New writer!! "i only speak liquid" #57: Two unexpected client types

Hey everyone!

We have a new writer for the next 4 editions: Martynas!

Welcome to my 1st contribution to the  i_only_speak_liquid newsletter!

I'm Martynas, a freelance web developer and proud member of the Storetasker network. I spend a lot of time building Shopify sites, and also React applications.

Outside of work, I spend most of my free time in the gym and enjoy building things, such as carpentry projects. This passion for fitness and hands-on creation keeps me balanced and continually learning.

Let’s connect via Linkedin.

What I’ve been thinking about: “two unexpected client types that can benefit from Shopify Hydrogen”

As developers, we’re well aware of the power Shopify Hydrogen brings to the table, especially for big brands that need flexibility and high performance. But what if I told you it’s not just the industry giants that can benefit from this tool? Two other types of clients -ambitious brands with big goals and small brands eager to stand out - can also gain significant advantages from Shopify Hydrogen.

1. Ambitious clients with big goals

You may have clients who are currently small but have big ambitions. They might not yet have the resources of a large corporation, but they have the vision to grow. For these clients, Shopify Hydrogen can be a strategic choice that offers a scalable, future-proof foundation.

Why Recommend Hydrogen?

• Scalability: Hydrogen won’t limit your clients’ growth. As their brand expands, this platform can grow with them.

• Long-term benefits: Although Hydrogen may involve higher initial costs, its long-term benefits—like improved performance and full customization—can provide a strong return on investment as the client scales.

• Content management flexibility: Pairing Hydrogen with a CMS like Sanity or Contentful gives your clients the ability to manage complex content with ease, making it easier to adapt as their needs evolve.

• Performance optimization: Hydrogen enhances site speed and overall performance, which is crucial any e-commerce business.

Challenges: Keep in mind the increased dependency on developer expertise for ongoing updates and changes. While this might mean more work for you, it’s an investment in the long-term success of your client’s brand.

2. Small clients with a desire to stand out

You might also have clients who run smaller brands but want a website that truly sets them apart. For these clients, Shopify Hydrogen offers the ability to create a unique, eye-catching site even if they don’t require a ton of complex features.

Why Recommend Hydrogen?

• Simple and unique design: Hydrogen allows you to create a website that stands out without being overly complicated. It gives you, the developer, full control over the design and code (think about all ReactJs infrastructure/libraries), enabling your clients to express their brand identity clearly.

• Fast and lightweight: Hydrogen is ideal for building a fast, streamlined user experience, which is crucial for smaller brands looking to make a big impression.

• Creative freedom: For clients tired of cookie-cutter templates, Hydrogen offers the chance to build something truly distinctive.

Challenges: Even though the site may be straightforward, it still requires a developer who is proficient with Hydrogen. This means your clients will need to be prepared for the investment of time and resources. However, if their goal is to stand out in a crowded market, the effort is often worth it.

Final Thoughts

Shopify Hydrogen isn’t just a tool for the big players. As a developer, understanding its strengths and how it can serve both ambitious and small clients will allow you to offer better guidance and deliver solutions that align with their goals. By helping clients navigate the challenges and leverage the benefits of Hydrogen, you can position yourself as a trusted partner in their journey toward growth and differentiation.

3 links you can’t miss:

1. CSS Tricks - one of my go-to resources is CSS-Tricks, a comprehensive site for web design and development tutorials.

2. Ahrefs Free Tools - doing SEO tasks for a client? Check out this Ahrefs free tool list. It’s definitely worth considering, especially since it’s free.

3. Lapa Ninja - working in eCommerce, it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest UI and UX trends. My favorite resource for this is Lapa Ninja

1 app I like:

Zipify One Click Upsell:

OneClickUpsell is an app that helps increase sales by offering customers additional products or upgrades before and after they make a purchase. It’s easy to set up, integrates directly with Shopify, and lets user create custom upsell offers that boost average order value. 

One learning as a freelancer:

Recently, I’ve started freelancing more intensively, and I’ve come to see that while it can be enjoyable, it also comes with the challenge of balancing client communication with the actual work, which requires careful management.

Yet, these interactions are what make freelancing so fascinating. Working with a variety of clients and projects keeps things dynamic and exciting. Each new client is an opportunity to learn about different industries, understand unique business challenges, and broaden my perspective on just how vast and diverse the world truly is.

I’m looking forward to what lies ahead and excited about the experiences and growth it will bring along the way.

Martynas