Hiring a Magento Web Developer
There’s no lack of options when it comes to e-commerce platforms, but the clear industry leader is Magento; and, with its intensely robust platform and open-source core for unlimited expandability, it’s no wonder why. However, choosing which platform to use for your web-site hosting is the easy part, the real challenge is finding the right Magneto web developer and partner to handle the technical side of things. Read on to discover what you should look for when hiring a Magento web developer and to see some of the common red flags you should avoid.
The process of hiring Magento web deverlopers begins by gathering a list of “potentials” – Magento web developers who you think may be suitable for the job – through any of the usual means: tradeshows, word of mouth, industry publications, job listings etc. Once your short list has been generated you can start eliminating names by focusing on the following:
Are they a Magento Partner/Certified Magento Developer?
Your first stop should be the Magento Partners list where you can see if any of the names on your list have Magento certification. Magento partnership is offered in two tiers, gold and silver, and entitles members to increased levels of support and backing from Magento. More importantly, however, is the fact that to keep their membership status partner firms are required to maintain a minimum number of certified Magento developers on staff and to meet a yearly quota, so you know that any firm on the list has the wherewithal to handle your development project.
Scope of Services
Take a look at the services offered by each Magento web developer or development company to see if they can meet the needs specific to your project. Do they have the chops to integrate your current software into your new store? Do they offer support? What about SEO management? Do they have the experts on staff needed to assist you with future business development? The final question to get answered is whether the company in question offers in-house hosting or if your site will be farmed out to a generic hosting service. Finding a company that can provide the correct answers to these questions will most likely mean the difference between having a smooth upgrade experience and missed deadlines and lost sales.
Development Skills of the Magento web developer
There are certain development techniques and skills that your Magento web developer must possess to successfully implement your webstore. The most basic of these is familiarity with MVC., a software architecture pattern that is a significant part of many PHP frameworks, Magento included. Fluency with this approach is vital since MVC ultimately connects with everything in your store including page URLs and SEO. Additionally, your Magento web developer should be able to custom-build your website and not use a template to cobble one together. Finally, your Magento web developer should demonstrate a level of comfort with design integration, business software integration (payment gateway, etc.), and Magento customization as these skills will certainly be required during the implementation process.
Common Sense
While choosing a Magento web developer may be a daunting and stressful challenge with lots riding on a successful conclusion ultimately it isn’t all that different from hiring any service provider, so remember that common sense is your best asset. Always ask for references, and make sure to view their portfolio to see some completed work. With these easy guidelines finding the right Magento web developer for you will be easy.
