Hiring a Headless WordPress Developer

Hiring a Headless WordPress Developer

Read This Before You Go Headless

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already made the decision to move your website from a traditional WordPress setup to a headless architecture. It’s an exciting step — the promise of lightning-fast performance, better scalability, and modern design flexibility is hard to ignore.

But here’s the reality: going headless doesn’t automatically fix every problem on your site. If your current site is slow because of unoptimized images, bloated content workflows, or bad hosting, those issues can still carry over into a headless setup.

Think of headless as a powerful tool, not a magic wand. It works best when paired with a clear understanding of your current pain points — and with the right developer who can address them head-on.

Skills to Look For in a Headless WordPress Developer

If you’re going to hire a headless WordPress developer, they need more than just standard WordPress skills. Here’s what to prioritize:

  1. Proficiency in WordPress REST API and WPGraphQL
  2. Experience with modern frontend frameworks — React, Vue, or Svelte — with React-based Next.js or Gatsby being the most widely adopted
  3. API integration expertise — especially if you need to connect with Shopify, CRMs, or marketing platforms
  4. Deployment and hosting know-how — Vercel, Netlify, AWS, or similar
  5. SEO experience in a headless environment — metadata handling, sitemap generation, and structured data aren’t as “automatic” as with traditional WordPress themes
  6. Performance optimization skills — caching strategies, image optimization, and CDN usage

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

1. Have you built a headless WordPress site before?

Why it matters: Headless development is not the same as installing a WordPress theme. Look for concrete examples — ask for links to live sites and code samples if possible.

2. What frontend frameworks are you most comfortable with?

Why it matters: While React-based frameworks like Next.js or Gatsby are popular, your project may work just as well with Vue or Svelte. The important thing is adaptability and prior experience.

3. How do you determine if headless will actually solve my site’s issues?

Why it matters: Not every site benefits from going headless. A good developer will evaluate your site’s bottlenecks (plugins, hosting, content model) before recommending a rebuild.

4. What’s your approach to caching and performance optimization?

Why it matters: One of the biggest advantages of headless is speed, but only if it’s implemented correctly. Look for answers that mention CDNs, image optimization, and build strategies like static generation or incremental static regeneration.

5. Can you integrate third-party APIs like Shopify, payment gateways, or analytics tools?

Why it matters: Many headless projects involve pulling data from multiple sources. If your developer has never handled an API-heavy build, that’s a red flag.

6. How do you handle SEO in a headless setup?

Why it matters: SEO in headless sites requires deliberate handling of metadata, sitemaps, and structured data. If the answer is vague, dig deeper.

7. What’s included in your post-launch support?

Why it matters: Websites evolve. Make sure you know whether your developer offers monitoring, bug fixes, and updates — or if you’re left on your own after launch.

How much to hire a Headless WordPress Developer?

When hiring a headless WordPress developer, costs can vary depending on whether you’re working with a freelance developer or going through an agency.

Freelance Developer

  • Hourly Rate: Typically $40 – $80/hour depending on experience and region.
  • Ballpark for a Simple Blog Migration: For a straightforward blog site with minimal custom features, expect 40–60 hours of work. This covers setting up WordPress as a headless CMS, building the frontend, integrating APIs, and deploying the site.
  • Estimated Total: Around $1,600 – $4,800 for a basic migration or new build. Assuming of a total build time of 40 to 60 hours.

Agency

  • Pricing Model: Usually project-based rather than hourly. Cost depends heavily on scope, integrations, and design complexity.
  • Why It’s Higher: You’re not just hiring one person—you’re getting a whole team (project manager, backend developer, frontend developer, QA tester, sometimes a designer). This usually means faster delivery, broader expertise, and a smoother process.
  • Estimated Range: For a simple blog site migration, agencies might start around $8,000 – $15,000, with more complex builds going much higher.

Workflow as a Headless WordPress Developer

If you’ve decided to take your site headless, it’s worth knowing what a good developer’s process should look like. This helps you set expectations and spot whether the person you’re hiring has the right structure in place.

A seasoned headless WordPress developer—ideally with several years of experience—will usually follow a clear workflow to keep projects smooth and predictable. Here’s what you should look for:

  1. Discovery & Initial Consultation – Every successful project starts with a conversation. The developer should take the time to understand your current setup, why you want to go headless, and the challenges you’re facing now.
  2. Technical Evaluation – Expect them to review your WordPress environment, hosting, and plugins to gauge complexity. This step is important because not all issues on your current site will automatically disappear just by going headless.
  3. Project Scoping – They’ll map out your site architecture, identify the best frontend framework for your needs (React, Next.js, Gatsby, etc.), and plan API integrations. For blog sites, SEO, layout flexibility, and performance benchmarks should be discussed early.
  4. Design & Development – WordPress should be set up purely as a content hub, while the frontend is built for speed, security, and flexibility. Look for a focus on clean, maintainable code that won’t cause headaches later.
  5. Testing & Deployment – A solid developer won’t skip thorough testing. They should check mobile responsiveness, performance scores, and SEO readiness before the site goes live.
  6. Post-Launch Support – Even if you don’t opt for ongoing support, a handover guide should be part of the package so you can manage the site confidently.

Closing Thoughts

Switching to a headless WordPress setup can definitely open up new possibilities—faster pages, more freedom in design, and better scalability as your site grows. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all fix. The key is knowing whether it’s the right move for your specific needs, and then having a plan that matches your goals.

I’ve worked on headless WordPress builds for the past three years, from small blogs to larger eCommerce setups. Along the way, I’ve learned that the most successful projects start with a clear understanding of what’s needed before any code is written.

That’s why I’m always happy to have a quick free discovery chat—no pressure, just a chance to look at your current site, talk about your goals, and figure out the best approach.

If you’re curious about how this might work for you, feel free to check out my portfolio. Sometimes, a quick email is all it takes to know your next step.