In a fast-paced world, it is important to develop solutions at a brisk pace. Similarly, when it comes to web development, speed is a crucial metric for success. Developers all around the globe are always looking for utilities and solutions that can help them build websites quicker, more stable, and securer.
That is where Magento® comes into play. It is an open-source platform that takes your beloved eCommerce business to new heights of success. Written and compiled using PHP, Magento is a powerhouse if you are looking to build websites in absolutely no time at all. But the bigger question is, if the platform is such a brilliant tool for the success of your business, how can you use it? To answer this, you need to look for Magento developer’s skills you are thinking to hire.
Top Magento Developer Skills
Magento is powerful, but a sophisticated, eCommerce platform that makes easy for you, as a business owner, to operate your business and increase brand visibility.
When looking for a developer to build you an eCommerce website on Magento, the first attribute you must look for is the ability to understand the dynamics of Version Control Software Applications. One of such applications is Git, using which, developers can create websites following a distributed chain of command.
Furthermore, crucial for a budding Magento developer is to spend time with the most in-demand IDEs that are currently being used in the industry. We don’t live in the age of Notepad, we live in an era of automation where time is vital, and IDEs play a crucial role in cutting downtime. As technical skills are essential and must to any developer, we will move straight to them.
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Technical Skills
For a topnotch Magento web developer, it is necessary to have an understanding of the best practices in the field. A worthy inclusion in the skills list is to be experienced at building websites, using not only Magento but know other frameworks and works with different platforms as well. Why? Because experience cannot be replaced by any means.
1. Knowledge of Programming Languages
As explained earlier, Magento is a platform, written entirely out of PHP; however, when a web developer has to get his hands dirty, he can always expect HTML, CSS, and Javascript to play a crucial role in the development of these sites.
Of course, an understanding of PHP is mandatory as well as:
- Modular Development
- familiarization with MVC architecture
- knowledge of Object Oriented Programming
- MySQL, mainly for when you have to interact with data.
- Knowledge and proficiency in XML are required to configure modules correctly.
Command over CSS Pre-processors, such as SaSS and Stylus, information about the working mechanics of Search Engines, and expertise in building responsive websites is a must too.
For the Frontend part:
- Javascript
- expertise in PHP, Jquery, and Node.js
- Grunt, Gulp, and Bootstrap as a huge plus.
2. Certification
Magento certified exam is the real test of a developer’s nerves because this is what labels them as a Magento web developer and shows the actual professionalism.
To ace this exam, a developer needs to have both – experience in the field and lexical knowledge of the platform as well as showing creativity in solving tasks. Being certified would put a candidate at a greater advantage.
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3. Working with Themes, Modules, and Extensions
The best eCommerce developers don’t work with one platform, they combine different platforms and create a website that demonstrates greatness at every level.
Similarly, a creative Magento developer knows the advantage and benefit of using different themes, modules, and extensions to add to his website using Magento.
4. eCommerce Integration
A bi-directional channel between a company’s eCommerce website and its inventory, it is crucial that a Magento web developer knows about eCommerce Integration.
eCommerce integration saves loads of time by automating the entire workflow and eradicating the redundancy of data and processes.
5. Clean Development and Testing
With lots of people working on a single website, it becomes a question of maintaining the integrity of the system. Via clean development, that particular problem can be solved conveniently and comprehensively.
In addition to that, testing the system using GitHub, can definitely result in smoother website development, which is why it is totally needed for a good Magento web developer.
Personal Skills
Apart from being good at developing websites using Magento, you also need to look for particular personal skills to be not only problem-solving but innovative as well. These are:
1. Ability to Multitask
Being a web developer isn’t only about learning the most in-demand programming language, it’s about learning as many programming languages and frameworks as you can to make yourself versatile and round out your profile.
Besides the programming languages, you also need to be good at effectively handling all the things at once. This is because most business owners have varied requirements for their websites.
2. Problem-Solving
Solving problems is the first thing eCommerce store developers learn to do. In order to solve problems with data, MySQL plays a key role, but don’t discount other tools that can help you do exactly that.
3. Responsibility
Besides Magento skill, you should know how to manage your time well. Since most web developers work on a tight schedule, it is imperative that they stay ahead of the curve by getting things done timely and effectively. Clients won’t come back for them if they can’t get things done in time, which makes time management a crucial element of the process.
4. Communication Skills
Communication is a two-way street. Not only is it essential for a programmer to understand the requirements of the client, but it is also important to convey his point accurately.
Most business owners aren’t technically equipped, as far as web development is concerned, which makes it the developer’s responsibility to voice an opinion if need be.
5. Teamwork
A definite inclusion in Magento developer skills list, because not all Magento developers are solo operators. If a developer is working as part of a team, it is imperative that he/she plays well with others to achieve the common goals of the organization.