How to find the right WooCommerce developer for your project

Finding the right technical partner for your online store is crucial. It can be the difference between a smooth, profitable operation and a costly technical nightmare. You need a robust platform to support your growth, irrespective of whether you are launching your first online store or scaling an existing one. That’s where WooCommerce comes in. WooCommerce is a powerful open-source WordPress plugin that empowers users to sell products online in a highly customizable way. If you’re expanding your WordPress website into an online store, no doubt you’ve realized that WooCommerce is one of the most flexible options on the market.

Best of all, the online store plugin was built with developers in mind, giving them complete freedom to design their dream storefront and shopping experience. The sky’s the limit when it comes to your website’s functionality and design. 

However, if you’re looking to create complex designs and features and you don’t have much experience in this field, this isn’t something you want to do DIY. A mistake could severely impact the user experience, costing you customers and credibility.

This is where a WooCommerce store developer comes in handy. Thanks to the global online workforce, your business has access to a massive pool of developers worldwide. Finding the right expert can be challenging for small businesses and larger enterprises alike, with all these choices. 

In light of that, let’s explore how to select and find the perfect WooCommerce developer for your project.

What WooCommerce developers do

WooCommerce developers build and customize online stores using the WooCommerce platform. They handle a wide range of tasks, from the initial store setup to ongoing optimization and maintenance. This role differs from a general WordPress developer because it requires specific eCommerce functions, such as payment gateways, shipping logic, and product data management.

Their responsibilities often include a mix of development, security, and strategy. Common tasks include:

• Develop custom themes that reflect your unique brand identity and optimize the customer shopping experience.
• Build custom plugins to add unique functionality, like product configurators or specialized booking systems, that default WooCommerce doesn’t offer.
• Optimize store performance by reducing page load times, which is critical for keeping customers and improving search rankings.
• Implement robust security measures to protect customer data, set up regular backups, and ensure your checkout process is secure.
• Integrate essential third-party services, including payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal), CRM systems, and complex shipping or tax calculators.
• Provide ongoing maintenance by safely applying updates, fixing bugs, and ensuring your store runs smoothly after new releases.
• Manage complex platform migrations to move your store from other systems like Shopify or Magento to WooCommerce without losing data.

When is it time to hire a WooCommerce developer?

Hire a WooCommerce developer when your project requires custom technical work beyond basic store setup. They are also necessary when building a complete eCommerce website from scratch because you will need one to create custom themes for unique store designs. Many developers also build custom plugins for specialized functionality. You can think of hiring them for ongoing maintenance and bug fixes, as well as for performance, accessibility, and SEO optimization.

Here are some common scenarios where working with a professional is recommended:

• You want to design and develop an eCommerce website from scratch
• You’re after sophisticated WooCommerce customization
• You wish to create custom themes or templates for your store
• You need ongoing website maintenance, or you require someone to fix any bugs and/or coding errors on your store
• You want to build custom WooCommerce plugins 
• You want to improve your store’s performance, accessibility, SEO optimization, etc.

If you’re considering any of the above tasks, it’s probably time to find a skilled WooCommerce developer to work with.

Hiring for WooCommerce migration

Hire a WooCommerce developer for migration when moving from another eCommerce platform because moving your store from another platform like Shopify, Magento, or BigCommerce, is a high-stakes project.

This process is far more complex than just importing products. A migration specialist focuses on several critical business areas:

• Preserving SEO rankings: A specialist knows how to manage URL structures and implement proper redirects. This is crucial for ensuring that your customers and search engines don’t find broken links, preventing a drop in traffic and search visibility.
• Protecting data integrity: They must safely transfer your complete database. This includes all customer accounts, order histories, and product information, which must be imported properly without corruption or loss.
• Minimizing store downtime: An experienced developer plans the migration to ensure a seamless transition. This keeps your store offline for the shortest time possible, preventing lost sales.

Look for developers with a proven portfolio of successful migrations from your specific platform. This is not a job for a generalist, as mistakes can lead to lost data and revenue.

Essential WooCommerce developer skills

Great WooCommerce developers need a specific mix of technical and professional skills. While exact requirements vary by project, these core capabilities remain consistent.

On the technical side, look for these skills:

• PHP programming: This is the core language of WordPress and WooCommerce. A developer’s expertise in PHP ensures that any custom features integrate smoothly and securely with your store.
• Frontend customization (CSS & JavaScript): To make your store look unique, developers must be fluent in CSS and JavaScript. This is how they customize your storefront, interactive elements, and checkout flow to perfectly match your brand.
• WordPress development: Since WooCommerce is a plugin, fundamental experience with WordPress development is essential. This ensures they understand how the plugin interacts with the core system and your theme.
• WooCommerce-specific knowledge: A true specialist understands WooCommerce-specific hooks, filters, and database structures. This knowledge is critical for building custom solutions that don’t break when you update the plugin.

Beyond the code, professional experience with eCommerce businesses is important. They should have strong communication and problem-solving skills to help guide your project. Look for developers with attention to detail and reliable work habits, as these traits are crucial for a successful project.

What to do before looking for the perfect WooCommerce developer:

Before you start hunting for the right WooCommerce developer, establish a clear idea of what you’re looking for. 

Here are three steps to help prepare you for the task: 

1. Define the project’s fundamentals

To begin, define your project’s fundamentals. Clearly outline your project scope before searching for a WooCommerce developer. List specific deliverables, such as custom plugin development or theme customization. Additionally, identify required technical skills, including PHP, CSS, and JavaScript expertise. Next, note your project goals, such as improving checkout flow or integrating payment gateways. Finally, determine your budget and timeline before contacting developers.

Asking yourself the following questions can help:

• What’s the scope of the project? What exactly do you need a WooCommerce developer for?.
• When will the project start, and how long do you envision it to last? A complex project might take months, even years to complete, whereas something basic may only take a professional programmer a few hours..
• Do you expect your developer to work full-time on your project?.
• Do you have a specific deadline?.
• Who’s involved in the project? How will they collaborate? Do you have in-house web designers and/or project managers who will weigh into the project? Who will be the main point of contact for the developer?.
• What budget can you allocate to your WordPress developer?.

2. Define the qualifications of your ideal match

Prepare a list that includes your “must-have” and “nice to have” developer skills.

This could consist of:

• A background in WooCommerce.
• Years of experience in the field.
• Knowledge of other eCommerce platforms like Magento and Shopify.
• Fluency in specific coding languages.
• Experience in website theme development.

….these are just a few examples, but you get the idea.

Evaluating developer portfolios

Review developer portfolios for relevant WooCommerce experience. Look for past projects with similar complexity to your requirements. Check if they have built custom solutions rather than just installing themes. Verify they have experience with your required plugins or integrations.

WooCommerce specialists have deeper expertise in eCommerce-specific functionality than general WordPress developers. Specialists understand WooCommerce’s database structures, hooks, and performance optimization. For most store projects requiring custom features or integrations, hire a WooCommerce specialist. Learn more about choosing between WooCommerce specialists and WordPress developers.

3. Be ready to onboard your WooCommerce developer

When you’re ready to start working with a web developer, ensure you have all the necessary materials and documentation prepared so they can familiarize themselves with your project. This better positions them to hit the ground running with whatever needs to be done!

Where to find a WooCommerce developer

Multiple platforms connect businesses with WooCommerce developers. These platforms differ significantly in their vetting rigor, developer pools, and areas of specialization.

Freelance marketplaces

Upwork and similar marketplaces let you post jobs and review developer profiles from thousands of candidates. These platforms provide large developer pools but require you to vet candidates yourself for technical skills. You will need to review proposals, check portfolios, and assess experience independently. This approach is suitable for those exploring many options with flexible budgets.

Vetted developer networks

Codeable pre-screens developers through technical exams and live coding tests. Only developers with proven WordPress and WooCommerce expertise pass the vetting process. The platform matches you with developers based on your specific project requirements.

This eliminates the risk of hiring unqualified developers who may damage your site. Codeable handles the technical evaluation, so you don’t need to assess coding skills yourself. This is ideal for quality-focused projects where the vetting burden is a concern.

Other platforms also offer pre-screened developers for different needs. Toptal connects you with elite developers through a rigorous screening process, focusing on enterprise-level projects with premium pricing.

Official WooCommerce partners

The Woo Agency Partners page features developers certified by WooCommerce. These agencies are verified by the official WooCommerce team for expertise and reliability. Official partners undergo WooCommerce’s certification process, ensuring eCommerce specialization. This option is suitable for businesses wanting WooCommerce-specific expertise with official backing.

Finding specialists: performance, migration, and custom development

Some projects require developers with specialized expertise beyond general WooCommerce development.

Performance specialists have experience with caching, database optimization, and CDN integration. Look for developers listing “WooCommerce performance” or “speed optimization” in their profiles. Check their portfolios for before-and-after speed metrics on past projects. You should also ask about their experience with specific optimization tools like Query Monitor.

Migration specialists need the specific expertise mentioned in the “Hiring for WooCommerce Migration” section above. Look for developers with a proven migration portfolio showing successful platform transitions.

Custom development specialists for plugins and themes should show original code in their portfolios. They must demonstrate an understanding of WooCommerce hooks and actions beyond simple template modifications.

Freelancer vs agency: which should you hire?

Freelance WooCommerce developers work independently on flexible schedules. Agencies provide teams of developers for larger projects with structured workflows.

Choosing your hiring model is just as important as choosing the right developer. This decision impacts your budget, communication style, and project timeline.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

Feature	Freelancers	Agencies
Cost	Lower rates due to reduced overhead.	Higher rates but comprehensive service.
Communication	Directly with the developer.	Through project managers.
Timeline	Flexible scheduling.	Structured processes.
Best for	Single features, maintenance, ongoing small tasks.	Complete store builds, large projects, ongoing management.

When to choose a freelancer

A freelancer is often the best choice if your project is well-defined, like adding a single feature or fixing a specific bug. This model works well if you have a smaller budget or need flexible, on-demand support for ongoing maintenance. You’ll be communicating directly with the developer, so it’s a great fit if you prefer a hands-on approach.

When to choose an agency

An agency is the better option for large, complex projects, such as building an entire store from scratch. If you require a full team (like designers, developers, and project managers) and need a long-term, structured partnership for ongoing management, an agency provides that comprehensive support.

Codeable bridges both models, offering a hybrid solution. You get the cost-efficiency and direct access of working with an individual freelance developer. However, you also get the reliability and quality assurance of an agency, because every expert is pre-vetted and backed by platform support. It combines the flexibility of a freelancer with the peace of mind of a managed service.

Finding WooCommerce developers through Codeable

Working on a new WooCommerce development project is an exciting process. But you should never rush into it without doing your research first, as you risk hiring the wrong person. This could have a snowball effect with severe consequences for your project: delays in the deadline, technical complications, and loss of business… just to name a few.

A hiring partner that provides rigorous vetting is your safest bet. As we’ve covered, platforms that pre-screen developers for technical skills and review their portfolios save you from having to assess candidates yourself. This vetting process gives you complete ease of mind.

Codeable screens developers through technical exams and live coding tests. Only developers with proven WordPress and WooCommerce expertise pass the vetting process. The platform matches you with developers based on your specific project requirements. Codeable is recommended by WooCommerce and hosting companies like Kinsta.

Codeable eliminates the time you would spend vetting candidates yourself. From complete store builds to performance optimizations to complex migrations, the matching process connects you with developers who have the relevant experience. The platform also offers retainer services for ongoing development needs and long-term team augmentation as an alternative to full-time hiring. With the right web developer, you won’t only benefit from their technical skills.

You’ll also learn unexpected ways to improve your UX and conversions. So, what are you waiting for? Submit your project on Codeable for free today to find the perfect WooCommerce developer.