According to Drupal.org, there are 650,674 Drupal developers in 228 countries speaking 181 languages swimming in the content management sea. How do you choose the right one? Where do you cast your net and what’s the appropriate hook to use to catch the right Drupal development firm?

"Drupal developer" is too narrow a term to classify such a diverse group. Each firm has their own unique skills and abilities and the secret to finding one is to know where to look. If you know where to go, you’re sure to find the one you want to pursue.

Here’s a list of factors you want to keep in mind before beginning the hunt:

Count the cost- in terms of dollars and cents and determine your budget

Knowing your financial expectations will help when determining which organization to work with. Different firms focus on different size opportunities. If your budget is on the smaller end of the scale, engaging a one or two-person shop is a better target as opposed to chasing after an enterprise-level firm. Choose a range with a minimum and maximum value that you’re willing to invest. Note your budget and stick to it.

Define your needs- Know the unique aspects of your project

Does it require mobile application development? E-commerce integration? Database configuration? Development firms have expertise in various areas. Understanding your needs will allow you to narrow the field to firms that have the skills and experience to meet your objectives.

Timing- Do you have a project deadline?

Communicating the expectations for the start and completion of your project will help determine who you choose to work with. Keep in mind that many firms may say that they can meet your time requirements but often don’t have the resources to do so. It’s OK to ask what type of resources the developer has and how many of them will be committed to your efforts.

Location, location, location!

You may want to know if you’d rather interact face-to-face with your developer or if it’s OK that they’re located halfway around the world. "It’s becoming more and more common for developers to work with clients spread throughout the country," Tim Sharp, Director of Business Development at Volacci, said. "Understanding the service level you’re looking for may help limit your options." If location does matter, lay out the boundaries by adding a zip code or the name of a city during your Internet search.

Hire a hunting guide- to show you the secret watering hole

Watering holes in the African savannah teem with wild life. If you’re a hungry lion, it’s a safe bet that tasty prey will be there quaffing their thirst. In the same vein, using reliable resources in the Drupal community such as Acquia’s Partner Program or Volacci’s Find a Developer Program can decrease your search time. Sharp built Volacci’s program as a free service to people who need help finding a great Drupal developer.