Hire the Top 3% of Freelance WooCommerce Developers

The Growth in E-commerce Fuels Surging Demand for WooCommerce Developers

Powering more than 1 million active websites, WooCommerce is by far the world’s most widely used e-commerce platform. As an open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, it can transform sites created with the popular web builder into fully functioning online stores. Together, WooCommerce and WordPress offer online retailers enormous flexibility, including near-limitless customization possibilities and support for recurring payments, subscriptions, bookings, geolocation targeting, and more.

Still, the sophistication that gives WooCommerce its power can make it challenging to find the right developer to leverage its full potential, particularly as demand for web developers is growing. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were approximately 216,700 web development and digital design jobs and about 19,000 job openings in 2022, with a 16 percent growth rate projected from 2022 to 2032, significantly outpacing the 3% average across occupations.

Excelling as a WooCommerce developer requires a niche skill set, further complicating the hiring challenge. The search for candidates who have not only technical expertise in WooCommerce and WordPress but also a firm grasp of API development, performance testing, and database management can lead to a prolonged and competitive hiring process.

In this hiring guide, we provide an overview of relevant attributes, job description tips, and interview questions and answers to help simplify the selection process and ensure you identify the best candidates for your company.

What Attributes Distinguish Quality WooCommerce Developers From Others?

WooCommerce is often used by startups and small companies without dedicated e-commerce teams. In these cases, a WooCommerce developer might work on all areas of an e-commerce website, including UI/UX design, payment processing, and customer management. Some can even contribute to tasks related to SEO and marketing. Those working for larger companies as part of dedicated e-commerce teams tend to have more specialized duties, such as adding new payment types or third-party shipping and fulfillment extensions.

Because WooCommerce developers fulfill such diverse roles, it’s important to closely examine candidates’ skill sets to ensure organizational and project alignment. Finding and hiring the right WooCommerce programmer can offer an online business many advantages—improving a customers’ shopping experiences, lowering development costs, and increasing sales frequency and the average order price per customer. But to serve your business needs, it’s crucial to find candidates whose attributes closely match your development needs and sales strategy.

As you begin your search, consider the following traits:

Full-stack Development

Qualified WooCommerce developers should be familiar with the script languages used to build WooCommerce and WordPress. These include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on the front end; and PHP on the back end. In your selection process, look for candidates with strong skills in these languages. These developers will be able to manually write code to do sophisticated custom development work, such as modifying plugins and themes and improving your checkout experience with bespoke functionality.

Knowledge of WooCommerce Integrations

One of the strengths of WooCommerce is its extensive ecosystem of plugins and integrations. Among the most popular are WooCommerce Subscriptions, which enables recurring payments for subscriptions or ongoing services; Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), which enables the creation of custom fields and data types; Yoast SEO, which optimizes your store’s content for search engines, and WooCommerce Bookings, which adds booking functionality for appointments or service calls. As you review candidates, give preference to those who can articulate the pros and cons of various third-party tools, and have applied such integrations to serve business goals.

API Development

Talented WooCommerce developers will have experience using REST APIs, a software architectural style for application program interfaces (APIs) that enables platforms to request and exchange data. Integrating WooCommerce with the API servers of external payment gateways, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and shipping platforms helps ensure user-friendly e-commerce experiences. A skilled WooCommerce developer will be able to manage exchanges of various data formats, including XML, JavaScript object notation (JSON), and hypertext markup language (HTML).

Database Management

Well-structured databases have become an imperative for modern businesses, allowing for safe, secure data storage and easy retrieval of high-priority information. Qualified WooCommerce developers should have experience using relational, or SQL databases, in particular MySQL (the database used by WordPress and WooCommerce), to write custom queries, optimize table structures, and ensure the integrity of a store’s data.

Performance Optimization

Speed is paramount for any e-commerce site, as slow-loading sites frustrate users and can result in customer abandonment and lost sales. Experienced WooCommerce developers will be able to identify performance issues and resolve them quickly. Give preference to experienced professionals who understand best practices for browser caching, minimizing front-end CSS and JavaScript file sizes, and deferred loading (also known as “lazy loading”).

Test-driven Development

A WooCommerce developer who incorporates test-driven development (TDD) into their workflow can expedite software projects by allowing for faster updates to source code. Using tools such as PHPUnit and Selenium, a skilled developer can run automated tests on small chunks of code to identify and fix potential bugs and usability defects before they affect your live site. Look for candidates who can articulate how they have applied TDD to quickly resolve site problems and minimize downtime and regressions.

A/B Testing

A/B testing enables software teams to compare two variations of an interface element to identify which best serves users and business objectives. The best WooCommerce developers understand how to use A/B testing to test page layouts, CTA buttons, and checkout flows to optimize customers’ online store experiences and help drive sales.

How Can You Identify the Ideal WooCommerce Developer for You?

Finding a candidate whose skill set aligns with your business goals and project requirements is the key to hiring the right WooCommerce developer for your organization. In web development, there are generally three categories of developers: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. Front-end developers focus on the user interface and visual aspects of a website. Back-end developers work on the internal functionality of a website, handling tasks such as order processing, user authentication, and external service integration. Full-stack developers can efficiently manage both front-end and back-end development tasks. Often the best scenario is to build a well-rounded development team that reflects a range of specializations.

Experience Level

Once you’ve identified the type of developer best suited for your goals, you’ll want to consider the developer’s experience level. Generally speaking, the expectations of your target audience and the relative complexity of your e-commerce projects will determine the experience required.

Junior WooCommerce developers typically have one to two years of website development experience. They are well equipped to handle simple tasks, such as plugin installations, ongoing maintenance, and minor customizations or content updates. While junior developers tend to have foundational coding skills, they often benefit from the guidance of more experienced developers, who have experience integrating fussy third-party APIs and instituting best practice protocols for handling sensitive data, such as payment and address information. Still, for a team seeking a developer who can quickly field tasks in preparation for an e-commerce site launch or refresh, or who seeks an individual with long-term growth potential, a junior developer is often a great, cost-effective addition.

Mid-level WooCommerce developers typically have at least two years of experience, and proficiency in WordPress, PHP, HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. With a thorough grasp of the WooCommerce platform and close attention to detail, they can quickly develop new features and make updates to existing ones. While mid-level WooCommerce developers can generally work independently, they may need assistance for complex tasks, such as implementing flexible payment models and integrating performance optimization features. Mid-level WooCommerce developers are a good choice for companies seeking advanced technical skills at an affordable cost.

Senior WooCommerce developers are experts at e-commerce site development and can find innovative solutions to almost any development project. They are capable of designing intricate architectures and custom functionalities, as well as optimizing performance and making sure that third-party components work together smoothly. Senior developers also tend to have exceptional problem-solving and communication skills—the result of working on multiple WooCommerce sites for a range of clients, audiences, and use cases. Senior developers are an ideal choice for teams seeking the strategic leadership and project management skills of a talented individual who can set the course for high-quality e-commerce development projects, solve complex technical issues, and guide and mentor less experienced developers.

Strategic Factors

Several strategic considerations are worth noting: first, whether the developer you hire will be working on a new e-commerce site or updating an existing one. For new projects, a highly experienced developer is generally the best option. Their expertise will ensure you choose the right architecture and tooling from the start, saving you time, headaches, and costs down the line. For an existing project, however, a less experienced candidate may be perfectly suitable, assuming the update does not require extensive customization or back-end maintenance.

Another important factor is the size of your company. While WooCommerce is used mainly by small businesses, many medium-sized and large companies also build e-commerce websites with the platform. For smaller companies building simple online stores to list and sell products, hiring a less experienced developer can be effective and cost efficient. Large companies, which may need to deal with localization, optimization, enterprise-grade hosting, and security and compliance requirements, will benefit from the experience that a senior WooCommerce developer brings.

Finally, to fully leverage the functionality of WooCommerce, a developer should have expertise using relevant programming languages and developing WordPress sites. Give added consideration to dedicated WooCommerce developers who have experience using the following script languages and tools:

PHP is the back-end language that underpins both WordPress and WooCommerce. PHP script enables server-side tasks, such as making API requests, processing data, and updating databases. An expert developer will often have experience working with PHP outside of WordPress and WooCommerce, for example, in frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, CakePHP, or CodeIgniter.

HTML is the markup language used to structure content and layouts on the web. For WooCommerce developers, a strong understanding of HTML is essential for building accessible, user-friendly websites. HTML also plays a part in SEO; properly formatted HTML helps search engines decipher the content in a website, potentially leading to higher rankings in search results.

JavaScript is a versatile scripting language that is used to enhance site usability and create a dynamic front-end experience. JavaScript can be used to implement additional features like form validation and dynamic content loading. Knowing how to use JavaScript-based frameworks such as React and Angular gives a developer even more options to customize a WordPress site.

Cascading Style Sheets refer to a styling language that can transform a website’s HTML markup into an actual design. For a WooCommerce developer, expertise in CSS is required to create structured and responsive web designs that are aesthetically pleasing and function flawlessly across devices, from smartphones to computers. A candidate’s familiarity with Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, or other CSS frameworks, can further enhance the interoperability of your designs.

WordPress is a popular host site for WooCommerce stores. Developers should be familiar with the popular web builder’s built-in functionality and customization options. A skilled WordPress developer will also know how to apply action hooks and filter hooks to extend WordPress’s core functionality and fulfill business requirements.

How to Write a WooCommerce Developer Job Description for Your Project

Crafting a well-structured job post is crucial to attract qualified WooCommerce Developers. Begin by defining a job title, such as WooCommerce Developer, Senior WooCommerce Engineer, WooCommerce PlugIn Specialist, or Full-Stack WooCommerce Developer. In the job overview, summarize the key aspects of the role and how the selected candidate will impact your organization. Your introduction sets the tone for the job post and should be concise and engaging.

In the body of the post, it’s important to specify whether you’re seeking to fill an in-house role for a full-time or part-time employee or hire a freelancer for a contractual opening. Outline the specific duties and responsibilities associated with the role, and describe the key skills and experience level required. Be sure to describe your company as well, touching on its culture and benefits such as financial incentives, professional development opportunities, and remote work options. Conclude the post with a clear call to action, encouraging qualified candidates to apply. Include instructions on how to submit an application, what documents to include, and any deadlines.

As you draft the post, consider the following qualifications and responsibilities as a starting point to adapt to your specific needs:

Responsibilities

• Develop and customize WooCommerce plugins to enhance site functionality.
• Ensure seamless integration and compatibility with various WordPress themes, templates, and design elements.
• Optimize website performance and user experience, ensuring fast load times and scalability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to WooCommerce and WordPress.
• Conduct regular site audits to maintain code quality, security, functionality, and up-to-date standards.
• Collaborate with design and marketing teams to ensure timely delivery of new features and user interfaces.
• Provide technical support and training to internal teams when necessary.
• Manage version control and deployment processes using tools like Git.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a WooCommerce Developer with a strong portfolio
• Proficiency in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
• In-depth knowledge of WooCommerce and WordPress architectures, code versioning tools, and development methodologies
• Experience with REST APIs and integrating third-party services
• Strong problem-solving skills and a keen attention to detail
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Understanding of SEO principles, responsive design, and web analytics tools

What Are the Most Important WooCommerce Developer Interview Questions?

At the interview stage, you’ll have a chance to get a better understanding of the candidate’s skill set and assess their suitability for the project. Asking questions about past WooCommerce projects will give you the best insight into a candidate’s experience and familiarity with the platform. To evaluate their technical and problem-solving skills, consider the following questions:

How do you update and safeguard third-party plugins and theme customizations?

WooCommerce developers are often called on to develop plugin and custom themes. If they update the code of the plugin or theme directly into the parent code—a sloppy practice—those changes will be overwritten every time there is a new update. This can lead to lost code, bugs, and, ultimately, downtime. Experienced candidates will exercise good working habits to prevent such mishaps.

A strong answer will describe the steps the candidate takes to safeguard plugins and themes. When customizing an external theme, for instance, a developer will typically apply a child theme. For external plugins, the original plugin should not be modified. Instead, it can be migrated to a theme’s functions.php file and WordPress hooks can modify its behavior. For complex modifications, custom plugins can keep changes siloed and safe from being corrupted by global updates.

How can you improve the performance of an existing WooCommerce website?

Qualified candidates should demonstrate proficiency with performance optimization strategies for WooCommerce websites. Sites that are content-rich can benefit from caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and lazy loading (in which content further down a page is not rendered until it is relevant to the user). Code should be streamlined, with unused and redundant code removed to minimize file sizes. Databases should also be optimized, with unused data removed and tables properly indexed. As you conduct interviews, look for candidates who can articulate how they use these techniques to improve page load speed and drive customer engagement and sales.

What are WordPress Transients API?

Transients API is a built-in WordPress feature that lets you cache data by temporarily storing it in a database. Transients are stored as a key-value pair, with a configurable expiration date. They are often used with API requests, caching the API’s response data so that repeated calls are unnecessary. A candidate who understands how to use Transients API likely has more than just basic WordPress knowledge. Familiarity with the feature signals a deep understanding of WordPress’s core functionalities and optimization capabilities.

What is the relationship between WooCommerce and REST APIs?

WooCommerce sites frequently interact with external software applications, whether for mobile app transactions, tax and shipping services, or CRM or marketing purposes. These integrations are most commonly done using REST APIs. There are several advantages to adopting the architectural style for information exchange with third-party applications. REST APIs are compatible with any technology stack that supports HTTP, the foundational protocol for file sharing on the web. REST APIs are also highly flexible, and support data formats, such as JSON, XML, and HTML. Finally, REST APIs are inherently scalable, allowing for data to be distributed across multiple servers.

Because WooCommerce and WordPress leverage REST APIs to interact with external services, WooCommerce developers should be intimately familiar with their use and be able to describe how they have successfully applied them in previous software integration projects.

What is the difference between WooCommerce and Shopify? Which is faster?

This two-part question assesses a candidate’s knowledge of two of the most popular e-commerce platforms: WooCommerce and Shopify. A strong answer will show that the candidate has a thirst for learning, understands the broader landscape of e-commerce tools, and is committed to keeping up to date with best practices for e-commerce performance optimization. Here is a sample of how a top candidate might distinguish the sites:

• Shopify is a low-code, e-commerce site builder designed for accessibility and ease of use. It offers an easy on-ramp for non-technical professionals and junior developers to quickly spin up a site. Shopify’s hosting infrastructure is optimized for speed and sold as a service; there is a monthly fee and, typically, a transaction fee for each order.
• WooCommerce is highly customizable and offers full control over its configuration. That degree of flexibility, however, comes with a steeper learning curve. The performance of WooCommerce, often hosted by a third-party site such as WordPress, depends on the speed of the hosting service and the degree to which the developer implements optimization strategies. A skilled WooCommerce developer can optimize the loading speed of a site, bringing it to the level where it is as fast or faster than a Shopify store. Finally, although there can be hosting fees, the WooCommerce plugin is completely free to use.

Why Do Companies Hire WooCommerce Developers?

WooCommerce has become the most widely-used e-commerce platform in the world. Its flexibility and robust third-party ecosystem give companies the ability to create and manage user-friendly online stores that appeal to customers and drive sales. To take advantage of all WooCommerce has to offer, many e-commerce businesses hire dedicated developers who have WordPress expertise, extensive experience with API integrations, and performance testing, and the technical skills to customize stores to customer preferences and sales objectives. Whether by appealing to a particular audience with a stylized user interface, optimizing a site’s database architecture for easy information retrieval and analysis, or connecting to a third-party fulfillment or payment service, a skilled WooCommerce developer can help elevate a brand’s e-commerce experience.

Companies often turn to WooCommerce with e-commerce scalability in mind. They call on WooCommerce developers to build flexible models for enterprise-grade sites that can grow as a business grows and ensure customer data and financial information are kept safely and securely preserved. Hiring a WooCommerce expert is a wise choice for businesses looking to unlock the platform’s power to create a high-quality online order and checkout experience and gain a competitive edge.