What To Look For In A Reliable osCommerce Developer

Posted by 1nspire

June 3, 2008

by Chris Channing

Hiring an osCommerce developer is tricky, as most just want to do the job, get paid, and be on their way. But finding out qualities to look for in the best osCommerce developer- on who actually cares about the job at hand- is vital in getting the most “bang for your buck.” To help ensure a good job, one should always keep in mind the following characteristics and options in great developers.

The reason why many average users won’t be able to develop their own plugin is because it requires knowledge of multiple languages, the osCommerce platform, and many other technical aspects that few have altogether. More importantly, a skilled developer will be well versed in security issues so as to keep a plugin secured from attack.

As far as the programming languages go, the ideal osCommerce developer should be fluent in PHP and MySQL. As PHP can be a very error and security risk prone language, it’s very important to quiz the developer on several security issues. If at all possible it is best to get a few demonstrations from the developer to see the kind of work that can be done. When possible ask the developer to explain details that may seem like jargon or cryptic in manner.

Any type of project, no matter how simple, can easily cost hundreds of dollars if the right developer is found. This is obviously a considerable sum of money to the average person, but it is standard in the development industry. Any developers that bid below this range should send a red flag to the investor, as they are probably looking for a quick solution to completion, rather than caring about the job. In the end, the more money that one pays will usually mean that they obtain a better end result.

Projects that have high price ranges will obviously make the buyer fairly skeptical. In this case, the buyer should investigate any previous customers, references, and examples of work. Only after these aspects are confirmed should a buyer go through with a large purchase. After all, there is nothing worse than spending a few thousands dollars on a development job only to be disappointed in the end- or even be scammed!

On a last note, it’s always a good idea to have the developer of an osCommerce project to submit to arbitration. Through arbitration, goods are delivered and payment is sent only when both parties agree they got what they wanted. This is commonly done through online platforms that offer escrow services, and usually costs upwards of a couple hundred dollars for big projects. Nevertheless, the “security blanket” is well worth the money spent.

Final Thoughts On Finding An osCommerce Developer

Overall, the osCommerce platform is too robust to simply give up on it entirely. If one doesn’t have the expertise or time to develop the necessary modules, it’s important to spend one’s time and resources looking for an avid osCommerce developer. Following the previously mentioned tips and hints will seek to give webmasters a successful osCommerce website, and reliable developers another sale and reference for future products.

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