Are you in the market for a WordPress development company? If so, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Not all companies are created equal, and not all developers are skilled in building WordPress websites. So, what should you look for when choosing a WordPress development company? Here are 15 things to consider.
Experience
WordPress among the most popular site-building and content management systems globally, powering millions of websites of all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking to hire a WordPress web development company to help create or maintain your site, it’s essential to ensure they have the necessary experience and expertise.
WordPress is a complex system, and an experienced WordPress developer will be able to navigate its quirks and capabilities with ease. They should also be familiar with a range of plugins and themes and be able to recommend the best solution for your needs.
In addition, a good WordPress development company will have a strong understanding of SEO best practices and how to troubleshoot common WordPress issues.
By ensuring that your chosen WordPress development company ticks all of these boxes, you can be confident that they’ll be able to build or maintain a high-quality website that meets your specific needs.
Skill Level
When it comes to finding a WordPress development company, it’s vital to consider the skill level of the team members. They should be adept with the following skills:
HTML and CSS coding: These types of coding are the basic building blocks of all websites, and a solid understanding of both is essential.
JavaScript: As JavaScript grows in popularity, your WordPress development team must use it to create dynamic and interactive websites.
PHP: This is the programming language used to build WordPress websites, and an experienced development team will be well versed in PHP coding.
SEO knowledge: A good WordPress development company should also have a solid understanding of SEO best practices. SEO knowledge will help ensure that your site is visible on search engine results pages.
Understanding of web hosting: A good WordPress developer will also have a strong understanding of web hosting. This understanding includes knowing how to set up and configure a server and how to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Portfolio
When you’re looking for a WordPress website developer, one of the best places to start is their portfolio. Their portfolio gives you a good sense of their skills and experience and their design sensibility. Here are some things to look for in a WordPress developer’s portfolio:
Projects that showcase a variety of skills: A good WordPress developer should be able to design and build a website and code custom plugins and themes, troubleshoot errors, and more. Look for a portfolio that showcases a wide range of skills.
Sites that are mobile-friendly and responsive: With more people than ever accessing the internet from their phones and tablets, your WordPress site must look good on all devices. Make sure the developer’s portfolio features both mobile-friendly and responsive websites.
Designs that are original and creative: A good WordPress developer should have a strong sense of design. Their portfolio should feature visually appealing websites and use creative problem-solving to achieve their goals.
Sites that are easy to use and navigate: A good WordPress site should be easy to use and navigate, regardless of the user’s experience level. Pay attention to how easy it is to click through the developer’s portfolio sites and find what you’re looking for.
References
When looking for a WordPress website developer, it’s important to check their references. Their references will give you an idea of the quality of their work and how well they communicate with clients. Here are a few things to look for in a reference:
First, make sure that the references are from recent clients, which will give you an idea of the developer’s current skills and workflow.
Second, pay attention to the details of the reference. Does the client speak highly of the developer’s attention to detail? Are they happy with the result?
Finally, ask about the communication process. Did the developer keep the client updated on progress? Were they easy to reach if there were any questions or concerns?
If you can find a WordPress developer with positive references that answer all these questions, you can be confident that you’re working with a professional who will deliver high-quality results.
Communication Style
A WordPress website development company’s communication style is important because it sets the tone for the project.
If the developer is clear and concise in their communications, it will help to ensure that the project stays on track. Conversely, if the developer is prone to rambling or unclear instructions, it can lead to frustration and delays.
In addition, a good communication style can help to build trust between you and the developer. Trust is important because you need to feel confident that the developer understands your vision for the project and will be able to deliver on their promises.
Pricing
Comparing pricing will allow you to fully understand what you can expect in terms of services, features, and support to choose a provider that meets your needs and budget.
It is important to consider any additional costs such as hosting fees, installation charges, and maintenance packages to know exactly how much your website project will cost from start to finish.
Overall, taking the time to carefully research several companies and evaluate their pricing structures will help ensure that your WordPress website is the best it can be.
The Development Process
The development process for a WordPress website can vary significantly from one company to the next.
In some cases, the development process is heavily streamlined and focused on getting the site up and running quickly. In other cases, the development process is more leisurely, allowing for more creativity and collaboration between you and the development team.
The type of development process that a company uses can greatly impact the final product. For example, a company that uses a streamlined development process is likely to produce a functional website but may lack personality.
On the other hand, a company that takes its time developing a WordPress website is likely to produce a more creative and visually appealing site.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which type of development process is right for your project.
Testing and Quality Assurance
If you’re planning to develop a WordPress site, it’s important to choose a development company that takes testing and quality assurance seriously.
A good WordPress development company will have a robust testing process to ensure that your site is free of bugs and errors. They should also have a quality assurance team that regularly assesses the quality of the codebase and looks for ways to improve it.
By taking a close look at a potential WordPress development company’s testing and quality assurance procedures, you can get a better sense of their commitment to delivering high-quality results.
Delivery and Implementation
Any good WordPress development company will have a clear and concise delivery process in place so that their clients know exactly what to expect. The company should also be able to provide you with a timeline for the project so that you can plan accordingly.
When choosing a WordPress development company, you should also consider its implementation process.
By considering the delivery and implementation process, you can be sure that you choose a company that will meet your needs and expectations.
Support and Maintenance
Once your website is up and running, you’ll want to make sure that there is someone you can rely on to help with any issues.
The best WordPress development companies will offer comprehensive support and maintenance packages, so be sure to ask about this when making your comparisons.
By taking the time to understand the different options available, you can be confident that you’re choosing the right WordPress development company for your needs.
Pricing
It is important to consider their pricing structure when comparing different WordPress development companies.
Some companies may offer flat-rate pricing, while others may charge by the hour or by the project. It’s also important to remember that some companies may charge more for support and maintenance than others.
By understanding the pricing structure of a potential WordPress development company, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible value for your money.
What Is or Isn't Included?
When choosing a WordPress development company, it is essential to consider what is included in the service. For example, some companies may consist of support and maintenance services as part of their packages. In contrast, others may charge an additional fee for these services. Other companies may offer various add-ons or customization options at extra cost.
It is important to understand what is included in the service to ensure that you are getting what you need.
The Company's Reputation
A company’s reputation can tell you a lot about them and whether or not they’re the right fit for you.
When researching a company, it’s essential to look at more than just its website. Checking out customer reviews on reputable sites like Yelp or Google Reviews and social media can give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to do business with them.
Reading articles that have been written about the company can also help paint a picture of how they operate and what its values are.
If you’re still unsure after doing your research, reach out to the company and see if they offer any transparency into their practices.
Reputation is everything, so vet any potential businesses before signing on the dotted line.
The Company's Customer Service
When choosing a WordPress development company, consider their customer service. Customer service is vital because you want to rely on the company if you have any questions or problems.
The best WordPress development companies will offer excellent customer service and will be happy to answer any of your questions. If you’re not satisfied with the level of customer service you’ve received, then it may be time to consider a different company.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Website
Have website goals: When setting up your website, it’s important to define what you want to achieve with it. Are you trying to increase brand awareness? Drive more traffic? Improve your sales and revenue numbers? Having clear goals will help guide the development process and ensure that your website is working towards achieving those goals.
Publish content regularly: It’s important to publish high-quality content regularly to keep your website relevant. Regularly published content will help you build trust with your audience and help with your search engine rankings.
Optimize for search engines: to get the most out of your website, optimize it for search engines like Google and Bing.
Test and measure for results: Use tracking tools like Google Analytics or Clicky.com to track your website’s traffic and stats, such as new visitors, repeat visitors, bounce rates, page views, and more.