Laravel is the most widely used PHP framework according to the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. PHP itself powers 73.7% of all websites with a visible server-side language. Laravel sits at the productive intersection of those two facts: a framework built on the most prevalent backend language in web development, with an architecture that makes complex applications genuinely maintainable over time. When you hire Laravel developers from KiwiCommerce, you get UK-based PHP and Laravel specialists who build properly: clean architecture, tested code, and applications that can be handed to a new developer without a three-week briefing.
Laravel is chosen for projects where a hosted platform like Shopify or WordPress is either too limited or too generic. It is the framework for businesses that need to own their application logic completely, integrate with systems in specific ways, or build something that does not fit a standard template. Our Laravel web developers work with businesses at exactly those decision points.
Get In TouchYou need a backend API that connects your eCommerce store, mobile application, or third-party tools to a central system that you control. Laravel's routing, Eloquent ORM and authentication tooling make it well-suited for API development where reliability, security, and documentation matter. Our dedicated Laravel API developers build REST APIs to standards that other developers and integrations can depend on.
Subscription management, multi-tenant architecture, user role systems, usage tracking, billing integration with Stripe or Paddle Laravel handles these patterns better than most frameworks. Our expert Laravel developers have built SaaS backends that scale from an early product to thousands of users without requiring a rewrite of the core architecture.
When Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce does not fit because your product catalogue Logic is too complex, your order workflow is non-standard, or you need full ownership of the data layer; a Laravel-built custom eCommerce backend is the answer. Our PHP Laravel developers build bespoke eCommerce systems that operate exactly how the business needs them to.
You have a PHP application that has been running for years, written in an older version framework or no framework at all, and it is becoming a liability: slow to change, difficult to test, and carrying significant technical debt. Our Laravel developers take legacy PHP systems, assess what can be salvaged, and migrate or rebuild them on Laravel with modern architecture and test coverage.
Laravel is an open-source PHP framework created by Taylor Otwell and first released in 2011. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern and has built a reputation for combining developer-friendly syntax with the capability to handle genuinely complex, production-grade applications. Laravel 13, released in March 2026, is the current version. Laravel 12 (released February 2025) is still supported. Laravel 11 reached the end of security support in March 2026. If your application is on Laravel 11, it needs upgrading.
What makes Laravel the framework of choice for serious web application development is its ecosystem. Eloquent ORM simplifies database interactions without sacrificing the ability to write complex queries. Laravel Sanctum and Passport handle API authentication. Queue jobs and task scheduling manage background processing. Livewire enables reactive frontend interfaces without leaving PHP. Laravel Cashier integrates with Stripe and Paddle for subscription billing. These are not third-party additions bolted on; they are first-party tools built and maintained by the same team that maintains the framework itself.
Our PHP and Laravel developers build across the full range of what the framework is used for:
2+ Experience Years
Builds working controllers, views, and migrations with clear specifications. Understands Eloquent basics, routing, and form validation. Can write clean code against a defined task with senior oversight. Best for well-specified feature additions on existing Laravel applications where the architecture has already been established.
5+ Experience Years
Owns complete features from the database schema to the view layer. Writes efficient Eloquent queries and identifies N+1 problems before they reach production. Designs authentication and permission systems. Builds and documents REST APIs. Experienced with queue jobs and scheduled tasks. Writes unit and feature tests. Can work independently on mid-complexity Laravel projects.
7+ Experience Years
Designs scalable Laravel application architecture. Understands when Livewire is the right tool and when an API-plus-SPA separation is better. Deep experience with caching strategies, queue optimisation, database performance tuning, and deployment pipelines. Leads technical decisions on complex projects and mentors junior developers. Makes the architectural choices that determine whether an application remains maintainable three years after launch.
5+ Experience Years
Focused specifically on building and maintaining REST APIs in Laravel. Designs resource-based API endpoints, implements versioning, and builds robust authentication using Sanctum or Passport, handles rate limiting, writes API documentation, and optimises API performance for high-request volumes. Best suited for projects where the API layer is the primary deliverable and will serve multiple consumer applications or third-party integrations.
5+ Experience Years
Specialised in building multi-tenant SaaS applications on Laravel. Designs tenant isolation strategies, implements subscription billing with Laravel Cashier, builds feature flag systems, designs scalable database structures that support multiple customer datasets without crossover, and manages the operational complexity of SaaS at production scale. For businesses building commercial products on Laravel rather than internal tools.
7+ Experience Years
Combines strong Laravel backend skills with frontend development in Vue.js, React, or Livewire. Builds complete web applications where the API and the interface are developed by the same person, reducing the coordination overhead between backend and frontend teams. Best suited for applications where the frontend and backend are tightly coupled, and consistency across both layers matters to delivery speed and quality.
There is a significant difference between a Laravel application that works and one that remains maintainable under real development conditions. Our developers follow Laravel coding standards, write testable code, use the framework's features as intended rather than working around them, and structure applications so that a new developer can understand the codebase without a guided tour. That discipline protects the investment in the application long-term.
Every Laravel developer on your project is based in the UK. Communication happens during the working day. Reviews, questions, and decisions do not wait for an overnight turnaround. For projects with moving requirements and regular stakeholder input, that availability is not a convenience; it is a delivery condition.
KiwiCommerce's background is in eCommerce development across Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. When our Laravel developers build custom eCommerce backends, integrations, or headless commerce systems, they bring both the Laravel technical expertise and the eCommerce domain knowledge. That combination produces better decisions about payment handling, catalogue logic, and order workflows than a generic Laravel developer would make.
Laravel 13 was released in March 2026. Laravel 11 reached the end of security support the same month. We develop on current, supported versions and upgrade existing applications away from end-of-life versions as a standard part of our service. An application on an unsupported Laravel version is not just a development inconvenience it is a security exposure.
Your application code, business logic, API structure, and commercial plans remain private. We sign non-disclosure agreements as standard on every Laravel project and retainer. For agencies placing our developers on client projects, we operate fully under your brand with no reference to KiwiCommerce unless you want one.
Some Laravel projects need a dedicated developer on a monthly retainer. Others need a project team for a defined build phase. Some need a part-time developer for ongoing feature development on an existing application. We structure engagements around what the project actually requires and agree the arrangement clearly before work begins.
From first contact to a developer working on your Laravel project, the process is straightforward. You know who is building it, what they will deliver, and when.
Tell us what you are building or maintaining in Laravel. The type of application, the current state of the codebase if one exists, the tech stack you are working with, and the timeline. The more context you provide about the application's purpose and complexity, the more accurately we can assess the right developer and the right engagement model. We respond within one business day.
For projects involving an existing Laravel application, our developer reviews the current codebase before agreeing a final scope. This identifies the current Laravel version, any existing technical debt, the test coverage level, and how the application has been structured relative to Laravel best practices. On a new build, we carry out a requirements discussion to understand the architecture before we commit to a development approach.
Based on your project type, API, SaaS, eCommerce backend, full-stack web app, or legacy PHP migration, we match the most suitable developer from our team. You find out who they are and can review their relevant experience before work starts. If you want to speak with them first, we can arrange that conversation.
Development happens in agreed stages with clear deliverables and a staging environment for review before anything reaches production. For dedicated retainer arrangements, the developer works against a maintained backlog with regular progress updates. For project-based work, each milestone is reviewed and approved before the next begins. Code is committed to version control throughout.
At the end of a project phase, we produce technical documentation covering the application architecture, key decisions, and the knowledge a future developer needs to work on the codebase without starting from scratch. For ongoing engagements, the same developer continues as the technical lead. We also offer dedicated Laravel support retainers for applications that need consistent maintenance.
KIWI Commerce redeveloped my entire website, exactly to my requirements. They worked exactly along with my timeframe and were fantastic to work with. I would highly recommend this company. Thank you Sam and the team!
Great response to tickets. We feel our website is in safe hands with Kiwi. Any issues are fixed very quickly. Great value for money. We have been working with Kiwi for a couple of years now and find them very helpful and easy to get along with. Would highly recommend.
Working with Kiwi Commerce has been a very smooth experience. Their team is responsive, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile. From development to ongoing support, everything is handled efficiently and with great attention to detail. Highly recommended.
We’ve been working with Kiwi Commerce for ongoing website improvements and support, and the experience has been consistently positive. They are proactive, easy to work with, and quick to respond whenever we need assistance. Great team and great service.
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Laravel is an open-source PHP framework for building web applications. It follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectural pattern and provides a comprehensive set of built-in tools: Eloquent ORM for database interactions, Blade for templating, Sanctum and Passport for API authentication, Cashier for subscription billing, and Horizon for queue monitoring. Laravel 13, released March 2026, is the current version. A business should choose Laravel when a standard hosted platform like Shopify or WordPress does not fit because the business logic is too specific, the integrations are too complex, or full ownership and control of the application is a requirement. It is the right choice for custom web applications, REST APIs, SaaS products, bespoke eCommerce backends, and any PHP application that needs to scale and stay maintainable over time.
PHP is a programming language. Laravel is a framework built on PHP. All Laravel developers know PHP, but not all PHP developers know Laravel. Laravel introduces specific architectural patterns, conventions, and tools, such as Eloquent ORM, Blade templating, Artisan commands, service providers, middleware, and the queue system, that a generic PHP developer may not have experience with. A developer without Laravel knowledge can cause problems in a Laravel application by working against the framework’s conventions rather than with them, producing code that breaks upgrades, fails tests, or conflicts with Laravel’s built-in tooling. When hiring for a Laravel project, Laravel-specific experience matters.
Laravel 13, released in March 2026, is the current version and the recommended starting point for new applications. Laravel 12 (released February 2025) is still supported and does not need immediate upgrading. Laravel 11 reached the end of security support in March 2026 if your application is on Laravel 11, it should be upgraded as a priority because it is no longer receiving security patches. Laravel releases major versions annually, and each version receives security support for around two years. Staying on a supported version is not optional for applications that handle user data or process payments.
Our PHP and Laravel developers build REST APIs for eCommerce, mobile, and third-party integrations; SaaS web applications with subscription billing and multi-tenant architecture; custom eCommerce backends for businesses whose requirements go beyond Shopify or Magento; enterprise web portals with complex user permission systems; and legacy PHP application migrations to a proper Laravel foundation. We also build full-stack applications where Laravel handles the backend and Vue.js, React, or Livewire handles the frontend.
Yes. All of our Laravel developers are based in the UK and work remotely as standard. Remote Laravel development functions well with the right tools and communication cadence: version control through Git, a staging environment for review, a project management tool for task tracking, and agreed communication checkpoints. We structure remote engagements so that progress is visible and feedback loops are short rather than allowing work to disappear for weeks at a time.
Yes. For businesses with an ongoing Laravel development need rather than a single defined project, we provide dedicated Laravel developers on a monthly retainer. The dedicated model means the same developer works on your application consistently, builds knowledge of the codebase over time, and makes decisions with context rather than without it. We have over 100 active retainer clients across our development practice. Tell us the scope of your ongoing Laravel work, and we will propose a retainer arrangement that fits.
Yes. We handle Laravel version upgrades from earlier supported versions to Laravel 12 or 13. Before starting, we review the existing codebase, identify any breaking changes in the target version that affect your specific application, check third-party package compatibility, and agree on a test plan to validate the upgrade before it goes live. Laravel version upgrades should not be done in a hurry. The upgrade itself is often straightforward, but validating that nothing has broken requires careful, staged testing.
Our UK-based PHP and Laravel development team is ready to look at your project. Whether you need a dedicated Laravel developer on a retainer, a project team for a new SaaS or API build, or expert help with an existing Laravel application, get in touch today. We respond within one business day.
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