How to Hire Expert Laravel Developers: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Updated on 11 Jan 2024
- 13 min
Vira Kostohlad
Head of Recruting
Finding the right Laravel developer can make or break your web application. But hiring talented Laravel developers is easier said than done.
As a startup founder or tech leader embarking on a Laravel project, you likely have questions:
What exactly does a Laravel developer do? What skills should they have? When does it make sense to bring one onto your team?
This article will walk you through the key things you need to know, including:
- An overview of Laravel and Laravel developers
- The typical roles and responsibilities of Laravel devs
- When to hire a Laravel developer
- Average Laravel developer salaries and costs
- Where to find skilled Laravel developers
- How to choose the best Laravel dev for your needs
Whether you’re building a new Laravel application from scratch or looking to level up an existing one, this guide will help you find and hire the perfect Laravel developer for your startup.
Let’s dive in!
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What is Laravel?
Laravel is a PHP-based open-source framework that aids quick web application development, and an easy-to-use syntax that guarantees a simplified development process.
Laravel also features built-in properties like ORM, database migrations, authentication, routing, etc, that simplify web application development.
Due to its highly desirable characteristics, the demand for Laravel programmers has been growing rapidly.
For example, Larvel product development grew 2X from 2021 to 2023.
And with the huge demand, comes a potential for a shortage of skilled professionals.
A skilled Laravel development team can help create high-quality, scalable, and robust web applications per requirement.
On the other hand, an inexperienced developer can lead to low-quality products, cost overruns, and project delays.
As such, finding a Laravel developer for your project is an important step as it determines your deliverable’s success.
What is a Laravel Developer?
A Laravel developer is an expert that uses the PHP open-source language to create server-side frameworks and architecture.
To hire Laravel experts, it’s imperative to know what they do, their skillsets, and their responsibilities.
Let’s dig in.
What Do Laravel Developers Do?
Laravel developers perform a range of activities that require varying skill sets.
Their responsibilities entail
1. Developing New Web Applications
Laravel developers use the framework to create new web apps for their clientele/company.
They create all types of applications, including static, dynamic, portal, single-page, and multi-page web apps.
2. Integrating Third-Party APIs and Libraries
Laravel programmers implement third-party services and libraries to enhance web app functionality.
They integrate them into Laravel apps and ensure work proceeds seamlessly with the rest of the application.
3. Creating APIs
These programmers create Application Programming Interfaces to help other apps access requisite data and functionality.
Laravel’s built-in tools aid in creating scalable, secure, and easy-to-implement APIs.
4. Writing and Maintaining Documentation
Laravel programmers write and maintain documentation for the codes they write.
They ensure documentation created outlines their code’s functionality, how to use it, and the dependencies therein.
5. Undertake Unit Tests
Laravel developers write unit tests to ensure the web app is well-developed, of top-notch quality, and works effectively.
They use Laravel’s built-in testing tools to create and run unit tests that verify the application’s behavior.
They ensure that the code is well-structured, maintainable, and follows best practices.
They also optimize the code to improve the application’s performance and scalability.
6. Collaborate with Other Developers
Laravel developers create solutions by working hand-in-hand with frontend developers, and other tech experts.
Laravel Developer Responsibilities
Laravel developers design, build, test, and implement the server-side logic of web apps.
They’re continually in collaboration with both technical and business team members to ensure backend codes remain relevant, functional, and support the app’s business logic.
Laravel developer’s responsibilities include:
- Create web apps using the PHP programming language on the Laravel framework.
- Design and create backend logic that can process front-end requests
- Adhered to in-house standards and compliance laws in creating backend functionalities.
- Run code checks for bugs and performance failures.
- Fix code inconsistencies,
- Brainstorm with other programmers on troubleshooting pain points,
- Write the required documentation.
Required Skills for Laravel Developers
Finding a Laravel developer with good expertise is not easy-peasy.
You’ll have to vet their skillset based on your project requirement.
Here is a general overview of Laravel developer skills your programmer should have:
- Knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP programming languages,
- Knowledge of MVC and OOP,
- Skilled in database management systems,
- Experience in project management frameworks e.g., Agile or waterfall,
- Knowledge of the latest Laravel updates,
- Expertise in cloud computing and APIs.
With the above knowledge on how to hire Laravel developers, you have an edge over competitors in choosing the right programmer.
But there’s more.
Let’s discuss the roles of a Laravel expert in startups.
Laravel Developer’s Role in Your Startup
When you onboard a Laravel developer into your workforce, they should have defined roles and responsibilities entailing:
1. Design and Develop Web Applications
Laravel developers in your startup should design and develop web applications using the PHP programming language.
They’re tasked with understanding the requirements of the web application, mapping out its backend architecture, and creating requisite functionalities with Laravel’s in-built packages and features.
They’re responsible for ensuring the app built is secure, optimized for performance, and meets user needs.
Their task could also involve implementing database structures and creating user-friendly front-end interfaces.
Another task of Laravel programmers is writing clean and efficient codes.
This ensures that other team members can modify and contribute to the codebase.
Let’s discuss this.
2. Write Clean, Efficient Code
Laravel developers in a startup write clean, efficient codes using PHP programming languages.
Clean codes follow best practices; these include: using meaningful variable names, keeping functions short and focused, avoiding the occurrence of duplicated codes, and commenting on codes to ensure they remain readable.
Efficient codes are optimized for speed and effective resource usage.
For this, developers use caching, optimizing algorithms, reducing database queries, and using appropriate data structures.
3. Integrate With Third-Party Services
Laravel developers in a startup integrate in-house solutions with third-party services.
This integration often entails using APIs, a codebase written to ensure communication between two independent applications.
Due to this role, Laravel developers to hire must have a good understanding of RESTful APIs, and be able to work with various data formats like XML and JSON.
A Laravel developer should also demonstrate familiarity with OAUth and other authentication mechanisms that third-party services use to protect their APIs.
Upon integrating and performing other development activities, the Laravel developer begins the post-launch processes, which include support and updates.
4. Support and Update Existing Applications
Laravel developers in startup support and introduce relevant updates to the existing applications based on changing business models, new user-base demands, and improved software performance.
Below are some specific tasks Laravel developers perform in this stage:
- Bug fixes and troubleshooting,
- Performance optimization,
- Feature updates,
- Security updates.
- And more.
Now that you have an understanding of the roles, let’s discuss when you need to hire a Laravel developer.
When to Hire a Laravel Developer
As a startup founder, you need to hire Laravel developers if you aim to achieve any of the following:
1. You Want to Create a New Laravel Web App
You need a Laravel developer if you want to create a web application from scratch using PHP as a primary programming language.
The developer upon understanding the expected technical deliverable will design a suitable backend architecture and write the necessary codes to create a live, interactable app.
2. You Want to Revamp an Existing Laravel App
You need a Laravel developer If you already own an existing Laravel solution, and you want to revamp its codebase into a better-performing, scalable application.
The right fit developer will analyze your existing code, identify pain points, and make improvements.
Hiring senior Laravel developers helps optimize your code by shortening the codebase, and implementing caching techniques.
3. Migrating to Laravel Codebase
You need to hire a Laravel developer to migrate the codebase of an existing web or mobile application to a Laravel backend.
A skilled expert will analyze your existing code and database schema, and convert them to Laravel-compatible format.
4. Adding New Features to Existing Apps
You need the expertise of a Laravel developer if you aim to include additional features in an existing Laravel application.
The programmer designs and develops the functions in a way that’s compatible with the existing codebase.
Another popular question that’ll likely be on your mind concerning how to hire Laravel developers is its cost implication.
Laravel Developer Costs
The cost to hire a Laravel developer typically ranges between X and Y.
However, an exact price estimate depends on multiple factors, including :
- The type of development team,
- The seniority of the Laravel developer,
- Location of the development team.
Each of the factors highlighted above affects Laravel app development costs in several ways.
As such, we’ll independently discuss each cost-influencing factor.
Cost Varies by Location
The country location of your development team greatly affects Laravel app development cost.
For example, the cost of hiring a Laravel developer in the United States is 3X that of Ukraine–given the same experience and skill set.
Below is a table depicting the cost of hiring developers in some countries.
| Country | Cost in $ /hour |
| United States | 90 |
| United Kingdom | 70 |
| Australia | 70 |
| Eastern Europe | 40 |
| Ukraine | 30 |
| India | 25 |
Although India ranks the lowest on this list, they’re often synonymous with shabby projects and low-quality codes.
As such, for the best cost-quality ratio, it’s best to opt for Ukrainian developers.
They’re known for their mathematical approach to code development.
Another Laravel programmer hiring cost-defining factor to consider is the developers’ work experience.
Cost Varies by Seniority
The seniority of a Laravel developer can vary depending on their experience, skill set, and level of responsibility.
Generally speaking, a Laravel developer can be classified into three levels:
- Junior Laravel developer,
- Mid-level Laravel developer,
- Senior Laravel developer.
Here’s how they vary based on cost:
| Seniority | Cost/hr |
| Junior | $30 |
| Middle | $50 |
| Senior | $100+ |
Let’s help you understand what each type entails for better understanding.
1. Junior Laravel Developer
This is a developer with minimal knowledge of Laravel programming and has 0-1 year of experience creating a solution.
Due to their limited experience, they can only write and create backend functions, write basic queries, and create CRUD operations.
2. Mid-level Laravel Developer
This type of developer has average experience in Laravel development and can complete most simple tasks, and can complete some advanced-level operations.
They have 1-3 years of developer experience and are responsible for monitoring junior developers, contributing to project planning and architecture, and undertaking code reviews.
3. Senior Laravel Developer
This is a highly-experienced Laravel developer with over 5 years of experience building a range of solutions using the PHP programming language.
They can design and create complex features, optimize code, and provide technical leadership to team members.
Another cost-influencing factor to consider is team type.
Cost Varies by Team Type
Besides the seniority of developers, the team type is another crucial factor that defines the budget Laravel app.
As a basis for calculations, we’ll assume that you’re hiring a team of senior Laravel developers.
| Team Type | Cost, $(hourly) |
| In-house (USA) | 120 |
| Local Development Agency (USA) | 170 |
| Outsourcing | 70 |
| Freelancer | 50 |
Let’s break down what each entails.
Team Type 1. In-house Development Team.
An in-house development team is a workforce of developers working internally for a company, and are employed directly by that organization.
That is, the company they work for caters for their welfare has direct control over their work hours, and reports daily to the organization.
Let us consider the pros and cons of this option to appropriately understand its intricacies.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Hiring internal teams can be cost-consuming as you’ll have to provide equipment and pay for productive hours.
Another option is hiring a local development agency.
Team Type 2. Local Development Agency
This entails finding a Laravel development team within your country of residence.
The cost-effectiveness of this option varies with your country of operation.
For example, it’s cheaper to hire a Laravel development agency in Ukraine than in the USA.
Below is a table depicting its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Hiring a local development agency in the USA can cost $150/hour.
Another team type to consider is freelancers.
Team Type 3. Freelancers
Freelancers are developers that work independently on a project-by-project basis, without any binding responsibility to any organization.
They’re always available to the highest paying client.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this hiring model.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
You can hire a freelance Laravel developer in the United States for $50/ hour.
Now, let’s discuss the last option–outsourcing agency.
Team Type 4. Outsourcing Agency
An outsourcing agency is a software development company that offers professional Laravel developers to work remotely in another company for a given period.
Here are some pros and cons of working with an outsourcing agency:
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
With the above information, we’re pretty sure you have an idea of the cost of developing your Laravel solution.
We’ll discuss how to find a Laravel developer next.
Where to Find Laravel Developers
Finding a Laravel developer to hire can be a herculean task.
A major reason is the shortage of skillsets in the tech sector.
However, with the right knowledge, you can find Laravel developers to hire:
1. Online Job Boards
An online job board is a website or platform that allows employers to post job openings, and job seekers to search and apply for jobs.
These job boards typically have a searchable database of job listings organized by job title, location, industry, and other relevant categories.
Examples of online job boards to try are Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Indeed, Toptal, etc.
2. Laravel-Specific Job Sites
These are online job boards that offer employment opportunities to programmers with expertise in the Laravel framework.
Laravel job boards like LaraJobs and Laravel Jobs connect employers with experienced Laravel programmers.
3. Developer Communities
Social networks are online sites that let people connect and discuss ideas, information, and content.
They facilitate communication between individuals and groups with similar backgrounds and interests.
You can find Laravel experts on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
Developer communities, on the other hand, are online platforms for software developers to share knowledge, and support each other.
These communities may include forums, chat rooms, blogs, and other online resources where developers can connect and collaborate on projects.
Examples of developer communities to hire Laravel developers are GitHub, Stack Overflow, Reddit, HackerRank, etc.
4. Referrals and Recommendations
Feedback and recommendations from previous clients or colleagues can give you valuable insights into the developer’s skills, work ethic, and communication style.
You can ask for recommendations from your professional network or search for reviews and testimonials online.
You can also look for developers who have worked on projects similar to yours.
Check their portfolio to see their previous work.
Once you have a list of potential developers, you can interview them to assess their technical skills and discuss your project requirements.
This will help you narrow down your options and find the right developer for your project.
However, knowing where to find Laravel developers is not all there is.
You also need to know how to choose a Laravel developer before you can hire right.
Let’s elucidate on that.
Choosing a Laravel Developer
There are several factors to consider when choosing a Laravel developer to ensure that they are the right fit for your project.
Here are some of the key things to look for:
1. Define Requirements and Skills
The first step to choosing a developer is first defining your project requirements and the skill you need for the job.
Consider your project scope, budget, and timeline.
Also, consider the functionalities and features you require.
2. Laravel Technology Expertise
Laravel developers to hire are those with apt knowledge of PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and CSS.
Developers with experience in the latest version of Laravel are also good to hire.
3. Soft Skills
Communication and teamwork are two of the most important soft skills for any developer working on a sensitive project.
Ensure Laravel developers to hire can communicate effectively and clearly.
They should also get along well with other team members, and be able to provide regular updates.
4. Strong Portfolio
A strong portfolio is a good indicator of a developer’s experience and skill level.
Look for a Laravel developer who can provide examples of past projects they have worked on.
This will give you an idea of their coding style, design skills, and overall approach to development.
5. Code Quality and Best Practices
Good developers adhere to coding best practices.
Look for a Laravel developer who has experience with version control, code review, and automated testing.
They should also be able to write clean, readable, and maintainable code.
6. Availability
They should be able to meet deadlines and be willing to work closely with you throughout the project.
Look for a developer who is responsive to emails, messages, and calls, and who can provide regular updates on their progress.
A good Laravel developer is one that can meet the requirements mentioned above.
However, hiring developers directly can be resource and time-consuming.
Also, there’s no guarantee you’re hiring right.
Thus, it’s best to outsource from a Laravel development company as you’ll only pay for productive hours.
Summary
Knowing how to find a Laravel developer at a startup is no was an easy task.
Statistically, the cost of making a bad hire is huge.
As such, we’ve drafted this article to teach you all there’s to know about how to hire Laravel developers, expected skill sets, and steps to onboarding one.
Struggling to Find the Perfect Laravel Developer?
Hiring the right Laravel developer is crucial, but finding that perfect fit can be tricky. The developer must have the right blend of Laravel skills, communication abilities, and cultural alignment.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your search, consider partnering with a trusted web development company like Spdload.
Our talented team can match you with an expert Laravel programmer perfectly suited to your project’s unique needs.
We maintain a global talent pool of skilled Laravel developers available for dedicated or project-based work. Whether you need an affordable junior dev or a senior expert, we can assemble a high-performing Laravel team tailored to your exact specifications, timeline, and budget.
Contact our team today to discuss how we can help you find and work with exceptional Laravel developers.
Building a great app starts with the right team!
Bonus Infographic
Here is a summary of our detailed guide. Learn the highlights of who a Laravel developer is and when you should consider hiring one.
