Finding a web developer who fits your business needs and budget can be tough, especially for startups and small businesses in North America where specialized talent is hard to find. Many business owners turn to freelance platforms like Fiverr to hire skilled developers, only to encounter high costs, slow hiring processes, language barriers, and the risk of scams. A better solution is to hire a full-time remote web developer who becomes part of your team and is carefully vetted for both technical skills and good communication. This way, you get reliable, high-quality talent without the hassles of hiring freelancers. At DistantJob, we help you connect with trusted remote developers who meet your specific needs, ensuring your projects run smoothly and efficiently. But if you want to start the search yourself, here is what you need to know on how to hire a web developer effectively.
The Pitfalls of Hiring Freelancers on Popular Platforms
While platforms like Fiverr or Upwork provide access to a large number of freelancers, not every developer meets the quality and reliability your business requires. Scammers can make it difficult to identify trustworthy professionals, and language barriers may lead to misunderstandings, delays, and poor project outcomes.
Not to mention, freelancers often juggle multiple projects simultaneously, making it challenging to secure a dedicated web developer solely focused on your project or business needs. These issues not only waste valuable time and resources but also put the success of your web development projects at risk.
Before diving deeper, it’s important to consider why you are hiring a web developer. Maybe you already have a website that needs improvement, or you’re starting from scratch and need help creating one. Knowing the type of web developer you need makes the hiring process easier and more effective.
7 Simple Steps to Find and Hire a Reliable Web Developer
By following these seven simple steps, you can streamline your hiring process, avoid costly mistakes, and secure a reliable web developer who is dedicated to your business. Whether you need a front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer, these steps will help you find the right fit quickly and efficiently. Let’s dive in and make hiring your next web developer easy and cost-effective.
1. Define Your Needs Clearly
Before starting your search, it’s essential to outline what you need in a web developer. Determine the scope of your project, the specific skills required, and whether you need a front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer. Understanding your requirements will help you find the right fit quickly and avoid unnecessary costs.
2. Understand Web Developer Categories
There are three main categories of web developers:
- Front-end Developers: Focus on the user interface and user experience, ensuring your website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. They work with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React and AngularJS.
- Back-end Developers: Handle the server-side logic, databases, and application functionality. They work with languages like Java, PHP, Ruby, and databases like MySQL and MongoDB.
- Full-stack Developers: Capable of managing both front-end and back-end tasks, providing a comprehensive solution for your web development needs.
Knowing which type of developer you need can streamline your hiring process and ensure you hire someone with the right expertise.
3. Ensure Dedicated Focus
When it comes to web development, having a dedicated team member can make all the difference in the success of your projects. Hiring a full-time web developer ensures that your projects receive continuous attention, consistent effort, and a deep understanding of your business goals. Unlike freelancers who juggle multiple clients and projects simultaneously, full-time developers are committed solely to your business, fostering a stronger sense of ownership and accountability.
Full-time developers spend more time with your team, gaining a comprehensive understanding of your brand, values, and long-term objectives.
Any changes or updates to your website need to be monitored consistently to ensure they function correctly and remain secure. A full-time developer can oversee these changes in real time, quickly identifying and resolving any issues. Regular maintenance tasks, such as updates, backups, and performance optimizations, can be handled proactively, preventing potential problems before they escalate.
4. Avoid High Costs with Remote Hiring
Hiring locally can be expensive due to higher living costs and competitive salaries in the US. Remote hiring allows you to access a global talent pool, where developers from regions with lower living costs can offer their expertise at more affordable rates without compromising quality.
This approach not only saves money but also provides flexibility in scaling your team as your business grows.
5. Speed Up the Hiring Process
Traditional hiring methods can be time-consuming, involving multiple interviews and lengthy vetting processes. To expedite hiring:
- Leverage Specialized Agencies: Partnering with agencies like DistantJob can significantly speed up the hiring process. These agencies pre-vett developers, especially for your teams, reducing the time spent on recruitment.
- Use Streamlined Platforms: While platforms like Fiverr can be useful, they often require extensive vetting. Instead, use platforms that specialize in connecting businesses with full-time remote developers who have already been screened for skills and reliability.
6. Start with a Trial Project
Starting with a trial project is a smart way to see if a web developer is the right fit for your business. Assign a small, manageable task that reflects the kind of work they’ll be doing, such as creating a specific feature or fixing a bug. Clearly explain what you expect and provide all the necessary resources. During the trial, monitor their progress and communication to ensure they meet your standards. After the project is completed, review their work and provide feedback.
This approach helps you assess their technical skills and how well they integrate with your team before making a long-term commitment.
7. Partner with a Reliable Agency
To simplify the hiring process and ensure you get top-tier talent, consider partnering with a reputable agency like DistantJob. Here’s why:
- Vetted Talent Pool: DistantJob connects you with developers who have been rigorously screened for their technical abilities and communication skills.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: Access competitive rates by hiring remote developers from regions with lower living costs, helping you stay within budget.
- Seamless Integration: Remote developers found and hired by DistantJob for you to seamlessly integrate into your team, ensuring smooth collaboration and project management.
- Scalability: Easily scale your development team based on your project’s needs, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.
Interviewing Web Developers: Separate the Good From the Great
Hiring Web Developers is easy; there are millions of them all over the world. What’s not easy is finding developers with outstanding skills. As a remote recruitment agency with over a decade of experience, we know how to differentiate a good developer from a great one. Here are five interview questions to help you find the talent you are looking for.
1. What is an ID selector?
The ID selector uses the ID attribute of an HTML element to select a specific element. Since an element’s ID is unique for every page, the ID selector is used to select one unique element.
Here is an example which selects a paragraph element using its ID
#sample {padding: 10px;}
<p id="selector">...</p>2. What are the new form elements of HTML5?
- <datalist> – specifies a list for input controls.
- <keygen> – generates an encryption key.
- <output> – Is the result of a calculation
3. What is CORS?
CORS stands for Cross-origin Resource Sharing. It is a mechanism that enables the possibility for different resources (For example JavaScript) to be requested from another domain outside the domain in which the request originated.
4. How do you enable Pagination using CSS3? Provide an example
Pagination with CSS3 is possible by using a <ul-li> structure.
<div class="main_container">
<div class="pagination">
<ul>
<li><a href="#"></a></li>
<li><a href="#"></a></li>
<li class="active"><a href="#"></a></li>
<li><a href="#"></a></li>
</ul>
</div>5. What are the advantages that HTTP/2 has compared to HTTP 1.1?
HTTP/2 improves page load speed by supporting:
- Data compression of HTTP headers
- Push notification
- Parallel loading of page elements over a single TCP connection
- Prioritization of request.
Conclusion
Developers are everywhere, but talent is not. We have over 10 years of experience headhunting the best developers worldwide. We know how to find developers with killer tech skills who will fit perfectly into your company’s culture and processes.
Skip the boring and long process of recruiting and leave it in our hands. Contact us today to hire a developer online, in less than 2 weeks.
DistantJob can find your dream tech talent in just two weeks. Let the hard work on our hands and will start headhunting the developer you need!
