Laravel has become one of the most trusted PHP frameworks for building stable, scalable, and secure applications. Its clean architecture and built-in features allow teams to deliver projects faster without compromising quality. But the real value of Laravel comes to life only when the developer working on it has the right skills. Not every PHP developer is a Laravel expert, and not every Laravel developer follows modern practices.
This is why companies often struggle with selecting the right person for the job. They see strong portfolios or basic PHP experience and assume the developer will perform well. But Laravel projects require a deeper understanding of structure, testing, performance, and integration. This is why teams prefer to hire Laravel developer talent rather than rely on generalists.
If you want to make the right decision for your next project, here are the top skills you should look for when hiring a Laravel specialist.
1. Strong Command of Core PHP and OOP
Laravel is built on top of PHP. So even though the framework offers shortcuts and built-in features, developers must understand the foundation. Strong PHP knowledge ensures they can write clean code, debug issues, and build custom features without breaking the structure.
A skilled Laravel developer should be comfortable with:
- Object-oriented programming
- Classes, traits, interfaces, and namespaces
- Dependency management
- PHP design patterns
- Error handling and debugging
If the foundation is weak, the final application will lack stability.
2. Deep Understanding of Laravel Architecture
Laravel has its own structure. It follows the MVC pattern. It has service containers, service providers, facades, and helpers. A developer who understands this architecture can write code that is clean, reusable, and easy to maintain.
Look for someone who knows:
- Controllers and routing
- Eloquent ORM
- Blade templates
- Middleware
- Queues and jobs
- Service providers
These components form the backbone of every Laravel application.
3. Expertise in Eloquent ORM and Database Design
Database structure impacts the entire performance of your application. Eloquent ORM allows developers to interact with databases using expressive syntax. But it also requires careful setup.
A strong Laravel developer knows how to:
- Create efficient database schemas
- Use migrations
- Build relationships
- Write optimized queries
- Handle indexing
- Avoid unnecessary database calls
When this is done right, you get faster load times, fewer bugs, and a smoother experience.
4. Knowledge of RESTful API Development
Most modern applications communicate through APIs. Laravel makes API development easier with built-in tools and structured routing. But building a secure and efficient API requires skill.
When hiring, check if the developer can:
- Build RESTful APIs
- Implement versioning
- Handle authentication
- Secure endpoints
- Integrate external APIs
API-driven architecture also helps when scaling or adding mobile apps later.
5. Familiarity with Laravel’s Built-In Security Tools
Security should never be an afterthought in development. Laravel provides several built-in security features. But these are useful only when implemented correctly.
A skilled developer should know how to use:
- Hashing for passwords
- CSRF and XSS protection
- Request validation
- Encryption
- Role-based permissions
Developers who overlook security create long-term risks that are hard to fix later.
6. Proficiency in Testing and Debugging
Testing is a core part of Laravel. The framework supports PHPUnit and Pest. A developer should know how to write and run tests that prevent regressions.
Important testing areas include:
- Unit tests
- Feature tests
- API tests
- Browser tests
- Debugging with Laravel Telescope
- Error tracking
Testing ensures that every update works without breaking older features.
7. Experience With Queues, Caching, and Performance Optimization
Laravel applications often need background processing, caching, or performance tuning. These tasks can make or break your system when traffic grows.
Look for someone who understands:
- Redis or Memcached
- Queue workers
- Horizon
- Caching strategies
- Load handling
- Query optimization
- Asset management
A performance-focused developer helps you scale smoothly.
8. Strong Front-End Foundation
Laravel developers do not need to be designers. But they should understand front-end basics so they can work efficiently with the UI team or build simple interfaces.
A good Laravel developer should be comfortable with:
- HTML and CSS
- JavaScript
- Vue.js or React (optional but valuable)
- Blade templating
- Responsive layouts
Full-stack capability is not required, but basic front-end knowledge makes the workflow much smoother.
9. Knowledge of Version Control and Collaboration Tools
Modern development requires teamwork. Version control is essential. Git is the standard across the world, and Laravel teams use it for everything from branching to releases.
Your developer should know:
- Git branching
- Pull requests
- Code reviews
- Merge strategies
- CI/CD pipelines
This improves reliability and prevents deployment issues.
10. Ability to Work With DevOps and Deployment Pipelines
Laravel applications must be deployed on servers or cloud platforms. Developers should know how to configure the environment and prepare code for production.
Helpful skills include:
- Server configuration
- Environment variables
- Docker
- SSH
- Managing logs
- Setting up queues and cron jobs
- Deployment automation
When a developer understands DevOps basics, you avoid downtime and deployment failures.
11. Understanding of Laravel Ecosystem and Tools
Laravel is not just a framework. It is a large ecosystem with tools that improve development speed and reliability.
Skilled developers often use:
- Laravel Forge
- Laravel Vapor
- Laravel Nova
- Artisan commands
- Composer
- Scout
- Passport
- Sanctum
Knowing the ecosystem means faster development and better structure.
12. Clear Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
Technical talent matters. But communication shapes the success of your project. A developer must understand your requirements, ask the right questions, and translate ideas into working features.
Look for someone who:
- Explains technical choices
- Shares solutions
- Thinks ahead
- Works proactively
- Breaks down complex concepts
Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and delays.
13. Commitment to Best Practices and Clean Code
A mature Laravel developer follows standards. They write code that future teams can understand. They avoid shortcuts that make the project fragile. They maintain documentation. They keep the structure organized.
When developers follow best practices, your application becomes reliable, maintainable, and ready for long-term growth.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a Laravel developer is not only about checking technical skills. It is about finding someone who understands the framework deeply and can use it to create clean, secure, and scalable applications. When you focus on these essential skills, you increase your chances of building a high-quality product that performs well and adapts as your business grows.
