If you're wondering how to hire a programmer ... without the headaches, then this article may be of some interest to you.

I was recently put in touch with someone who needed to hire a Wordpress programmer but wasn't having much luck, unfortunately. They asked me for some guidelines, and this is the information I provided.

If you're about to search for and hire a programmer, this might save you a bit of time and angst.

Things to consider when you wish to Hire a Programmer

• which information needs to be provided to the potential Programmer in the first contact phase?
• which information can be provided after the Programmer is interested in your Project?
• how will you manage the Project and make sure the tasks are completed on time?
• how and where will you search for a Programmer?

For me to evaluate whether or not I wish to work on a project, I take many things into consideration.

My first request  is to be provided with a one page (2 at the most) list of the client requirements, sorted into categories for quick and easy reading. This concise list allows me to know what the requirements are quickly and easily, as it can be read in several minutes. If I am interested in that particular project, I can then ask more questions and request more information.

For anyone taking on any business or internet-related project, a clear, concise List of the Requirements is the only way to start, and enables all parties to quickly and easily see what's required. This becomes Phase 1 - an Overview of the Project.

Example List of Requirements

How to Create Your Own List of Requirements

May I suggest that you condense all your current Project documents and emails into a concise --list-- of what your client wants, as that is how professionals can evaluate your needs and those of your clients.

This might take you some time, but it will be time well spent, and well worth it in the long run. If you manage to create a bullet-point document you will then have a much better chance of finding someone who wishes to work on the project with you, and you then use this same list when you need to Project Manage the programmer's work.

If you are outsourcing the development of a website, you will always need a clear list of what's required, whether it's for you, your team, or your outsourced team.

Project-oriented people are task-driven and methodical and require a concise list as the first step of every Project, whether it's for a website, an SEO campaign, or any other kind of project imagineable.

Once someone evaluates the List of Requirements, and the conversation begins, you can then provide further more detailed information, but not as a first step.

How To Project Manage the programmer's work

Using your original List of Requirements:

• you can expand on your document or paste the list into a spreadsheet
• add Column Headings for example, Start Date | End Date or Required By | Approved Y/N (Yes or No) | Programmer Feedback
• turn each item on your list into one or more steps which need to be taken
• assign each step to one or more people
• make sure you have dates to make each person accountable for their actions, as their delays will impact the Project
• an example might look like this:

Things to avoid when hiring a Programmer

• avoid sending all your documents and information (from the client, emails between you and the client and anyone else who's been involved prior to the first contact)
• if you do send all your historical information as the first step, it may be perceived that you are not actually sure what your client wants - which could be misconstued as you want to hand over responsibility for the whole project to the programmer - which is something you may not wish to do
• please note that it is not normal practice to send another programmer's notes or suggestions to the new potential programmer
• it's more professional to send only your List (as per above) of your client's requirements, which allows them to make their own judgements, suggestions and recommendations based on their knowledge and skill.

Reasons why a programmer may not be interested in your Project

There are many reasons why a programmer may not be interested in your Project, and only one of them may involve money.

It can be many things including :

• the complexity of requirements, the deadlines, timeframes
• the reasonable or unreasonable requests/demands/expectations
• whether the programmer has the time required or can fit this project inbetween other projects already committed to
• whether the Programmer has a rapport with you, or with the subject matter
• the perceived skill (or lack thereof) of the people managing the project (which can also cover many other sub-topics)
• ... and many other factors.

If you ask a programmer "Why not my project?", be prepared for honesty. It may be a question you prefer to leave unasked. It may also put the programmer off working with you in the future, when they are simply unavailable for this one project at this time.

My Suggestions For You on How to Hire a Programmer

My first suggestion is to contact your own list of business associates and friends to see if they know any Wordpress Developers (or whatever kind of programmer you're looking for), and ask if they can search wider through their other contact groups to help you.

ONLINE SUGGESTIONS

For other ways to get recommendations, I'd like to suggest the following ONLINE options:

• visit any business forums you've signed up for and post your request for a reliable, professional programmer there
• these people are part of your social group and you may feel more confident with their recommendations than approaching other online websites like Elance.com where you don't have a personal connection with the participants
• if you are part of any social networking sites - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc - for your business, you may consider asking these folks for recommendations if you have a good rapport with them
• if you are NOT a member on any forums or social networking groups, you're missing out on extremely valuable connections, and you should consider joining a few relevant forums as soon as possible.

OFFLINE SUGGESTIONS

Please also consider joining :

• online or offline businessmen or businesswomens' forums
• social networking groups
• offline business & networking groups
• your local Chamber of Commerce
• your local Government Small Business support groups (in Australia these are called Business Enterprise Centres - BEC - who give free business advice and may be able to help you find a programmer if they have one on their database; in the USA contact Score.com for excellent advice, much of it free on their website).

I do hope this helps you understand how best to present your requirements to folks whom you approach for help, and I hope this article has given you some insight into How To Hire A Programmer ... Without the Headaches.

I hope my suggestions help you prepare yourself in advance to make sure you have what a professional programmer will need from you, in order to evaluate your project effectively and efficiently.

Ciao for now,
Teena!