Hire WordPress developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

WordPress powers over 40% of websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular website builders in the world. In addition to being open-source and free, WordPress supports plug-ins for every type of web application, from membership sites to eCommerce stores.

WordPress developers specialize in designing, building, and maintaining WordPress sites. Whether you want to create a site from scratch or update an existing one to make it more functional, a WordPress developer will have the skills to handle your website's front and back ends.  However, hiring a WordPress developer can be challenging because of the high demand for qualified developers and the sheer size of the WordPress ecosystem. You’ll want to be sure the developer you hire has expertise in the type of site you’re building or maintaining.

This article will discuss the skills a WordPress developer should possess, their average salary, how to write a job description and ask compelling interview questions, and how Revelo can help you hire a remote WordPress developer for your team.

What Is WordPress Development?

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) used to create, customize, and maintain websites without advanced coding knowledge. WordPress is flexible, scalable, and easy to customize, thanks to a thriving community that creates a deep pool of resources.

You can use WordPress to create any website, from a one-page portfolio to a complex subscription-based membership site.

Some well-known enterprise websites were created on the WordPress platform, including Time Magazine, Vogue, TechCrunch, Sony Music, and WIRED. You'll be in good company if you choose WordPress for your next project.

What Does a WordPress Developer Do?

Unlike many other types of developers, WordPress developers don’t spend most of their time coding, although they need to know some basics. Instead, they usually perform tasks related to developing and customizing WordPress applications. On a typical day, they might:

• Set up new WordPress sites
• Integrate WordPress with other third-party applications
• Optimize sites for performance and security
• Customize WordPress themes based on client needs
• Troubleshoot and debug WordPress sites
• Develop eCommerce sites with WordPress plug-ins
• Work with designers, content creators, and stakeholders to build WordPress projects

WordPress Developer Salary

Despite the high demand for WordPress developers, their salaries are significantly lower than many other developers. This is primarily because WordPress development doesn’t require the same depth of technical knowledge as software development. In the U.S., the average annual salary for a mid-level WordPress developer with four to six years of experience is $71,203.

While WordPress developers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they’re usually paid 30%-50% less than their US counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective solution while offering highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

How to Write a Job Description for WordPress Developers

Writing an effective job description will significantly simplify hiring a skilled WordPress developer. Interviewing candidates is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor, so try to create a job listing that narrows down the field before you ever see a resume. You can do this by being clear and succinct in your description and including the following sections:

• Job title: Start with a job title that’s as specific as possible. “Website developer” or “front-end developer” will attract candidates who may lack the specific WordPress skills you need. “WordPress Developer” is straightforward and to the point. You should also include whether you’re looking for a junior-, mid-, or senior-level developer. Generally, you'll want a junior or mid-level developer if you need someone to help on a team. If you want someone to lead the project or build it from scratch, advertise for a senior-level developer.
• Job overview: Briefly summarize the job description next — don’t go over two sentences for this part, so it remains skimmable.
• Job duties: Create a bulleted list of responsibilities and tasks your new hire will be expected to perform.
• Required skills, education, and experience:  Use another bulleted list for required skills. You can also create a third bullet list of preferred skills.
• Company information: Include a short paragraph about your company culture and values and why a candidate would want to work for you. This is your time to sell your company, but don’t go overboard. Make sure you include information about salary and benefits, since many candidates won’t bother applying to listings that omit this information.  

You can also use our example of a WordPress developer job description, and work off of that.

Interview Questions for WordPress Developers

Even if you don’t know much about WordPress development yourself, there are several questions you can ask to judge a candidate's knowledge and skills.

What are the benefits of developing with WordPress?

This open-ended question allows an applicant to wow you with the depth of their WordPress knowledge. Look for an answer that hits the major points, but also consider their enthusiasm and how well they communicate the benefits of WordPress.

WordPress allows you to easily create any type of website with minimal coding using thousands of readily available customizable templates. There is a massive library of plug-ins to extend the functionality of WordPress.

You can also work with a team of content creators and editors by adding, removing, or changing the users who can modify your website’s content. Editors can add as many pages, posts, or products as desired using a variety of media formats.

What are the most relevant SEO plug-ins for WordPress?

Since search engine optimization is a top concern for any website, this question will ensure a candidate understands which plug-ins they should use to maximize SEO efforts. The top plug-ins that help you rank higher on search engines include:

• Yoast
• Google XML Sitemaps
• W3 Total Cache
• Jetpack
• Broken Link Checker

How can you optimize a WordPress site for speed?

Since no one wants to sit around twiddling their thumbs while a site loads, your website must be optimized for the best performance. This question will help determine if an applicant understands how to avoid building a sluggish site. There are many possible answers, but some top methods include choosing a reliable hosting provider, running performance tests, and keeping all software and plug-ins updated.

You can also delete plug-ins that aren’t being used, optimize images, work with a simple design, and use a content delivery network (CDN) — all of which will help your site run faster and perform better.

Why Hire WordPress Developers With Revelo?

At Revelo, we understand the challenges hiring managers face when recruiting and onboarding tech talent. When you work with us, we simplify the entire process from end to end. Our pool of highly-qualified, pre-vetted developers is trained in the tech stacks you need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a successful development team.

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