Top WordPress Developers: How to Hire the Best

If you’re planning to build a WordPress website that… 

• Looks great
• Loads fast
• And brings results… 

…you probably want to work with the top WordPress developers. 

But finding the right one isn’t easy… hire the wrong person, and your website could be slow, insecure, or full of problems that cost time and money to fix.

In this blog post, we’ll show you exactly how to choose the best WordPress developer for your project.

You’ll learn how to spot real experts, what skills and experience matter most, where to find them, and the common mistakes to avoid when hiring.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, simple guide to make sure your website is built right the first time… saving you stress, money, and headaches… while giving your business a professional, high-performing online presence.

Let’s get into it…

Why hiring a top WordPress developer matters

Let’s be honest… anyone can call themselves a “WordPress developer” today.

You’ll find hundreds of people online offering to build a website for you. But here’s the truth:

There’s a big difference between a “good” developer and a “top” developer.

A good developer can help you set up your website. They’ll install WordPress, pick a theme, add your logo, and make sure everything looks fine on the surface.

Your website will be up and running, yes… but it might not load fast, show up on Google, or handle traffic when your business starts growing.

A top WordPress developer, on the other hand, does much more than just “build a website.” 

• They think about your business goals, not just your design.
• They know how to make your website load faster, rank better on search engines, and look great on all devices.
• They don’t just use pre-made themes… they can create custom ones that fit your brand perfectly.
• Top developers also focus on security and performance. They make sure your website is safe from hackers and that it doesn’t crash when too many visitors come in. And when something breaks (because it happens sometimes), they know exactly where to look and how to fix it quickly.

Think of it like this:

A good developer builds you a nice car; a top developer builds you a car that’s fast, safe, reliable, and easy to drive.

So, if your website is an important part of your business… not just an online brochure… then hiring a top WordPress developer isn’t an expense. It’s an investment that saves you time, stress, and money down the road.

What makes a top WordPress developer?

There are hundreds of people calling themselves “WordPress experts”. But here’s the thing…

Not everyone who knows how to install WordPress or drag and drop elements is a top developer.

A top WordPress developer is someone who truly understands how WordPress works inside and out.

As mentioned earlier, they don’t just build websites that look good; they build websites that perform well, load fast, and actually help your business grow.

Let’s look at the things that make a WordPress developer “a top developer”.

1. Strong knowledge of WordPress core and PHP

WordPress runs on a coding language called PHP. 

You can think of PHP as the engine inside a car… it’s what makes everything move.

A top WordPress developer understands how this engine works. They don’t just click buttons; they know how to fix issues deep inside the system when something goes wrong.

For example, if your website suddenly breaks after a plugin update, a top developer doesn’t panic. They can open the code, spot what’s wrong, and fix it without breaking other parts of the website.

This kind of knowledge helps them build cleaner, faster, and more reliable websites that don’t give you random problems later.

2. Experience with custom themes and plugins

Many beginners rely on free or ready-made themes.

While those can work, they often look like every other website out there.

A top WordPress developer can create a custom theme… one designed just for your brand. That means your website looks unique, matches your business style, and works exactly the way you want.

They can also build or customize plugins… the tools that add special features to your website, like booking forms, pop-ups, or payment options.

Instead of installing 20 different plugins (which can slow your website down), a skilled developer can create one that does exactly what you need… efficiently.

This ability to customize means you’re not stuck with cookie-cutter designs or limited options.

3. Understanding of SEO and page speed optimization

Here’s the truth:

A pretty website is useless if no one can find it.

A top WordPress developer understands SEO (Search Engine Optimization)… the process that helps your website show up on Google.

They know how to structure your website so search engines can easily read it. That means better chances of your business appearing when people search for what you offer.

They also know that page speed matters.

If your website takes forever to load, visitors will leave… and Google will notice. So, a top developer makes sure your images, code, and hosting setup all work together to load your pages quickly. The result?

A website that not only looks great but performs great too.

4. Familiarity with security best practices

Imagine spending months building your website… then one day, it gets hacked or goes offline. Scary, right?

A top WordPress developer knows how to keep that from happening. They follow security best practices, like:

• Using secure coding methods
• Setting up strong login protections
• Keeping WordPress and plugins updated
• Using trusted hosting services
• Adding backup systems in case anything goes wrong

This means your website… and your customers’ information… stays safe.

You don’t have to worry about spam, hacks, or malware taking over your website.

As explained before, a good developer builds a working website. A top developer builds a safe website that keeps working without trouble.

5. Proven portfolio and client testimonials

Finally, experience speaks louder than promises.

A top WordPress developer doesn’t just say they’re good… they can show it.

• They have a portfolio… examples of websites they’ve built… that you can visit and explore. These websites usually look professional, load fast, and function smoothly.
• They also have client testimonials… real feedback from people or businesses they’ve worked with. When past clients say things like “They understood exactly what I wanted,” or “They fixed issues other developers couldn’t,” it’s a strong sign you’re dealing with a true professional.

Always check for both before hiring. It’s one of the easiest ways to separate top developers from average ones.

Where to find top WordPress developers

So, you’ve decided to hire a WordPress developer… great move!

But now comes the important question:

Where do you actually find the good ones?

There are many places online where developers offer their services, but not all of them are equal. Some platforms are full of beginners still learning, while others have real professionals who know what they’re doing.

Let’s break it down so you know exactly where to look.

1. Freelance platforms (Upwork, Toptal, Fiverr Pro)

Freelance websites are one of the easiest ways to find WordPress developers.

Upwork is a popular one… you can post a job and get proposals from developers around the world. You’ll see their ratings, reviews, and how much they charge. The good part?

You can choose based on your budget and the kind of project you have.

Toptal, on the other hand, focuses on top-tier talent. They only accept the best 3% of freelancers, so if you hire from there, you’re almost sure to get a pro. The downside?

It’s more expensive… but worth it if you want high quality.

Fiverr Pro is also a good option. Unlike the regular Fiverr marketplace, “Pro” means these freelancers are verified professionals. You can browse their past work and hire someone who fits your style.

2. WordPress development agencies

If you don’t want to manage a freelancer yourself, you can hire a WordPress development agency (like Block Agency).

Agencies usually have a full team… website designers, developers, and project managers… all working together.

They handle everything from design to testing to launch. This option is great if you want a complete, stress-free experience and ongoing support after your website goes live.

It’s a bit pricier than hiring one person, but you get better structure and accountability.

3. LinkedIn, Clutch, and developer communities

LinkedIn is not just for job seekers… it’s also a goldmine for finding experienced WordPress developers.

You can search for developers, view their portfolios, and even read recommendations from past clients.

Clutch.co is another trusted website that lists verified agencies and developers, complete with reviews, ratings, and client feedback.

Finally, don’t forget developer communities… like WordPress forums, Reddit, or even Facebook groups. Many talented developers hang out there, sharing advice and showing their work.

4 common mistakes to avoid when choosing WordPress developers

It’s easy to make mistakes when choosing a WordPress developer to work with.

Many business owners end up wasting time, money, and energy because they rush the process or focus on the wrong things.

Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes people make when hiring developers… and how you can avoid them.

1. Hiring based only on price

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.

It’s tempting to go for the cheapest option… after all, who doesn’t love saving money?

But in web development, cheaper doesn’t always mean better. 

A low-cost developer might deliver a website that looks okay at first, but behind the scenes, it could be full of problems… slow loading speed, poor security, or messy code that’s hard to fix later.

Think of it like buying a cheap car. It might look fine for a few weeks, but then problems start showing up… and fixing them costs even more.

A top WordPress developer might charge more, but they’ll build your website properly from the start. You’ll spend less time fixing issues and more time focusing on your business.

So instead of asking, “Who’s the cheapest?”, ask, “Who can give me the best long-term value?”

2. Ignoring ongoing support or maintenance

Many people think the job ends once the website goes live… 

But that’s not true.

Websites need regular updates to stay secure, fast, and bug-free. WordPress releases updates, plugins need to be maintained, and sometimes small things break or stop working.

If your developer disappears right after launch, you’ll be stuck trying to fix these issues on your own… and that’s never fun.

Before hiring anyone, ask:

• “Do you offer maintenance or support after launch?”
• “How do you handle updates or small fixes?”

A professional developer or agency will always offer some form of ongoing support… even if it’s a paid plan.

That’s how you keep your website running smoothly.

3. Not checking for security or performance expertise

This has been explained before.

A website that’s not secure is like a house with the doors unlocked. Hackers love websites that have weak protection… and WordPress websites are often their favorite targets.

A top developer understands how to keep your website safe. They use strong passwords, update plugins regularly, set up backups, and protect your data.

If you hire someone who doesn’t care about security, your website could easily get hacked or crash.

Performance is another big deal. 

If your website loads slowly, visitors will leave… and Google won’t rank you high. A top developer knows how to make your website fast by compressing images, cleaning up code, and choosing good hosting.

When hiring, ask about their process for security and speed optimization. Their answer will tell you if they really know their stuff.

4. Overlooking timezone and communication barriers

Even if you find a talented developer, poor communication can ruin the project.

If your developer is in a different timezone, you might wait hours… or even days… for a reply.

This can slow down work, especially when you need quick feedback or have urgent changes.

Also, before hiring, check how they communicate.

• Do they reply fast?
• Do they use tools like Slack, Trello, or email updates?
• Are they okay adjusting to your working hours a little?

A top developer doesn’t just write code, they communicate clearly and keep you in the loop.

Wrapping up

Hiring the right WordPress developer can make all the difference for your website.

A top developer builds a website that’s fast, secure, and easy to manage… not just something that looks good.

Don’t rush the process or pick based only on price. Take your time to check skills, experience, and communication.

If you want a hassle-free experience, Block Agency can help.

We’re a WordPress design agency that works with other agencies, making sure every project is smooth, professional, and delivered on time.

Let us help you create a website your clients will love.

Talk to us here: hey@blockagency.co

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