Do you need custom developments for your Magento website? If so, then you probably already know that choosing a Magento developer can be a daunting exercise. If you visit the Magento Partners webpage, you’ll find a seemingly endless collection of listings for developers who promote themselves as your best choice. But not all developers are going to give you the results you’re looking for. My design and development firm is constantly working with clients to repair the damage done by other developers, so before you settle for just any company, consider some important factors.
Is the Developer a Magento Partner?
This one might seem obvious, but it’s very important to hire an actual Magento partner. Don’t just hire some developer who claims to have experience working with content management systems. Magento partners understand the system inside and out, from setting up custom payment options to optimizing shopping cart preferences. Magento partners are approved by the company, and are monetarily invested in the company, so you have the confidence of hiring someone who definitely knows what they’re doing.
Does the Developer Have Extensive PHP Programming Experience?
Magento is a PHP/MySQL-based framework. So any programmer who wishes to make the most of Magento’s customization features will require an intermediate knowledge of the PHP scripting language. When you choose a Magento Partner, this shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s still important to inquire about your potential developer’s level of experience.
Ask to See the Magento Portfolio
One way to more accurately gauge a developer’s experience and expertise is to actually view his Magento portfolio. See the kinds of custom developments that your would-be programmer has already completed using Magento, and decide if you like what you see. You wouldn’t hire someone to paint your portrait without first seeing their previous work, would you?
Get Up Close and Personal
Before hiring a developer, get to know her. Ask questions, explain your exact needs in vivid detail and learn the developer’s exact plan for helping you to realize your goals. This interaction will help you to determine if you’ve found the right person. If you have any reservations, ask more questions or consider speaking to different developers.
Consider the Whole Package
When choosing a Magento developer, don’t just look at the obvious requirements, like Magento partnership and PHP experience. There are plenty of developers who can fill these needs. If you want to choose a developer who really goes above and beyond, consider their qualifications beyond mere Magento experience. For instance, will your Magento developer continue to work with you after the developments have concluded? Does he stand by his work? Will he make necessary adjustments even after the site has launched? Can he offer additional services like design or SEO? Consider the assets that go above and beyond the essentials, and you should find it much easier to choose your ideal Magento programmer.
Still Trying to Decide?
I realize that choosing a Magento programmer is a huge decision, but I would encourage you to give Coalition Technologies a call. Out of respect for full disclosure, I am the owner and president of Coalition Technologies, but Coalition isn’t just another Magento partner. Our full time, Los Angeles-based team consists of developers, designers and SEOs, all of whom have extensive experience working with Magento for some of the largest companies in the nation.
But I’m not asking you to blindly hire Coalition Technologies. Give us a call at 888-800-9101 for a free quote. We’ll answer all of your questions and let you know exactly what we can do for you. From there, the choice is yours, so you have nothing to lose. Give Coalition a call today.