Essential questions:
- What experience do you have with ecommerce businesses at my revenue stage?
- Can you provide 2-3 case studies from similar ecommerce companies you’ve helped?
- What will you do in your first 30-60-90 days with my business?
- How do you measure success in your role?
- What tools and financial systems are you proficient with?
- How do you communicate with clients and what’s your typical response time?
- How many clients do you currently serve and how will you ensure adequate availability?
- What is your pricing model (hourly, retainer, project-based)?
- Can you provide references from ecommerce clients I can speak with?
Red flags to watch for:
- Overpromising massive improvements without understanding your business
- Too much focus on historical data rather than forward-looking strategy
- Vague communication or lack of clear explanations
- No relevant ecommerce or DTC experience
- Inability to provide specific examples of past successes
- Inflexible service models that don’t adapt to your changing needs
