What Is a Kajabi Developer? (And If Biz Owners Need One)

Something on your Kajabi site isn't working the way you want it to. Maybe the wrong email keeps going out, your homepage still looks like the theme you picked years ago, or you want Kajabi to connect with a tool it won't talk to on its own. So you start searching for a Kajabi developer.

But that title covers a lot of different people, and they don't all do the same job. Hire the wrong kind of help, and you could end up paying for custom code when what you really needed was a smarter setup (or the other way around).

I'm Sierra, a Kajabi expert strategist and designer who has helped hundreds of business owners build on this platform. I also handle custom Kajabi development in-house, so I see this question from every side. Below is everything I want you to know about what a Kajabi developer does and whether your business needs one.

What Is a Kajabi Developer?

A Kajabi developer is someone who writes custom code for a Kajabi site or connects Kajabi to other software through its API and webhooks. You bring one in when you need something the platform can't do with its built-in settings, like a custom feature or data that has to sync with an outside app.

Honestly, the title can mean a lot of things. Kajabi web developer, Kajabi website developer, and Kajabi consultants often describe the same kind of work, and plenty of Kajabi developers call themselves this while they mostly design pages. So make sure to ask what they are actually capable of before hiring them.

And remember, Kajabi already handles your website, email, checkout, courses, coaching, and automations in one account. That covers a lot before anyone even touches code.

New to the platform? I walk through everything Kajabi can do right out of the box in my guide to what Kajabi is used for.

What Does a Kajabi Developer Do?

A Kajabi developer works in the parts of Kajabi most business owners never open, like custom code blocks, the theme code editor, the API, and webhooks. They build features the page builder isn’t capable of natively, connect Kajabi to outside software, and fix code that breaks.

From my time in the industry, I’ve found that Kajabi development work falls into these five key areas.

Adding Custom Code to Pages

Every Kajabi page can take custom CSS or JavaScript, either in a custom code block or in the page settings. In a code block, you add your custom CSS or JavaScript in the Code field, according to Kajabi's help center.

This is where a developer adds a special animation, a layout the section-and-block builder doesn’t have, or an embedded tool. Site-wide header scripts run on every page except checkout and upsell pages, so one wrong line there can affect your whole site.

Building Custom Integrations With the Kajabi API

Kajabi has a public API that lets developers build custom integrations and automate workflows. The public API is included with the current Pro plan, and older Pro plans need a $25 per month add-on, per Kajabi's API guide. Only account owners and subowners can create the API keys a developer uses.

With the API, a developer can send new clients into a separate CRM, sync data with another tool you rely on, or pull your Kajabi numbers into a custom report. Check out the Kajabi API documentation for more details.

Setting Up Webhooks

Webhooks let two apps automatically pass information to each other. When someone buys, a payment goes through, or a form gets submitted, Kajabi can trigger an action in another app without anyone copying and pasting.

Just know that webhooks are only available on Kajabi's Growth and Pro plans. If you're on Basic, that's good to know before you plan a project around them.

Editing Theme Code in the Code Editor

Kajabi's code editor lets a developer edit the template files behind your pages. It's only available on the Pro plan, and even Kajabi's own help docs suggest hiring a professional if you're new to code.

Just keep in mind that a theme update overwrites changes made in the code editor, so every edit needs to be saved somewhere outside Kajabi.

Fixing Code That Kajabi Support Won't Touch

This one surprises a lot of coaches and service providers. Kajabi states that "all code-based customizations fall outside the scope of Kajabi Support." If custom code breaks a page, their team won't fix it for you.

You'll need the person who wrote the code, or someone else who can read it. That's a big reason to keep custom code to a minimum and to document anything that gets added.

Wondering what Kajabi's team will actually help you with? I cover it all, including how to reach them, in my guide to Kajabi support.

Kajabi Developer vs. Designer vs. Strategist

These three roles get mixed up all the time, and sometimes the roles overlap. So here's the quick version 👇

Most business owners end up hiring two or three different people to cover these rows, and that's where projects get messy. The designer hands off to the developer, the developer doesn't know the strategy, and nobody owns the whole picture.

That’s why I’ve set up my services in a way that's easier and more all-inclusive for clients. I'm a Kajabi strategist first and a Kajabi website designer second, and I do the development in-house. I map your offers and client flow, design the site around that plan, and write any custom code it needs. One person, one plan, and nothing lost in a handoff.

Do You Actually Need a Kajabi Developer?

For most businesses? Not at first.

You need a Kajabi developer when you want something the platform can't do on its own, and that's rarer than you might think. When people reach out to me, they rarely need code. Their site looks like a template, the wrong emails go to the wrong people, or their Kajabi funnel isn't converting. Some have paid for Kajabi for years and use only a small slice of it.

None of that calls for a developer. It calls for a strategic setup and design (like what we do in The Kajabi Accelerator) using the tools Kajabi already has, like pages, forms, email sequences, tags, and Kajabi automations.

When a Kajabi Developer Makes Sense

• You need Kajabi to share data with another app, and none of the built-in Kajabi integrations can do it
• You want a feature Kajabi doesn't have, like a pricing calculator or a quiz with its own logic
• Custom code on your site is broken, and you don't know who wrote it
• You're building something bigger, like a client portal that pulls data through the API

When You Need a Kajabi Strategist Instead

• You're embarrassed to send people to your website
• Leads opt in, and then nothing happens
• You're not sure what visitors should do next on your site
• You bought Kajabi because it seemed easy, and now it's a monthly charge you feel guilty about

If the second list sounds more like you, a developer will probably build exactly what you ask for. The real trouble comes when you ask for the wrong thing. And if you see yourself in both lists, that's exactly why I do strategy, design, and development under one roof.

Want strategy, design, and development from one person instead of three? See how I work as your Kajabi expert, or download my free Services Guide to see every package and what's included.

What to Ask Before You Hire

If you do need custom work, these questions will tell you a lot about how to hire Kajabi developers you can trust.

1. What exactly will you build, and why can't Kajabi's built-in tools do it?
2. Which Kajabi plan will I need for this to work?
3. Who fixes the code if it breaks after a Kajabi update?
4. Can I see Kajabi sites or projects you've built?
5. Will you document what you changed, so someone else can maintain it later?

Pay close attention to the answer to the first question. A good developer will tell you when you don't need custom code at all. If someone wants to code a feature Kajabi already has, that's a big red flag.

Where to Find Kajabi Developers

If you're wondering where to hire Kajabi developers, my advice is to look for someone who lives in Kajabi every day. Freelance marketplaces have plenty of coders, but many work across dozens of platforms and don't know how online businesses sell or how Kajabi's pages, offers, and automations fit together.

In my experience, the best Kajabi developer for a coach or service provider is someone who can see the whole picture. That's why I handle development in-house for every build. I plan your offers, design your site, and write any custom code it needs, so the person building your integration already knows your funnel, your brand, and your clients.

Take a peek at the Kajabi websites I've designed to see the kind of work I do for online business owners.

Want to compare options first? My roundup of the best Kajabi experts to follow and work with includes pros I know, trust, and personally vet, from launch and funnel strategists to developers who handle custom Kajabi builds and advanced functionality.

FAQs

Can I Add Custom Code on Any Kajabi Plan?

Yes. Every Kajabi plan lets you add custom code to your site through custom code blocks and page settings. The theme code editor is the exception, since it's a Pro plan feature. For most coach and service provider websites, code blocks give a developer plenty of room to make a page do more.

Does Kajabi Have an API?

Yes. Kajabi has a public API for building custom integrations and automating workflows. It's included with the current Pro plan, and older Pro plans can add it for $25 per month. Only account owners and subowners can create API keys, so you'll set up access for your developer yourself.

Do I Need a Developer to Make My Kajabi Site Look Custom?

Not usually. Kajabi's builder works in sections and blocks, and a designer who knows the platform well can take it far beyond the default themes. Custom code comes in for the finishing touches, like a special layout or animation. That mix is how I build one-of-a-kind sites.

How Long Does a Custom Kajabi Website Take?

It depends on the scope and who's building it. When you work with me, your strategic, custom Kajabi website launches in 30 business days or less. Because I handle strategy, design, and development in-house, there's no waiting on handoffs between a designer, a developer, and a strategist.

Do You Need a Kajabi Developer?

If you need a custom feature or an integration Kajabi can't handle on its own, a Kajabi developer is the right hire.

But most people who search for one need a clear strategy and a proper setup first, with custom code only where it is actually needed. This is where I come in. I'm a Kajabi web designer and strategist for online business owners. I build only in Kajabi now, and I don't sell templates. 

Here's what I can help you with:

• Offer and product strategy coaching
• Brand design and website copywriting
• SEO strategy
• Custom Kajabi website design
• Custom code, integrations, and API work, handled in-house
• Client flow planning and automation setup
• Launch-with-ease gameplan

Your strategic, custom Kajabi website launches in 30 business days or less, so you can stop poking around in the back end and get back to coaching and delivering your services.

✨ Ready for a Kajabi site that looks gorgeous, sells while you run your business, and does exactly what you need, custom code and all? Book a free call with me, and let's map out your build. You can also peek at everything included in the Kajabi Accelerator.