WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of websites on the internet. While the pre-existing themes and plugins offer a range of design and functionality options, custom WordPress development can take your website to the next level. In this article, we will explore what custom WordPress development is, why it’s better than pre-existing options, the risks involved, the costs and maintenance, and how to choose the best custom WordPress developer.

What is Custom WordPress Development?

The process of building a special website from scratch using the WordPress platform is known as custom WordPress development. It entails producing a bespoke design as well as features and functionality that specifically address the demands of the website owner. Deep platform knowledge and technical proficiency are needed for custom WordPress development in order to integrate the design and functionality.

Why is Custom Development Better?

There are several advantages to using custom WordPress development over ready-made solutions. First off, it gives comprehensive design and functional flexibility. The owner of the website can produce a distinctive design that represents their brand and their unique requirements. Also, custom creation provides total control over the website’s functioning. This implies that the website can be modified to satisfy certain company needs, such as e-commerce capabilities, unique forms, and system integrations.

Existing Alternatives

Themes and plugins that have already been created give a variety of appearance and functionality possibilities. They do have certain restrictions, though. Pre-designed themes might not accurately represent the website owner’s brand, and modification choices might be scarce. Pre-designed plugins might not entirely satisfy the website owner’s unique business needs, and there might be problems with interoperability with other systems.

Risks

Custom WordPress development involves some risks. Choosing an inexperienced or unprofessional developer can result in poor quality work, delays, and cost overruns. Additionally, the custom development may not fully meet the specific requirements of the website owner, resulting in the need for rework or additional development.

Costs

Custom WordPress development can be more expensive than pre-existing options. However, the cost of custom development varies depending on the complexity of the website and the skills and experience of the developer. While pre-existing options may seem cheaper upfront, the long-term costs of maintaining and updating the website may be higher. Additionally, custom development offers complete control over the budget, as the website owner can choose which features and functionality to include in the development.

Maintenance

Maintaining a custom WordPress website involves regular updates and maintenance to ensure the website is secure and functional. While pre-existing options may seem easier to maintain, custom development allows for more control over the website’s maintenance. The website owner can choose which updates and maintenance tasks are necessary and can avoid unnecessary updates that may cause compatibility issues with other systems.

How to Choose a Custom WordPress Developer

A custom WordPress developer should be carefully chosen. Here are some important aspects to take into account when selecting a custom WordPress developer:

1. Experience and knowledge → Seek for a developer who has worked with WordPress custom development projects and who possesses the technical know-how to put the design and functionality into practice.
2. Portfolio → Go over the developer’s past work to gauge how well it meets your needs for aesthetic and functionality.
3. References →To learn more about the developer’s work and professionalism, get recommendations from previous customers.
4. Communication → Pick a developer who is receptive to your wants and concerns and who has good communication skills.
5. Pricing → Take into account the developer’s pricing and make sure it fits inside your spending limit and expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, custom WordPress development offers a range of benefits over pre-existing options, such as complete flexibility and control over design and functionality. While custom development involves some risks and can be more expensive, it offers complete control over the budget and long-term maintenance costs. When choosing a custom WordPress developer, it’s important to consider their experience, portfolio, references, communication, and pricing to ensure that you choose the best option for your specific needs.

Ultimately, choosing the right custom WordPress developer can make all the difference in the success of your website. With a custom website that reflects your brand and meets your specific business requirements, you can differentiate yourself from the competition and provide a better user experience for your customers.

Where does BlissBuilds come into the picture?

BlissBuilds provides self-guided software that simplifies the development process by transforming mundane chores into actionable issues. This allows you to concentrate on your business while guaranteeing that your website is always up to date and has development capacity. You can have real developers working on your assignments efficiently with a monthly membership plan. Our program shortens the feedback loop and removes the need for multiple emails and phone calls. It’s as simple as subscribing to your favorite newsletter on a monthly basis, but with the extra benefit of expert developers working on your projects.

Communication is key to a successful project. The frequency of communication and reporting should be defined in the kickoff meeting. Make sure that your developer can communicate in a language you understand, i.e., English or German, for example. Also, make sure they are able to report on their progress regularly so that you won’t have to constantly follow up with them about where the project is at and what’s next for them.

1. Who will be working on your project?

The first thing you should look for in a remote freelancer is the team that will be working on your project. A good developer or team will have experience with your type of project so they know what works and what doesn’t. They also need to be reliable and trustworthy, which can be difficult to determine from online profiles alone.

Finally, look for a freelance developer whose focus is results instead of hours worked—a great developer will want your project to come out as smoothly as possible, instead of simply trying to complete projects quickly without quality control.

2. Clarify the communication and reporting frequency

Communication is key to a successful project. The frequency of communication and reporting should be defined in the kickoff meeting. Make sure that your developer can communicate in a language you understand, i.e., English or German, for example might not be enough – dive deeper into the kinds of words they use to explain what they mean. You should make sure they are able to report on their progress regularly so that you won’t have to constantly follow up with them about where the project is at and what’s next for them.

3. Check for past projects, examples of work, and client testimonials

Make sure the freelancer has a portfolio of past projects. A remote freelance developer should have a portfolio on their website or even on another site that showcases some of their previous work. You can also ask for examples of work and client testimonials when interviewing them for your project. Ask for references and recommendations from past clients. Before you hire someone, make sure to check any social media accounts they have online like LinkedIn or Facebook to see if they have a good reputation with their previous clients. If they do then it’s worth taking a chance on the person because they likely won’t disappoint you if they have been getting good reviews from other people who hired them before!

4. Understand who’s responsible for maintenance and support

Maintenance and support are critical elements of any software contract. You need to know who’s responsible for them and what they will cost you, because all too often, the burden of maintenance and support falls on your shoulders. Make sure you’re clear on exactly what it is that your remote employee will be doing with his time, how much time he’ll have to spend on it, and who pays for it. If he has other clients, who covers those costs?

To find out about this stuff (and more), ask questions during the interview process: Have you ever done any work with a client where they were not satisfied with the result or felt like something was missing from their project? What did you do in these situations? How did that impact your relationship with that client going forward?

5. Be mindful of hidden costs & extra expenses

Hidden costs can be very frustrating if you don’t realize them until it’s too late. These are costs that you don’t even think of or consider when budgeting for your project, but they have a major impact on the cost of your project. In-person meetings, travel expenses, extra software licenses, time spent learning languages and even time spent on communication / problem-solving are all well-known issues.

Hiring a remote freelance developer comes with some risks that you should watch out for in order to have a successful project.

• Under-estimating the scope of the project → the biggest pitfall is underestimating how much time and effort it will take to complete the project, so make sure you set aside enough resources before starting work on your app or website. If you’re unsure about what’s involved in developing your idea, get in touch with someone who has built similar projects before and ask them their thoughts on how long it would take them (you could also check out our step-by-step guide).
• Hiring an unreliable developer → as well as having unrealistic expectations and not being prepared for any problems that come up along the way, if you don’t check references then there’s no guarantee that all developers are reliable professionals who will deliver what they say they can deliver at a reasonable price point within budget constraints set by yourself.

Closing thoughts

Hiring a remote freelance developer is exciting and scary at the same time. When you hire a freelancer, you’re giving someone access to your company’s information, so it’s important to find someone who will take care of it responsibly and competently. Also keep in mind that freelancers may not be available to answer your questions 24/7, so try to plan your communication accordingly.

Apart from the aforementioned 5 points, there are 3 hot tips we would like to leave you with when considering your hiring choice for a remote freelance developer:

1. Communication skills
2. Personality fit with your company culture
3. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously without needing constant oversight from management or other members of the team

As always, it’s important to have clear expectations about what you expect from each other before making a final decision. There are many things that can go wrong when hiring a remote freelance developer, but by being aware of them and looking out for them you can avoid the most common pitfalls.

How is BlissBuilds different from a freelance developer?

BlissBuilds offers self-guided software that streamlines the development process, turning everyday tasks into actionable issues. This allows you to focus on your business while ensuring that your website is always up-to-date with a development capacity at your disposal. With a monthly subscription plan, you can have real developers working on your tasks efficiently. Our software simplifies the feedback loop and eliminates the need for numerous emails and calls. It’s as easy as paying for a monthly subscription to your favorite newsletter, but with the added benefit of professional developers working on your projects.

Do you require professional web development services for your company? Look nowhere else! The finest US-based web development businesses that can realize your online vision will be highlighted in this article. These businesses, which range in size from little start-ups to major organizations, possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to produce top-notch websites and web-based apps. Prepare to advance your company with assistance from these top web development companies.

1. Thoughtbot

ThoughtBot is a full-service web development firm with offices in the US, the UK, and Canada. They specialize in custom website and web application development using a range of technologies such as Ruby on Rails, React, and Elixir. They provide UX design, branding, and digital strategy services in addition to web construction. ThoughtBot has worked with clients ranging from startups to small enterprises to Fortune 500 corporations.

2. R/GA

R/GA is a multinational digital agency with locations in more than 20 countries, including the US. Web development, UX design, branding, and digital marketing are just a few of the many services they provide. Working with leading companies like Nike, Google, and Samsung is something that R/GA has a proven track record of doing. They have experience with cutting-edge technologies like AR/VR and IoT in addition to their web development skills.

3. Blue Fountain Media

Blue Fountain Media is a digital agency with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. They provide a wide range of services, including web development, UX design, digital marketing, and branding. Blue Fountain Media has a proven track record of working with big brands such as Samsung, Google, and Nike. They offer competence in upcoming technologies such as AR/VR and IoT in addition to web development.

4. Mightybytes

Mightybytes is a web development firm headquartered in the United States. They specialize in bespoke website and online application development using a range of technologies such as WordPress, Laravel, and React. They provide UX design, digital marketing, and branding services in addition to web construction. Mightybytes is committed to sustainability and has worked with a diverse spectrum of clients, including startups, small businesses, and large corporations.

5. Mojo Tech

Mojo Tech is a web development firm headquartered in the United States. They specialize in custom online application development using a range of technologies such as Ruby on Rails, Elixir, and React. They provide UX design, digital strategy, and branding services in addition to web construction. Mojo Tech has worked with clients ranging from startups to small businesses to huge corporations.

Closing thoughts

Finally, there are many excellent web development firms in the United States to pick from. There is an agency to fulfill the demands of any business, from full-service agencies like ThoughtBot and R/GA to specialty organizations like Mojo Tech and Mightybytes. When looking for a web development agency, do your homework, look for one with suitable experience, and examine variables like as size, communication abilities, cost, and location. You can take your online presence to the next level with the proper web development partner, driving traffic, sales, and leads to your website.

Why use BlissBuilds instead?

Unlike other human-managed solutions mentioned here, BlissBuilds is a software-driven agency that will cut human resource costs by not hiring & managing an in-house dev team. With us, you can rely on the rolling support of custom dev projects via a trusted partner, so you can win back the liberty to innovate rather than waste time managing. We boiled this usually complex process down into 5 simple steps:

1. Add tasks to the backlog
2. Seasoned developers tackle a task
3. We iterate together until ready
4. You approve and push it live

The BlissBuilds software cuts could be your next-generation technical project manager.

Are you ready to give us a shot?