WordPress Efficient

Common WordPress Practices:

Value of Plugins: High-quality, well-maintained plugins can be beneficial, offering tested solutions across many websites. Developers should avoid “special snowflake” custom code that is hard to maintain without their ongoing involvement.

Themes & Plugins Usage: It’s standard for WordPress developers to use themes and plugins like Elementor, as they speed up development, reduce costs, simplify future maintenance, and make it easier for non-technical users to update the site.

Custom vs. Plugin-Based Solutions:

• When to Use Custom Code: If you require a unique, high-performance site, finding a developer who can code custom themes and plugins may be important, but this will be more expensive. Hand-coded sites offer better control and performance but come with increased costs and maintenance complexity.
• Balanced Approach: For most clients, a mix of carefully selected plugins with minimal custom code is ideal. It ensures scalability, security, and future support.

Hiring the Right Developer:

• Understanding Your Needs: Clearly define your end goals, metrics, functionality, and desired user experience to help find a developer suited to your project.
• Key Interview Questions:
  • Ask if they build custom themes and plugins using PHP, HTML, JS, and CSS.
  • Request examples of past work and insights into their process.
  • Consider their ability to provide both plugin-based and custom solutions.
• Budget Consideration: Custom work demands a higher budget. If cost is a factor, working with plugin-based solutions is often more realistic.