Introduction

PHP is a versatile and widely-used programming language that is popular in both the open-source community and industry. With over 6.1 million PHP developers globally, it remains a relevant language for web development.

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In this blog post, we'll explore five reasons why hiring PHP developers in South America can be a smart choice for businesses, including cost-effectiveness, quality of work, timezone convenience, cultural similarity, and a large talent pool. We'll also provide tips on what to consider when hiring PHP developers, such as experience and technical expertise, and provide insights into the potential of PHP programming language. Despite some misconceptions, PHP remains a popular and relevant language for web development, and understanding its potential is crucial for any business looking to hire PHP developers.

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Understanding the Potential of PHP

PHP is a scripting language that has been around for 27 years and is still widely used for various applications, including e-commerce solutions, content management systems, dynamic website templates, and project management tools. Popular websites such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are built using PHP. In addition, companies with skilled PHP developers can also use PHP  as the foundation for in-house applications.

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Despite some misconceptions that PHP might be a dying language, the demand for PHP developers is still high, with over 6.1 million PHP developers worldwide. As of July 2023, there were over 2.8K job openings in North America and more than 11.5K in India for PHP developers, according to Glassdoor.

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Furthermore, PHP's popularity as a server-side language is growing. Recent statistics show that 77.5% of websites still use it, indicating that PHP is still a relevant language for web development.

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One of the advantages of PHP is its versatility, making it widely used in both the open-source community and the industry to build large web-focused applications and application frameworks. PHP and Java dominate the web application domain, providing features and libraries for various aspects of the web paradigm.

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In addition, PHP has a vast community of developers worldwide, making it easy to find experienced developers. This is particularly true in South America, where there is a large pool of skilled developers, especially in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia.

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Benefits of Hiring PHP Developers in South America

Cost-effectiveness

PHP developers in South America offer their services at a relatively lower cost as compared to their counterparts in North America or Europe. This can help businesses save money on development costs and allocate resources more efficiently.

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Table 1.  Average yearly salary in USD for PHP developers in North America and South America

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Source: Glassdoor's 2023 figures for developers in North America, and non bilingual developers in Colombia. The average salaries for bilingual developers in South America have been calculated from our own sources.

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Quality of Work

PHP developers in South America are highly qualified and possess a strong educational background in computer science, software engineering, and related fields. Their technical expertise and proficiency in various programming languages, including but not limited to PHP, Java, and Python, make them well-suited for any software development project. With their extensive knowledge and experience, they can provide high-quality work that meets your business needs.

In addition, they have gained experience by working with global companies, such as Facebook, Etsy, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, on various software development projects. Their ability to work with international clients and teams has helped them to develop a deep understanding of diverse cultures and business practices, making them a valuable asset to any project. Overall, PHP developers in South America offer a unique combination of technical skills, education, and experience that can help take your project to the next level.

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Time zone compatibility

Hiring PHP developers in South America can provide timezone convenience for businesses in North America. The time difference between South America and North America varies between one to three hours, depending on the specific time zone in the US. This can work in favor of businesses, as it allows for round-the-clock productivity, faster turnaround times, and efficient communication.

Some of the countries that share Eastern time are Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, while Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Chile are only one hour ahead of US Eastern Time.

Overall, the timezone convenience provided by hiring PHP developers in South America can be a significant advantage, allowing businesses to work more efficiently and effectively.

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Cultural Similarity

Many countries in South America share similar cultural values and work ethics with North America and Europe, which can make collaboration and communication easier. For instance, in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, people tend to value relationships and personal connections. Establishing trust and building relationships with colleagues and partners is crucial before any business is conducted. This can also be seen in the concept of "mutualism" in many Latin American countries, which emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and mutual benefits in business relationships.

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Furthermore, South America's growing economy and emerging markets present new opportunities for businesses looking to expand globally. Countries like Chile, Peru, and Colombia have seen significant growth in recent years, making them attractive destinations for foreign investment. By collaborating with local businesses and taking advantage of the region's resources and markets, companies can tap into new sources of revenue and growth.

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By recognizing and leveraging these cultural and economic similarities and opportunities, companies and organizations can establish strong partnerships and achieve success in South America and beyond.

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Large Talent Pool

Latin America has a large pool of highly skilled developers, according to Statista, there are over 1 million software developers in the region. Brazil with 500.000 developers, and Mexico with 225.000 lead the countries with higher potential, followed by Argentina (115.000), Colombia (62.000), and Chile (61.000). Check this post to learn about the best countries to hire software developers in South America

These countries have established strong educational systems that emphasize computer science and programming, producing a steady stream of talented individuals with a passion for coding. As a result, businesses looking to hire PHP developers have a vast pool of talent from which to choose, with a range of skill sets and experience levels.

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Tips for Hiring PHP Developers in South America

When it comes to hiring PHP developers in South America, you want to make sure that you find the right fit for your team and your project needs. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as you navigate the hiring process:

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1. Look for experience: While there are many talented developers out there, you want to make sure that you find someone who has experience with PHP specifically. This will help ensure that they have the skills and background needed to excel in this area.

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2. Consider communication skills: When working with a remote team, communication is key. Look for developers who have strong communication skills, both in terms of speaking and writing in English, as this will help ensure that you can work together effectively.

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3. Check references: Before hiring anyone, make sure to check their references. This will give you a better understanding of their work style, their strengths and weaknesses, and how well they might fit in with your team.

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4. Look for cultural fit: It's important to find a PHP developer who fits in well with your company culture. This can help ensure that they are happy and productive on your team, and that they stay with you for the long term. Look for candidates that share your company values and goals.

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5. Evaluate technical skills: While experience and communication are important, you also want to make sure that your PHP developer has the technical skills needed to succeed. Consider giving them a technical assessment or test to gauge their abilities.

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How to identify a good PHP developer?

A good PHP programmer works on projects of various levels of complexity in addition to developing, testing, and maintaining code for web pages. This necessitates a high level of analytical and problem-solving abilities. A knowledgeable PHP programmer also collaborates with a group of other experienced programmers to create a wide range of apps and fix problems as needed.

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Most PHP frameworks, such as Laravel, Yii, Codeigniter, Zend, Symfony, Kohana, CakePHP, Joomla, and others, should be known to him.

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The following is a baseline checklist of abilities that any successful PHP programmer should have:

• Working with SQL / MySQL databases;
• HTML and CSS knowledge;
• Knowledge of control systems (SVN / Git)
• Good comprehension of JavaScript
• Working knowledge of frameworks such as Laravel, Symphony, and YII2;
• Practical experience with content management systems (CMS) such as Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress;
• OOP knowledge is useful (object-oriented programming).

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In conclusion, hiring PHP developers in South America can be a smart choice for businesses. With cost-effectiveness, quality of work, timezone convenience, cultural similarity, and a large talent pool, South America provides an attractive option for companies seeking talented PHP developers who can deliver high-quality work at an affordable price.

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If you're seeking a trustworthy partner to help you hire PHP developers, consider working with BetterWay Devs. Our transparent hiring model, experienced recruiters, and commitment to building long-term relationships ensure that we can provide you with the development talent you need to succeed. Schedule a call with us today to learn more.

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Paula Tellez

BetterWay Devs Inbound Marketing Manager

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-tellez/

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