Small Shopify businesses often require support from experts but struggle as they function on tight budgets. Finding an affordable Shopify retainer is the best way to ensure efficient processes and cost-effectiveness.
Are you a small business? Want to know how a retainer can be a gamechanger for your business?
This blog explores how you can hire affordable Shopify retainers, what to expect, tips, and how to get started.
What is An Affordable Shopify Retainer?
Shopify retainers are monthly agreements between an agency and a business, where the retainer provides services and support for the Shopify store for a fixed fee. Small businesses have limited budgets as well as less service requirements.
Moreover, according to studies, 95% of business owners face the challenge of finding skilled full-time professionals. The best solution? Hire retainers.
Unlike enterprise packages that are meant for large businesses and have a high cost, affordable Shopify retainers are suitable for smaller businesses and budgets. Affordable Shopify retainer packages may cost $500 to $2500 per month.
Services included in low-tier Shopify retainers:
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Shopify theme updates and bug fixes
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Product page optimizations
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Design and content updates
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Banner and promotional updates
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Emergency support for critical issues
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Monthly reporting on tasks and plans
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Regular maintenance
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AI-based services - automation, AI-based data
Why are Retainers Better than One-off Projects for Small Businesses?
Affordable Shopify retainers can benefit your business more than one-off project workers who you have to pay just once. Here are some advantages of having retainers.
1. Predictable monthly cost
For small businesses, having a sense of costs for each month is important for smooth functioning on limited budgets. Monthly retainers help avoid unexpected and sudden expenses related to ad hoc or urgent tasks. Predictability can help you plan your other processes easily.
2. Speedy execution
Retainers work with your brand for a long term. Hence, they get a deeper understanding of your brand compared to a one-time freelancer. For example, when there’s a requirement, they do not have to spend time understanding the background. They straightaway execute the task, leading to faster task completion.
3. Better scalability
Retainers offer the flexibility to focus on different aspects of your business at different times. For instance, when it's a slow period, you can focus on planning and strategy building, and when it’s peak season, you can get your retainer to help with revenue generation and scaling activities.
4. Implement AI automations
New age retainers offer AI-powered services that improve efficiency and reduce costs. For instance, retailers have the expertise to automate product tagging, email marketing, customer service, among other processes. This frees up time for strategic tasks.
What Hidden Costs Should You Watch Out For?
Not all low-cost retainers are cost-effective. Cheap Shopify retainer plans may end up costing you much more than the monthly fee. Here are some hidden costs you should be aware of and avoid.
1. Hourly overages or undefined deliverables
Look for vague or unclear terms and deliverables. For instance, some agencies may charge a fixed rate for a specific number of hours but have added charges for strategic work, including only regular work in the monthly fee. Get clarity about the charges, hours, what kind of tasks are included, etc. What might look like an affordable Shopify retainer, may turn out to be a costly affair for your business.
2. Scope creep due to unclear documentation
Scope creep is a common issue that often creeps up. For instance, a customer requesting for a simple update might turn into a complete redesign of the page. To avoid this, it is best to have things clearly defined in contracts. Retainer and brand relationships work best when they use a project management tool for documentation, requests, approvals, and tracking.
3. Separate billing for strategic input
At times, cheap Shopify retainer plans involve separate billing based on the nature of the work. For instance, regular execution work is billed separately and strategic consultation, planning, etc. is billed separately. Shopify merchants must insist on the same billing because both strategy and execution are interlinked.
What Services are Must-haves for Small Businesses on Shopify?
Shopify retainers for small businesses offer various types of services based on the specific requirements of each business. However, there are some services that you must definitely include. Here are some.
1. Theme tweaks, bug fixes
Shopify stores often require regular retainer services, such as theme tweaks, bug fixes, and other small issues that need attention in order to ensure the website functions smoothly. Other services include mobile optimization, product page updates, maintenance checks, etc.
2. Updates on pages
Ecommerce websites need regular updates on different pages, such as homepage, product pages, etc. For instance, when there are new products, discounts, seasonal updates, promotional banners, etc. These updates are essential for brands to stay relevant and drive conversions. Outdated information can harm the site’s performance. Most Shopify retainers for small businesses offer these services.
3. Conversion-focused enhancements
Every small detail has to be functional and up to date if you want seamless processes and consistent conversions. This is where affordable Shopify retainers come in. Retainers ensure the checkout process is streamlined, trust signals are implemented, reviews and security badges are in place. Retainers continuously enhance the website to ensure these aspects are up to date.
4. AI-driven process implementation
Retainers that provide advanced AI-based services can enhance your efficiency, speed, and cut costs, too. Retainers can implement AI-powered processes that can automate time-consuming tasks. For instance, product tagging, improved search functionality, AI chatbots for customer service, content generation, product descriptions, and more.
5. Automation for customer service
Another aspect that retainers can help with is setting up and managing communication automation. Automated customer service systems, email notification, SMS alerts, etc. By automating these communication processes, you can improve your website efficiency, reduce cart abandonment, increase conversion, and build post-purchase connections with customers.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Shopify Retainer for Small Businesses
Follow these Shopify retainer tips to gain maximum ROI from your retainers and smooth functioning.
1. Focus on impact over volume
Use your Shopify retainer smartly. Instead of giving them 10 small tasks, identify two or three things that can have the most impact on your business. Request your retainers to take on those two or three tasks. This way you can achieve your goals faster and gain more value from your retainers.
2. Track deliverables and feedback
Ensure you continuously track your Shopify retainers’ deliverables. Regular tracking can help avoid misunderstandings. You can use tools that help you manage retainer tasks and deliverables, have a proper record of their work, and manage each project with details documented with transparent workflows.
3. Automate workflows
Another Shopify retainer tip is to automate. Automation can increase efficiency and free up time of your in-house resources. Ask your retainer to identify repetitive tasks that can be automated. For instance, inventory management, product uploads, automated billing notifications, automated customer segmentation, etc.
4. Regular reviews
Conduct thorough reviews with your Shopify retainer team. For example, the monthly review should not only mention tasks completed but also assess how those completed tasks impact and drive results. These insights can help you plan the next month's tasks and goals.
Wrapping up - How to Get Started with Affordable Shopify Retainers
Hiring affordable Shopify retainers can truly change your small business and set it up for scaling and growth. The right mix of deliverables, strategy, AI-powered systems, and proper collaboration processes can help you gain maximum results.
If you’re looking for an affordable Shopify retainer for your business, contact XgenTech.
