Hiring a full-time PHP developer is a major step for any company that relies on technology to deliver services, manage customers or run internal operations. In 2026, PHP will remain one of the most widely used server-side languages on the web. It still powers platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, and Laravel, as well as many legacy business systems across the UK.
If you run a digital agency, tech startup, ecommerce store or a company using a custom PHP platform, you know how important it is to have someone who can manage your system reliably. This guide explains how to hire a PHP developer in a way that makes sense for your business, your budget, and your long-term goals.
Why Hiring a PHP Developer Still Matters
Many UK companies depend on PHP without even realising it. Agencies deliver WordPress and WooCommerce projects every day.
E-commerce stores run online shops that need constant optimisation. Established companies maintain internal systems built years ago in PHP. Startups often use Laravel or Symfony for rapid development.
Even today, more than 70% of websites use a server-side platform language such as PHP. That means there is still strong demand for skilled PHP developers, especially for ongoing maintenance, feature updates, and long-term development.
If your business fits any of these categories, a full-time PHP developer can save you time, reduce bottlenecks and keep your systems running smoothly.
Who Actually Hires PHP Developers in the UK
Not every business needs a developer, and that is fine. But the ones that do fit into a few clear groups. These are the audiences you should focus on.
Digital Marketing and Web Development Agencies
Agencies that deliver WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel, or Drupal projects constantly hire PHP developers. They need reliable developers to take on client work, fix issues and handle ongoing retainers. Offshore support often helps them scale operations without increasing local payroll.
Tech Startups Using Laravel or Custom PHP Systems
Startups need fast updates, secure deployments and ongoing technical improvement. PHP frameworks like Laravel remain popular among UK founders because they are quick and efficient for both MVPs and full products.
E-commerce Companies Running WooCommerce or Magento
E-commerce stores depend on PHP for performance, checkout stability, speed and plugin customisation. They need continuous development support to stay competitive.
Mid-Sized Companies With Legacy PHP Systems
Many UK companies still run older systems built in PHP. Rebuilding them is expensive, so they prefer to hire full-time PHP developers for maintenance and improvements.
Founders Running Online Platforms
These are business owners who run booking systems, membership sites, customer portals or digital services. They rely heavily on PHP developers to keep the product running and add new features.
If your UK audience belongs to any of these groups, you are speaking to the right people.
Step 0: Identify the PHP Talent You Need
Before you start recruiting, clarify your needs. This prevents you from hiring the wrong developer or overspending.
Think about:
- The platform your system uses, such as WordPress or Laravel
- Whether you need maintenance or new features
- How complex your current system is
- If you need support every day or only part-time
- What challenges does your current development process have
- Once you understand this, you can decide whether you need a junior, mid-level or senior PHP developer.
- Junior developers are good for basic site fixes and small updates
- Mid-level developers handle most business needs, including features and integrations
- Senior developers are ideal for complex systems, security and architecture
Most agencies, e-commerce businesses, and startups benefit most from mid-level developers.
What Hiring a PHP Developer Costs in the UK
It is important to know the real costs of hiring so you can choose the right approach.
In the UK, the average salary of a PHP developer is around £38,000 to £70,000 per year. Senior developers can be much higher, and agencies often pay above the average for speed and reliability.
But salary alone does not reflect the true expense. Employers must add:
- National Insurance
- Pension contributions
- Paid holidays
- Equipment
- Workspace
- Recruitment fees
Freelancers are an option, especially for agencies, but experienced PHP developers often charge between £50 and £120 per hour.
This works for short-term tasks but becomes costly for long-term needs.
Our pricing is more predictable, which is ideal for stable, long-term development work. We provide talent from the Philippines, and our transparent pricing includes:
- Part-time PHP support at around £800 per month.
- Full-time PHP support at around £1200 per month.
This gives agencies, startups, and e-commerce companies a cost-effective way to maintain or grow their development capacity.
The Eight Steps to Hire a Full-Time PHP Developer
Here is a clear, step-by-step guide that aligns with your buyer personas’ needs.
Step 1: Define Your Outcomes
Start by deciding what success looks like.
Examples include speeding up your e-commerce store, launching new features, fixing long-standing technical issues or improving user experience. These outcomes help guide your hiring and testing process.
Step 2: Write a Strong Job Description
A clear job description attracts relevant candidates. Mention your tech stack, industry and expected responsibilities. If you run an agency, explain the type of client projects the developer will handle. If you run an e-commerce store, mention plugins, performance needs and checkout optimisation.
Step 3: Choose the Best Hiring Route
You can post on job boards, scout freelancing sites or work with a managed service provider. Agencies often prefer full-time offshore support because it gives them more capacity at a lower cost. Startups usually choose offshore developers to stay lean while scaling development.
In our company, we handle screening, skills testing and background verification, which saves business owners a lot of time.
Step 4: Shortlist Candidates Using Clear Criteria
Look for developers who have worked on similar systems. Agencies should look for people with experience in WooCommerce, WordPress, Laravel or custom plugins. E-commerce companies should focus on candidates who have improved website speed or checkout performance. Startups should look for experience with Laravel and the ability to work independently.
Step 5: Conduct a Friendly Interview
Ask candidates to explain their past projects in simple language. Good developers can communicate clearly without using complex technical terms. This is especially important for agencies and founders who need clear communication between teams.
Step 6: Give a Practical Test Task
A short test tells you how the developer thinks. Ask them to fix a bug, improve a function or build a small feature. If you are not technical, that is fine. Many businesses rely on us to administer and review these tasks as part of our screening process.
Step 7: Evaluate Culture Fit
You want someone who communicates well and takes ownership. This applies especially to agency environments where developers may handle multiple tasks or clients. It is also essential for startups that move quickly and need reliable team members.
Step 8: Make the Offer and Plan the First 90 Days
Create a simple onboarding plan that covers weekly and monthly goals. Clear expectations help your new developer settle in and perform quickly.
How Non-Technical Decision Makers Can Evaluate Developers
If you are an agency director, an e-commerce owner or a startup founder, you may not have deep technical knowledge. That is completely normal.
Here is what to look for:
- Can the developer explain their work clearly
- Do they show confidence in your tech stack
- Can they describe how they solved past problems
- Do they ask smart questions about your system
- Are they consistent in their work history
You do not need to understand the code. You only need to judge clarity, logic and reliability.
Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring PHP Developers
A few common mistakes lead to frustration for agencies and founders.
- Hiring based only on price
- Skipping the test task
- Writing vague job descriptions
- Ignoring communication skills
- Not checking past project examples
- Running too many interviews
- No onboarding process
Avoiding these mistakes leads to a smoother hiring process and better results.
Why Many UK Agencies and Startups Hire Developers From the Philippines & Bangladesh?
The Philippines is known for strong English communication, excellent work ethic and cultural alignment with Western businesses. The talent pool is large, reliable and experienced in PHP development.
At our company, we place full-time PHP developers who have already passed skills assessments and background checks. Our clients appreciate predictable monthly costs and the ability to expand or support their development needs without hiring UK-based staff.
Quick Hiring Checklist
- Defined goals and outcomes.
- Clear job description.
- Chosen hiring model.
- Shortlisting criteria.
- Interview questions.
- Test task.
- Offer and onboarding plan.
If you want a simpler way to hire or explore the best place to hire a PHP developer for your needs, our team can help. We make it easier for UK agencies, ecommerce businesses, and startups to hire PHP developer talent quickly and cost-effectively.
