The steps required to become a BigCommerce Developer

BigCommerce is the world’s fastest-growing SaaS eCommerce platform. BigCommerce is also one of the best eCommerce solutions when it comes to providing B2C and B2B features simultaneously.

In recent months, there appears to have been an increase in the demand for web developers, particularly in the eCommerce sector. Numerous recruiters are presently seeking Shopify and BigCommerce developers.

This article will discuss the skills required to become an expert BigCommerce theme developer. In subsequent blog posts, I’ll discuss how to become a BigCommerce App developer, SEO specialist, bigcommerce website design, etc.

I am going to write this article as a guide for someone who is completely new to web development. You might already possess some foundational knowledge and be able to skip ahead, but do not undervalue the importance of refreshers.

Understanding Web/Internet Basics

• Knowing how the Internet operates
• DNS stands for Domain Name System. What are the most widespread DNS Records?
• What does domain registrar mean?
• How do webpages work? Web hosting is a service that allows websites to be viewed online.
• I believe the following videos will be useful to you:
• DNS Made Easy videos
• DNS Records Free IT Training
• The difference between a domain name registrar, DNS, and web hosting by 48 in 48 seconds

Structured HTML

• HTML is one of the first skills required to become an expert in web development.
• In my more than 12 years of experience, I have frequently encountered applicants and individuals who claim to be HTML experts, but who are unaware of web semantics, web standards, etc.
• When you’re learning HTML, it’s imperative that you learn web semantics and W3C standards. Writing semantic HTML improves the user experience, accessibility, performance, and search engine optimization of a website.
• There are numerous online courses accessible (Free or paid).

CSS

• I’m adding CSS as a second step, but it will primarily coexist with HTML.
• There are numerous CSS frameworks available, but I strongly advise you to learn pure CSS. Once you have mastered the fundamentals of a programming language, you can adopt any framework rapidly. Coding in pure CSS will aid in the development of your styling skills.
• Learn CSS as well as responsive web design and the mobile-first methodology.

Design Tools

• Having a fundamental understanding of design principles and tools will be of great assistance to you in your web development career. You don’t need to be an expert in these design tools, but you should have sufficient knowledge to extract the assets and other data from the design files.
• Popular front end web development design tools include Figma, Photoshop, Sketch, and Adobe XD.
• Once you’ve completed HTML/CSS training, you should implement the following recommendation. Try to locate a website’s design files and convert them into an HTML/CSS-based, responsive website.

JavaScript/ES6

• Having a solid understanding of Vanilla JS will be extremely beneficial.
• Locate an online course that teaches the fundamentals of JS. Ensure that you’re familiar with ES6’s advanced features (arrow functions, fetch/await, map function, etc.). Find a course that teaches you the fundamentals of JS as well as its most recent advanced features.
• After you have completed your JavaScript education, I recommend that you PRACTICE. There are YouTube courses that include JS project practice. This is an area in which many applicants are deficient, so consistent and extensive JS practice will put you ahead of the competition.

jQuery

• Many JS frameworks and libraries exist. Once you have a solid grasp of JavaScript, it will be simple to modify any framework. I will include jQuery on this list as an essential skill. It is a good idea to learn jQuery, as the BigCommerce Cornerstone theme and many websites on the internet still utilize it.

Familiarity with the BigCommerce Platform

• This is an important step. You cannot develop BigCommerce websites if you are unaware of the various features offered by BigCommerce.
• Before creating themes or websites on the BigCommerce platform, I prefer that developers have a solid understanding of the platform’s fundamentals.
• You can create a trial BigCommerce store, navigate through the various sections of the admin panel, and experiment.
• Configure simple and complex items
• Configure category parent-child relationships
• Import-export products
• Configure customer groups
• Methods of payment, delivery, discounts, taxes, etc.
• Examine each option and learn how it functions.
• BigCommerce Videos

Knowledge of SEO basics

• If you’re developing a website for a client, they’ll want the site to rank well in search engines and generate revenue. I do not expect developers to be SEO experts, but they should be familiar with SEO basics.
• Frequently, developers may be working on an existing website’s CRO implementation or with a team to implement on-page SEO elements.
• Verify your comprehension:
• Canonical tags
• XML Sitemaps
• HTML sitemaps
• Rich Snippets

Accessibility of the World Wide Web

• In the past few years, numerous merchants have been sued for failing to adhere to ADA compliance guidelines.
• There are third-party applications that make the website accessible, but they are limited and won’t solve every problem.
• It is recommended to keep web accessibility guidelines in mind when designing or developing a website.
• As a developer, it will be extremely useful to be familiar with the ADA compliance checklist and techniques. This skill will differentiate you from other applicants.

Be familiar with Web Performance optimization

• Slow websites reduce conversion rates. There are techniques and development workflows that facilitate the creation of quick websites.
• Find out about Core Web Essentials. Currently, Google uses CWV as a ranking factor.
• I would say that web performance optimization is a vital skill that will enable you to create high-quality, quick BigCommerce websites and set you apart from other developers.

Third-Party Application Integration

• The majority of BigCommerce websites may require app installation/setup. There are numerous options available, such as an app for reviews, an app for filters, an app for rewards, a return to the stock app, or other functionality.
• You must know how to install these third-party apps in order to be a successful BigCommerce Developer.

Project Management Tools

• It is recommended that you understand the fundamentals of Project Management tools in order to work effectively with a team or manage your own projects. Including, but not limited to, Basecamp, Asana, Teamwork, JIRA, and Trello.
• You don’t need to be familiar with every tool because they all do comparable jobs (like tasks, time tracking, progress tracking, etc.). The fundamental concept, however, is to comprehend the company’s workflow and communication process.
• Good communication is essential when working with a company or client, so begin documenting your work daily.

Tools for Testing and Defect Management

• After completing the site’s development, the next step is to test it across various platforms, devices, and web browsers. There are additional platforms available in addition to BrowserStack. Similarly, I use BugHerd for bug tracking, though there are alternative options.
• The objective is not to learn every tool, but rather to understand the concept and procedure. You may examine a single tool to learn how it functions and how it can enhance your development workflow.

Feel free to contact us at Always Open Commerce if you are seeking mentorship, career advice in web development, or one-on-one BigCommerce development training.