Common Mistakes While Hiring an Entry-Level Web Developer

As of 2024, there are over 835 million WordPress sites in use, with over 2 million downloads every year. Naturally, this high demand translates to a strong need for WordPress developers.

Whether your agency is hiring an entry level web developer or a senior WordPress professional, specific requirements and qualifications exist for each level. However, the high demand can sometimes lead agencies to overlook important points during the hiring process. This can be detrimental to both the agency and the new hire.

At White Label Agency, our team of over 120 dedicated developers, with their expertise, has built a strong foundation for our services. Let’s explore the common mistakes made while hiring entry-level developers and how your agency can avoid them.

Not Conducting a Thorough Review of the Developer’s Portfolio

Failing to review a developer’s portfolio can lead to overlooking critical aspects of their experience and qualifications, especially for entry-level candidates. In the competitive hiring market, employers rely on portfolios to assess a candidate’s potential and suitability for the role.

A well-curated portfolio allows developers to showcase their abilities and past work directly. By reviewing these projects, employers can gain valuable insights into the developer’s:

• WordPress Skills: Can they demonstrate proficiency in core WordPress functionalities like theme customization, plugin integration, and basic PHP?
• Frameworks: Is there experience with a popular framework like Foundation?
• Plugins: Does the portfolio demonstrate proficiency with common plugins like Advanced Custom Fields, Yoast, and Gravity Forms?
• Builders: Can they use popular page builders like Elementor or Visual Composer effectively? Familiarity with popular page builders can be a plus.
• Learning Aptitude: Does the portfolio show a variety of projects using different plugins and frameworks? This indicates an eagerness to explore new tools and technologies.
• Understanding of Core Concepts: Do their projects, even if limited, show a grasp of WordPress development best practices and coding standards?
• Overall Quality: Is their code well-structured and easy to understand? Do they follow basic coding conventions?

The portfolio serves as a testament to the quality of the developer’s work. By reviewing it with these insights in mind, hiring agencies can assess a junior developer’s potential to succeed within their team and their ability to learn and grow as a WordPress developer. It enables you to evaluate the standard of coding, attention to detail and adherence to best practices. 

High-quality past projects indicate a developer’s commitment to delivering excellence. Additionally, a portfolio review allows you to identify projects that are similar in scope or complexity to your own. This helps you assess their experience in handling projects that closely match your requirements, reducing the risk of misalignment.

Investing time in a thorough portfolio review is essential for making informed hiring decisions. While an entry level web developer may have a smaller body of work, a well-crafted portfolio showcasing their foundational skills and eagerness to learn can be a strong indicator of future success.

Underestimating Soft Skills When Hiring Entry Level Web Developer

Technical skills are a crucial foundation when hiring any level of WordPress developer. However, when evaluating entry-level candidates, some agencies make the mistake of prioritizing technical expertise over other essential qualities.

Overlooking soft skills, like communication, is a common and damaging mistake when hiring developers at any level. According to Springboard, software engineering is about problem-solving first and coding second. Even with limited technical skills, an entry level web developer with excellent soft skills can:

• Accurately interpret client needs
• Manage project timelines effectively
• Contribute positively to the team’s dynamics

As our HR Manager, Anano, at White Label Agency, explains:

“In some cases, candidates with top-notch soft skills outweigh candidates with very high-end hard skills.”

While technical proficiency is essential, focusing solely on coding skills can lead to missed opportunities. An entry-level web developer with strong soft skills such as communication and problem-solving can bridge the technical gap more quickly. Poor communication, on the other hand, can lead to:

• Misunderstandings about project requirements
• Missed deadlines
• Frustration among team members

Therefore, it’s important to assess a candidate’s communication skills during the interview process.

Underestimating the Learning Curve Hiring Entry Level Web Developer

Hiring goes beyond finding the right skill set and agencies should acknowledge that entry-level developers are still learning. Overlooking their need for growth can lead to losing valuable talent. Here’s why underestimating the learning curve hurts your agency:

• Missed Retention Opportunities: Entry-level developers seeking career advancement are more likely to choose agencies that offer learning and growth opportunities.
• Limited Team Potential: Without investing in their development, you miss out on fostering a team with a wider range of expertise, hindering project outcomes.
• Neglecting Future Leaders: Entry-level developers have the potential to become your agency’s future leaders. Investing in them now builds a strong internal pipeline for senior positions.

Expert WordPress Development Solutions from White Label Agency

Rushing the entry level web developer hiring process can be a costly mistake. Taking time allows for a thorough evaluation of candidates, ensuring they possess the technical skills, project fit, and team compatibility that your agency needs.

At White Label Agency, our managed services eliminate the need for micromanagement and additional hiring costs. Your agency can focus on your clients while our dedicated developers handle projects. You can choose your preferred communication tools (Slack, Skype, Basecamp) for seamless interaction with your developers. Additionally, when collaborating with us, your agency can increase or decrease the number of developers at any time.

Deliver exceptional websites to your clients with the combined experience of our 150+ staff, building thousands of projects annually with the best practices and ongoing training. Reach out to our sales team to get detailed information.