How To Find the Best Offshore Joomla Developers: Top Partners and the Skills To Look For

Building a website with Joomla can seem straightforward. After all, it’s known for being user-friendly and versatile. But when it comes to customizing features, integrating third-party tools, or scaling for business growth, having a dedicated Joomla developer on your team makes all the difference.

Choosing an offshore Joomla developer can be a smart way for businesses to cut costs, tap into global expertise, and move projects forward faster—all while maintaining high standards. 

This guide explains how to identify talented offshore Joomla developers, what key skills to look for, what costs to expect, and where to find top talent. 

How To Find Skilled Offshore Joomla Developers

Finding the right talent for your Joomla project can be tricky. Joomla powers only about 2.2% of websites, compared to WordPress’s dominant 62% market share. This makes it a niche platform, requiring developers with proven expertise to keep your site running. 

Here are the top avenues to explore when sourcing skilled talent.

Freelance platforms: Easy access, flexible options

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com let you connect with Joomla developers worldwide. They’re perfect for short-term gigs or single tasks, often at rates that won’t stretch your budget too far.

That said, the convenience of this remote hiring model comes with some responsibility. It’s up to you to dig into each candidate’s background and confirm they truly understand Joomla. 

If they lack the right experience, you could end up with someone who struggles to navigate Joomla’s unique structure and features.

Job boards: Casting a wider net

If you’re looking for a larger pool of candidates, job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn are solid choices. They allow you to post specific roles and sift through applicants based on their profiles and resumes. 

LinkedIn, for example, can be particularly helpful if you’re targeting Joomla developers in different countries, thanks to its advanced search and filtering tools.

Recruitment agencies: Experts who do the work for you

If saving time and reducing risks sounds appealing, recruitment agencies experienced in sourcing developers are worth considering.

These agencies, like Near, specialize in finding developers who are technically skilled and well-suited for your project. They handle pre-screening, ensuring you’re only presented with candidates who meet your requirements.

Near, for instance, focuses on developers from Latin America, giving you access to professionals with strong skills who also operate in time zones that align with your business hours.

Referral networks: Trusted recommendations

Sometimes, word of mouth is the most reliable option. If someone in your network has worked with a great Joomla developer, ask for an introduction. While this approach might limit your choices, it can save you the hassle of vetting and ensure you’re hiring someone dependable.

Development agencies: Teams ready to go

For ongoing support or more complex projects, partnering with a development company can simplify things. These agencies provide a dedicated team of Joomla experts who handle everything from setup and customization to maintenance and updates. 

Although this option tends to cost more (we’ll cover that in a bit), it spares you the need to manage individual freelancers or coordinate hiring efforts.

Skills To Look For When Hiring an Offshore Joomla Developer 

Joomla is a powerful yet intricate content management system, and hiring a developer who understands its nuances can make all the difference. The right person will make sure your site works smoothly, grows with your business, and supports your goals. 

Below are the core skills listed by Joomla’s development strategy page and the additional traits to focus on during your search.

Joomla-specific development expertise

At the heart of every Joomla project are modules, templates, and extensions. A strong developer should have hands-on experience with:

• Developing custom modules to add specific functionalities
• Designing templates that align with your brand’s identity
• Building or integrating extensions to expand your site’s features

These abilities are essential for tailoring your Joomla site to meet business needs while keeping performance intact.

Programming skills and technical know-how

Joomla developers should have a solid foundation in:

• PHP: Joomla’s primary language, critical for customizing and building features
• JavaScript and CSS: Key for creating interactive, visually appealing designs
• MySQL: Vital for efficient database management
• XML and JSON: Useful for data handling and configurations

A developer with expertise in these areas can handle both the frontend and backend of your site confidently, streamlining the development process for your project

Staying current with Joomla updates

Joomla is known for its adaptability, but with that comes the need for regular maintenance and upgrades.

A qualified developer should be able to:

• Smoothly upgrade to the latest Joomla versions
• Maintain backward compatibility to prevent disruptions
• Extend your site’s features to align with growing business demands

SEO and performance optimization

Your developer should know how to make your Joomla site not just functional but also easy to find online.

Look for someone who understands:

• Best practices for SEO, including metadata structuring and keyword placement
• Speed optimization to enhance user experience
• Mobile responsiveness, ensuring your site performs well on all devices

Strong communication skills

Technical skills are essential, but clear communication is just as important.

A developer who can articulate their ideas and collaborate effectively with your team—especially in English—helps avoid misunderstandings that could lead to costly delays or mistakes.

Experience with third-party integrations

Many Joomla projects require integrating external tools, like APIs for payment gateways, marketing automation, or analytics.

A skilled developer should be adept at managing these integrations while keeping your site secure and efficient.

Hiring a developer with this skill set can be challenging, especially if you’re not sure how to assess these skills.

If that’s the case, then consider working with a development company or a recruitment specialist rather than using job boards or freelancer platforms. Recruitment companies like ours assess technical and soft skills as part of their vetting process—so you don’t have to. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Offshore Joomla Developer?

Determining the exact cost of hiring a Joomla developer can be challenging. Joomla development involves a diverse range of skills, including frontend and backend development, custom template creation, and third-party integration. 

This makes it harder to pinpoint specific salary ranges. Instead, we can draw insights from broader data on frontend and web developers, which closely align with Joomla developer roles.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when hiring a developer offshore.

Working with development companies

According to our salary guide and data from Salary Expert, outsourcing Joomla development to a company typically involves project-based pricing.

Depending on the scope and complexity of the project, costs can range from $45,000 to $200,000+.

This cost generally covers:

• Full-stack web development (both frontend and backend)
• Joomla-specific customization, including module development and upgrades
• Post-launch maintenance and support

While development companies provide a seamless, bundled experience, this option is often more expensive than hiring individual contractors.

Hiring individual / freelancers

For more flexibility and potential cost savings, hiring individual contractors can be a great option.

Using general data for web and frontend developers as a proxy, here’s a regional breakdown:

• US-based Joomla developers: Likely to command salaries exceeding $120,000 annually
• Latin America: Web developers in this region earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, offering potential savings of up to 48.55% compared to US-based developers
• Eastern Europe: Salaries range from $10,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience and expertise
• Southeast Asia: Annual salaries range from $52,000 to $104,000, depending highly on location

This regional data highlights how outsourcing to Latin America, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia can significantly reduce costs while maintaining access to skilled talent.

Making the right choice

Whether you opt for a development company or an individual contractor depends on your project’s size and your preferred level of involvement. 

For businesses looking to save time and reduce hiring risks, using an agency like Near, which specializes in sourcing pre-screened professionals, is a best practice for securing a seasoned Joomla developer.

Top 10 Companies and Platforms for Finding Offshore Joomla Developers

Finding the right offshore Joomla developer is crucial for your project’s success.

To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of reputable companies and platforms that can help you source skilled Joomla developers. 

This list, which is presented in no particular order, includes both recruitment agencies and freelance platforms, offering a range of options to suit your specific needs.

1. Near

At Near, we specialize in connecting businesses with the best offshore developers, including Joomla experts. We offer a tailored approach, focusing on pre-vetted professionals from Latin America who bring technical expertise, strong communication skills, and cultural alignment to your team.

What sets Near apart is our ability to handle every aspect of sourcing and hiring so you don’t have to. From vetting candidates to managing compliance and international payroll, we take care of it all.

2. Toptal

Toptal is a renowned platform that connects companies with the top 3% of freelance talent worldwide. Its rigorous screening process means access to highly skilled Joomla developers.

3. Upwork

Upwork is a versatile freelance marketplace where you can find a wide range of freelance professionals, including Joomla developers. It offers the flexibility to hire freelancers for both short-term and long-term projects. 

4. BorderlessMind

BorderlessMind specializes in providing offshore talent, including experienced Joomla developers. With a presence in the US and India, it offers a diverse pool of professionals to meet your project requirements. 

5. Budget Coders

Based in India with a US presence, Budget Coders offers cost-effective solutions for hiring Joomla developers. It provides dedicated resources to work on your projects, ensuring quality and efficiency. 

6. YouTeam

YouTeam connects businesses with vetted offshore developers from Europe and Latin America. Its platform includes professionals skilled in Joomla development, ensuring quality matches for your needs.

7. Strider

Strider specializes in helping companies hire remote Joomla developers seamlessly. Its AI-driven matching process ensures you find the right talent for your specific project requirements. 

8. Alliance Recruitment Agency

With a global presence, including offices in the US, Alliance Recruitment Agency offers services to hire dedicated Joomla developers. It provides flexible hiring models to suit various project needs. 

9. Provab Technosoft

Provab Technosoft is an open-source development company based in Bangalore, India, with a focus on Joomla development. They have dedicated Joomla developers clients worldwide can work with.

10. Nestack

Nestack provides offshore Joomla development services as part of their offerings. It offers customized solutions to meet your project requirements. 

This list is not exhaustive but provides a solid starting point for finding reputable offshore Joomla developers. Each platform and company has its unique strengths, so consider your specific project needs, budget, and preferred engagement model when making a selection.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right Joomla developers is a critical step in building a website that is both functional and adaptable to your business needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance your site’s features, streamline content management, or ensure seamless integration with third-party tools, finding developers with the right skills and experience makes all the difference.

By focusing on the skills that matter, considering your budget, and using reliable platforms or agencies, you’re in a strong position to choose developers who fits your project’s needs perfectly.

At Near, we help businesses connect with pre-vetted Joomla developers who bring the expertise to tackle even the most specific requirements. 

If you’re ready to take the next step, you can fill out this form to get a curated list of top candidates you can interview for free. Let’s find the perfect addition to your development team.