Over 43% of all websites run on WordPress alone. Add Drupal, Joomla, Shopify, and other platforms to the mix, and it’s clear that CMS development powers most of the web. Yet hiring the wrong CMS developer remains one of the fastest ways to burn through your budget with nothing to show for it.
This guide helps you avoid that. Whether you need a custom build, a migration, or ongoing support, you’ll learn exactly how to find, evaluate, and hire CMS developers who get the job done.
- What CMS developers actually do (and don’t do)
- Essential technical skills to look for before hiring
- Where to find top CMS talent
- Red flags that signal a bad hire
- How to evaluate portfolios and interview candidates
- Freelancer vs. agency vs. dedicated team: which model fits
Let’s walk through it. Step by step.
What CMS Developers Do (and Don’t)
A CMS developer specializes in building, customizing, and maintaining websites powered by a content management system. That includes platforms like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and Shopify. Their job is to turn a CMS into something that works specifically for your business goals.
What They Handle
- Custom cms development, including theme development, custom plugins, and modules
- Seamless integration with third-party services like CRMs, payment gateways, and email platforms
- Performance optimization for faster load times and better SEO
- Security hardening to protect your digital content and user data
- CMS management and ongoing website management for non-technical users
What They Don’t Do
CMS developers are not graphic designers, content writers, or marketing strategists. They build the engine. They don’t write the copy that goes inside it or design the brand identity from scratch. Some overlap exists, especially with front-end work, but expecting one cms developer to handle software development, design, and content strategy is a recipe for mediocre results across the board.
Pro tip: Clearly define your project scope before you hire cms developers. The more specific your project requirements are, the faster you’ll find the perfect match.
Essential Technical Skills to Evaluate
Not all developers who claim CMS expertise can back it up. Before you hire a cms developer, you need to know which technical skills actually matter for your project.
Must-Have Skills
| Skill | Why It Matters |
| Programming languages (PHP, JavaScript, Python) | The backbone of cms development on popular cms platforms |
| HTML, CSS, front-end frameworks | Essential for theme development and responsive design |
| Version control systems (Git) | Tracks code changes and enables collaboration across multiple teams |
| Database management (MySQL, PostgreSQL) | Powers dynamic content, user data, and managing content at scale |
| SEO fundamentals | Ensures your cms website ranks well in search engines |
| Security best practices | Protects against vulnerabilities and keeps your site safe |
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Experience with headless cms architecture for decoupled front-end and back-end development
- Familiarity with cloud hosting (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Knowledge of API integrations for connecting to IoT devices and other platforms
- Understanding of data mining and analytics for performance tracking
Don’t just check boxes. Ask candidates to walk you through a real project where they applied these technical skills. Hands-on experience beats certifications every time.
Where to Find Top CMS Talent
Finding top cms developers takes more than posting a job description on a generic job board. The best talent is often already working, so you need to know where to look.
Top Channels for Hiring
- Freelance platforms: Upwork, Toptal, and Fiverr offer access to remote cms developers with vetted professionals across various CMS platforms.
- Specialized agencies: Studios like 5Bricks provide dedicated cms developers who’ve been pre-screened and are ready to start. Their team covers WordPress, Drupal, and more, with ongoing support baked in
- Developer communities: GitHub, Stack Overflow, and CMS-specific forums (like WordPress.org or Drupal.org) are goldmines for finding top talent with proven experience
- Professional networks: LinkedIn remains one of the most effective tools for reaching cms experts who match your technical needs
- Global talent networks: Platforms that tap into a global network of developers can save time and reduce cost while maintaining quality
Agency vs. Platform: Quick Comparison
| Hiring Channel | Speed | Vetting Quality | Ongoing Support |
| Freelance platforms | Fast | Varies widely | Limited |
| Specialized agencies | Moderate | High | Built-in |
| Job boards | Slow | Low | None |
| Developer communities | Varies | Moderate | None |
Red Flags That Signal a Bad Hire
The hiring process for CMS developers is full of traps. Some candidates look great on paper but crumble when the real work starts. Watch for these warning signs before you commit.
Technical Red Flags
- No experience with your specific CMS platform. A WordPress Drupal generalist sounds flexible, but if your project runs on Joomla or Shopify, generic knowledge won’t cut it.
- Can’t explain their code. If a developer can’t walk you through their approach in plain language, they’ll struggle to collaborate with cross–functional teams.
- No version control history. Developers without Git or similar version control systems in their workflow are at risk, especially on larger projects.
Communication Red Flags
- Slow or vague responses during the interview stage
- Reluctance to share past work or provide references from real clients
- Overpromising timelines without understanding your project requirements
Process Red Flags
- No discovery phase or questions about your business objectives
- Jumps straight into development without discussing your tech stack
- Asks for full payment upfront with no milestones or flexible terms
The best developers ask you more questions than you ask them. That curiosity signals someone who cares about getting it right, not just getting it done.
Evaluating Portfolios and Interviews
A strong portfolio tells you more than any resume. But you need to know what to actually look for when reviewing past work and conducting interviews.
What to Look For in a Portfolio
- Platform diversity: Have they built custom cms solutions on popular cms platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Shopify?
- Complexity range: Can they handle both simple blogs and large-scale businesses with complex content management needs?
- Performance evidence: Do their sites load fast? Are they mobile-responsive? Check their live projects yourself.
- Custom work: Look for custom plugins, unique theme development, and integration with third-party services. Template-only portfolios suggest limited technical expertise.
Interview Questions That Cut Through the Noise
- “Walk me through a CMS migration you’ve completed. What went wrong, and how did you fix it?”
- “How do you approach performance optimization on a CMS site with heavy traffic?”
- “Describe how you’d structure a cms website for a company that needs to manage content across multiple teams.”
- “What security measures do you implement by default?”
Evaluating Soft Skills
Don’t overlook soft skills. The best cms experts communicate clearly, meet deadlines, and adapt when project requirements shift. A developer who writes perfect code but can’t collaborate with your team will slow everything down.
Pro tip: Give candidates a small paid test project before committing to a full engagement. It reveals their real work quality, speed, and communication style far better than any interview.
Freelancer vs. Agency vs. Dedicated Team
The best hiring model depends on your project scope, budget, and how much control you want over the development process.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Drawback |
| Freelancer | Short-term projects, quick fixes, specific tasks | Less accountability, harder to scale |
| Agency | Turnkey projects, companies that want hands-off delivery | Higher cost, less day-to-day control |
| Dedicated team | Long-term development, ongoing CMS management | Requires onboarding and team coordination |
When to Hire a Freelancer
You need a single feature built, a bug fixed, or a one-time migration. Freelancers work well when the project scope is small, defined, and has a clear deadline.
When to Choose an Agency
You want a partner who handles everything from strategy to launch. Agencies like 5Bricks are built for this. Their developers study the domain, build with modern technologies, and provide ongoing technical support so your CMS website runs smoothly long after launch. For companies that want to save time and avoid managing multiple teams, this model delivers the best results with the least friction.
When to Hire Dedicated CMS Developers
Your project is large, ongoing, and requires someone embedded in your workflow. When you hire dedicated cms developers, you get consistency, deep platform knowledge, and a team member who aligns with your business objectives over time.
If you’re unsure which model fits, start with a free consultation from 5Bricks. We’ll assess your technical needs and recommend the right approach before you spend a dime.
Hire CMS Developers the Smart Way With 5Bricks
Hiring the wrong CMS developer costs you time, money, and momentum. But when you find the right fit, your web development project transforms from a headache into a growth engine that can enhance user experience and meet real user needs.
Key takeaways
- Define your project scope and technical needs before you start hiring
- Prioritize hands-on experience with your specific CMS platform
- Watch for red flags like vague communication and no version control history
- Evaluate portfolios for custom work, not just template installs
- Choose your hiring model (freelancer, agency, or dedicated team) based on project size
- Never skip a paid test project before committing long-term project
When you’re ready to skip the guesswork, 5Bricks makes hiring CMS developers simple. Our experienced team covers WordPress, Drupal, and beyond, handling everything from domain research and custom development to post-launch technical support. One team, zero gaps, and results you can actually measure.