How to Hire Offshore PHP Developers: Key Benefits and Best Countries

You’re developing a new software product for your business, but your internal team doesn’t have the expertise required for a specific online feature. Hiring an offshore PHP developer could be the solution you’re looking for.

These experts can help on a per-project basis or function as an extension of your in-house team, operating remotely in countries with lower living costs. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of hiring an offshore PHP developer and where to find one well-suited to your business needs.

Types of Services Offshore PHP Developers Can Provide

Over 90% of people say they won’t trust a company with a poorly made website. A PHP developer’s job is to build dynamic websites and web applications, ensuring they’re fast, user-friendly, and visually appealing.

Here are some essential services an offshore PHP developer can offer:

• Full-stack PHP development: Handle both frontend and backend for complete web solutions.
• PHP application development: Create custom applications designed to fit your business needs.
• PHP e-commerce development: Build online stores with shopping carts and payment options.
• Custom PHP CMS development: Develop content management systems tailored specifically for your website.
• PHP applications modernization: Update old PHP apps for better performance and security.
• PHP migration: Help move your site or app from other technologies to PHP.
• PHP support and maintenance: Provide ongoing updates and fixes issues to keep your site running smoothly.
• API integration: Effectively connect your site to third-party services through APIs.
• PHP frameworks: Use frameworks like Laravel or Symfony to speed up development.

With a reliable offshore PHP developer, you can be confident that your website is functional, secure, and trustworthy.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Offshore PHP Developer?

As demand grows for high-quality, responsive websites, companies need top talent to create secure, scalable solutions. An offshore PHP developer offers this expertise with flexibility and cost efficiency.

Let’s explore some of the benefits.

Cost efficiency

There’s a general rule that the true cost of an in-house employee is about 1.25 to 1.4 times their salary—so while an in-house PHP developer’s salary might be $95,000, it will actually cost you over $118,000.

When you factor in benefits, taxes, and insurance, the price of hiring in-house becomes steep. In contrast, with offshore developers, you pay only for the services provided without the extra overhead—whether that’s on a per-project basis or an hourly rate. You get the same high-quality work at a lower cost.

Access to global talent

Offshoring gives you access to a worldwide talent pool. PHP specialists from different countries bring fresh perspectives and diverse skill sets.

Take Latin America (LatAm), for example. The LatAm software industry is booming. Governments in the region have invested heavily in tech, attracting both local and international talent.

By building an offshore PHP development team, you gain acess to skilled talent that might not be available locally and significantly enhance your project outcomes and flexibility. 

Flexibility and scalability

You can scale your team up or down depending on project needs with offshoring. It’s ideal for businesses with fluctuating workloads or growing companies that need to adapt quickly.

If your project requires more developers, you can easily expand the team without the long process of long-term commitment of hiring full-time staff.

Speed and efficiency

When you hire offshore, you can get a project started immediately. Offshore developers often have the experience and tools to hit the ground running. Their efficiency helps reduce the time it takes to complete projects.

Additionally, time zone differences can mean 24-hour development cycles, keeping work moving forward even when your in-house development team is offline.

Diverse expertise

Offshore developers bring a range of expertise in a variety of projects and industries. They have hands-on experience and are equipped with specialized knowledge.

Whether it’s building an e-commerce platform or a custom CMS, you can find a skilled developer who’s completed similar projects in the past and has experience in the programming languages you use.

Access to open-source resources

PHP developers are familiar with open-source tools and frameworks like Laravel or Symfony. These tools offer pre-built components that speed up the development process.

Offshore developers can leverage these resources to save time and money on development. By using trusted open-source solutions, they can also ensure reliable, secure code. 

Reduced in-house burden

Hiring in-house can be resource-heavy. You need to manage payroll, benefits, and performance reviews. There’s also the added pressure of always finding enough work to justify a full-time hire.

With offshore talent, those administrative burdens are lifted. You only pay for the work you need, when you need it.

Project management and resource allocation

Offshore development teams usually come with their own project management tools and workflows. This helps streamline the process, allowing resources to be allocated efficiently and ensuring that all deadlines are met.

This also allows you to focus on bigger-picture business tasks while they handle the technical details.

Quality development

Outsourcing providers must maintain high performance and security standards to stay competitive in the global market. With their extensive experience with international clients, offshore PHP developers can bring tested practices and innovative solutions to your business. 

What’s the Best Approach for Hiring an Offshore PHP Developer?

The two main ways to hire an offshore PHP developer are directly finding freelancers or partnering with a specialized PHP development agency. Both options can save you money while accessing top talent. 

Hire freelancers directly

Directly hiring freelancers offers a flexible and cost-effective way to bring specialized skills to your projects, with plenty of talented professionals available worldwide.

Though it requires a bit more hands-on management—like checking references and managing payments—you gain direct control over the hiring process. Just remember that freelancers are usually juggling multiple projects. Effective communication and clear expectations will help them prioritize your business goals effectively. 

Partner with a specialized PHP development agency

On the other hand, you can partner with a recruitment agency that specializes in PHP development. The right software developer recruitment agency will match you with the best talent for your needs without the hassle, often with transparent, competitive rates that fit your budget. 

Reputable agencies have a pool of professionals with proven track records, and they’re transparent about pricing and project timelines, so you’re less likely to run into surprises. While it may cost a bit more upfront, partnering with a top agency can save you time and headaches in the long run.

How To Hire an Offshore PHP Developer: Step-by-Step Process

Hiring an offshore PHP developer might seem challenging at first, but with the right plan, it’s a smooth process.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you: 

1. Define your project needs: Before you start searching for an offshore PHP developer, be clear on what you need. Outline the project requirements, the skills required, and your budget.
2. Freelancer or agency? Choose whether you want to hire a freelancer or work with an agency. Freelancers are usually affordable but can require more hands-on management. Agencies are more reliable, handle the administrative heavy lifting, and generally still provide a strong ROI.
3. Search and vet candidates: Look for reviews, portfolios, and previous work experience. An agency can narrow down your top candidates by assessing both technical skills and soft skills, such as communication and adaptability, which are crucial for remote teamwork.
4. Conduct interviews: Ask about the candidate’s experience, specific projects they’ve worked on, and how they handle deadlines. 
5. Negotiate terms and set expectations: Once you’ve selected a developer, draft agreements that outline expectations, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
6. Onboard: After agreeing on terms, provide your new hire with access to the necessary tools and project management platforms.
7. Monitor progress and give feedback: Regular check-ins and feedback foster effective collaboration and ensure that your project stays on track, especially when working across different time zones.

Hiring an offshore PHP developer doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear plan and the right approach, you can make the process a breeze.

Top 4 Countries Where You Can Hire Offshore PHP Developers

Here are four countries known for their large pools of skilled PHP development talent and competitive pricing: 

Argentina

Argentina has become a top destination in the LatAm freelance market. The country offers skilled PHP developers with good English proficiency and time zone alignment with the US.

Philippines

The Philippines is a favorite for offshore development, given its English-speaking workforce and strong cultural ties to Western countries. Filipino developers are skilled at PHP and work on a range of projects thanks to its booming IT industry.

India

India is known for its large pool of software developers. Indian developers have deep technical expertise and are experienced with both simple and large-scale PHP projects. 

Mexico

Currently, Mexico is the third-largest exporter of IT services worldwide. Mexico’s proximity to the US also offers advantages in time zone overlap, making communication and project management easier. 

Final Thoughts

The most important takeaway? Hiring an offshore PHP developer gives you the chance to work with highly skilled professionals while maintaining flexibility and keeping costs down.

If you’re looking for a seamless way to tap into top global talent, Near can help. We help businesses find, hire, and onboard remote LatAm developers while saving 30–70% of what you would spend on US-based candidates.

With our extensive pool of 35,000+ professionals, hiring the right PHP developer has never been easier.

Want to learn more? Check out our 2024 Salary Guide to see how LatAm talent stacks up against hiring local talent.