce vision, and what sets it apart in the market. This helps candidates understand how their work will contribute to your organization’s broader goals.
The role summary should outline your prospective developer’s main tasks, such as creating custom BigCommerce themes, optimizing store performance, and integrating third-party tools where needed. Specific technical skills, such as proficiency with the Stencil framework, experience with APIs, and knowledge of modern front-end libraries, should also be included. Mention any certifications or frameworks relevant to the role, and clearly define the level of experience you’re seeking.
Make the role more enticing by highlighting benefits, such as remote work options, professional development opportunities, and the chance to work on high-impact BigCommerce projects. Finally, simplify the application process by providing clear instructions and timelines.
What Are the Most Important BigCommerce Developer Interview Questions?
You can evaluate a candidate’s technical proficiency, inventiveness, and problem-solving abilities by asking the right interview questions. Here are some example technical questions that are a good starting point for deeper discussions.
How do you approach building a custom theme for BigCommerce?
This question helps you evaluate the candidate’s familiarity with BigCommerce’s Stencil framework and the overall theme development process. Ideally, the candidate should clearly explain how they design and test themes while ensuring they are responsive, SEO-friendly, and faithful to the brand’s identity. Exceptional candidates will also describe their process for addressing edge cases, ensuring compatibility with various browsers and devices, and following accessibility best practices to create an inclusive user experience.
What is your experience with BigCommerce APIs?
API expertise is crucial for advanced customizations. Strong candidates should be able to describe how they’ve used BigCommerce’s REST or GraphQL APIs to implement integrations or build headless solutions. An ideal answer includes examples of integrating third-party systems like CRMs, ERPs, or payment gateways and handling complex workflows, such as syncing inventory across multiple channels or implementing custom checkout experiences.
Can you describe a challenging e-commerce project you’ve worked on?
This question highlights the candidate’s ability to tackle complex problems. Look for candidates who can provide examples of identifying pain points and delivering measurable results. The best answers will include a detailed explanation of the project’s goals, the tools or frameworks they used to design and build new features, and how their solutions contributed to the business’s ultimate success. Candidates who reflect on lessons learned or improvements made to their process demonstrate valuable self-awareness and growth.
How do you optimize a BigCommerce store for performance?
Performance optimization is a critical skill for developers. Top candidates will discuss techniques like image compression, reducing render-blocking resources, lazy loading, and leveraging BigCommerce’s Content Delivery Networks (CDN) capabilities. They may also mention strategies like code splitting, optimizing JavaScript execution, and minimizing third-party scripts. Advanced candidates will explain how they measure performance using tools like Google Lighthouse or BigCommerce’s analytics and how they iteratively improve metrics such as page load speed and Core Web Vitals.
What tools do you use for debugging and troubleshooting?
Effective developers rely on comprehensive debugging workflows. Candidates should mention the developer tools available in browsers, BigCommerce’s developer console, and other troubleshooting utilities. They might also reference tools like Postman for API testing, log analyzers for backend debugging, or real-time monitoring platforms like Sentry to track and resolve errors. Strong candidates will emphasize their ability to quickly identify and resolve issues without disrupting the user experience or workflow.
How do you collaborate with non-technical stakeholders?
Communication is key in development projects. Candidates should describe how they gather requirements and ensure alignment between technical deliverables and business objectives. Ask for examples of how they’ve worked with teams like marketing, design, or operations to incorporate feedback, address concerns, and deliver a final product that meets technical and business needs. Strong candidates will also highlight their ability to explain technical concepts in plain language, ensuring everyone involved understands the impact of development decisions.
Why Do Companies Hire BigCommerce Developers?
As the e-commerce landscape becomes more competitive, businesses hire BigCommerce developers to create scalable, secure, and user-friendly online stores, from creating unique storefronts to implementing smooth integrations.
By hiring skilled BigCommerce professionals, businesses can deliver superior shopping experiences, increase operational efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve in an evolving digital marketplace.
