PHP development – backends, REST APIs and legacy modernisation with PHP 8, Laravel and Symfony

PHP development: backends, APIs and modernisation with PHP 8

For mid-sized companies: reliable web backends, integrations and incremental legacy upgrades – with Laravel, Symfony, tests and transferable operations – delivery and project ownership from Germany (Leer/East Frisia), named contacts, no offshore guesswork.

PHP 8 · Laravel · Symfony · APIs · Made in Germany

250+ delivered projects
5.0 stars on Google
100% engineering in Germany

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Stand: September 2026

PHP – proven on the web, modern with PHP 8

PHP powers many German shops, portals, content systems and custom B2B applications. We use PHP 8.x, strict types and current frameworks.

The resulting backends remain maintainable while connecting ERP, CRM and payment providers.

Our PHP agency in East Frisia builds greenfield applications and takes over existing systems. We also modernise legacy code with tests, CI/CD and clear team documentation.

Technology overview: PHP Development – stack details on our technology page. See also Laravel development, PHP technology and web development.

PHP 8 backend architecture with Laravel, Symfony and MySQL – layered web backend model

Project references

Selected case studies from our project work

Documented examples with transparent evidence types — browse matching references or open the full case study.

Custom software development

Central Command – Lexware, Clockify & Timebutler

An IT service provider with several Lexware tenants no longer wanted to hunt finance and project KPIs across three tools.

View case study →

View all web references

Our PHP services

From APIs to Shopware integrations – pragmatic and operations-safe.

Custom backends & REST APIs

We implement business logic, roles and recorded REST or GraphQL APIs. The stack uses Laravel, Symfony or lean PHP according to your estate.

Legacy upgrade & security

We migrate PHP 5.x or 7.x systems to PHP 8. The work includes hardening, dependency updates and incremental refactoring without months of downtime.

CMS & e-commerce

We extend WordPress, TYPO3 and Shopware. Performance tuning and ERP or PIM interfaces complement our Shopware development service.

Operations & maintenance

Monitoring, backups, staging and transferable source code – optional SLA from a single partner.

PHP REST API as integration hub for ERP, CRM, mobile apps and e-commerce — PHP backends as a central integration hub for ERP, CRM, shops and mobile clients

PHP 8 & frameworks

Laravel, Symfony and clean project structure for long-term maintenance.

APIs & integration

Reliable ERP, CRM, payment and shipping integrations.

Legacy modernisation

Incremental migration instead of big-bang – working intermediate releases.

Made in Germany

Development and alignment from Leer/East Frisia, remote across DACH.

PHP in practice

Successful PHP projects combine clear domain models with automated tests. Reproducible deployments keep releases traceable. We avoid monolithic god classes.

PHPStan/Psalm and PHPUnit in CI/CD
Composer lock and regular security updates
Staging with production-like masked data
API versioning for mobile and frontend clients

After a free initial call you get an honest view of effort, risks and stack.

PHP CI/CD pipeline with PHPUnit, PHPStan and automated deployments — PHPUnit, PHPStan and reproducible deployments in PHP practice

Frequently asked questions

FAQ on PHP development

Stack, costs and technology choice

When is PHP a better fit than Node.js or .NET?

PHP fits web backends, CMS ecosystems (WordPress, TYPO3, Shopware), existing PHP teams and many hosting options. Other requirements may favour a different stack:

Real-time channels with demanding connection patterns.
Desktop clients with deep operating-system integration.
Microsoft-centric estates with established internal standards.

For these cases, we evaluate Node.js, .NET or Go for performant microservices against the requirements. PHP 8 with strict types and modern frameworks remains economical for many B2B portals and APIs.

What does a PHP web application cost – and how transparent is the quote?

The web development cost calculator gives EUR 14,875 – 164,063 excl. VAT as its non-binding overall range. API scope, admin backend and ERP, CRM or payment integrations determine the result. After discovery, your quote separates backend, frontend and operations. Use our web development cost calculator or book a strategy call for a scope sketch.

Laravel or Symfony – what do you recommend?

Choose Laravel for fast product and API delivery. See Laravel development. Symfony suits large, long-lived enterprise codebases. We use both frameworks. Your estate, team skills and integration landscape guide the choice.

How does migration from PHP 5.x/7.x to PHP 8 work?

We start with code review, a Composer dependency audit and a working staging baseline.

Incremental fixes then address deprecated features, typing and tests. Critical checkout and ERP paths migrate first. Peripheral modules follow in sprints. PHPStan, Psalm and PHPUnit secure intermediate releases through CI/CD.

WordPress, TYPO3 or custom PHP – when does each fit?

Choose WordPress or TYPO3 when editorial workflows and SEO pages dominate. Custom PHP with Laravel or Symfony fits complex business logic, roles and APIs. Shopware extensions connect e-commerce to ERP. See our Shopware development. A project check clarifies CMS, framework or headless hybrid.

Takeover, integration, operations and compliance

Do you take over existing PHP projects?

Yes – code review, stabilisation, test setup and a legacy modernisation roadmap. We document risks and deliver a secure baseline first. Pairing and transferable guidelines help your team take ownership.

How do you connect PHP backends to ERP, Shopware and CRM?

We use documented REST or GraphQL APIs, webhooks and queue jobs. OAuth2 or API keys secure access. Retry logic and idempotency protect ERP synchronisation. We extend existing API integration through versioned contracts. Mobile apps and frontends therefore keep working. Business logic stays on the server.

GDPR, hosting and security for PHP backends

Development and alignment happen in Leer, East Frisia, without offshore subcontractors.

Personal data flows through documented APIs. Hosting locations must match your privacy role. Regular Composer updates and OWASP-oriented hardening protect the backend. Secrets stay in vaults or environment variables, never in the repository.

What does maintenance and SLA look like after go-live?

An optional SLA covers bug fixes, security patches, dependency upgrades and feature sprints. It can include PHP, frameworks and plugins. See software maintenance and maintenance costs. Transferable source code remains in your repository as standard.

When is PHP not the right choice?

Less ideal when you need pure WebSocket scale, heavy desktop apps or your IT is strictly standardised on .NET/Java without PHP skills. Then we evaluate Java, .NET or Node. Static marketing sites often need no custom PHP. A project check clarifies the fit.

Outline your PHP project in the project check

Request PHP project

Describe backend requirements, existing systems and integrations – we sketch architecture, stack recommendation and a realistic timeline Made in Germany.

Request PHP project Contact

Scope: PHP vs. Laravel

PHP development for modernization and APIs—Laravel projects: Laravel development; overview: technologies.

Estimate your project costs

Use our interactive calculator for a first budget indication—free and non-binding.

Thorsten Frieling – Projektmanagement

Open cost calculator

Alternatively:Book a consultation

30-minute intro call: Php Development

On the scheduling page, pick a free slot for a 30-minute intro call about Php Development – straightforward next steps.

Free & non-binding · 30-minute intro call

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Up to 50% of your investment via BAFA/KfW

Use our funding calculator to see which government grants may apply to your project.

Björn Groenewold – Managing Director

Calculate funding Funding consulting

Why Php Development?

Modern PHP supports maintainable web applications, APIs and CMS extensions when dependencies, tests and deployment are managed consistently. Existing systems can usually be improved in stages.

We assess framework, runtime and hosting constraints before choosing between targeted upgrades, refactoring and replacement.

Php Development is most effective when it is aligned with your business goals, existing systems, and team capabilities.

At Groenewold IT Solutions we combine product thinking, clear architecture, and hands-on delivery so that every project delivers measurable value. We address operational, compliance, and performance aspects early so that later releases stay on track.

Our approach to Php Development emphasises transparent backlogs, close collaboration with your stakeholders, and incremental delivery.

Whether you need a discovery workshop, an MVP, or a full-scale implementation, we define scope, effort, and success criteria up front. With over 250 completed projects we have the experience to recommend the right level of investment and the right next steps for your situation.

Explore our services overview for the full portfolio, our topic pages for in-depth articles linked to each service, and the IT Glossary for key terms.

For books and practical guides by Björn Groenewold, see publications. If you would like to discuss your project, we are happy to clarify scope, priorities, and a realistic timeline in a short consultation.

PHP development: backends, APIs and modernisation with PHP 8

For mid-sized companies: reliable web backends, integrations and incremental legacy upgrades – with Laravel, Symfony, tests and transferable operations – delivery and project ownership from Germany (Leer/East Frisia), named contacts, no offshore guesswork.

PHP – proven on the web, modern with PHP 8

Selected case studies from our project work

Central Command – Lexware, Clockify & Timebutler