Hiring the right developer for your Drupal custom theme development project is probably the most critical decision you will ever make in the quest to build a good website user experience and business reputation. But let’s first understand a few basics about Drupal then we will discuss tips for hiring a developer for Drupal custom theme development.

Drupal is an open-source and free web content management system that is evolving into a Digital Experience Platform (DXP) with a track record of innovation in customer experience. A DXP is a set of integrated technologies that help optimize customer journeys across multiple channels.

What is Drupal Used For?

Drupal is customizable, so the platform is used to build a tool that fits your company’s needs. It helps serve content management strategies for corporations of different sizes. One of the best platforms for web innovation, Drupal’s solutions have real-world applications in business and technology.

Why is Drupal better than other CMS?

Drupal is better than its competitors in many aspects. We will discuss some of the major attributes that make Drupal a superior CMS choice.

Flexibility

Drupal CMS can handle diverse content types such as videos, podcasts, blogs, polls, and statistics. This enables Drupal custom theme development for different markets like commerce or media. The Drupal CMS scripts include design elements editing capabilities that simplify the creation of web page configurations.

Customization

Drupal has over 16000 plugins and modules that allow you to modify, adjust and implement additional custom features.

Scalability

The Drupal platform is highly scalable. You can exponentially grow the number of web pages with Drupal custom theme development without changing anything else.

Community

Drupal is an open-source CMS. The Drupal open source community offers a free exchange of ideas and approachable online culture and has endless resources like public documentation, discussion boards, and mailing and chat lists.

Security

Drupal CMS is known for its robust security. The platform regularly offers patches and safeguards from vulnerabilities.

Why is Drupal the best CMS solution for custom theme development of a website?

Because of Drupal’s flexibility, customization, scalability, security, and strong community, it is widely considered the best CMS solution. Hence, Drupal custom theme development is far superior to its competitors because of these advantages.

Choosing a competent Drupal developer is as crucial as selecting a superior CMS like Drupal. Here are a few reasons why you need to hire a developer for Drupal custom theme development.

Reasons why you should hire a Drupal developer

You don’t have the required expertise

You might not have the right expertise available for Drupal custom theme development. It is recommended that you hire an experienced and skilled Drupal developer to get the best results.

You want an efficient development process

You may have in-house developers but having a dedicated developer for Drupal custom theme development makes the process more efficient.

You can focus on core business activities

Hiring a dedicated developer for Drupal custom theme development helps you focus on your core business activities. This contributes to optimizing business processes, which eventually leads to increased revenue.

We have defined some essential parameters to help you hire a Drupal developer or Drupal development company that is best for you.

Parameters for hiring a developer for Drupal Custom Theme Development

1.     Skillset of Drupal Developers

Technical competence and expertise are vital skills you should be looking for in a Drupal developer. Make sure the developer is capable of developing Drupal modules that meet your project requirements. They should have the ability for Drupal custom theme development from scratch while following core standards. You should look for a developer who has similar Drupal website development experience and has a diverse project portfolio.

2.     Prior Work Experience

Find someone with not only theoretical knowledge of Drupal but also some years of professional work experience under their belt. Practical knowledge is vital for a successful CMS project. A developer with proven work experience helps make the hiring decision easier. Their prior experience in Drupal custom theme development can give you an idea of what to expect from them.

3.     Certifications

Certifications are a great way of validating a Drupal developer’s competency for a specific project. ACQUIA certifications are one of the best ways to evaluate a developer’s skill set and knowledge.

4.     Innovative Approach

Along with the proper knowledge and skill set, an innovative, out-of-the-box approach to handling Drupal custom theme development is essential. Look for a Drupal developer with a balance between a fundamental and creative approach.

5.     Keeping a Balance between Price and Quality

One of the hardest decisions while hiring a developer for Drupal custom theme development is keeping a balance between price and quality. Don’t waste your budget by not cross-checking the competency of the developer or companies that design Drupal websites. You should not go for the cheapest and budget-friendly option either. It may cost you more than you are trying to save.

6.     Task and Time Management

Development is usually a multi-tasking job. Look for someone with excellent task and time management for Drupal custom theme development. This will ensure your project deadlines are met and all tasks are streamlined.

7.     PHP Proficiency

Drupal is written in PHP. Hiring a developer who is familiar with the language and has experience in its popular frameworks is important. A competent PHP Drupal developer will be the best choice for a Drupal custom theme development project.

8.     Knowledge of third-party applications

Drupal comes with a lot of third-party application integration options. Hire a developer who has experience with third-party integration in Drupal. They will be able to develop quickly, build better features, and secure data access while doing Drupal custom theme development.

9.     Command-Line Interface

Ensure the developer you hire has worked with Drush, a CLI tool. This tool controls and administers websites built on Drupal. Using this tool, the developer can make repetitive tasks more manageable, resulting in efficient processes.

10. Client Testimonials

Reviews or testimonials from previous clients are excellent parameters for assessing a Drupal developer. So it’s best if you get a chance to talk to previous clients about the developers you are considering hiring. This will make the hiring process more manageable.

11. Troubleshooting and debugging

The Drupal developer you intend to hire for Drupal custom theme development should be experienced in troubleshooting and debugging. A developer skilled in these two areas will help prevent a lot of frustration.

12. Proficient with Drupal Theming

The developer, first and foremost, should be well versed in Drupal custom theme development and improving existing themes. The theme is a major part of a visitor’s experience when they visit your site. That is why the developer you hire must understand Drupal themes and their mechanism.

13. Browser Compatibility

It is best to hire someone for Drupal custom theme development who can ensure cross-browser compatibility for your website.

14. Website Optimization

Website optimization depends on many factors, some of which relate to your Drupal theme. To ensure your website visitors have the best experience, hire someone who knows website optimization. Optimized websites with user-friendly Drupal custom theme development help build your business reputation.

15. Version Control System Proficiency

The Drupal developer you hire should have experience with tools like SVN, Git, and Mercurial. These tools help developers keep track of the changes in the core base. A proficient developer can revert to a stable version in case an error occurs. This will ensure smooth version transitions.

16. Template Engine

Twig is a template engine supported by Drupal that helps with accelerated development. A competent Drupal developer will be able to leverage the engine for Drupal custom theme development.

17. Communicate Expectations

Communicate your expectations in written form and also document their expectations. This will help with the hiring and onboarding processes. You will be able to avoid the hassle and frustration common in such processes.

18. Teamwork

The best candidate should be able to work in a team and collaborate with your in-house resources. This will help them quickly integrate into your work culture and avoid internal disputes.

19. Active Drupal Community Member

The Drupal community is a great resource for finding a developer for Drupal custom theme development. You can easily assess potential candidates based on their community content and seniority. The community is helpful in getting references and recommendations to find the best fit for your project.

20. Constant Support

Drupal requires constant maintenance for smooth performance, a secure environment, and a seamless experience. Communicate to candidates that you will require constant support and maintenance.

21. Drupal Security Best Practices

Online security is vital for an organization and its customers. The developer you hire for Drupal custom theme development should be aware of Drupal security best practices. They should be able to avoid vulnerabilities and threats.

Conclusion

We can safely conclude that Drupal is the best choice when it comes to Content Management Systems keeping in mind its flexibility, customization, scalability, security, and developed community.

While hiring a developer for Drupal custom theme development, finding someone with a mix of expertise, soft skills, innovation, and professionalism is vital. Book a FREE Discovery Call with Mpire Solutions for more information.