PayPal is an international financial institution that has been around since 1998 and has become a leader in online payment systems. PayPal is an electronic alternative to traditional payment methods, such as checks and money orders, allowing individuals to transfer and receive money online. Since its introduction, PayPal has introduced developers to REST API services that enable them to work within transaction workflows, including subscriptions, invoicing, orders, payments, and disputes. With the PayPal developer platform, developers can create standard checkouts, advanced checkouts, and subscription-based services for their clients. Companies, specifically e-commerce businesses, looking to develop checkouts and subscription services can benefit from hiring PayPal developers with the experience and knowledge necessary to create these offerings.

Finding and hiring PayPal developers can pose some unique challenges. Some may struggle to find talent for their project, especially if they limit themselves to looking for local PayPal experts. Another issue many face is understanding the cost of hiring a PayPal developer.

This article will explore what you can expect from a PayPal specialist, how to write an attractive job description, and what interview questions to ask to attract and hire top talent.

What Is PayPal Development?

PayPal development involves creating checkouts and subscription services for businesses. Developers can create one of three services:

• Standard checkout: Standard checkout payments allow businesses to present payment buttons on their websites and mobile applications that prompt customers to pay through various payment methods, such as PayPal, debit and credit cards, Pay Later options, Venmo, and more.
• Advanced checkout: Advanced checkout payments are similar to standard checkouts but provide developers and businesses more flexibility in customizing their fields to match their brands. Advanced checkouts provide a checkout flow page that includes the shopping cart items, total cost, shipping address, and payment method, usually in a PayPal button or credit or debit card form.
• Subscription-based services: Developers can create various subscription-based services tailored to their client's needs. This can include creating different volumes and tiers, creating fixed plans that process payments at regular intervals, and automating payment recovery for failed payments.

PayPal development uses JavaScript SDK to display payment buttons. It also requires reading the GitHub repo and installing various dependencies and environment variables before it can work. PayPal development is best used in e-commerce and software-as-a-service businesses.

What Does a PayPal Developer Do?

PayPal developers work alongside businesses to create payment methods and plans for consumers. They work within the PayPal developer platform, using tools and services such as JavaScript SDK, REST API, GitHub depositories, PayPal business accounts, and more.