Web Development
Hire PHP Developers for Apps, Upgrades and Fixes
PHP developers build and maintain server-side web applications, from custom business systems to the code behind WordPress and Laravel sites.
The role
What PHP developers do
A large share of the web runs on PHP, so much of the work is maintaining and upgrading existing systems as well as building new ones. A PHP developer writes back-end logic, works with MySQL, fixes security problems, and moves old code onto supported PHP versions.
Typical deliverables
- Custom PHP applications and features
- Upgrades to a supported PHP version
- Security fixes and dependency updates
- Database queries and optimisation
- Payment and third-party API integrations
Tools you will see
- PHP 8
- Composer
- Laravel or Symfony
- MySQL or MariaDB
- PHPUnit
- Linux hosting
Choosing
How to choose PHP developers
What to look for
- Modern PHP practice: Composer, namespaces and typed code.
- Experience upgrading old PHP versions without breaking features.
- Safe handling of input, sessions and database queries.
- Comfort improving code they did not write.
Questions to ask
- 1How would you upgrade an app from an old PHP version?
- 2How do you find and fix SQL injection risks in legacy code?
- 3Laravel or Symfony, and why?
- 4How do you change code safely when it has no tests?
Planning
Before you post the job
Legacy code
Older PHP apps usually need an audit first. Pay for a review milestone that lists risks and upgrade steps.
What drives cost
The age and size of the codebase, the PHP version gap, missing tests and hosting constraints.
Hiring on Open Lance
- Posting a job and reviewing proposals are free.
- Each milestone is funded into escrow before work starts and paid when you approve it.
- Hire fixed-price, hourly, as a monthly Dedicated Hire, or buy a packaged Drop-In.
- Client fees are shown before you pay and added on top of the work.
FAQ
Questions about hiring PHP developers
Is PHP still used for new projects?
Yes. Modern PHP with Laravel or Symfony is a common choice for web applications.
Why upgrade PHP at all?
Unsupported versions no longer get security fixes, and hosts and libraries drop support for them.
Can a PHP developer work on WordPress?
Many can, but WordPress has its own conventions. For themes and plugins, look for WordPress experience.
Related
Related skills
Post a job for PHP developers
Describe the work and compare proposals. You only fund the first milestone once you have chosen someone.