If you’re thinking of starting a website or simply adding a new one to your repertoire, you’ve probably thought at least once during that grueling process “Could I just DIY it, or should I get a professional to do the job”. Many people opt for the former either because they’re just entering the WordPress world or have been disappointed by the people they hired in the past.
The truth is, finding a good developer can be rather tiresome. And there are multiple reasons why that is so. Despite the perceived scarcity of people providing such services, the number one reason is actually the exact opposite. Just a simple Google search can prove this.
If you tried to find a developer right now, your Google searches would be overflowing with offers, all trying to undercut each other in order to get your attention.
The problem is that there are so many companies and “experts” out there offering to do these kinds of jobs without the proper knowledge or the tools required for undertaking such a task. In reality, many people who present themselves as someone who has the knowledge to create a stunning, functional site couldn’t do much better than you DIYing a site after a few YouTube tutorials.
However, suppose you do manage to find a good developer. In that case, you can add a lot of custom functions to your site. Plus, you’ll have to spend less time learning about all the ins and outs of WordPress and will have more time to focus on your real passion – content.
Before we give you actual suggestions on where and how to find a credible developer, there are a few things you should take into consideration before looking for the perfect candidate.
What to Look Out for?
1. Think of What You Actually Need
Before getting a developer, you should have a clear idea of what you want your site to look like and how it should perform. What we mean by the latter is to consider the purpose of your site. Is it going to be an e-commerce store, a community forum, a review page, or something else?
Once you know your site’s purpose, it’s time to think about any extra integrations you might be needing. Maybe you’ll need some sort of form, WooCommerce features, or interactive calendars. These will be the first things you’ll be talking about once you enter into a discussion with a potential developer.
2. Be Aware of Your Budget
Hiring a developer can be rather costly, especially if the site you are looking to build has a lot of special requirements and features. So, think about the scope of your project and what it entails. Take this step incredibly seriously if you’re on a tighter budget and prioritize. There are some features you could start out with and then add the non-essential ones as you grow.
When looking at potential hires, make sure to check out their portfolios. Developers will usually have their prices listed on there as well, which are based on the complexity of what you’re looking for. Make sure that whoever you end up hiring has enough experience to undertake the job.
Another useful thing to do is take a look at the sites they built to make sure everything is in order and that you’d be happy with something like that.
Where to Find a Good Developer?
There are many places online where you can find such services, however as we’ve already mentioned, just Googling them can be a bit of a doozy. So here are some sites where you should have more luck.
1. WordPress Jobs
WordPress Jobs has a large selection of jobs based solely on WordPress work, which is why we put it at the top of our list. You don’t even have to create an account to window-shop for potential jobs.
All of the jobs offered are organized into categories, so you can check out what best suits you. Whoever is posting the listing has the option to choose a contact method. That way, potential developers can reach out to you in any way you see fit.
2. Toptal
Toptal is an insanely popular platform geared towards a specific niche, so you won’t have to search through a myriad of topics unrelated to what you need. The platform has been specifically designed for software developers, designers, project managers, and finance experts. So, if you’re looking for a whole crew, you could potentially find it on Toptal.
The prices, however, tend to be relatively high here due to the platform’s rigorous screening process. This may dissuade you at first, but it only means that you’ll be hiring a capable freelancer and not someone that over-inflated both their capabilities and pay rate. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
3. Upwork
Upwork has one of the largest freelancer job markets out there. You can post a job on Upwork, or you can bid for one. So, when it comes to finding a developer, all you have to do is put up your listing where you describe the job’s details, and potential candidates will be contacting you shortly.
Anyone on the site must have a profile, which makes it easy to look into their past and check out any prior work experience.
Using Upwork helps the vetting process become a bit less strenuous.
4. Freelancer
Like Upwork, Freelancer features a large selection of those looking to do freelance work and those posting job offers. Every freelancer on the platform must have a detailed profile showing their past work and expected pay rate. This way, it’s effortless to vet potential hires, as you’re able to get a clearer idea of the cost right away.
There’s a mix of beginners, intermediates, and professionals on the platform. So, you will have to do a bit of work before finding your perfect match. However, this also means that with a little due diligence, you’ll be able to find a perfect mix of knowledge and pay-rate.
5. Social Media
Social media being used for business in recent years is nothing new. And finding a developer is also not an impossible task on social media. However, it might be a little difficult if you’re not in the loop.
Developer communities on social media mostly exist in smaller circles that were formed around a particular niche.
Best Companies for WP Development
Now, we know what you’re thinking, “But what if I don’t want a freelancer to create my website?”. Maybe what you want is a big name company to stand behind your business and website. This is also a viable option, and by choosing a trustworthy company, you can be sure that your site will be top-notch. But, be warned, sites created by big companies come at big-company prices.
1. WPfied
WPfied is a rather big company offering a variety of services. They offer 24/7 support and have a bunch of fantastic customer reviews and testimonials on their site. The services they offer are available globally. All you have to do is contact them.
What they offer:
- Plugin Development
- E-store Development
- Theme Customization
- Migrating to WordPress
- Hiring Developers for WP Site Creation and Management
Fees: You’ll have to contact their team to find out specific prices. However, according to review sites such as Clutch and ITFirms, their prices start at $30/hr.
2. tagDiv
tagDiv consists of a smaller team of developers and experts looking to create neat, minimal, but effective digital solutions. Some of their key clients include Welthee and The Colorado Times.
The most important services they provide are:
- Web Development
- Web Design
- E-commerce Development
- WordPress Development
- Performance Optimization
Fees: Again, there are no specific fees listed on their site, as every project is unique and requires a different amount of time to develop. But, review sites report hourly rates that start at $50.
3. UPQODE
UPQODE is an award-winning company with big-name clients like Cannadonia and CucaCasa. Their primary focus is the design and subsequent promotion of WordPress sites they create. They offer many great services and guarantee high-quality products at reasonable prices.
The man services UPQODE offer include:
- Web Design
- Web Development
- E-Commerce
- IOS/Android Development
Fees: If you’re interested in getting any of the services this company provides, you’re free to contact them and get an estimate. In case you’d like a general estimate, Clutch and ITFirms consistently put UPQODE’s hourly rate between $50 and $100.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the best tips for finding a quality WordPress developer. Remember, your site is your business, so paying cheaper to develop it isn’t always better. In this particular case, you need something that’s going to look good but also function well over a long period of time. So, make sure you do some good research into who you’ll be hiring as a WP developer.
Hiring a freelancer or a larger company can both prove to be fruitful if you do it the right way and make sure they tick every box on your list.
We hope you found this article helpful and are feeling more confident about the entire hiring process. If you have any further questions, feel free to post a comment.
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Keep reading the article at WP Newsify. The article was originally written by Ivana Banić on 2021-02-07 16:19:28.
The article was hand-picked and curated for you by the Editorial Team of WP Archives.