How To Hire Best PHP Developers For Your Web Development

How To Hire Best PHP Developers For Your Web Development

Did you know 79.2% of websites online rely on PHP to some degree? As the backbone of countless web projects today, PHP plays a pivotal role. Yet, the hiring process often proves to be an uphill battle. You're not alone if you are tired of the extended recruitment timelines or frustrated by the scarcity of quality PHP developers.

How Do You Hire the Best PHP Developers for Your Web Development Project?

It's an overwhelming process if you don’t know what to look for. While platforms like Toptal do the heavy lifting, we understand that budget constraints can limit such options.

Here's what you will learn after reading the blog.

  • What is PHP, and why is it essential for business owners?
  • What does a PHP developer do?
  • Where to look for PHP developers?
  • How do you hire the best PHP developer by asking the right questions?

What is PHP? Why Is it Important for Business Owners?

PHP is a well-known computer programming language, mostly known for developing dynamic websites and web applications. Rasmus Lerdorf created PHP in 1994, which was later expanded by a large community of developers.

But why is PHP so beneficial for businesses compared to other technologies? Let’s find out.

  1. Extremely versatile - PHP is versatile as it can develop several applications like e-commerce, desktops, web apps, websites, blogs, CMS, and so much more. This means that your business is not limited to one type of web development. Likewise, it is known for ease of use and quick development time, which works well for small to medium-sized applications.
  2. Cost-effective - PHP is a source scripting language, which means you are not required to pay license fees. Moreover, many open-source PHP solutions, libraries, and frameworks are freely available! This leads to keeping your expenses low.
  3. Cross-platform compatibility and database integration - Cross-platform apps are the need of the hour. Fortunately, PHP runs smoothly on all platforms and OS, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. This enables you to deploy your web applications across different environments. Moreover, it connects to MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and others. This feature is crucial for businesses that require storing and retrieving data from databases to power their web applications.

What does a PHP Developer do, and how do they contribute to your business?

A skilled PHP developer is a master of various languages like HTML, CSS, and JS, which helps him build a dynamic website that ensures a smooth user experience according to users' needs.

PHP developers play an essential role in all stages of every web project. Here are some key responsibilities of a PHP developer for the project:

Key responsibilities of a PHP developer

  • #1. Designing website or web application layout.
  • #2. Creating compelling, reusable, and easy-to-modify code.
  • #3. Understanding how a web application works, including managing security to avoid data leaks.
  • #4. Developing plugins and extensions to enhance application functionalities and performance.
  • #5. Updating and improving existing code.
  • #6. Help front-end developers integrate their code with the backend smoothly.
  • #7. Working closely with User-Experience (UX team).
  • #8. Maintaining coding standards and making code easier to read.
  • #9. Knowing common web server vulnerabilities and their fixes.

Now that we understand the role of a PHP developer let’s delve into -

Benefits of hiring dedicated PHP developers for your web development projects:

#1. Brings specialized technical skills and expertise

Specialized PHP developers bring several skills to the table that directly impact revenues. For instance, a PHP developer with extensive e-commerce experience can help you significantly improve and optimize your product page and website performance so that your customers can buy more.

#2. Helps with cost efficiency

There’s a massive advantage to hiring dedicated developers. They can help you save significant costs during the entire development cycle. Here’s how.

  • Cuts out extra expenses - The entire development cycle demands varied skills. At such times, hiring full-time developers for every skill set can be costly as you will entail costs towards on-the-job utilities such as cooling, heating, software licenses, training expenses, etc. These bills can quickly spiral out of control. However, hiring a dedicated developer proves to be a strategic move. Their high level of experience aids in saving training costs. Likewise, their efficient project management skills lead to budget-friendly and on-time outcomes. At the same time, you can also enjoy the flexibility to scale up/ down as per project needs, leading to optimized costs.
  • Varied labor cost - Developers' rate varies based on regions. PHP developers from Asia charge less for the same experience compared to developers from North America. You can hire dedicated PHP developers from low-cost regions and save on development costs.

#3. Efficient problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.

Dedicated PHP developers are problem-solving heroes. They can fix any technical issues with ease, ensuring high performance. For example, they can help you solve website glitches quickly, resulting in less downtime, more profit, and boosted website efficiency.

#4. Reduces business risks

Web development comes with its share of risks, including malware attacks, unexpected downtimes, bugs, etc. A skilled PHP developer can handle such issues and reduce business risk by ensuring that your site's security remains intact.

#5. On-time delivery

A dedicated PHP developer helps businesses reduce uncertainty in project delays. For example, a PHP developer ensures he handles important software updates smoothly, reducing business downtime.

Now that we have learned about the PHP developer's roles and responsibilities and how they contribute to business, let's look at how we can hire the best PHP developers.

Where do you find a good PHP programmer?

There are several ways to find a good PHP programmer, and you will have to opt for sources that best meet your requirements.

#1. Job Portals

Job portals have always been a popular medium to hire PHP developers. However, there are downsides to it. You might receive thousands of applicants, which entails a tedious resume short-listing process.

Some popular job portals are:

  1. Indeed.com
  2. Upwork
  3. Freelancer.com
  4. Stack Overflow jobs
  5. Flex jobs

There are also dedicated platforms like Toptal, which will do the entire screening process for you, but this usually costs more.

#2. Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are also good ways to find PHP developers. Platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit have thousands of qualified PHP candidates looking to be hired. However, this, too, has a lengthy screening process.

#3. Dedicated developer outsourcing agencies

These are specialized agencies that have a vast database of developers. The developers are screened already, and business owners can hire good quality PHP developers directly. The benefits of going through this route are long-term cost savings, instant hiring, etc.

It is essential to lean on the approach that meets your business requirements. For example, if you want to hire a PHP developer urgently, it's best to go through dedicated agencies, even though it will cost more. You can go through social media and job boards with a dedicated HR team and time.

Things To Look for While Hiring a PHP Web Developer?

1. Technical skills

A PHP developer must have excellent technical skills, including PHP web development, HTML, CSS, JS database management, optimization, debugging, etc. Please also refer to our roles and responsibilities of the PHP developers section above to get an idea.

You can also gauge the technical skill set of PHP developers through the list of technical questionnaires we have prepared.

Technical questions to check the capabilities of the PHP programmer:

  • How do you ensure our customers' data stays safe using PHP?
  • What precautions do you take to ensure files uploaded to our PHP applications don't cause issues?
  • How do your choices in PHP coding impact our project timelines and team efficiency?
  • How do you design scalable PHP applications for increased traffic?
  • What strategies do you use to optimize PHP code performance?
  • How do you approach unit testing in PHP development?
  • How do you stay updated on industry advancements in PHP?
  • Can you discuss recent training or certifications in PHP?
  • Are you familiar with PHP frameworks, and what is your preference?
  • What's your strategy for optimizing the PHP code for speed?
  • What strategies do you use for designing and optimizing databases in PHP?
  • How do you implement security measures in PHP projects?
  • What documentation practices do you use to make your PHP code easy for others to understand?
  • Tell us about when you faced a problematic technical hurdle in a PHP project. How did you solve it, and how did you involve your team?
  • How do you leverage version control to collaborate with your team on PHP projects?
  • How do you approach troubleshooting PHP application issues?
  • How do you explain the situation and next steps when communicating with non-technical team members?

2. Experience and portfolio

Experience in the industry is a huge plus, as the PHP developer will be acquainted with industry challenges. For example, if you work in the health industry, PHP developers who understand rules and regulations and the health system's architecture will adapt more quickly than those who don't. Here, portfolios can act as a good qualifier.

3. Communication skills

You must seek strong communication skills if you need developers to work on a client-oriented project. A PHP dev with solid communication skills will be able to understand client needs, provide timely updates, and address client queries effectively.

4. Adaptability and ability to learn

To have a competitive advantage, your business, in its growth journey, will often adopt several new technologies. Hence, looking for candidates who can quickly adapt to new technologies is essential. A PHP developer with agile development skills is a huge plus.

5. Monetary expectations

Developers' salary expectations broadly vary based on region. Compared to Asian developers, US and UK developers will charge almost twice. So, keep in mind the regions that meet your budget expectations.

Below, we have given hourly rates of PHP developers varying by region.

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The median rate in North America, the New Zealand region, lies between $81 and 100, whereas for Asian regions, it's between $61 - 80.

Conclusion

Hiring a seasoned PHP developer can be challenging if you need to know what to look for. In the above guide, we have highlighted all the key areas you should focus on while hiring the best PHP programmer. A skilled PHP developer will help you build a scalable web application that meets business and user needs.

If you wish to forgo the candidate vetting process and get the best PHP talent to work on your projects, Clarion Technologies is here to help you. We go through the recruitment, interview, and vetting process to handpick the best PHP programmers so businesses such as yours can quickly get started with PHP development and harness its benefits to further your business goals,

So, take the lead and hire seasoned and dependable PHP developers to transform your idea into reality.

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a PHP website developer?

The average median rate of a PHP website developer starts from $60/hour. However, rates vary based on region.

What skills should we prioritize in PHP developers?

Look for strong PHP programming skills, proficiency in frameworks (e.g., Laravel), experience in database management, and familiarity with front-end technologies.

How do we assess practical experience and problem-solving abilities?

Incorporate coding assessments, technical interviews, and request code samples or project showcases to evaluate problem-solving skills.

Why are PHP frameworks important, and how do we identify proficiency?

PHP frameworks enhance development efficiency. Seek developers with experience in popular frameworks (e.g., Laravel) and assess their understanding during interviews.

How important is ongoing learning, and how do we assess commitment to staying updated?

Continuous learning is crucial. Ask about participation in conferences, courses, and open-source projects to gauge a candidate's commitment to staying current.

What soft skills are crucial for PHP developers in a team environment?

Prioritize effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Look for candidates who can articulate ideas clearly, provide feedback, and adapt collaboratively.

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