The Steps To Becoming A Bigcommerce Developer

By Author: AOC
Total Articles: 3
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BigCommerce is the SaaS e-commerce platform with the most rapid growth rate. BigCommerce is also one of the best eCommerce platforms when it comes to providing both B2C and B2B features simultaneously. In recent months, web developers have been in high demand, particularly in the eCommerce industry. There are numerous recruiters seeking Shopify and BigCommerce developers. If you are looking to hire bigcommerce web developer, I highly suggest to check out Always Open Commerce.
This blog post will cover the skills necessary to become a professional BigCommerce theme developer. In upcoming blog posts, I'll discuss how to become a BigCommerce App developer, SEO expert, BigCommerce solution architect, etc.
I'll be writing this article as a guide for someone who is completely unfamiliar with web development. You may already have some foundational knowledge and be able to move on, but do not underestimate the value of refreshers.
Knowledge of Web/Internet Fundamentals

Realizing how the Internet ...
... functions
What is a DNS? What are the standard DNS Records?
Describe a domain registrar.
How do webpages work? What is site hosting?
I believe the following videos can be of assistance to you:
DNS Made Easy videos
Free IT Training for DNS Records
The difference between a domain name registrar, the Domain Name System, and hosting by 48 in 48

Semantic HTML

To become an expert in web development, learning HTML would be one of the first steps.
In my more than 12 years of experience, I have frequently encountered applicants and individuals who claim to be HTML experts, but are unaware of web semantics, web standards, etc.
When you're learning HTML, it's imperative that you understand web semantics and W3C standards. Writing semantic HTML can benefit your website's user experience, accessibility, performance, and SEO.
Numerous online courses are accessible (Free or paid).

CSS

Here, I am incorporating CSS as a secondary step, but it will largely coexist with HTML.
There are numerous frameworks available for CSS, but I recommend learning pure CSS. Once you have mastered a language's fundamentals, you can quickly adopt any framework. Pure CSS coding will enhance your styling abilities.
Learn responsive web design and the mobile-first methodology while studying CSS.

Design Tools

As a web developer, you will benefit greatly from having a fundamental understanding of design concepts and tools. You do not 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 design tools for front end web development include Figma, Photoshop, Sketch, and Adobe XD.
Once you've completed your HTML/CSS education, you can proceed to the next step. Try to locate a web page's design files and convert them into an HTML/CSS-based, responsive web page.

JavaScript/ES6

A thorough understanding of Vanilla JS will be really beneficial.
Locate an online course that teaches the fundamental concepts of JS. Make sure you're learning ES6's advanced features (arrow functions, fetch/await, map function, etc.). Essentially, you should enroll in a course that teaches you the fundamentals of JS and its most recent advanced features.
I strongly advise you to PRACTICE after you have completed your JavaScript studies. There are YouTube courses that include JS projects for practice. This is an area where many applicants are weak, so continuous and extensive JS practice will put you ahead.

jQuery

Numerous JS frameworks and libraries are available. Once you have a solid grasp of JavaScript, it will be simple to implement any framework. I will include jQuery on this list as a necessary skill. It is advisable to learn jQuery, as the BigCommerce Cornerstone theme and numerous websites on the web continue to use it.

Understanding of the BigCommerce Platform

This is a necessary step. You cannot develop BigCommerce websites if you are unaware of the available features.
Before developing themes or websites on the BigCommerce platform, I prefer that developers have a comprehensive understanding of its fundamentals.
You can create a trial BigCommerce store, explore the admin panel's various sections, and experiment.
Configure simple and sophisticated goods
Create parent-child relationships for categories
Import-export products
Configure client groups
Payment methods, shipping, discounts, taxes, and so forth.
Examine each option and comprehend its operation.
BigCommerce Videos

Fundamental SEO Knowledge

If you are developing a website for a client, he or she will want the site to rank in search engines and generate revenue. I do not expect developers to be SEO experts, but they should be familiar with SEO fundamentals.
Frequently, developers will work on an existing website's CRO implementation or with a team for on-page SEO elements.
Ensure you comprehend:
Canonical tags
XML Sitemaps
HTML sitemaps
Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Rich Snippets
additionally
Website Accessibility

In recent years, numerous businesses have been sued for failing to comply with ADA compliance guidelines.
There are third-party applications that make the website accessible, but they are limited and will not solve every problem.
It is recommended to consider web accessibility guidelines when designing or developing a website.
As a developer, it will be extremely helpful to be familiar with the ADA compliance checklist and techniques. This competency will distinguish you from other candidates.

Understanding Web Performance optimization

Slow websites hurt conversion rates. There are techniques and development workflows that can aid in the rapid development of websites.
Understand Core Web Essentials. CWV is currently a ranking factor for Google.
I'd say that web performance optimization is a crucial skill that will enable you to create high-quality, quick BigCommerce websites and set you apart from other developers.

Integration with Third-Party Apps

The majority of BigCommerce sites may necessitate app installation and/or configuration. 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, and other functionality.
To succeed as a BigCommerce Developer, you must know how to install these third-party applications.

Project Management Tools

It is recommended to understand the fundamentals of Project Management tools in order to work effectively with a team or manage your own projects. Including Basecamp, Asana, Teamwork, JIRA, and Trello, etc.
You don't need to understand every tool because they all have comparable functionality (like tasks, time tracking, progress tracking, etc.). The fundamental concept, however, is to comprehend the company's communication procedure and workflow.
Good communication is essential when working with a company or client, so start documenting your daily work activities.

Tools for Testing and Bug Tracking

After completing the site's development, the following step would be to test it on various platforms, devices, and browsers. Other platforms are available in addition to BrowserStack. Similarly, I use BugHerd for bug tracking, although there are alternative options.
The objective is not to master each tool, but rather the concept and procedure. You may examine a single tool to learn how it functions and how it can improve your development workflow.

Feel free to contact us if you are seeking mentorship, career advice in web development, or private BigCommerce development training sessions.

Always Open Commerce (AOC) is a BigCommerce-certified E-commerce solutions agency that offers IT-based services to SMBs in the US and Asia-Pacific. With over 10 years of experience, AOC delivers quality yet affordable e-commerce solutions such as site development, UX design, PIM, and digital marketing. Our rates start at $15 an hour per specialist. https://alwaysopencommerce.com