Having an effective website is a non-negotiable for today’s businesses. Over 80% of shoppers research businesses online before they make a purchase, which has led most organizations to invest in their web presence. So, what happens when your website just isn’t cutting it?
When you’re due for a website overhaul, you have options. Some businesses have in-house team members that can handle the rebuild, while others choose to work with developers or development teams. Both options can make sense, but it’s important to make an informed decision to protect your digital presence.
If you’re building a site on WordPress, one of the most popular development platforms, you may wonder if you need to hire a developer at all. WordPress is known for having fairly user-friendly themes and integrations, but if you’re going beyond the basics, it may be useful to bring in outside support.
We’ll help you navigate that decision by sharing what it means to outsource your WordPress development services and what benefits you can expect from working with a pro. With this info under your belt, you’ll be ready to make the perfect choice for your site!
What is a WordPress developer?
First, let’s talk about what a developer does.
A WordPress developer is someone who creates and maintains websites on the WordPress platform. They have the expertise and experience to design, develop, and customize websites to fit their clients’ needs, and they’ll typically optimize for functionality, the user experience, page speed, and the site’s general appearance.
How to work with a WordPress developer
When working with a developer, you can expect to spend the early project stages sharing information about your needs. Whether you work with just one developer or a development team, they’ll want to know what you don’t like about your current site, your design preferences, and any functionality you want to add to the new site.
From there, they’ll get to work! The scope of work covered by your developer may vary, so it’s important to align expectations up-front. Some developers will just design and code your site, others will migrate everything from your current site and handle all the technical details, and still others will remain available for upkeep and support needs long-term.
Here at Polyglot Labs, we can accommodate any level of involvement with our clients, so feel free to bring us into your project at any stage.
4 benefits of hiring a WordPress developer
Now that you understand what it means to work with a WordPress developer, let’s explore a few of the benefits that you won’t experience by tackling your project internally.
1. Expertise
Hiring a developer ensures that you have access to deep technical expertise. Developers can apply their advanced understanding of the web space to your site, incorporating best practices, offering design and UI/UX suggestions, and generally improving your project beyond your own ideas. If you’re not quite sure how to approach a website build, having professional guidance can be invaluable.
2. Customization
Many businesses use WordPress because the pre-built themes can be used to create a basic site, but if you have complex requirements or want to customize your theme more significantly, you’ll need to work with a developer. They can tailor your site’s features to your exact needs, creating a more successful outcome long term. As a bonus, your site will also stand out from other businesses that use the common pre-built themes!
3. Project timelines
Building a WordPress website can be a time-consuming process, especially if you’re not familiar with the platform. Hiring a developer often saves time—especially because a website build isn’t your only internal responsibility. Instead of juggling a development project alongside other priorities, outsourcing lets you launch your new site on a shorter timeline.
4. Technical support
It’s one thing to build and launch a new website, but it’s another thing to know how to keep that website updated and functional over time. If you might need help with small upgrades, troubleshooting, and maintenance over time, hiring a developer is a great way to ensure you’ll have your needs covered. If you’re looking for this ongoing guidance, just make sure your developer offers long-term technical support when you kick off the project.
Should you hire a WordPress developer?
In many cases, developers’ technical expertise alone is a great reason to pay for WordPress development services. But at the end of the day, your choice will depend on your budget, your internal resources, and the complexity of the site you want to build. The more complex your website goals are, the more likely a developer will add value to the project.
If you need more information to make the right choice for your business, feel free to reach out to our team here at Polyglot Labs. We’d be happy to discuss your project and point you in the right direction. Contact us today for custom guidance!
