Your best Developer

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Absolutely! When you’re looking to hire someone to build a perfect WordPress website for your agency, there are several key factors to consider. Here’s what we would think through, as if we were on the other side, hiring for the job:

1. Skillset & Expertise

  • WordPress Development Experience: Look for a developer who has a strong understanding of WordPress—both frontend (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and backend (PHP, MySQL). You want someone who is comfortable working with themes, plugins, custom post types, and WordPress’s architecture.
  • Experience with Custom Themes and Plugins: A professional should be able to customize existing themes or create entirely custom ones if needed. Similarly, if there’s a need to create or modify plugins, they should be capable of that too.
  • Knowledge of Advanced Custom Fields (ACF): For custom, dynamic content, ACF is often a great tool. If your site requires unique functionality, ensure they are familiar with this or similar tools.
  • Proficiency in Page Builders (Elementor, WPBakery, etc.): These tools can help you speed up design and layout, so understanding if the developer is comfortable using them is important. However, it’s also crucial they know when NOT to rely on them, for the sake of performance and flexibility.

2. Design Sensibility & UX/UI Skills

  • Portfolio Review: Check their previous work. Can they create visually appealing and user-friendly websites? Make sure the sites they’ve built are not only functional but look modern, clean, and represent the brand well.
  • Responsiveness: A must-have in today’s world! Your developer should understand how to ensure the site is fully responsive across all devices.
  • Attention to User Experience (UX): The developer should care about how visitors interact with the website, focusing on ease of navigation, intuitive design, and clear calls to action.
  • UI Best Practices: Look for a developer who understands principles of good UI design—clear typography, color schemes, intuitive layouts, and accessibility standards.

3. SEO & Performance Optimization

  • SEO Best Practices: The developer should implement proper on-page SEO elements (title tags, meta descriptions, alt text for images, etc.), making sure the website is search engine-friendly.
  • Page Speed Optimization: Fast loading times are crucial. Check if they have experience optimizing images, scripts, caching, and utilizing CDNs (Content Delivery Networks).
  • Security Considerations: Make sure they know how to secure WordPress websites, especially if you’re handling sensitive information. Look for experience with SSL certificates, firewalls, and other security measures.

4. Content Management & Scalability

  • User-Friendly CMS Setup: WordPress is meant to be a content management system (CMS). Ensure the developer knows how to set up an intuitive backend that’s easy for non-technical users (like your team) to manage.
  • Scalability & Future-Proofing: The developer should ensure the website is built in a way that it can grow with your business. This means modular design and the ability to add new features down the line without a complete overhaul.

5. Communication & Project Management

  • Clear Communication: A good developer should be responsive and clear in communication. They should be able to explain technical details in a way that’s understandable to you.
  • Timeline & Budget Awareness: Ask for realistic timelines and quotes. A true professional should know how to balance quality with efficiency, without overpromising or underdelivering.
  • Project Management Tools: It’s a plus if they’re familiar with project management tools (like Asana, Trello, or Basecamp) to keep the project on track and organized.

6. Maintenance & Support

  • Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Ideally, they should offer ongoing maintenance after the website is live. Regular updates to WordPress, themes, and plugins, as well as ongoing support for troubleshooting, should be on the table.
  • Training & Handover: The developer should provide training for your team on how to manage the site, whether that’s content updates, managing plugins, or just general best practices for WordPress.

7. Compatibility & Third-Party Integrations

  • Third-Party Integrations: Depending on your needs, the developer should be able to integrate with tools such as CRMs, email marketing platforms, payment gateways, or booking systems.
  • E-commerce Expertise (if applicable): If you’re running an e-commerce site, ensure they have experience with WooCommerce and its various extensions, including payment processors, product management, and order fulfillment.

8. Budget & Value

  • Cost Structure: Understand how the developer charges. Do they charge hourly, per project, or with a retainer model? Be clear about your budget and see if their prices align with what you’re expecting.
  • Value for Money: While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, sometimes you get what you pay for. Think about the long-term value and return on investment (ROI) a high-quality website could bring. You don’t want to end up having to redo it all in a year.

9. Reputation & References

  • Client Reviews & Testimonials: Look at the developer’s reviews and ask for client references. A solid reputation speaks volumes about reliability and professionalism.
  • Test the Developer: Consider a small, trial project first to evaluate their work, communication style, and ability to meet deadlines.

Conclusion

When hiring someone to build your WordPress website, look for a blend of technical expertise, design skills, SEO knowledge, and strong communication. You want a developer who not only understands WordPress but can also align with your brand’s vision and future needs. The process should feel like a collaboration, with the developer offering valuable insights and solutions along the way.

Does this resonate with what you’re looking for? Feel free to dive deeper into any specific aspect!