How to hire PHP developers, key skills to look and more

Posted on  

September 15, 2023

Published by: Codemonk
How to hire PHP developers, key skills to look and more

Are you in the process of hiring a PHP developer or a team of developers who can help you with web applications?

Then, with so many applications you have received, how will you choose the right one? We can help you there- let's take a quick look at the factors that can swing the ball toward the right fit for your organization.

Why PHP?

Thanks to its versatility and ease of operation, PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is considered the go-to scripting language.  Over the past, this server-side scripting language has been used extensively to build back-end components for web applications and connect the applications to the web services. About 76.9% of websites use PHP as their server-side programming language.  

The open-source programming language PHP, forms the backbone of several web applications and websites. So, if you want to build a web application or a highly responsive and result-generating platform, you need the best PHP developer team.  

With so many PHP experts, how do you know which one to choose? While the skillsets are easier to assess, certain aspects need consideration, even if you have ticked all the boxes with the tech stack. So, before going forward with our essential factors, let's look at the mandatory skill sets and dig in further to understand where or how to find the best PHP developer.

Must-have skillsets of a PHP developer:  

Some of the mandatory skillsets that one needs as a PHP developer include:

  • PHP Frameworks: Knowledge of popular PHP frameworks like LAravel, Symfony, and Codelgniter
  • Front-end Technologies: Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge  
  • Database Management: Experience dealing with databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB  
  • Version Control: Knowledge of version control systems like Git for collaborative development  
  • CMS (Content Management Systems): Familiarity with PHP-based CMS platforms such as WordPress or Drupal is an additional plus for a PHP developer and depends upon the project's requirements.  

The above mandatory skills make a PHP developer an expert in the field and are a must-have to check before hiring. However, other essential factors need consideration before getting the best deal out of onboarding a PHP expert.


Roles and Responsibilities of a PHP developer:

While a PHP development fresher may have the experience of working with the skillsets mentioned above, an intermediate or an expert PHP developer needs more than just the mandatory skills. As an expert, a PHP developer's responsibility may involve creating well-crafted web applications and ensuring they run smoothly and consistently through their life cycle. That involves constant monitoring, collaborating, and many more.

Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of an expert PHP developer:

Web Development:

PHP developers primarily build server-side code to create web applications. They focus on generating dynamic websites, handling user interactions, and managing databases to ensure smooth functionality.

Database Management:

PHP developers use databases to store and retrieve data. They oversee creating, optimizing, and maintaining database schemas, writing SQL queries, and assuring data integrity.

Coding and Debugging:

The primary responsibility of a PHP developer is to write clear, well-organized, and effective PHP code. They have to be capable of diagnosing and addressing code faults to keep the application running smoothly.

Front-End Integration:

An expert PHP developer responsible for working with front-end developers to integrate PHP code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is critical. Such collaboration is necessary to create an application with great design and satisfactory user experiences.

Web Application Frameworks:

Many PHP developers use popular PHP frameworks such as Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter, or Zend Framework. These frameworks help speed up the development processes, improve code structures, and enhance the applications' security features.

API Development:

In some cases, the PHP developers may have to create and manage APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for interacting with external services or mobile applications.

Safety features:

PHP developers employ the best security practices and strategies to safeguard web applications from common vulnerabilities. Some security features include SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and data breaches.

Version Control and Performance Optimization:

An expert PHP developer will have enough knowledge of version control systems such as Git to ensure successful code collaboration and tracking changes made during development. Similarly, performance optimization is critical for ensuring fast load times and optimal resource utilization.

Testing and Documentation:

To ensure no issues or bugs are present, the PHP developers are responsible for building unit tests and thoroughly testing their code before deployment. They are also responsible for documenting each stage of development, regulation, and project architecture for future reference and troubleshooting.

Project Management and Collaboration:

As expert PHP developers, they may need to handle project aspects such as task prioritization, deadline management, and communication with project stakeholders. The same is true for Collaborations. An expert PHP developer needs to effectively communicate and collaborate with other team members, such as designers, front-end developers, project managers, and so on, for the success of any project.

Essential criteria for hiring a PHP developer:  

1. Hands-on experience and expertise:

While many PHP developers at all levels are available in the market today, you need a talent with hands-on experience in your domain. Say, for instance, you are a fintech and want to develop an application for your field. A PHP developer with hands-on experience in that domain will be an added advantage.

2. Technical Expertise:

Technical expertise is mandatory and, therefore, needs thorough scrutiny before hiring a PHP developer.  

For instance, a good PHP developer needs to be well-versed in PHP and related technologies, such as PHP frameworks (e.g., Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter), databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), and version control systems (e.g., Git). Apart from that, the ability to write clean and secure PHP code is a must-have. Similarly, an added advantage is front-end skills such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as their ability to cooperate with front-end engineers to build seamless user experiences.  

Also, ensure they are well-versed in handling databases, such as how to model data, write SQL queries, and improve database performance.

3. Creativity and expert problem-solving skills

A practical problem-solving ability is a necessity rather than a luxury when hiring a PHP developer. A PHP developer needs to have a precise eye for details and be able to approach problems creatively, particularly when faced with technical obstacles or debugging concerns. Their ability to identify and solve technological barriers is critical in the web development scenario. Creativity is also an equally essential factor since their level of creativity and innovation in web development can provide fresh solutions and ideas for your project

4. Communication and Collaboration

A standard recipe for the success of a project is effective collaboration, communication between the team members, and timely completion. As an expert PHP developers, they will need to communicate clearly and work with team members like designers, front-end developers, and project managers. So, soft skills like teamwork, time management, and attention to detail should be considered in addition to technical talents. These characteristics can significantly impact a developer's performance and contributions to the success of your project.

5. Project specifications and cultural fit:

Even with expertise, experience, and skills, the developer may not fit your specifications. There may be several reasons, and project specifications are just one of the many. A developer's alignment with the company goals, vision and mission, and work environment is as important as their technical skills. From their long-term plans to work ethics and reliability, everything must fit in place to ensure you have the right PHP developer to handle your projects.

While it may all sound like a long-drawn process, there are ways to hire a PHP developer quickly.  

Interested?

Check out our database for a PHP developer. Whatever domain or level of experience you need, we have a tailor-made solution available with us!

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