Hiring a WordPress plugin developer can be a smart move. Custom plugins can add serious firepower to your website. But hiring the wrong developer? That can turn your dream project into a digital blooper reel!
TL;DR
People often make hilarious (and costly) mistakes when hiring WordPress plugin developers. From hiring based solely on price to forgetting to check if the plugin actually works, the list is long and funny. Luckily, these mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what to look for. Read on for the laughs—and the lessons.
1. Hiring the Wizard of “Yes”
Ever heard a developer say “Yes” to everything? “Can you make the plugin send coffee to my office?” – “Yes!”
It may sound great, but it’s actually a red flag. Developers who say yes to everything might not understand your requirements—or worse, they don’t want to.
How to avoid it:
- Look for developers who ask smart questions.
- They should challenge ideas and suggest better ones.
- Honest feedback is worth more than blind agreement.
2. Choosing the Cheapest Developer and Expecting Magic
This is one of the most common—and funniest—mistakes. Bargain-hunting business owners think they’ve found a $50 plugin wizard. What they get is a half-baked plugin that breaks their site and their heart.
How to avoid it:
- Understand that good developers charge for experience.
- If it’s too cheap, it’s probably too risky.
- Budget-friendly is okay. Unrealistically cheap is not.
3. Falling for the Resume Hype
“I’ve developed 200 plugins!” – Sounds impressive, right?
Until you realize 190 of those plugins are almost identical and break under pressure. Quantity does not always mean quality.
How to avoid it:
- Ask to see code samples or GitHub profiles.
- Request case studies with real-world results.
- Beware of copy-and-paste cowboys.
4. Ignoring Communication Skills
Some developers are brilliant coders—with zero clue how to communicate. You ask a simple question, and they reply with a 300-line block of code.
How to avoid it:
- Look for someone who can explain things without jargon.
- Set up a quick video call before hiring.
- If they can’t explain their plan, move on.
5. Forgetting to Ask: “Will It Work With My Theme?”
One of the funniest design mishaps ever—Your brand new plugin works beautifully… until it *crashes* your pretty theme into oblivion.
How to avoid it:
- Tell the developer about your theme upfront.
- Ask them to test compatibility.
- Request staging environment testing.
6. Not Discussing Plugin Updates
This is a classic. You get your plugin. You use it. Then WordPress updates… and now it’s a disaster.
Many people hire developers for one-time gigs and forget to plan for updates. It’s like buying a car and never checking the oil.
How to avoid it:
- Ask if the developer offers ongoing support.
- Negotiate a maintenance plan.
- At least make sure someone will touch the code in six months.
7. Scope Creep? More Like Scope Tsunami
“Can you just add one more thing… and another… and maybe a chat bot?”
You may be the problem! Many funny situations come from clients who start simple and end up asking for the moon. Developers can’t read minds—and they’re not magicians either.
How to avoid it:
- Have a clear list of features from the start.
- Use a project management tool to track tasks.
- Remember: Changing your mind 20 times = lots of extra work!
8. Skipping the Plugin Testing Phase
You believe in your developer. You trust them. But you forgot to actually test the plugin before launching!
This leads to some hilarious (and sometimes horrifying) results like booking forms that don’t book or sliders that slide into oblivion.
How to avoid it:
- Create a checklist of what the plugin should do.
- Test on a staging site, not your live one.
- Use real-world scenarios, not just “check if it loads.”
9. Forgetting Legal Stuff Like Licensing
A lesser-known but seriously funny mistake: Hiring someone to build a plugin you can’t legally use. Why? Because it uses code from restrictive sources or has licensing issues.
How to avoid it:
- Ask developers where the code is coming from.
- Make sure you have rights to use and distribute it.
- Put it in your contract. Yes, contracts are cool now.
10. Not Asking for Documentation
What’s worse than a broken plugin? A plugin you can’t fix or even understand. Because there’s no documentation. Nada. Zilch.
You’re now stuck babysitting a mystery box with secret buttons.
How to avoid it:
- Request basic documentation. At least a “How it works” walkthrough.
- Ask for inline code comments if possible.
- Good documentation = future-proofing your website.
Final Thoughts: Laugh Now, Learn Always
Hiring a WordPress plugin developer doesn’t have to make you the punchline of a tech joke. Almost every mistake we listed here comes from *not asking the right questions*.
If you do your homework, communicate clearly, and set realistic goals—you’ll be well on your way to plugin perfection.
And if nothing else, at least now you’ll have fun avoiding these common bloopers. Happy hiring!
