Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a WordPress Developer

I still remember the first time I tried to hire a WordPress developer. I was launching my own little blog-turned-business and needed more than just a drag-and-drop design. After weeks of scrolling through profiles, hopping on calls, and reviewing portfolios, I realized something pretty important-I didn’t know the right questions to ask.

I asked about experience, sure. But I didn’t ask about maintenance. I asked about themes, but never thought to ask about security practices. Let’s just say… lessons were learned.

So if you’re about to hire a WordPress developer, whether it’s for a small project or a full-scale eCommerce site, this guide is here to save you some of the headaches I went through. Here are the top 10 questions to ask-and why they matter more than you might think.

1. Can You Show Me Your Portfolio?

Let’s face every developer will tell you they’re great. But what you really want is proof.

A solid portfolio shows more than just technical skill. It shows style, consistency, and their ability to solve real business problems. Don’t just look at the design-ask them which plugins they used, whether they built it from scratch or customized a theme, and what business goals the website was meant to serve.

Tip: If they’ve built something similar to what you need (like a membership site or booking platform), even better.

2. Do You Specialize in Front-End, Back-End, or Both?

WordPress development covers a wide range of skills. Some developers focus on front-end (how your site looks), while others work behind the scenes on back-end (like databases, integrations, and functionality).

If you want a beautiful website that works seamlessly and loads quickly, you may need someone who’s experienced in both or be prepared to bring in a team.

Think of it like building a house. The interior designer isn’t necessarily the same person who installs the plumbing.

3. Will You Be Using a Custom Theme or a Pre-Built One?

There’s nothing wrong with using a well-coded pre-built theme-it’s fast and affordable. But if your project requires specific features or a unique look, you may want a custom theme.

Ask why they recommend one approach over the other. And make sure you understand how it affects things like speed, flexibility, and long-term maintenance.

I once worked with a dev who used a pre-built theme that couldn’t be easily customized later. Every small change became a major task.

4. How Do You Approach Website Performance and Speed Optimization?

No one likes a slow website-especially your visitors.

Google reports that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load. Speed also affects your SEO rankings, bounce rates, and conversions.

A good WordPress developer should be able to explain how they’ll:

• Optimize images
• Minify CSS and JS
• Use caching plugins
• Choose lightweight themes and clean code

Even if the technical lingo goes over your head, their answer should give you confidence that they care about performance.

5. What’s Your Experience with SEO Best Practices?

No, they don’t need to be an SEO expert-but a developer should understand the technical side of SEO. That means:

• Clean HTML structure
• Mobile responsiveness
• Fast loading speed
• Proper use of heading tags
• Schema markup

You don’t want to spend months building a beautiful website, only to realize Google has no idea what your site is about.

6. Will My Website Be Mobile Responsive?

This should almost go without saying, but trust me, don’t assume.

Over 60% of global web traffic now comes from mobile devices (Statista, 2025). Make sure your developer tests your site on phones, tablets, and different browsers. Bonus points if they show you mockups before development begins.

Ask to see a few mobile-friendly examples from their past work.

7. How Will You Handle Security?

Security is one of those things you only think about after something goes wrong.

Ask how they secure WordPress installs. A good developer will mention:

• Keeping plugins and themes updated
• Using secure login protocols
• Setting file permissions correctly
• Installing firewalls or security plugins

And please-make sure they never use "admin" as your username!

8. Do You Provide Ongoing Maintenance and Support?

A website isn’t a one-and-done deal. It needs updates, backups, tweaks, and protection from the ever-changing internet.

Some developers offer monthly maintenance packages, while others hand off the site and move on. Either is fine-as long as you know what to expect.

I’ve been there… waking up to a broken site with no one to call. It’s not fun.

9. What’s Your Timeline and Process Like?

A great developer isn’t just a coder-they’re a project manager, too.

Ask them how long your project will take, what milestones to expect, and how they’ll keep you updated. Will there be a staging site? What tools do they use for communication? Trello? Slack? Good ol’ email?

A clear process = fewer surprises.

10. Who Owns the Code and Site After It’s Done?

This is the question almost no one asks-and sometimes regrets later.

Make sure your contract states you own the final product-including the theme, custom plugins, and content. If they used stock images, make sure the licenses are transferable.

It’s your business. You should own your website.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a WordPress developer isn’t just about ticking off technical skills; it’s about finding someone who understands your goals, communicates well, and won’t ghost you when you need help later.

The questions above are designed to help you uncover more than just their résumé. They reveal their process, professionalism, and problem-solving style.

And if you're looking to build a site affordably without compromising quality, it might be worth exploring offshore talent. In fact, many business owners choose to hire a WordPress developer in India, where you can often find top-tier developers with strong English communication skills and years of experience at a fraction of the local rates.

Whoever you hire, don’t rush the process. Take your time. Ask these questions. And trust your gut. A great developer isn’t just building your website-they’re helping build your brand.

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