Magento, the popular e-commerce platform, has gathered a large community thanks to its user-friendliness and extensive customization options. One feature that garners much praise is its ability to use custom themes made by designers.
Creating a Magento theme can be a difficult process, but with the popularity of the platform, there are many resources available to help people learn and improve their skills. Some more experienced designers may pursue a professional career in theme development. If you are one of these people and want to learn more about the job, continue reading … We have plenty of information to share about Magento theme design.
What does a Magento theme designer do?
A Magento theme designer is a professional who creates themes for online shops hosted on the platform. The themes determine the overall look of the website and can make a great change in terms of the store’s attractiveness and user experience. The design of the theme can also have an impact on the website’s functionality and loading time.
Themes built by skilled Magento designers can make a world of difference. It is not surprising that online shoppers prefer sites that are not only pleasing to the eye, but also responsive and functional. We are all aware of the significance of first impressions, so hiring a professional to design a Magento theme for your store is a decision worth considering if you are looking to improve your online presence.
Theme designers do not only design the look and feel of the website, but they can also optimize and enhance the user experience, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates. Their part in the success of a Magento store cannot be underestimated.
Which skills are necessary to work as a theme developer?
While some themes may be less complicated than others, the work usually requires a strong understanding of web design principles, a good grasp of web coding languages (like HTML or CSS), as well as the ability to solve potential theme-related problems.
Additionally, an understanding of responsive design is crucial to making websites appealing and functional on various devices and screen sizes.
Sometimes, theme developers stick to their preferred coding languages and frameworks, but flexibility is an important part of this job.
Even if you already have a theme, a professional can take a look at it and perform an audit to tell you what needs fixing. For example, a Hyvä developer will likely recommend some adjustments for better performance and user experience, as Hyvä Themes is perfect for fast and responsive websites.
Experience with the Magento platform
Online, some independent contractors market themselves as theme developers for multiple platforms. Unfortunately, some of them might exaggerate their skills, as to be able to build high-quality themes for different platforms, they would need to have a deep understanding of many different coding languages and frameworks. There are, of course, people who are proficient in more than just HTML and CSS, as well as designers who can create visually appealing themes for platforms other than Magento, but they usually have a strong portfolio to support their claims.
If you want to become a theme developer strictly for Magento, you need to be experienced in this platform specifically, as it has its own unique structure and expertise with, for example, Shopify, which will not translate well to Magento development. Polishing your skills or learning new ones is necessary if you are not already familiar with Magento’s standards and best practices.
Why choose Magento?
With so many different platforms available for e-commerce, you may wonder whether becoming a Magento theme designer is worth it. You do not have to worry about it, though; Magento is still highly popular, and many businesses prefer it for its flexibility, scalability, and customization features. In fact, 20% of the top US e-retailers use Magento.
You do not need to work in Magento upgrade services or any Magento-specific business to design themes for the platform, too – you can even do it as a hobby. Beginners can find a lot of support from its global community of developers and designers, use tutorials created by more seasoned designers, and take advantage of the vast number of resources available online.
Does developing Magento themes pay well?
It is difficult to answer this question in a way that applies universally. Freelancers that sell their themes on theme marketplaces charge very different prices based on their experience, the quality of their work, and the different files included. Some themes only include the bare necessities, while others are packed with features, graphics, and additional files that justify a higher price. There’s also the Hyvä vs Luma argument, where some designers declare that Hyvä themes are more efficient and practical, so the price should automatically be higher.
You can also design Magento themes as a Magento specialist in an e-commerce services business, where designing can be just one of your tasks. This can be a good option for those who do not want to spend all their work hours working on themes, but would still like to work on them.
To estimate your earnings, you would need to take all the variables into account – not only those related to the themes or Magento itself, but also to taxes, fees, and any additional expenses you might face. Additionally, the competition on the market affects the rates, and so does the demand for themes with specific features or functionalities.
Final words…
Being a theme designer for Magento can both be your full-time work bringing in a steady income or a side hustle. You can sell your themes on different theme platforms and reach a wider audience. You can also apply for a job at a Magento development company that will allow you to work on a variety of projects.
The job can be very fulfilling, especially for those with a passion for creativity and problem-solving. Sometimes, it may get tedious or difficult, but overall, it is a rewarding career choice for those with a knack for design and innovation. The demand for unique and user-friendly themes in the e-commerce industry continues to grow, providing ample opportunities for Magento theme designers to showcase their skills and expertise.
