According to data from 2024 about a content management system, WordPress is the primary technology of over 40% of websites. That’s why it has become the first choice for many organizations due to its ease of use and many features. This drastically increases the number of professionals specializing in development on this platform and contributes to providing WordPress development services. You are in the right place if you are looking to hire dedicated WordPress developers.
These days, there are so many specialists working with WordPress that you need help choosing someone whom you can trust. But don’t worry; we’re here to take you through the complete process of hiring a dedicated WordPress developer.
WordPress Statistics
WordPress is still the most popular content management platform (CMS) platform. Some interesting statistics:
- Over 40% of websites on the Internet are powered by WordPress, more than any other platform.
- According to the statistics from BuiltWith, over 64% of all websites using a CMS opt for WordPress. It holds 14.7% of the world’s most visited websites.
- More than 500 websites a day are built on WordPress.
- The value of the WordPress Plugin market exceeded $1.5 billion in 2023.
These numbers make the platform significant, and hence, they are also responsible for the fact that the need for professional WordPress developers is increasing with time.
Why Hire a Dedicated WordPress Developer?
Hiring a dedicated WordPress developer guarantees that your project will be executed at a high level, from initial planning to support. Although WordPress is a fairly easy-to-use platform, creating custom themes and plugins or developing large-scale sites requires specialized knowledge and experience. As a result, hiring a dedicated developer can save you time, money, and unnecessary hassles in the development process.
A significant advantage is that a WordPress programmer with in-depth knowledge of the platform can quickly solve problems that may arise during development and ensure a high-quality end product. Instead of spending effort learning the platform’s ins and outs yourself, you can focus on other important aspects of your business.
Types of WordPress Developers
When you search, you will come across different types of WordPress developers:
- WordPress website developers. These developers, like full-stack developers, work both on the front end and on the back end of your site. They have the skills to build a full-fledged website with all the necessary plugins, custom themes, and APIs.
- WordPress Theme Developers. Specializing in creating custom themes, including layout design, font colors, icons, and other visual elements. Such customization allows you to create a unique appearance for your site that will match your brand and business goals.
- WordPress plugin developers create custom plugins that add new features to your site, improving its functionality for users and administrators. They can also develop plugins to facilitate the work of other developers, designers, and testers. Most WordPress developers can work with all three areas, allowing them to provide comprehensive solutions for your business. Mastering these various aspects is crucial if you’re wondering how to be a WordPress developer.
Basic Aspects and Steps When Hiring a WordPress Developer
Defining your needs
The first step in hiring a WordPress developer is to clearly define your needs. You need to know what type of WordPress solution you need. It can be a full website, an online store, a custom theme or plugin, or even a migration of an existing site to WordPress.
For example, if you need an online store based on WordPress, look for developers with experience in e-commerce. Likewise, if you need a plugin to integrate specific features, it’s worth finding a developer with relevant experience in plugin development.
Choosing the correct type of developer
After determining your needs, decide whether to hire a freelancer or contact a WordPress development company. Individual developers are often available through freelance platforms, while companies can offer a wider range of services.
The choice between a freelancer and a company depends on the scope of your project and specific requirements. Freelancers usually offer more flexible terms, but companies can provide a comprehensive approach and support at all stages of development. Many businesses hire offshore WordPress developers to reduce costs while maintaining quality.
Interaction with potential developers or companies
Once you find a few potential candidates, start a discussion with them. During these conversations, you can assess their skills, experience, and approach to work.
Be sure to ask the following questions:
- How many years of WordPress development experience do you have?
- What types of services do you provide?
- How do you keep customer data secure?
- What projects have you already completed?
The answers to these questions will help you better understand the developer’s level of expertise.
Search on freelance platforms
You can find a WordPress developer on Fiverr, Upwork, Toptal, Arc, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer, and Codeable platforms. These platforms make it easy to view developer profiles, compare their experience, view customer reviews, and analyze portfolios.
If you want to avoid searching for a developer, post your requirements on these platforms, and the developers will contact you. This allows you to compare offers and choose the best candidate. Many companies choose to outsource WordPress web design through these platforms.
Portfolio overview and customer reviews
Always review a developer’s portfolio before hiring. This allows you to assess the complexity of the projects he can complete and check whether he has experience creating interfaces, backend systems, and API integration. It is important to ensure the developer has the necessary skills to implement your requirements.
In addition to the portfolio, it is also important to analyze customer reviews and ratings on digital platforms such as Clutch or GoodFirms. Reviews will help you understand how the developer interacts with customers, whether he successfully completes projects, and how satisfied customers are with his work. For example, if you see consistent positive feedback about the speed and quality of work, this may be a good indicator.
It’s also important to pay attention to the comments on post-development support. If previous customers mention quality support and quick response to requests, this can be an important factor when choosing a developer.
Evaluation of price models and terms
Cost is an essential factor when choosing a WordPress developer. Everyone wants to get the best value for money. Compare the prices of different companies, taking into account the volume of services provided. For example, if one company offers development for only $1,000 and another for $1,200, but with additional support services, it may be worth choosing the second one. Thus, you get more services for a slightly higher price.
Note that more experienced developers and companies may charge higher prices, but their experience and expertise often guarantee a high quality of work. Also, consider different pricing models: fixed price per project, hourly, or hybrid models. Finding the option that best suits your requirements and budget is essential. Many businesses find that offshore WordPress developers offer competitive rates while maintaining quality.
Ensuring data security
Your data is a valuable asset, and as you develop WordPress, you’ll likely share it with developers. Before signing a contract, discuss the developer’s data security practices. Signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your confidential information is also a good idea.
An experienced WordPress programmer also knows website security, allowing you to create a secure solution to protect your site from potential threats. Ask the developer about their experience implementing security measures such as SSL certificates, protection against DDoS attacks, and regular updates and data backups.
Checking the competence of the developer
Before finally choosing a developer, it is worth checking his competence. You can give him a small paid assignment to evaluate his technical and communication skills. It can be the development of a simple plugin or a small section of the site that meets your basic requirements.
Evaluate the time required to complete the task, the number of errors, functionality, compatibility, and the overall result. Also, please pay attention to how the developer communicated during the task and how well he understood your requirements. It’s not just technical skills that matter, but a developer’s ability to understand your needs and provide helpful recommendations.
Conclusion of the agreement and determination of conditions
If you are satisfied with the cost, timing, services offered, and the developer’s expertise, proceed to the conclusion of the agreement. Ensure the agreement contains all the necessary details, such as the project delivery date, payment terms, and other essential terms.
Include them in the contract if you also plan to use post-development services. This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure a smooth development process. It’s also important to discuss the process for making changes to the project once it’s launched so you can be sure of support if needed.
Signing the contract and starting development
Once the contract is signed, set up communication channels and start development according to the agreed-upon plan. It is important to maintain regular contact with the development team to monitor the process and make adjustments as necessary.
Successful development requires regular communication and monitoring. To ensure everything goes according to plan, set clear project milestones and completion dates. Discuss in advance how issues will be resolved if requirements change or the schedule is delayed.
As a result, your project will be completed on time and in compliance with all quality and safety requirements.
Conclusion
Hiring a WordPress developer becomes easier if you are clear about your needs and follow the steps outlined in this article. The right developer will be able to provide a high-quality solution that will meet all your business requirements.
Remember that the success of your project largely depends on the competence and experience of the developer you choose. Use these tips to find the perfect partner for your WordPress site development, and your business will surely get new opportunities for growth and development. Whether you hire dedicated WordPress developers locally or outsource WordPress web design to offshore WordPress developers, following these guidelines will help ensure a successful partnership.
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