Knowing the language isn’t the only factor in choosing the best PHP developer. Understanding frameworks and contemporary techniques and integrating front-end and back-end technologies are all important.

Here’s what to look for:

Fundamental Knowledge of PHP and Frameworks

• strong knowledge of PHP’s design, functions, and syntax
• expertise with well-known frameworks such as Yii, Laravel, Symfony, or CodeIgniter

Database Management

• Experience with MySQL, PostgreSQL, or NoSQL databases
  
  
• Ability to design relational databases and write efficient queries
  
  

API Integration & RESTful Services

• Developing and using APIs for internal systems, third-party tools, or mobile applications

Security Best Practices

• knowledge of SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF and how to avoid them
  
  
• Experience putting data encryption and user authentication into practice

Version Control

• knowledgeable about Git and teamwork platforms such as Bitbucket or GitHub

Soft Skills & Communication

• Ability to understand business logic
  
  
• Strong problem-solving and debugging abilities
  
  

Willingness to collaborate with designers, project managers, and QA teams