So, you’ve chosen WordPress for your website (great choice!), but now you’re wading through plugin chaos, bugs, and mysterious error messages that make no sense. Been there? It’s like needing a plumber because your automated toilet started speaking French — weird, messy, and not worth DIY-ing.
TLDR:
If you’re not a coding wizard, don’t risk breaking your site. Hiring a good WordPress plugin developer can save you time, money, and sanity. We’ve got hacks to help you hire smart, avoid drama, and finally get your plugins working *with* you — not against you. Read on, and you’ll thank us later.
Why You Need a WordPress Plugin Developer
WordPress plugins are magical — until they aren’t. When one thing breaks, everything can go down like dominoes. Hiring a pro means you don’t have to:
- Struggle with spaghetti code at 2 a.m.
- Worry about site crashes after updates.
- Spend hours Googling what “fatal error: call to undefined function” means.
Let a plugin developer handle the hair-pulling parts. You just focus on your content, sales, or cat blog. Whatever makes you happy.
Hack #1: Know What You Actually Need
Before hiring, outline what you want from the plugin. Is it a simple contact form? A complex booking system? A unicorn that sends out emails and does cartwheels?
Here’s how to prep:
- Write a Features List: Break it down feature by feature.
- Use Visual Examples: Screenshots or links to similar plugins help a lot.
- Set a Budget: Know your comfort zone. Don’t go broke for a slider effect.
Good developers love clear instructions. It reduces revision time, too.
Hack #2: Use the Right Hiring Platforms
Not all freelance platforms are created equal. You want someone who gets WordPress — not someone who also builds apps, edits videos, and moonlights as a DJ.
Try these:
- Codeable: Premium prices, but developers are vetted.
- Upwork: More affordable, but vet candidates carefully.
- WPhired: Specifically for WordPress jobs.
- Freelancer.com: Budget-friendly if you’re patient.
Hack #3: Run a Mini Test First
Think of it like dating — don’t commit right away. Start with a mini project:
- Fix one small bug
- Add a simple feature
- Update one specific plugin
This tells you a lot: communication, speed, quality, and whether they ghost you.
Hack #4: Ask These Golden Questions
A good interview can save weeks of agony later. Ask these:
- “Have you built a custom WordPress plugin before?”
- “Can you share plugin examples you’ve created?”
- “How do you handle plugin updates when new WordPress versions release?”
- “How do you ensure your code won’t conflict with existing themes or plugins?”
Bonus points if they mention GitHub or version control. That’s pro-level stuff.
Hack #5: Check Their Reviews Like a Detective
This is the sleuthing phase. Reviews don’t lie, but they do hide clues.
- Check for specific praises like “fast turnaround” or “strong problem solver.”
- Ignore vague reviews like “awesome guy.” That could mean anything.
- If they’ve been rehired by the same client — that’s gold.
Trust your spidey senses. If something feels off, swipe left.
Hack #6: Prefer Developers Who Know WordPress Inside-Out
You don’t just want a dev — you want a WordPress dev. Look for mentions of:
- Hooks and Filters (these are real things, not shampoo terms)
- Shortcodes
- Custom Post Types
- WP_Query
If they throw these around like it’s NBD, you found “The One.”
Hack #7: Never Skip the Contract
Sent a payment without a scope document once? Enjoy your panic attack.
Make sure your contract covers:
- Milestones and deadlines
- Who owns the code
- Revision limits
- Support period (some bugs show up late)
Be fair, but firm. A solid agreement protects you both.
Hack #8: Ask for Clean, Commented Code
Your plugin might work now. But what if you need changes in 6 months?
Always request:
- Clean, readable code
- Add comments inside important functions
- If possible, include basic documentation
This way, no future developer will run away screaming when they open the files.
Hack #9: Request GitHub or Bitbucket Access
Using version control tools like GitHub or Bitbucket is a major green flag. It means:
- You can see every change
- Rollback if something breaks
- Collaborate better over time
Makes debugging and long-term growth way easier. Future-proof your plugin, baby!
Hack #10: Consider Post-Launch Support
The plugin is working. YAY! But what happens when you update WordPress and it blinks red?
Ask your developer if they offer:
- Maintenance packages
- Bug fixes within X days of delivery
- Ongoing updates for compatibility
Some even offer 1-3 months free support post-launch. Don’t say no to that!
A Few Bonus Tips
- Always backup your site before any plugin is installed or updated.
- Create a staging environment for testing before going live.
- Keep a changelog so you don’t lose track of what your plugin does and when something changed.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to fear code anymore. With the right hiring approach, plugin development becomes smooth, joyful — even exciting.
So ditch the DIY disasters. Save your brain cells. Use these hacks, score a great developer, and finally enjoy your WordPress world without surprise crash parties.
Now, go forth and conquer your plugin problems like the boss you are!