Written plugin spec
Screens, settings, data, and permissions agreed in writing, so the build matches your workflow exactly.
The Problem
Your Site Needs One Feature, and Every Plugin You Try Gets It Almost Right
Plugin directories cover common needs well. Trouble starts when your workflow is specific, or when the plugin you rely on stops getting updates.
01 · Almost right
Each plugin you try misses part of your workflow.
A plugin built for your exact steps, with only the settings you actually use.
02 · Abandoned code
The plugin you rely on stopped getting updates.
We replace or fork it with maintained code that runs on current PHP.
03 · Lost tweaks
Custom code in functions.php vanished after a theme update.
Custom code moves into its own plugin, so theme updates leave it alone.
04 · Manual work
Staff copy data by hand between WordPress and other tools.
Hooks and REST endpoints move that data automatically, with errors logged.
You've tried several plugins for the feature your team needs, and each one gets it almost right. One adds a settings page with dozens of options you don't need. Another was last updated years ago and throws warnings on the current PHP version. Someone pasted custom code into the theme's functions.php, and it vanished at the last theme update. Meanwhile, your staff fills the gap by hand every day.
We start by checking whether an existing, maintained plugin already does the job. If not, we write a small plugin that does exactly that job well. It uses WordPress hooks instead of core or theme edits, checks permissions and nonces on every action, and sanitizes input and escapes output. Tests run before each release, so your feature keeps working through WordPress updates, not just until the next one.
One plugin, one job
Small, focused plugins that do exactly what your workflow needs, without option sprawl.
Security checks built in
Capability checks, nonces, sanitized input, and escaped output on every screen and request.
Tested before every release
PHPUnit tests and a Plugin Check pass run before your plugin reaches the live site.
Our WordPress Plugin Development Services Process
From Feature Request to Tested Release in Five Clear Steps
You approve the spec, test each milestone on staging, and sign off on the test results before the plugin goes anywhere near your live site.
We review your feature request, current plugins, and theme, and check whether a maintained plugin already does the job. You get our recommendation, the risks, and a fixed quote if custom code makes sense.
What's Included
What You Get With Custom WordPress Plugin Development
Every plugin covers the spec, code, admin screens, data, security, tests, and release notes, sized to whether you need one feature or a plugin you'll sell or share.
Compare Options
DeveloperLook vs Off-the-Shelf Plugin vs Freelancer
An off-the-shelf plugin is cheaper and often good enough, and a freelancer can be quick for small snippets. Here's how each compares for your feature.
| Feature | DeveloperLookBest fit | Off-the-shelf plugin | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | From $800, fixed scope | Free or a yearly license | Often lower per hour |
| Time to use | 1 to 10 weeks | Install it today | Depends on availability |
| Fit to workflow | Built for your exact steps | Close, rarely exact | Depends on the brief |
| Security practice | Nonces, capabilities, escaping | Varies by author | Varies by developer |
| Testing | PHPUnit and Plugin Check | The author's own testing | Often tested live |
| Update safety | Hooks, no core edits | Depends on author upkeep | Sometimes edits the theme |
| Long-term upkeep | Fixes, then optional care plan | Author may abandon it | Depends on availability |
| Ownership | Your code, GPL licensed | The author's code | Ask for the source |
DeveloperLook
Off-the-shelf plugin
- Upfront cost
- DeveloperLook: From $800, fixed scopeOff-the-shelf plugin: Free or a yearly license
- Time to use
- DeveloperLook: 1 to 10 weeksOff-the-shelf plugin: Install it today
- Fit to workflow
- DeveloperLook: Built for your exact stepsOff-the-shelf plugin: Close, rarely exact
- Security practice
- DeveloperLook: Nonces, capabilities, escapingOff-the-shelf plugin: Varies by author
- Testing
- DeveloperLook: PHPUnit and Plugin CheckOff-the-shelf plugin: The author's own testing
- Update safety
- DeveloperLook: Hooks, no core editsOff-the-shelf plugin: Depends on author upkeep
- Long-term upkeep
- DeveloperLook: Fixes, then optional care planOff-the-shelf plugin: Author may abandon it
- Ownership
- DeveloperLook: Your code, GPL licensedOff-the-shelf plugin: The author's code
Projects We've Built
Feature-Rich Websites We Have Built
Booking, ecommerce, and restaurant websites with admin dashboards our team built, the kind of custom features that plugins often power.
TripNest Travel and Tour Booking Website
- Travel
- Booking System
- Dashboard
Xinomin Fashion Ecommerce Website and Admin Dashboard
- Fashion
- E-commerce
- Dashboard
Seatour Tour and Vacation Rental Booking Platform
- Travel
- Vacation Rental
- Booking System
Nicefin Restaurant Website and Dashboard
- Food & Beverage
- Dashboard
- Booking System
What Our Clients Say
What Clients Say After Launch
Feedback from teams we have built websites and custom features for.
We had a pretty specific idea of what we wanted our website to become, but I wasn’t sure how easily we could explain all of it to a development team. There were quite a few moving parts, and we were working toward a deadline, so I expected a few things to get lost along the way. That never really happened. They understood what we were trying to achieve, kept us updated throughout the process, and got everything ready within the agreed timeline. The final site feels much easier to navigate, works beautifully on mobile, and is noticeably smoother for our customers. It was a huge relief seeing the original idea actually turn into the website we had in mind.
The mobile experience is probably my favourite part of the new site. We had spent a lot of time making sure the desktop version looked right, and the team kept pushing us to think about how everything would actually feel on a phone too. They were right. The navigation is clean, the interactions feel natural, and everything we’ve tested so far works exactly as it should. They also went through the links, forms, integrations, and other details more than once before launch, which I really appreciated. And even after going live, we could still reach out when something came up. The whole process felt friendly, organised, and surprisingly straightforward.
What I appreciate most is that the website is actually easy for us to manage now. We can update content ourselves instead of sending a developer a message every time we need to change something small. They also paid attention to the technical SEO side, which mattered to us because we didn’t want a new website to create problems for the traffic we already had. I’ve probably asked more questions than I should have since launch, but every question has been handled patiently and without any fuss. The team is easy to work with, they explain things clearly, and when we need something changed, they focus on getting it done rather than making the process complicated.
1,250+
Projects shipped
10+
Years of experience
Top 3%
Upwork Top Rated Plus
5 stars
Average review score
Want results like these?
Tell us what you are building. You get a reply within 24 hours on business days, then a written estimate.
Work Culture
Why Site Owners Trust Us With Custom Plugins
A plugin runs on every page load and through every update. These habits keep yours secure, small, and easy for the next WordPress plugin developer to maintain.
Existing plugin checked first
We look for a maintained plugin before quoting anything custom. Every custom feature adds code someone has to update, so we only write it when nothing else fits.
Security on every request
Every form and action checks the user's capability and a nonce. Input gets sanitized, output gets escaped, and database queries use prepared statements.
Versioned in Git
Each release gets a version number, a changelog, and a tag in Git. You can see what changed and roll back one release if something misbehaves.
Lean by design
We don't load scripts and styles on pages that don't need them. Your plugin adds its feature without slowing every other page on your site.
Code the next team can read
We follow the WordPress Coding Standards and comment the tricky parts. Another WordPress plugin development company can pick up the code without starting over.
GPL code you own
Your plugin's code is yours, licensed under the GPL like WordPress itself. It lives in your repository, and nothing stops you from moving to another team.
Overview
What do WordPress plugin development services include?
DeveloperLook offers WordPress plugin development services for businesses that need a feature no existing plugin covers. We build custom plugins with hooks, settings screens, REST endpoints, and blocks, tested with PHPUnit and Plugin Check before release. Focused plugins start at $800 and take 1 to 2 weeks, and the GPL code stays in your repository.
DEVELOPERLOOK
Project facts · WordPress Plugin Development Services
- Service
- WordPress Plugin Development Services (custom plugins, blocks, REST APIs, fixes)
- Typical timeline
- Focused plugins 1 to 2 weeks, plugin products 6 to 10 weeks
- Platforms
- Self-hosted WordPress, multisite networks, and the block editor
- Built with
- PHP, JavaScript, block.json, the REST API, PHPUnit, and Plugin Check
- Experience
- 10+ years of development experience and 1,250+ shipped projects
- Post-launch support
- 30 to 90 days, set by your plan
- Communication
- Calls in US, UK, and AU business hours
- Starting price
- From $800 USD, fixed scope after a free plugin review
Reviewed 7 Oct 2026 by Saimul Islam
Good fit
Sites relying on an abandoned plugin
Your site depends on a plugin that hasn't been updated in years, and its author no longer answers support threads.
Teams running a manual workflow
Your staff copies form entries into a spreadsheet every morning because no plugin connects WordPress to the system you actually use.
Sites with overlapping plugins
You run several plugins to get one feature working, and each update risks a conflict that takes part of your site down.
Owners ready to hire a plugin developer
You want to hire a WordPress plugin developer for one defined feature, with a fixed price and code you own afterward.
Agencies needing plugin engineering
Your agency builds WordPress sites but needs a custom WordPress plugin development company for client features beyond page building.
Not a fit
WooCommerce store features
Your feature lives in checkout, orders, or products. Our WooCommerce Plugin Development page covers store extensions and their specific rules.
An existing plugin fits
A well-maintained plugin already does what you need. If that plugin already covers your case, we'll tell you before we quote.
Whole site needs a rebuild
Your theme, hosting, and plugins all need work at once. Our WordPress Development Services page covers a full rebuild, with plugins included.
Budget under $800
Your budget is under $800 for a custom feature. A small code snippet or a paid add-on for a plugin you already use may be enough.
Not sure we're the right fit?
Book a free call or message us. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right team.
Pricing
Transparent Starting Prices for WordPress Plugin Development Services
These are starting points in USD. Your final price depends on the number of screens, data storage, and integrations, and you get a fixed proposal after a free plugin review.
For one feature, such as a custom post type, shortcode, block, or settings screen.
$800one-time, USD
- One feature built as a standalone plugin
- Settings page with capability and nonce checks
- Input sanitized and output escaped throughout
- PHPUnit tests and a Plugin Check pass
- Install notes and a changelog
- 30 days of post-launch support
Recommended
For workflow plugins with admin screens, custom data, and one outside integration.
$2,400one-time, USD
- Everything in Focused Plugin
- Custom admin screens and database tables
- REST API endpoints for your app or front end
- One external API integration with error logging
- Up to 3 blocks registered with block.json
- 60 days of post-launch support
For plugins sold, shared across many sites, or submitted to the WordPress.org directory.
$5,600one-time, USD
- Everything in Custom Plugin
- Multisite support and network settings
- Translation-ready strings and a .pot file
- Private update server or WordPress.org submission prep
- CI tests across supported PHP and WordPress versions
- 90 days of post-launch support
For Agencies
White-Label WordPress Extension Development for Agencies
You own the client relationship. We supply the plugin engineering behind it: custom features, blocks, REST endpoints, and fixes to plugins your clients depend on, delivered under your brand. Your team keeps the client conversation while we write and test the PHP.
How the partnership works
White label: your client only ever sees your brand
- Your client
- You, the agency
- DeveloperLook
Share the feature
Send the client's request, site access, and any plugins the feature must work with.
- Client needs
- You share the details
- Details received
We spec and quote
You get a written spec, the main risks, and a fixed price to resell.
- Scope and plan
- Proposal to resell
- Your quoteYOUR LOGO
Build and hand off
We build, test, and hand over the code with install notes for your team.
- Done by our team
- Your brand on it
- Handed to your clientDone
Partner with DeveloperLookDelivered under your brand
Stay client-facing
Specs, staging links, and changelogs go out under your agency's name.
Plugin specialists
Developers who write hooks, blocks, and REST routes as their daily work.
Fixed quotes to resell
A clear price per feature, screen, and integration that you can mark up.
Flexible capacity
Extra plugin developers when several client sites need features at once.
The Right Technology for Your Project
Technology Stack
We write plugins in PHP and JavaScript with WordPress's own APIs, then test them with the tools the WordPress.org plugin review team expects.
WordPress
PHP
MySQL- Composer
React
JavaScript
Node.js
Webpack
- PHPUnit
- Plugin Check
- Playwright
- GitHub Actions
- Git
- GitHub
Docker- WP-CLI
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on plugin costs, timelines, how plugins get built, site access, and choosing a developer.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
DeveloperLook's custom WordPress plugin development services start at $800 for a focused plugin with one feature, tests, and 30 days of support. Plugins with admin screens, custom tables, and an outside integration start at $2,400. Plugin products for many sites or the WordPress.org directory start at $5,600. Each price is fixed after a free review.
A focused plugin takes 1 to 2 weeks, and a custom plugin with admin screens and an integration takes 3 to 6 weeks. Plugin products with multisite support, translations, and update delivery take 6 to 10 weeks. Writing the spec first usually shortens your build, because fewer surprises turn up mid-project.
WordPress plugin development is writing PHP, and often JavaScript, that adds features to a WordPress site through hooks, blocks, and APIs. A plugin stays separate from WordPress core and your theme, so you can update both safely. It can add admin screens, custom content types, integrations, or blocks for the editor.
To develop a WordPress plugin, create a folder in wp-content/plugins with a main PHP file and plugin header, then hook in your features. Action and filter hooks let a plugin change behavior without editing core. From there you add settings, blocks, or REST routes as needed. A professional build adds security checks, tests, and versioned releases on top.
A custom plugin for a business starts with a written spec of the workflow, not with code. Then you map each step to WordPress features: custom post types for records, the Settings API for options, and hooks for automation. We build it locally in Git, test it on staging, and release it with a changelog.
Developing a plugin involves planning, coding, securing, testing, and maintaining it. Coding covers hooks, data storage, and admin screens. Securing means capability checks, nonces, sanitized input, and escaped output. Testing uses PHPUnit and the Plugin Check tool. Maintenance means updates as WordPress and PHP change, which is where abandoned plugins fall behind.
Only if you give them access, and they rarely need your live admin account. We build on a local copy and a staging site, so we usually need a database export, your theme and plugin files, and a staging login. For installation, a temporary Administrator account you remove afterward is enough.
Ask for plugins they've shipped, a sample of their code, and how they handle security and updates. Reliable developers write a spec before quoting, follow the WordPress Coding Standards, and test with PHPUnit. Be wary of anyone who edits WordPress core or your theme to add a feature, because those changes break on the next update.
Yes. Plugins in the WordPress.org directory must carry a GPL-compatible license, so we can fork and update one, or rebuild just the parts you use. We check the code for security issues and PHP compatibility first. Then we migrate your existing data, so nothing is lost when the old plugin is switched off.
You do. The code lives in your repository under the GPL, the same license family as WordPress. After launch, we fix any bug in the plugin for 30 to 90 days, based on your plan. Later, you can keep us on a WordPress Maintenance Services plan or hand the documented plugin to another developer.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
Free 30-min callGoogle Meet
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