How to Choose The Best WordPress Development Agency

The beauty of WordPress is that almost anybody can quickly build a website using it. However, it has a learning curve and can be challenging for some. Besides, if you are running an enterprise, you may not have enough time to build a professional website. Sustaining an in-house team can also be beyond your means at times. The best way to save time and resources is to opt for a WordPress development company.

According to W3Techs, WordPress powers 43.0% of all websites. Since it is the most popular content management system in the world, there's no shortage of agencies and developers. However, not all of them can provide you with the best solution.

Wondering how to find the right one? Consider the following five tips while looking for a WordPress development agency. 

1. Outline Your Requirements:

You must first have a clear idea of your requirements before beginning your search for a WordPress developer. Study your competitors, set your goals, list your requirements, and set a budget. Creating an overview of your particular requirements can help you discuss your project. The key factors you need to  consider are:

• The purpose of the website - for example, will it be an e-Commerce site or a blogging portal?

• The features you want to have 

• Whether you want a customized theme (PHP, Extension) or a premium theme (in-built, restrictive)

• The servers you want (Most development companies recommend WP Engine server.  It is the most reliable and feature-rich server for hosting WordPress. However, you can choose any server that supports PHP and MySQL.)

2. Determine Your Budget: 

Setting up a budget plan is essential before you go for a hire. Once you have settled on your needs, it's time to talk estimation. For instance, creating a WooCommerce store requires a more forgiving budget than developing a blogging site.

 Here are a few things to consider when determining the budget for your WordPress development project:

• Domain name: The cost depends on where you purchase your domain. 

• Web Hosting: There are two options for web hosting: shared and dedicated. While shared web hosting can be inexpensive, the server may not perform well. On the other hand, a dedicated server will be more expensive, but you will have a much higher performance and reliability.

• Storage and Bandwidth: Depending on the type of website, storage and bandwidth for any site can vary. For instance, unlike a simple blogging site, an eCommerce website requires much more space and brand width.

Other variables, as suggested, that influence your budget include themes, plugins, security, etc. 

3. Ask About Time Frame:

The duration of a WordPress development project depends on many factors, such as:

• The scope of the project

• The platform you choose

• The design you want to implement

• The graphics you wish to add

• The size of your team

• The existing development practices and culture

• The degree to which you embrace new technologies

Usually, a good company follows a chain of command across the organization when creating the quote for clients.

• First,  the BA (Business Analysis) team will draft up a SOW (Scope of Work) after studying your requirements.

• Once the client has approved the SOW, the BA team sends it to the various technical specialists.

•  The technical team will estimate how much time they will need to complete the project.

• Upon compilation, the BA team sends a quotation to the client accordingly.

Usually, building a large complex site can be time-consuming. You'll need to modify or create a brand new theme, develop custom modules for different aspects of your eCommerce store, integrate with third-party APIs, and so much more.

On the other hand, a WordPress blog site does not take as much time to create, as you can use the default theme and create new blog posts, pages, and media with a few clicks.

4. Check Out Technical Know-how:

Before you hire dedicated WordPress developers, you must check out their industry experience and technical expertise. Make sure your dedicated WordPress developers know at least one of the following programming languages: 

• HTML

• CSS

• PHP

• MySQL

Specific projects may require command over other tech stacks, such as AJAX, Bootstrap, Ziggeo, etc. 

Additionally, the development company must have in-depth knowledge of the niche market, sales and marketing, search engine optimization, and responsive mobile development. 

5. Look Into Reputation and Experience: 

Once you have identified the best companies, invest some time in the vetting and screening. The most important information is probably available on their website, but it never hurts to go a little further. Here are how you can assess a company better:

• Look over their portfolio to determine their industry experience. 

• Pay great attention to WordPress-specific experience. A generic developer may have little knowledge of fundamental WordPress languages, such as PHP and other WordPress-specific abilities.

• Evaluate the company's testimonials and references to get a sense of what it would be like to work with them.

• Review the case studies to understand their skills and expertise.

• Check other sources, such as Clutch, Google Review, LinkedIn, the developer's portfolio, etc. 

Conclusion:

The final piece of advice - ask questions. Even if it seems too essential or irrelevant to you at the time, ask as many questions as you need to grasp the situation entirely. Capital Numbers will help you find the right WordPress developers. To make sure you get what you need, they have a team of knowledgeable WordPress developers who can help with the development, design, and launch of your site. Book a call today to discuss your project.