Developer

How to hire a WordPress developer (3 key considerations)

Starting a WordPress website can be an exciting endeavor, but it can also be stressful. There are many factors to consider, from web hosting and domain registration to site design and regular maintenance. If you run your own business, you may not have the time (or energy) to look after everything.

Fortunately, you don’t have to manage your website all by yourself. There are plenty of professional WordPress developers who can help you build the site of your dreams and take care of all key maintenance tasks for you.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what WordPress developers are and what they do. We’ll also share some tips to help you choose the right developer for your website, and talk about where to find them. Let’s get started!

What WordPress developers are (and what they do)

Web developers are professionals who build and manage websites. Typically they handle projects for many different clients. This may include individuals such as bloggers and solo entrepreneurs, as well as larger businesses and organizations. 

A WordPress developer specializes in websites built on the most popular Content Management System (CMS):

WordPress homepage

This open-source platform gives site owners a lot of control over their content, as well as limitless possibilities for customization. For example, there’s a huge library of plugins and tools that can help you expand your site’s functionality. However, some users may feel a little overwhelmed by all of these options, and may therefore seek the assistance of a WordPress expert. 

On the other hand, some businesses may have very specific requirements when it comes to web design and functionality. As a result, they may need to hire a WordPress developer to create unique themes and custom plugins for their websites.

Fortunately, professional web developers can carry out a variety of WordPress-related tasks. These include:

  • Designing web pages and custom themes
  • Creating and customizing plugins and tools
  • Performing regular backups and implementing security measures to keep your website safe
  • Fixing technical issues and running any necessary updates
  • Optimizing sites by improving page loading times and the overall User Experience (UX)

You can hire a WordPress developer for a specific job, such as building a custom plugin for your website or designing a landing page. Alternately, you may want a professional to take care of every aspect of your site on a long-term basis. 

Whatever your requirements may be, there are some important factors to think about when hiring a web developer. Let’s take a look at the most important considerations. 

3 tips for choosing the right WordPress developer

Web development is a growing industry, so you can find plenty of WordPress experts who can assist you with your site. However, it’s important to do your research before hiring a professional, so you can select the perfect fit for your business. You may wish to look at some proposal agency templates to help you with the process. 

With that in mind, here are some tips for choosing a WordPress developer for your website. 

1. Establish your needs and budget

Before you start your search, it may be a good idea to reflect on your needs and requirements. More specifically, you may want to think about the following factors:

  • Your website’s goal. For instance, you may want to promote a cause, share valuable information, or increase your revenue through an online store.
  • Your brand image and values. You may want to think about the branding elements you’ll want on your site, including fonts and colors, as well as the values and messages that you want to communicate through your content. 
  • Any particular features you want on your site. This may include e-commerce tools such as payment gateways and order forms, as well as any functionality that is central to your business (such as an events calendar or a members-only area).

This is also a good time to think about your budget. Web developers may charge clients per hour or per project. Therefore, you’ll want to consider the scope of your project and work out a rough estimate of the costs

Additionally, you may also want to find out whether your requirements could be met with an existing tool or service. Purchasing a premium plugin may work out cheaper than hiring a professional to create it for you. 

2. Consider the developer’s area and level of experience

Once you’ve established your needs and budget, you’ll need to make sure you hire the right person for the job. While WordPress developers are generally knowledgeable about all the key aspects of this popular CMS, some might have a high level of expertise in specific areas, such as plugin development or web design. Alternatively, you may be looking for a professional with a lot of experience in overall web development. 

In either case, it’s a good idea to look at some examples of projects the developer has worked on in the past. This information should be available on their website or in their online portfolio:

Web developer portfolio

For example, if you want to launch a shop on your site, it can help to check out a few online stores the developer has built. This can help you determine whether they can meet your requirements, and if their style suits your brand. 

The developer’s level of experience can also indicate what rates they’ll offer. For example, professionals with niche expertise will typically charge more than general developers. 

Additionally, you may want to consider the tools each developer uses. For instance, some developers work with user-friendly page-building plugins like Elementor or Divi. This can make it easier for you to update your own site if the need arises.

3. Consult client feedback

Once you find a WordPress developer who fits your needs and budget, you’ll want to spend some time going through their customer feedback and reviews. It’s important to make sure their impressive portfolio and experience is backed up by a good track record. 

Here are some things to look for when reading client testimonials:

  • Efficiency. You probably want the developer to finish the project as quickly as possible. Therefore, pay attention to whether they’ve completed work within a reasonable time frame and adhered to agreed deadlines. 
  • Communication. You’ll also want your developer to be responsive and reliable. Prompt communication is essential, especially if you encounter issues like a cyber attack and need a quick fix.
  • Support. The level of support offered by the developer is also important. If you encounter problems after the project has been completed, you’ll want them to be available. 

Like any other professional, web developers will only display their best testimonials on their own websites:

Client testimonial example

If you want to be thorough, you can also check out third-party review sites, such as Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This could give you a more complete (and unbiased) overview of the developer’s work and service.

Where to find a WordPress developer for your website

If this is your first website, you may be wondering how to go about hiring a developer or where to look for one. Fortunately, there are several options available.

For instance, you could look for a freelancer on marketplaces and hiring platforms such as Upwork, Toptal, and Codeable. The latter is specifically dedicated to WordPress development, so it might offer a better chance of finding the right candidate:

Codeable homepage

These websites can provide you with all the information you need to know about each professional, including their qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise. You may also be able to view examples of previous work, as well as reviews and testimonials from past clients. Some professionals also display their rates on their pages. 

Alternatively, you may want to use LinkedIn to look for WordPress developers and reach out to them directly. If you’re a bit unsure about hiring a freelancer, you can consider reaching out to a web development agency instead.

Once you select a potential developer, you can send them a message with your request and ideas. It’s important to list all of your requirements and needs, and provide as much information as possible. This way, they will be able to tell you whether they can help you, and give you an accurate cost estimate. 

Conclusion

WordPress developers can help you design your website and expand its functionality with custom-built tools. They also carry out important maintenance tasks, such as security scans and speed tests, to ensure that your website keeps running smoothly. 

In this post, we looked at the three main aspects to consider when hiring a WordPress developer:

  1. Your needs and budget
  2. The developer’s experience and area of expertise
  3. Client testimonials and feedback on the developer’s work 

At FreshySites, we provide professional website design and WordPress development. Our team of experts can help you with all your website needs, including speed optimization, backups and updates, and troubleshooting. Contact us for a quote today, or to learn more about our WordPress services!

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