You’re thinking about hiring a Shopify developer from the Philippines.
Smart move.
But here’s the thing. They post a job for a “Shopify developer” without knowing what that means.
Then they get surprised when the person they hire can’t do what they need.
Let me break down what skills you should be looking for when hiring a Shopify developer .
Theme Customization & Front-End Work
This is editing how your store looks.
Taking Figma designs and turning them into Shopify themes.
Editing Liquid (Shopify’s template language), HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Building sections, tweaking product pages, fixing mobile issues, customizing the cart.
Most Shopify work falls here.
If you just need your store to look right and work smoothly, this is your hire.
App Configuration & Integrations
Some people call this development. It’s not really.
This is installing apps – reviews, subscriptions, upsells, loyalty programs. Making them look good.
Connecting your email marketing tool. Adding tracking scripts. Basic conversion optimization tweaks.
Important work. But a different skill set from actually coding.
Custom Apps & Advanced Back-End
Building actual Shopify apps. Complex automations. Deep integrations with other systems.
This requires real software development skills. Not just “I know how to edit themes.”
Most small businesses don’t need this. But if you do, you need to hire specifically for it.
Operations + Dev Hybrid
Here’s where Filipino talent really shines.
Many workers in the Philippines handle store management – uploading products, writing content, basic design – PLUS technical work.
They’ll also do reporting and monitor uptime.
For one monthly salary, you get technical skills and operational support.
What Filipino Shopify Developers Cost in 2026
Let’s talk about money. There’s a big range. And it matters what skill level you’re hiring for.
Entry-Level
You’re looking at $5-7 per hour for freelance work.
Or $800 per month if you hire someone full-time.
These are people who can set up your store from a premium theme, make basic edits, add products, handle simple customizations.
Good for small stores or basic maintenance.
Mid-Level
This is $8-15 per hour for freelancers.
Or $1,000-1,700+ per month full-time. Especially if they work night shift to match US hours.
These developers can write Liquid code, build custom sections, optimize site speed, set up complex apps, handle integrations and usually has 3+ years ecommerce experience and Shopify Plus knowledge.
This is where most established stores should be hiring.
Senior Developers
For building custom apps or complex integrations, you’re at $15-25+ per hour.
These rates get closer to global developer rates because the skill set is specialized.
Usually project-based rather than full-time.
Where to Find Filipino Shopify Developers
You have a few options for finding Shopify talent in the Philippines.
Each works differently. And each has trade-offs.
HireTalent.ph
Full transparency in mind, this platform is built specifically for hiring Filipino remote workers.
Here’s what makes it different.
Then AI analysis pre-vets every applicant across five categories.
Job match, experience even NBI clearances. It flags things you’d miss.
The trial task system lets you create test projects before you commit to hiring.
You design the task, assign it to your top candidates, review submissions, and pay for the work you accept. Built right into the platform.
It’s purpose-built for this exact use case: finding, testing, and managing Filipino Shopify developers long-term.
OnlineJobs.ph
This is the established Philippine job board.
You can browse profiles. See their monthly salaries in USD.
The downside? You’re doing all the screening and vetting manually. Sorting through hundreds of applications.
No built-in way to test candidates.
Upwork
Thousands of Shopify developers globally. You can filter for the Philippines specifically.
Check hourly rates, job success scores, portfolio work.
Better for freelance or project-based work than full-time employment. You’ll pay Upwork’s fees on top of the developer’s rate.
Screening is still on you. And developers on Upwork are often juggling multiple clients, so availability can be inconsistent.
How to Screen Candidates (This Is Where Most People Fail)
Someone posts a job, gets 200 applications, looks at portfolios that say “Shopify expert,” picks one, and hires.
Then they’re shocked when the person can’t do what they need.
The problem isn’t the talent pool. It’s the screening process.
Use Custom Application Questions
Generic applications tell you nothing.
Ask Shopify-specific questions right in the application:
- “Link to a Shopify store where you built custom sections. Describe what you built and what challenges you solved.”
- “Record a 2-minute video walking through your development process for a recent Shopify project.”
- “What’s the most complex Liquid code you’ve written? Paste a snippet and explain what it does.”
This filters out people who mass-apply to every job.
Ask for Their Portfolio
Don’t just accept a list of websites. Dig deeper:
“Which stores did you build or heavily customize the theme for?”
“What exactly did you do on this site? Show me before and after.”
Then verify it. Use your browser’s inspector tool. Ask what theme they started from.
Too many portfolios show stores where the person just swapped images and text. That’s not development.
Give a Trial Task
This is the best signal you’ll get.
Not a free test. A paid trial task for actual work.
Example 1: Give them a Figma mockup of a homepage section. Ask them to build it as a reusable Shopify 2.0 section with schema settings for copy, images, and colors.
This tests if they can actually code, not just drag and drop.
Pay $50-100 for this. Serious developers will do it. Time-wasters won’t.
Best Ways to Work with a Filipino Shopify Developer
You found someone good. Now don’t screw it up.
Set Clear Expectations
Define what “done” looks like. Define response times for different types of issues.
Sample service level agreement:
- Non-critical theme issues fixed within 48 hours
- New landing page sections delivered within 3 business days
- Critical bugs fixed within 24 hours
Write this down. Both of you agree to it. No confusion later.
Handle Time Zones Properly
Many Philippine developers work night shift to align with US hours.
But freelancers often prefer flexible schedules as long as they attend key meetings.
My suggestion: overlap 2-4 hours for live communication. Daily standups, quick reviews, urgent questions.
Everything else? Async. Use Loom for video explanations. Use Asana or ClickUp for tasks. They work their hours, you work yours, and the work gets done.
Manage Access Correctly
Give them a collaborator account in Shopify. Not the owner login.
Use separate staff logins. Use a password manager for third-party tools.
When the contract ends, revoke access immediately.
I’ve heard too many stories about ex-contractors still having store access months later. Don’t let that be you.
Respect Local Norms for Full-Time Hires
If you’re hiring someone full-time (not freelance), know that Philippine employment has some standards.
Many jobs include a 13th-month bonus. Paid leave. Philippine holidays off.
You don’t legally have to do this for international contractors. But good employers do it anyway.
It’s how you keep someone for years instead of months.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a Shopify developer from the Philippines works when you know exactly what you need.
Most failures come from vague job posts and weak screening.
Define the work tightly. Screen for real Shopify experience – not just “I know HTML.” Pay sustainable Philippine market rates. And protect your store access from day one.
Do that, and you’ll find someone good who sticks around.
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