Looking for a web developer to hire but unsure where to start? The process of hiring a web developer may seem complicated, especially if you do it for the first time. But don’t worry. It’s less of a challenge than you might think. We’ll guide you through the most important aspects of hiring web developers and suggest solutions to make this process so much easier.
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Why Hire a Web Developer?
Nowadays, even a not very tech-savvy person can build a website or an eCommerce store. You can choose a CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress and Joomla. Or, you could go for a drag-and-drop online website and eCommerce builder like Wix and Shopify. Depending on your needs, a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach could be just what you need. Especially when taking into account that these options are nearly free.
Yes—nearly. To get the most of these tools, you’ll need to pay for a subscription to unlock premium features. They include custom domain name, beautiful and customizable website/store templates, and many useful functionalities. It’s also possible that the features you specifically need for your project aren’t available and can only be custom-coded.
Furthermore, if you happen to run into any technical issues, you will have to rely on customer support to fix it. Just you and tech support. This is the part where a dedicated web developer comes into play. They will be able to create your project from scratch and customize it to suit your needs. You won’t have to worry about limitations imposed by third-party solutions or paying for extra features through a subscription.
But what about other projects? After all, some web developers can do much more than build websites. You might consider hiring a web developer if you need to develop:
- Mobile app (native-like for iOS and Android systems).
- Specific type of website (e.g., an online store).
- Web app (e.g., progressive web app).
- Tools leveraging machine learning.
- Online game (2D, 3D, VR/AR).
In most of the cases listed above, it would be challenging (borderline to impossible) to build what you need by yourself. That’s why, if you want flexibility, custom solutions, and no tech support headache, consider hiring a website programmer.
Now, let’s talk about different “specializations” of website developers so that you have a general idea of who you need to hire.
Types of Web Developers
Not all web developers are the same. They deal with different technological stacks and development aspects. That’s why, before you jump into the hiring process, you need to have a good understanding of individual development skills. It will help you match the skills to your project requirements and hire the right website developer.
Frontend Developers
Frontend (or front-end) enables users to interact with the web, i.e., play videos or click the buttons. Similarly, a frontend developer is a person who builds that visual interactive part. They use code to bring the website or application to life. Frontend developers shouldn’t be confused with website designers who design the looks and feel, usability, experience, etc. Although some of their skills overlap, a frontend developer and website designer are two individual roles.
Front-end developers use a core language stack including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Their skill set is much broader than that, but that’s the topic for another post. The key takeaway is that their main job is to build the interface layer for the user.
Backend Developers
Backend (or back-end) is the server-side of the website or application. Backend developers deal with databases, scripting, and website architecture. They are responsible for the behind-the-scene activities when users perform any action (e.g., log into their account or make a purchase from an online store). In other words, backend web developers code the layer which is not visible to the user.
Backend developers use programming languages that enable the browsers to communicate with the information stored in a database. Popular backend languages include PHP, Ruby (Ruby on Rails), JavaScript (Node.js), Python, Go, Java, and C#. Backend web programmers also need various skills other than coding, but, as opposed to frontend web developers, they are not concerned with how the application or website looks.
Full-Stack Developer
Full-stack developers, in simple terms, are backend and front developers in one. The full-stack term refers to the vast array of skills required to handle both client (user) and the server-side of the website or application. Even though full-stack developers’ level of expertise might not be as good as the one of frontend and backend developers individually, they can build fully functional websites end to end.
Full-Time or Freelance Web Developers?
When you decide on what kind of web developer you want to hire, the next question you should consider is whether you want to hire a freelancer or full-time web dev. This decision will largely depend on your project, company, and budget.
Freelance Web Developers
Freelance web developers are self-employed and often work for several individual clients. They set their prices and charge their clients per hour or project. They can work on different projects, which helps them hone their skills. They can also choose who they want to work for and how long.
So, the downside is that freelance web developers typically are not the most loyal partners. They could also decline your hiring offer if they already have enough clients. Or, they could charge you more than your budget allows. What’s more, many freelance web programmers have never worked full-time or as part of a team. It means they might not be as familiar with the best coding practices or have anyone to review their code.
So, if you want to hire a website developer for a relatively complex project, be sure to check their availability, skills, portfolio, and experience. If your project is a one-time job, hiring a freelancer might be the right choice.
Full-time web developers
If you need someone to look after your website or application regularly, hiring a full-time web developer might be a better option. Especially if you want to build something that requires a lot of work and you also want to continue developing it by adding new features or updating the content.
You may also want to consider hiring a web developer for a full-time position in case you expect to need them for other projects in the future. It is also easier for web developers to switch between the projects within the same company once they better understand its culture and business objectives. In other words, long-term in-house cooperation means better communication, higher commitment, and consequently—fewer development risks and failures.
How Much to Pay a Web Developer?
So how much does web development cost? It depends on several factors, such as:
- Project complexity.
- Project commitment (duration).
- Experience level (junior, mid, or senior).
- Location (remote/outsourced or local).
- Tech skills supply (popular or a niche stack).
- Web development type (frontend, backend, full-stack).
The national average base salary in the US for a junior front-end developer (0 – 2 years of experience) is $50,000 – $70,000 per year. Intermediate (mids) developers with a few years of experience can expect to make an average of $80,000 to $90,000+ per year. Whereas senior programmers with at least 4 – 5 years of experience typically earn an average base of $110,000 – $125,000+ per year.
There is a salary gap between frontend and backend developers, but it’s not significant. Backend developers earn an average salary range of $70,000 – $125,000+ per year (depending on their experience). So even though the frontend web developers are paid a bit less as juniors, the pay gap tends to even out on upper experience levels.
When it comes to full-stack developers, their average salaries are usually higher. Salaries start at around $90,000 for juniors. As their experience grows, their salary can go up to six figures.
If these numbers are over your budget, you may opt for hiring a web developer from another country using the offshore software development (or outsourcing) model. By outsourcing your project to a group of skilled IT professionals from Ukraine or other countries, you significantly reduce your development costs and get top-quality services. In comparison to the US rates, the monthly cost of hiring web developers from Ukraine is $500 – $900 (juniors), $1500 – $2000 (mids), and $2750 – $3800 (seniors).
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Another huge advantage of outsourcing is getting all the skills necessary for the project (including design and testing). This way, you don’t need to worry about any missing expertise crucial to the project’s success or hire each professional individually.
Where to Hire Web Developers
Nowadays, it is so much easier than ever to find and hire a web developer. Thanks to the websites dedicated to freelance professionals around the globe, you can hire a website developer and other professionals in no time.
Freelance professionals usually advertise their services on popular platforms, such as:
If you decide to hire a web development team, try the following:
Summary
Building a website or eCommerce store is no longer an obstacle, and anyone can do it. But there are several reasons to hire a web developer to do it for you. First, a DIY approach won’t cut it if you need a complex and fully custom web or mobile app. And second, a professional web developer will ensure better quality and faster turnaround than if you were to do it yourself. They will also help you maintain your project and fix issues.
To hire web developers, you can look for freelances, full-time contractors, or outsourced development teams. If you want to hire the best professionals and have the hiring process as easy as it can get, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your project requirements.
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