How to Hire Drupal Developers in 2024: The Ultimate Guide for Success

Drupal is a really popular and strong content management system (CMS) worldwide. It’s used by lots of websites, from small ones to big companies, in different fields. People like Drupal because it’s flexible, can grow with your needs, is safe, and has a big community for help. But using Drupal isn’t easy. It’s complicated and always changing. To make a good website with Drupal, you need skilled developers who know what they’re doing. If you’re thinking about starting or improving a Drupal project in 2024, you’ll need to find and hire the best developers. But how do you find them, check if they’re good, and work well with them? This guide will help you hire Drupal developers in 2024.

What are Drupal developers and what do they do?

Drupal developers are software engineers who specialize in creating, managing, and optimizing Drupal websites and applications. They use various technologies, frameworks, and tools to design, develop, and deploy Drupal solutions that meet the needs and expectations of online users and business owners. Drupal developers are responsible for:

• Implementing the frontend and backend functionality of Drupal websites and applications
• Integrating Drupal websites and applications with third-party services and APIs, such as payment gateways, social media platforms, and analytics tools
• Ensuring the security, performance, scalability, and usability of Drupal websites and applications
• Testing, debugging, and troubleshooting Drupal websites and applications
• Updating and maintaining Drupal websites and applications according to changing requirements and trends

Why do you need Drupal developers for your Drupal project?

Drupal developers are essential for your Drupal project because they can help you:

• Create a unique and attractive online presence that showcases your brand and products
• Provide a seamless and satisfying user experience for your customers across different devices and channels
• Increase your sales, conversions, and customer loyalty by implementing features such as personalization, recommendations, reviews, and loyalty programs
• Stay ahead of the competition by adopting the latest Drupal trends and innovations, such as headless and decoupled Drupal, integration with emerging technologies like AI and IoT, and sustainable and green web development
• Reduce your operational costs and risks by automating and streamlining your Drupal processes and workflows
• Grow and scale your Drupal project according to your business goals and customer demands

How to find Drupal developers for your Drupal project?

There are many ways to find Drupal developers for your Drupal project, depending on your budget, timeline, and preferences. Some of the most common methods are:

• Hiring freelance Drupal developers: This is a flexible and cost-effective option if you need Drupal developers for a specific project or task. You can discover independent Drupal developers across different platforms like Toptal, Upwork, and Fiverr. However, you need to be careful about the quality, reliability, and communication of the freelancers you hire.
• Hiring in-house Drupal developers: This is a more stable and long-term option if you need Drupal developers for your core team. You can find in-house Drupal developers by posting job ads on various platforms, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. However, you need to invest more time, money, and resources in recruiting, training, and retaining the developers you hire.
• Hiring Drupal development agencies: This is a more comprehensive and professional option if you need Drupal developers for a complex or large-scale project. You can find Drupal development agencies by searching online, asking for referrals, or checking reviews and ratings. However, you need to pay more attention to the reputation, expertise, and portfolio of the agencies you hire.

How to evaluate Drupal developers for your Drupal project?

Once you have found some potential Drupal developers for your Drupal project, you need to evaluate them based on their skills, experience, and fit. Some of the criteria you should consider are:

• Technical skills: Drupal developers should have proficiency in various technologies, frameworks, and tools that are relevant for your Drupal project. For example, if you use Drupal 10, you should look for developers who know PHP 8.1, Symfony 5, Twig 3, and Drupal APIs. You can assess their technical skills by reviewing their portfolios, asking for code samples, or giving them technical tests or challenges.
• Drupal experience: Drupal developers should have experience in working on Drupal projects that are similar to yours in terms of size, scope, and industry. You can assess their Drupal experience by asking for references, testimonials, or case studies, or by checking their ratings and reviews on platforms where they work.
• Communication skills: Drupal developers should have good communication skills to understand your requirements, expectations, and feedback, and to collaborate with you and other stakeholders effectively. You can assess their communication skills by conducting interviews, checking their written and spoken language, and observing their responsiveness and professionalism.
• Cultural fit: Drupal developers should have a good cultural fit with your team, company, and customers. You can assess their cultural fit by asking about their values, work style, and personality, and by involving them in your team activities and discussions.

How to work with Drupal developers for your Drupal project?

After you have hired Drupal developers for your Drupal project, you need to work with them effectively to ensure the success of your Drupal project. Some of the best practices you should follow are:

• Define your Drupal goals and scope: You should clearly communicate your Drupal goals and scope to your developers, such as what you want to achieve, what features and functions you need, and what timeline and budget you have. You should also document your Drupal requirements and specifications in a detailed and structured way, such as using user stories, wireframes, and mockups.
• Establish your Drupal processes and workflows: You should establish your Drupal processes and workflows with your developers, such as how you will plan, execute, monitor, and review your Drupal project. You should also define your roles and responsibilities, communication channels and frequency, reporting and feedback mechanisms, and quality and performance standards.
• Use the right Drupal tools and platforms: You should use the right Drupal tools and platforms with your developers, such as the ones that suit your Drupal project, technology stack, and project management style. For example, you can use Drupal 10, Composer, Drush, and Git for your Drupal project, Symfony, Twig, and PHP for your technology stack, and Jira, Trello, or Asana for your project management.
• Test and optimize your Drupal project: You should test and optimize your Drupal project with your developers, such as by conducting user testing, usability testing, security testing, and performance testing. You should also collect and analyze data and feedback from your customers and users, and implement improvements and enhancements accordingly.

Conclusion

To hire Drupal developers is a crucial step for your Drupal project, as they can help you create, manage, and optimize your Drupal website or application. However, finding, evaluating, and working with Drupal developers can be challenging, especially in 2024, when Drupal trends and technologies are constantly evolving.

That’s why you need a reliable and professional partner who can provide you with the best Drupal developers for your Drupal project. ONextDigital is a leading Drupal development agency that can help you with your Drupal needs. We offer web development, mobile app development, UX/UI design, white label software, and CRM and automation solutions for Drupal projects. Contact us today and let us help you hire Drupal developers.