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Meet our PHP Developer community
Braintrust is a user-owned talent platform created by and for the world’s top talent. This includes a talented network of experienced PHP Developers available for hire.
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Dan Turner
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How to hire Top PHP Developers
Overview
Hiring a PHP Developer involves a comprehensive process to ensure the candidate possesses the necessary technical skills, experience, and personal attributes for the job. This includes proficiency in PHP programming and its frameworks, understanding of databases, awareness of security practices, solid problem-solving skills, familiarity with version control systems, a grasp of web performance optimization, good communication skills, and a proven resume or portfolio of PHP projects or prior work.
The hiring process can vary significantly between startups and larger companies. In a startup, a PHP developer might be expected to wear multiple hats, working on a variety of tasks outside their primary role. They might need to be more innovative and proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, often uncertain environment. On the other hand, larger companies may offer more structured roles and expectations, but might require the developer to navigate through more bureaucratic layers and work in larger teams.
When considering whether to hire PHP programmers full-time or hourly, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each arrangement. A full-time PHP developer may offer more commitment and availability, which can be beneficial for long-term projects or when the workload is high and constant. They're typically more integrated into the company culture and have a deeper understanding of the business and its goals. However, this comes with higher costs, including salaries, benefits, taxes, and potentially training.
In contrast, hiring an hourly or contract PHP developer can be more cost-effective and flexible, particularly for short-term projects or when you need specialized skills for a specific task. This can also be a good option when you need to scale up your development team temporarily to meet a deadline or cover for a full-time employee's absence. However, managing contractors can be more challenging, as they may be juggling multiple clients and may not be as invested in your company's success.
In both scenarios, it's essential to clearly define the job requirements, expectations, and terms of employment to ensure a good fit for both parties. Remember to consider not just the candidate's technical skills and experience, but also their cultural fit, work style, and career goals. Whether you're hiring for a startup or a larger company, full-time or part-time, the goal is to find a dedicated PHP developer who can contribute to your team and help your company succeed.
Technical Skills
A proficient software engineer or full-stack developer should have a comprehensive understanding of PHP, and its syntax, and be up-to-date with its latest versions. This involves the capability to write clean, reusable, and optimized PHP code, and to leverage PHP's built-in functions effectively. Besides these skill sets, they should be adept at JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and other back-end or PHP programming languages for building interactive, well-structured, and aesthetically pleasing web pages. Proficiency in PHP frameworks that follow the Model View Controller (MVC) like Laravel, Symfony, CakePHP, Zend, Yii, or CodeIgniter is also essential as these frameworks speed up the development process and enable the creation of robust, scalable, and secure web applications or mobile apps. A solid understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) principles is necessary as it promotes efficient code reuse and encapsulation. Furthermore, they should be well-versed with creating and consuming web development services or APIs, as these are often required for integrating different software components or third-party services.
Experience with Databases
PHP is frequently used for building data-driven web applications, making it crucial for a PHP developer to have strong skills in working with relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL. They should be able to design and manage databases, as well as write efficient and secure SQL queries for data manipulation and retrieval. Understanding of database normalization and indexing techniques to improve database performance is a plus. In addition, knowledge of ORM tools like Eloquent (in Laravel) or Doctrine (in Symfony) that simplify database operations would be beneficial. Familiarity with NoSQL databases like MongoDB could also be beneficial depending on the nature of the project.
Understanding of Security Practices
Security is paramount in web development, and a software engineer or full-stack developer should be aware of common security vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF). They should know how to write secure PHP code and implement measures to protect against these vulnerabilities. This includes validating and sanitizing user input, using prepared statements or parameterized queries when interacting with the database, and implementing proper session management. Knowledge of secure coding standards and practices, such as those recommended by the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), is highly advantageous. Experience with security libraries and tools can also be a plus.
Problem-solving Skills
PHP web development often involves complex problems requiring creative and efficient solutions. A proficient software engineer or full-stack developer should be able to analyze and break down problems, think logically, and apply effective problem-solving strategies. These soft skills are crucial in developing high-quality web applications that meet user needs and business requirements. Debugging skills are equally important, as developers will often need to find and fix issues in their code. Understanding how to use debugging tools in IDEs or debuggers like Xdebug can be highly beneficial. Furthermore, experience with unit testing and test-driven development (TDD) can be a plus, as these practices help prevent bugs and ensure that the code behaves as expected.
Knowledge of Version Control Systems
In today's collaborative software development environment, knowledge of version control systems is indispensable. Git is the most widely used system, and a PHP developer should be comfortable using it to track changes in the code, revert back to previous versions, and handle branching and merging. This allows the developer to effectively collaborate with others, manage code revisions, and avoid conflicts. It also aids in maintaining a history of changes, which is vital for understanding what changes were made, when they were made, and who made them. Experience with platforms that host Git repositories, such as GitHub or GitLab, is also beneficial as they provide tools for code reviews, pull requests, and issue tracking.
Understanding of Web Performance
Building a fast and responsive web application is crucial for user experience and SEO. A proficient PHP developer should understand how to write efficient code that reduces server load and response times. This could include implementing caching strategies using tools like Memcached or Redis, optimizing database queries, or leveraging CDNs for faster content delivery. They should also be familiar with profiling tools and techniques to identify and remove performance bottlenecks in the application. Understanding HTTP and how to minimize network latency, as well as knowledge of front-end performance optimization techniques (like minimizing HTTP requests, optimizing images, and using CSS sprites), can also be beneficial.
Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are essential for a PHP developer. They must be able to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely, whether it's explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or discussing project requirements and progress with their team. Good written communication is particularly important for maintaining clear and accurate documentation, writing readable code comments, and communicating asynchronously (e.g., via email or project management tools). On the other hand, good verbal communication skills are necessary for meetings, presentations, and pair programming sessions. Overall, a PHP developer with strong communication skills will be more successful in collaborating with others, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that everyone has a shared understanding of the project.
Proven Track Record and Portfolio
When hiring a PHP developer, it's crucial to look for a proven track record in PHP development. This can be demonstrated through a portfolio of previous work, which gives you an idea of the quality of their work, their problem-solving abilities, and the complexity of the projects they've handled. It's important to consider the developer's role and contributions to each project. Did they work alone or as part of a team? Did they handle the full project lifecycle or just a part of it? Additionally, a good developer should be able to provide references or testimonials from previous employers or clients. Other indicators of a proven track record could include contributions to open-source projects, participation in coding competitions, or relevant certifications.
Similar to an in-house development company, we value the expertise of a software engineer or full-stack developer who possesses the mentioned technical skills, soft skills, and domain knowledge in PHP, web apps, and back-end development. Additionally, familiarity with Drupal, Python, iOS, and cross-platform development can greatly contribute to our agile development processes. At our company, we prioritize the vetting of candidates to ensure we hire the most qualified professionals to work on our projects. Whether it's developing web applications, PHP applications, or creating cross-platform solutions, our team relies on the skills and expertise of software engineers who are proficient in the latest technologies and have a strong foundation in Linux-based environments.
Expert Resources for Hiring PHP Developers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire PHP developers?
The cost of hiring a PHP developer can vary significantly depending on their level of experience, the complexity of your project, your location, and the market rates. An entry-level PHP developer in the United States could earn around $50,000 to $60,000 annually, while a senior developer with extensive experience could earn over $100,000. In other regions or countries, the rates can be much lower due to different cost of living and market conditions. When you factor in additional costs like benefits, taxes, equipment, and training, the total cost of hiring a full-time PHP developer can be quite substantial.
Where can I hire a PHP developer?
To hire PHP developers, use a freelancing platform like Braintrust to be matched with vetted PHP experts. You can post your job there for free as well. Local tech meetups, hackathons, or tech conferences can also be a good place to network and meet potential candidates. Lastly, you can also consider working with a recruitment agency that specializes in tech hiring.
How do I recruit a PHP developer?
Recruiting a PHP developer starts with creating a clear and detailed job description that outlines the skills, experience, and responsibilities required for the role. Once the job is posted on suitable platforms, review the applications and shortlist candidates based on their qualifications and fit for the role. The next step is the interview process, which usually includes technical assessments to evaluate the candidate's PHP skills and problem-solving abilities. This could involve coding tests, whiteboard exercises, or reviewing their portfolio of previous work. It's also important to assess the candidate's communication skills, åcultural fit, and understanding of your business. Once you've identified a suitable candidate, the final step is to make a job offer that includes competitive compensation and benefits.
How much does a PHP programmer charge per hour?
The hourly rate for a PHP programmer can vary widely depending on their years of experience, skills, and location. A PHP programmer in the United States might charge anywhere from $20 to $150 per hour. Entry-level or junior developers usually charge lower rates, while senior developers or specialists command higher rates. In other countries or for remote or freelance work, the rates can be significantly lower. Always consider the complexity and scope of your project, and the level of skill and experience required, when agreeing on an hourly rate.
Is it hard to find good PHP developers?
Finding the best PHP developer can be challenging, but not impossible. While PHP is a popular scripting language and there's a large pool of PHP developers, the challenge lies in finding a developer who not only has strong technical skills, but also aligns with your project requirements, company culture, development team, and work style. The demand for experienced PHP developers, particularly those with knowledge of modern frameworks like Laravel or Symfony, often outpaces the supply. Therefore, it's essential to have a well-planned hiring process and competitive compensation to attract the right talent. Additionally, expanding your search to remote or freelance PHP developers can open up a much larger pool of candidates.
What applications do PHP developers work on?
PHP developers work on a wide variety of website development or web-based applications. PHP is a web server language often used for server-side scripting in web development, so PHP developers might work on creating dynamic web pages, implementing server-side logic, interacting with databases, or building APIs. They might also work on content management systems (like WordPress or Joomla), eCommerce platforms (like Magento), or custom web applications. Some PHP developers specialize in specific PHP frameworks like Laravel or Symfony, which are used for more complex or large-scale web applications.
Why hire a PHP developer?
Hiring a PHP developer can be beneficial for several reasons. If your website or web application is built with PHP or a PHP-based platform like WordPress, you'll need a PHP developer for ongoing development, maintenance, and troubleshooting. PHP developers can help you create dynamic, interactive, and data-driven web applications. They can implement server-side logic, manage databases, ensure security, and optimize performance. With their specialized knowledge and skills, they can help you leverage the full potential of PHP and its ecosystem to meet your business needs.
Is PHP still in demand?
Despite the rise of other languages and technologies, PHP remains a popular choice for web and app development projects. It powers a significant portion of the web, including popular platforms like WordPress, which alone powers over 30% of websites. The demand for PHP developers is especially high in areas like content management, eCommerce, and custom web application development. Additionally, the continued development and popularity of modern PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony contribute to the demand for PHP developers. However, the exact demand can vary depending on the region and specific industry.
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