How to hire a WordPress developer in India
In the digital age, businesses are no longer confined to their local talent pools. If you want to enhance your business’ online presence with a top-notch—yet cost-effective—website, you have an option that wasn’t as accessible to businesses just a handful of years ago: hiring a skilled WordPress coder from another side of the globe.
WordPress website development is a specialized skill that can significantly impact your site's functionality, user experience, and overall performance. That’s why so many companies around the world are looking to hire WordPress developers in India—so they can tap into the country’s growing pool of tech talent and access high-quality services at often competitive rates.
India is home to a highly educated workforce, especially in the tech sector. Whether you're a small business just establishing your online presence or an enterprise giving your website an overhaul, outsourcing your WordPress web development to India could be a strategic move that helps your business achieve its digital goals. Read on to learn more about India’s growing pool of top tech talent and how to hire a WordPress developer in India.
What is a WordPress developer?
A WordPress developer is someone who specializes in website development using the WordPress platform. These experts possess a deep understanding of the WordPress ecosystem, allowing them to create, customize, and optimize WordPress sites.
These WordPress experts are skilled in both the technical and creative aspects of website development. They are typically proficient in programming languages such as PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are essential for building and customizing WordPress themes and plugins. They also typically have a strong grasp of SEO best practices, performance optimization, and security measures so the websites they develop are not only visually appealing but also fast, secure, and user-friendly.
What do WordPress developers do?
WordPress developers are often versatile professionals who offer a wide range of services. Their expertise can span from building new websites to maintaining and optimizing existing ones. Whether you're starting a new WordPress project or looking to enhance your current site, these developers have the skills and experience needed to bring your vision to life. Below are some of the common services and skills they offer.
Build, migrate, support, and maintain WordPress websites
One of a WordPress developer’s core responsibilities is to build, migrate, support, and maintain WordPress websites. These tasks are fundamental to web development and help website owners keep their sites functional, secure, and up-to-date.
When building a new site, WordPress developers focus on creating a solid foundation that combines effective WordPress design with security and functionality. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and objectives, translating them into website design that delivers the user experience they want their customers or visitors to have.
WordPress migration is the process of moving a website from another platform to WordPress or transferring the site to a new server. WordPress developers can often manage this process to ensure the transition is smooth with minimal downtime. They handle all technical aspects of the migration, from keeping data secure to preserving the site’s functionality.
WordPress developers can also provide regular updates, security checks, and performance optimizations your site needs to continue running smoothly. They should be able to troubleshoot and fix any issues that arise, so your business can maintain its online presence and deliver a consistently excellent user experience.
Develop or customize WordPress themes
Some WordPress developers specialize in WordPress theme development—creating custom themes to match business’ branding. These themes go beyond the standard website templates that are available to all WordPress users, offering personalized layouts, color schemes, custom fonts, and other personal touches to help the site stand out.
Build your ecommerce store on WordPress
If you have an online store, a WordPress developer can help you build an ecommerce website—often using WooCommerce, the top ecommerce plugin for WordPress. They transform a standard WordPress site into a fully functional online store, setting up product listings, shopping carts, payment gateways, and other ecommerce features.
Develop WordPress plugins
Some developers offer WordPress plugin development services, creating custom plugins that extend your website’s functionality. Custom plugins are tailored to meet your specific needs, providing features that aren’t available through existing plugins. Whether you need to add new capabilities, enhance existing features, or integrate third-party services, a WordPress developer with plugin development skills can help you achieve your goals.
Integrate APIs into your WordPress site
APIs connect websites with third-party services and applications to enhance their functionality by enabling data exchange between your site and external systems.
Whether you need to connect with payment gateways, social media platforms, CRM systems, or other online tools, a WordPress developer can help make sure you have a smooth and secure API integration.
What skills do WordPress developers have?
WordPress developers typically have a wide range of skills, from technical expertise to soft skills like communication and problem solving. These can include:
- PHP and MySQL: Core technologies for backend development and database management.
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: Essential for front-end development and creating responsive designs.
- Frameworks and libraries: Knowing development frameworks can help developers create sites more efficiently.
- API integration: Ability to integrate web services and third-party APIs, expanding the functionality of WordPress sites.
- Version control systems: Tools like Git for code versioning and collaboration.
- Content management systems (CMS): WordPress is a type of open-source CMS, and developers need a strong understanding of how it works.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): Knowledge of SEO best practices and how to create SEO-friendly websites.
- Security best practices: Implementing security measures to protect websites from vulnerabilities.
- Speed optimization: Techniques to improve site speed and performance.
- Cross-browser compatibility: Making sure websites function correctly across different web browsers.
- Problem solving skills: Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
- Communication skills: Effective communication for collaborating with clients and team members.
- Project management: Ability to manage projects from end-to-end and deliver on time.
- Continuous learning: Staying updated with the latest technologies, WordPress updates, tools, and best practices.
Why hire a WordPress developer from India?
Hiring a WordPress developer from India can be a strategic and cost-effective decision for businesses looking to establish or grow their online presence. India has positioned itself as a global leader in technology, IT, and web development, and the country can offer many advantages that can help meet a variety of business needs.
- It can help your business save on costs. One of the main reasons to hire from India is the significant potential for cost savings. According to one report from Deloitte and NASSCOM, talent pool costs are up to 30% lower in 26 of India’s “high potential” cities compared to other tech hubs around the world. This cost advantage is particularly beneficial for startups and small businesses aiming to maximize their budgets.
- India is home to a diverse, highly skilled talent pool. NASSCOM also reports that more than 1.5 million engineers graduate from Indian universities each year, with many of them specializing in IT, web development, and other in-demand technology fields. This means that India is home to a steady supply of qualified professionals capable of delivering high-quality work.
- Many Indian workers are multilingual and proficient in English. India has the second-largest English-speaking population in the world. This helps facilitate clear and effective communication between clients and developers.
Pros and cons of working with WordPress developers in India
Pros of hiring WordPress developers in India
Cons of hiring WordPress developers in India
Cost savings: Hiring WordPress developers in India can be significantly more cost-effective compared to other regions. The lower cost of living and competitive rates mean businesses can save substantially on development costs.
Communication barriers. Despite high English proficiency, communication issues can arise due to cultural differences or misunderstandings.
Skilled talent. India produces a large number of highly skilled IT graduates annually, many of whom specialize in WordPress CMS and related technologies. Many developers in India have years of experience and expertise.
Time zone differences. While the time difference can be a pro, it can also be a con. Coordination across different time zones might lead to delays in communication and decision-making, especially if immediate responses are needed.
Time zone advantages. The time zone difference between India and Western countries allows for round-the-clock productivity. This can result in faster project turnaround times as work can continue even after business hours in the client's country.
Quality issues. The large talent pool in India includes developers with varying levels of expertise. This can sometimes lead to inconsistent quality, making it necessary to carefully vet and select developers to ensure they meet your required standards.
Diverse experience. Indian developers often have experience working on a wide range of projects, from small startups to large enterprises, providing them with the ability to adapt to various business requirements and deliver tailored solutions.
Less control. Managing remote teams can sometimes result in less direct control over the development process. This requires clear project management strategies and regular check-ins to make sure your projects stay on track.
How to hire WordPress developers in India
Ready to find and hire a WordPress developer in India? Follow the steps below to get started.
Note: The following information is for informational purposes only and isn’t intended to be legal advice.
Step 1: Determine your project requirements
Before you begin the hiring process, clearly define your project requirements. Determine whether you need a full-time developer, a dedicated team, or a freelancer. Outline the specific skills and expertise you need, such as experience with custom themes, plugins, or ecommerce integrations.
Step 2: Source potential candidates
Next, you’ll want to start finding some of the best WordPress developers to fit your needs. There are many platforms and providers to consider.
- If you need a freelancer, consider sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal, where expert WordPress developers connect with clients for independent contractor projects.
- If you need a full-time developer, check out job boards like Indeed, Naukri, and LinkedIn.
- If you need a whole team of WordPress developers, consider reaching out to established WordPress development companies in India.
Step 3: Review and vet your candidates
Once you have a list of potential candidates or companies, review their profiles, portfolios, and previous work. Look for developers or companies with positive reviews and a proven track record in WordPress development. Shortlist candidates who best meet your project requirements.
Conduct thorough interviews using Skype, Zoom, Google Meets, or other video conferencing tools. Use this time to assess their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Ask for code samples or access to their GitHub repositories to evaluate their coding standards.
Once you’ve chosen the developer or team you want to work with, it’s time to move on to onboarding them.
Step 4: Make sure they’re classified correctly
Whether you hire a full-time employee or work with a freelancer, it’s crucial to make sure they’re classified correctly from the outset. Misclassifying workers in India can lead to steep fines, back pay on entitlements, and even jail time for employers who get it wrong.
When assessing worker classification, Indian courts and other regulatory authorities look at all aspects of the working relationship. Here are some of the key ways you can tell the difference between a contractor and an employee in India:
Contractors
Employees
High level of control. Contractors choose when, where, and how they work.
More direction from their employer. Employers can provide direction on how work is done and set specific hours.
Own their own equipment and tools.
Employer provides equipment and tools.
Not entitled to benefits and may be responsible for paying their own taxes.
Entitled to benefits, including minimum wage, overtime pay, and vacation pay.
Time-bound engagements, typically for a specific project.
Indefinite arrangements.
Our free Worker Classification Analyzer lets you know if you’re risking fines, penalties, and more.
Step 5: Sort out the taxes and paperwork
When you onboard your new worker, one thing to keep in mind is compliance.
Independent contractors are generally responsible for most of their own taxes and paperwork—but you’ll still want to have them sign a contractor agreement that outlines the scope of the work, deliverables, pay structure, and any other important details so you can avoid disputes down the road.
For employees, things get more complicated. Employers of Indian employees may be required to withhold and remit payroll taxes from their workers’ pay. There are also other compliance considerations to consider when it comes to the required paperwork, labor and employment laws in foreign jurisdictions, and more.
One way to simplify compliance when hiring foreign employees is by using an Employer of Record (EOR) service. An EOR is a service that helps businesses hire international employees without establishing their own legal entities in new jurisdictions. Instead, you hire the employee through the EOR, which handles payroll, benefits administration, taxes, and international compliance issues on your organization’s behalf. This can be a significant time and cost savings, especially since establishing a local business entity in India (your other option if you want to hire and pay employees there) can be a long, complex process that requires approval from local authorities.
Step 6: Determine how you’ll pay your WordPress developer in India
Finally, figure out how you’ll pay your new worker.
For contractors, you have a few options:
- Bank wires
- International money orders
- Digital wallets or payment platforms
If you hire employees and use an EOR service, it will handle payroll for you.
Another option is global payroll software like Rippling. Contractors aren’t typically included in payroll since they aren’t subject to withholding like employees are. But with Rippling, you can pay both employees and contractors around the world in the same pay run. Pay everyone in their local currency, eliminating the need for transfers or conversions. And automate compliance with local laws like minimum wage and overtime laws.
Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
