A WordPress consultant can provide valuable expertise for your website, helping you improve the design, functionality, security, performance and more. But since not all consultants offer the same skill sets or services, you need to evaluate your options carefully.
Here are the key things to look for:
- Experience
- Skills, specialties & service offering
- Communication methods & timelines
- Positive reviews
- Pricing that fits your budget
In this post, we look at why those factors matter and how to identify the right WordPress expert for your needs.
1) Experience
The greatest benefit of hiring a WordPress consultant is being able to leverage their knowledge, advice and recommendations. But if they have limited experience, then this knowledge will be virtually nonexistent.
Look for a consultant who has extensive, verifiable experience with WordPress. Even better: choose an expert who has specific experience with websites or businesses similar to yours. If available, review their portfolio of previous projects, or ask for a list of clients.
2) Skills, specialties & service offering
Every consultant is different. Some might offer only consultations and advice. Others might be hands-on WordPress developers who can actually implement the recommendations and manage your website for you. And others might have specialties in specific areas, such as WordPress SEO services or security optimization.
Choosing the right expert ultimately depends on what you need. If you need a “little bit of everything,” then it’s best to use a service like WP Tangerine, which provides hands-on help with every imaginable website task, including design and development, in addition to personalized advice from a dedicated on-staff WordPress consultant.
3) Communication methods & timelines
Make sure it’s clear how you will work with the consultant, when and how often. For example, let’s say you work with a WordPress development agency that charges you for a one-time consultation. What happens if you have additional questions at a later time or need help implementing their recommendations? Is there separate pricing for that, or how many additional consultations are allowed?
Will the communication be by email? Phone? Zoom video calls? If you have questions or need hands-on website changes, when will you hear back? How quick is the turnaround time?
All of this should be spelled out “on paper,” so you know exactly what to expect (especially if you’ll be signing any contracts).
4) Positive reviews
Just because they call themselves a “WordPress expert” doesn’t mean they really are! Be wary of working with any consultant that has no track record of previous clients.
Instead, look for providers that have earned glowing reviews and ratings on third-party sites, such as Google, Facebook and Trustpilot. This will give you the assurance that you’re partnering with a respected provider that offers quality service and has delivered results for other companies.
5) Pricing that fits your budget
When it comes to hiring a WordPress developer or consultant, pricing can be all over the place. That’s often due to the differences in skill level and services offered by providers, as we mentioned above. But ultimately, you need to be sure you’re getting the expertise you want – at a price that makes financial sense for your business.
Some consultants may charge by the hour, per consultation or by fees for specific services. For the greatest value, consider a subscription-based service like WP Tangerine, which gives you all the WordPress guidance and hand-on help you need for a flat monthly rate – with none of the exorbitant consultants’ fees that other providers charge.
Get a dedicated WordPress consultant for a fraction of the cost
Select a plan that fits your needs and get unlimited WordPress help and advice, on-demand, from our experts at WP Tangerine.
