Top Skills to Look for When Hiring a WordPress Developer in 2025

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WordPress continues to dominate as the most popular website development platform, powering over 40% of all websites worldwide. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an eCommerce store, or a SaaS company, having a skilled WordPress developer is crucial for ensuring security, speed, and scalability. But with so many developers available, how do you choose the right one?

If you’re looking to hire WordPress developers, it’s not just about finding someone who can install themes and plugins. A great developer should have expertise in coding, database management, website optimization, and security. They should also be proficient in troubleshooting issues and customizing features to meet your business needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top skills you should look for when hiring a WordPress developer in 2025. Whether you need to hire a WordPress expert for a full-scale project or a WordPress coder for hire to handle customizations, these skills will help you find the best fit for your team.

Finding the Right Talent to Build High-Performance, Scalable WordPress Websites

1. Proficiency in Core Web Technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP)

Why This Matters

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) built on PHP, but it also relies heavily on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development. A skilled developer must understand these technologies inside and out.

What to Look For

• HTML & CSS: These are essential for designing and structuring pages. CSS controls the layout, colors, and overall design.
• JavaScript & jQuery: Used to create interactive elements, such as dynamic menus and animations.
• PHP & MySQL: PHP powers the WordPress core, and MySQL manages the database, making them crucial for back-end customization.

If you need advanced functionalities on your site, make sure you hire a WordPress developer with solid coding expertise.

2. Experience with Custom WordPress Theme and Plugin Development

Why This Matters

Using pre-built themes and plugins may work for some businesses, but for SaaS companies and growing enterprises, custom development is often necessary.

What to Look For

• Custom Theme Development: A developer should be able to create a unique WordPress theme that matches your brand identity instead of relying on generic templates.
• Plugin Development & Customization: If your website requires unique functionality, a developer must know how to build or modify plugins.
• Child Theme Expertise: Understanding how to use child themes prevents issues when updating the core theme.

Hiring a developer with these skills ensures your website remains scalable and adaptable to future business needs.

3. Strong Knowledge of WordPress Security Best Practices

Why This Matters

WordPress sites are frequent targets for cyberattacks, malware, and brute-force login attempts. A skilled developer should know how to protect your website from security threats.

What to Look For

• Secure Coding Practices: Developers should write clean, secure code to prevent vulnerabilities.
• SSL & HTTPS Implementation: A secure website improves SEO rankings and protects user data.
• Regular Security Audits: A great WordPress developer should conduct periodic security checks to identify weaknesses.

If you’re running a SaaS company, data security is critical, making it essential to hire a WordPress expert with advanced security knowledge.

4. Performance Optimization and Site Speed Enhancement

Why This Matters

A slow website leads to higher bounce rates and lower search engine rankings. In 2025, Google’s Core Web Vitals continue to play a crucial role in SEO, making speed optimization an essential skill for WordPress developers.

What to Look For

• Image & File Optimization: Developers should compress images and minify CSS/JavaScript files to improve load time.
• Efficient Database Management: Regular database cleanups prevent site slowdowns.
• Caching & CDN Implementation: Using tools like WP Rocket, Cloudflare, and server-level caching improves performance.

For businesses, especially SaaS companies, hiring WordPress developers with performance optimization expertise ensures a fast, user-friendly experience.

5. WooCommerce & eCommerce Development Skills

Why This Matters

WordPress powers over 28% of all eCommerce websites, thanks to WooCommerce. If your business relies on online sales, your developer should be experienced in eCommerce development.

What to Look For

• WooCommerce Customization: Developers should know how to modify product pages, checkout processes, and payment gateways.
• Third-Party Payment Integration: Knowledge of Stripe, PayPal, and other payment methods is crucial.
• Security & Fraud Prevention: eCommerce sites must be protected against credit card fraud and data breaches.

If you’re an online store owner or SaaS company offering subscription-based services, a WordPress coder for hire with WooCommerce expertise is a must.

6. API Integration and Third-Party Tool Experience

Why This Matters

Many WordPress sites rely on third-party tools like CRM software, marketing automation platforms, and analytics tools. A developer should be able to seamlessly integrate these services into your website.

What to Look For

• REST API & GraphQL Knowledge: Enables seamless data exchange between WordPress and other platforms.
• CRM & Email Marketing Integration: Experience with tools like HubSpot, MailChimp, and Salesforce improves customer engagement.
• SaaS Integration: If you’re running a SaaS platform, your WordPress site should integrate smoothly with your customer portal and product dashboard.

For SaaS companies, hiring WordPress developers with API integration experience ensures smooth connectivity between your website and business applications.

7. Experience with WordPress SEO Optimization

Why This Matters

SEO is vital for increasing website traffic. A WordPress developer should have basic SEO knowledge to ensure your website ranks well on search engines.

What to Look For

• SEO-Friendly Coding: Clean, structured code improves indexing.
• Schema Markup Implementation: Helps search engines understand site content better.
• Optimized URL Structures & Meta Tags: Improves on-page SEO.

If you’re looking to hire a WordPress programmer, make sure they understand SEO fundamentals to help grow your website traffic.

Conclusion

Finding the right WordPress developer in 2025 means looking beyond basic skills. Whether you need to hire WordPress developers for a business website, eCommerce store, or SaaS company, the best developers should be proficient in coding, security, performance optimization, and integrations.

When you hire a WordPress expert, you invest in scalability, security, and long-term website success. By prioritizing these essential skills, businesses can stay competitive, ensure seamless performance, and drive online growth.

The right WordPress coder for hire is more than just a developer—they are the key to building a high-quality, future-proof website for your business!