How to Hire the Best Website Developer for Your Business Needs?

Do you want to hire a Website Developer? 

Are you confused between hiring an individual developer or a dedicated development team?

What are the skillsets to watch out for in a website developer?

What are the important things to consider when hiring the right developer?

If you can relate and agree to all the above questions, then worry not as there are some of the obvious questions that come to the mind of many business owners who want to hire a developer for their business requirements. 

What’s more stimulating is to find the right fit for your business given that there are a lot of of development companies operating in the market. 

But we have good news for you! What if you could have a master guide for the entire hiring process? 

Well, that’s true! After doing a lot of research, our experts in web development services have assembled all the necessary information required to hire the best fit for your website development project. 

So, make sure to read this article through the end to know how to find a developer who can help you realize your app idea, build a masterpiece, and deliver on time.

Let’s begin with the importance of hiring a well-skilled website developer!

Why Should You Hire A Professional Web Developer?

Time Efficient 

Building a website takes time and isn’t easy. You need to plan how your site will look, decide on the design, and develop all its features. Hiring a professional developer can save you time. They have experience, are organized, and can complete the project efficiently without delays.

Customized Designs

Design is crucial for building a website. Without a design background, your site might look messy, unattractive, or just like any other site. A professional web developer has design skills and can create a custom look that makes your brand stand out. They’ll blend modern design with your brand identity, making your site look great and appealing to visitors. 

Professional Advantage

When building a website, a professional web developer will first look at your competition. Then, they will create a design and features that can compete with the best sites in your industry.

On-going Support

When you hire a web developer, you’ll get the best tools for your website, like hosting and domain management. They will also test your website speed to make sure it runs fast for users. With monthly support, the developer will keep your site updated and rectify errors that come up with time.

Use of Latest Tech and Trends

A web developer stays updated with the latest technology. This means the platform they use for your site will be modern and won’t become outdated soon. Your site will also be able to include the latest features found on other websites

Get In-Built SEO

Search engine optimization is important for websites. A website developer knows how to make your site rank on the top within the search engines. They will use the latest SEO strategies to help your site appear in search results, making it easier for people to find.

Important Skills Do You Need to Look In a Website Developer

1. Analytical Abilities

As a web developer, strong analytical skills are essential for creating effective websites. This involves ensuring the code is correct and the website works well. Understanding what your clients or users need is crucial. Developers must identify their goals and preferences, and be ready to make any changes they request. The better developers understand their users, the better they can design the website to meet their needs.

2. JavaScript Skills

Web developers also need to understand JavaScript. It’s a programming language that allows websites to have advanced features like moving elements, search bars, videos, and interactive maps. Knowing JavaScript helps developers meet higher client expectations when creating websites. These interactive features attract more visitors because people enjoy engaging with dynamic and interesting web pages. Mastering  JavaScript is key for developers to bring these special features to life on the screen.

3. Debugging and Testing Abilities

Web developers need to regularly test websites for mistakes and debug any issues. Testing ensures the code works correctly and can involve functional or unit testing. Developers must be able to test and fix bugs effectively and consistently to keep the website running smoothly.

4. HTML/CSS Skills

Web developers need to know HTML and CSS. HTML is the main language used to create web pages, while CSS is used for styling. HTML sets up the structure of the page, and CSS looks upon the fonts, colors, and layout. In short, HTML builds the basis, and CSS makes it look good.

5. API Development

Understanding application programming interfaces or APIs is important for web developers. APIs allow different software to communicate with each other. For eg., an online banking app uses an API to send account activity updates to a user’s mobile device. The mobile device “talks” to the banking app through the API to deliver this information.

6. Back-end Basics

Web developers need to understand back-end basics because they work with back-end developers or may use these skills themselves. This includes knowing how servers work, as well as understanding APIs, SQL, databases, and cybersecurity. These skills are crucial for handling the server-side of a website.

7. Search Engine Optimization

Web developers need to know SEO because it’s crucial for attracting website traffic. A site with good SEO ranks higher in search engine results, bringing in more visitors. As businesses increasingly focus on effective SEO, this skill becomes essential for web developers to help their clients succeed.

8. Soft Skills

Web developers need several soft skills:

• Pair programming and collaboration: Working with another programmer to write and review code together.
• Attention to detail: Ensuring the code is error-free and precise.
• Adaptability and problem-solving: Handling errors and bugs with patience and an open mind
• Creativity: Making web pages both functional and visually appealing
• Multitasking Ability: Managing multiple projects effectively and efficiently
• Curiosity and passion: Continuously learning and improving coding skills

Key Things to Figure Out Before Hiring a Website Developer

1. Why Are You Hiring?

Are you starting a new project or looking to expand the already running one?

Either way, you need to decide what you expect from a new employee at this stage. Do you want them to handle key tasks, become a team lead, or manage a team of freelancers? These needs will guide your hiring decision. 

2. What Are Your Expectations from the Project?

Imagine a new web developer joining your team. What’s next? What you expect to see in 6 months or a year. Identify the changes you want, both short and long term, and decide if they are attainable.

3. What are your Website Objectives?

Your product’s vision sets the goals to achieve it. Before hiring developers, think about these questions:

• What user needs will your product meet?
• How will it do this?
• How is your product different from competitors?
• What value does your product offer to customers?

Answering these helps estimate your project and outline tasks, making it easier to hire the right web developer.

Major Steps to Hire a Good Website Developer

Outline your business needs

Before looking up “how to hire a web developer,” make sure you’re prepared. Define your business needs to understand which sort of web developers will best suit your project. Answer these questions:

• Why do I need an outsourced web developer?
• For how long do I need to collaborate with the developers?
• What should be the expected results?
• What is the scope of work?

Your needs might include:

• Developing high-quality code using best practices.
• Focusing on responsive design for various devices
• Building user-friendly websites with standard HTML/CSS
• Integrating and managing data from back-end services
• Designing workflows for the development team
• Ensuring strong security measures
• Continuously optimizing website performance

Take your time to list these requirements. Starting with this will help you find the perfect web developer for your project.

Choose a Hiring model

Once you’ve listed your needs, you can choose the right cooperation model to hire professional web developers. Here are the options:

• Freelance – Ideal for short-term, flexible, or specialized work. It’s the most cost-effective but freelancers may have multiple clients.
• Outsourcing – Good for complete project development. An outsourced team handles your project from start to finish.
• Outstaffing – Hire developers to work with your in-house team. This offers a balance of control and flexibility, allowing you to scale your team as needed. 
• In-house – Hiring a full-time developer gives you the most control and integration but is usually more expensive and requires more involvement from you. 

Define the developer’s skills as per your project

Now that you’ve identified your business needs and chosen a cooperation model, it’s time to determine the type of web developer your project requires. Consider the specific skills needed—front-end for user interaction, back-end for site functionality, or full-stack for both. 

We have already discussed the most essential skills in the above section. So when you take an interview of a candidate, make sure to assess whether the candidate checks in all the boxes of required skills. 

List down your selection criteria

Hiring a web developer is about making compromises. Consider these key factors:

• No. of developers you need
• Seniority level required
• Industry experience
• Technical skills
• Budget
• Soft skills

You can rank these factors from the most important ones to the least ones in order to guide your decision-making process

Find out the hiring platforms

Now that you have all the necessary information, you can start searching for web developers on suitable platforms based on your chosen cooperation model:

For hiring in-house web developers, you can turn to LinkedIn, consider using a recruiting agency, or utilize in-house recruiters if available.

In the case of freelance web developers, check platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal. 

Lastly, outsourcing website development companies, explore sites like Clutch and Goodfirms while also seeking recommendations from friends or colleagues who have experience with outsourcing companies.

Ask for recommendations

In web app development, it’s common and helpful to seek advice from others. Ask friends or post on LinkedIn to find recommended web development companies. If that doesn’t work, feel free to ask the company directly for client feedback. A reputable company will gladly provide this information to assure potential clients of their reliability.

Dig out the expertise of the development company

Before you decide to hire a development team, it’s important to review their portfolio, past projects, and client reviews. Look for evidence that the developers have experience in your specific field or industry.

For instance, at DianApps, we regularly update our Work page with new case studies and client reviews. This helps new clients and website visitors to validate the experience and believe in us. 

Check out the Soft skills

Work isn’t just about the tasks you do. Similarly, when hiring, it’s not just about picking candidates with the right technical skills. Outsourcing software development often involves a futuristic partnership. That’s why it’s important to connect with candidates on an individual level. 

Our suggestion is to discuss the candidate’s values and career goals. Ask them about what inspires them and see if there’s a good connection between you and the candidate. Building a friendly and collaborative relationship can make the journey smoother and more successful.

Conduct an interview

When hiring a web developer, prepare specific interview questions to evaluate their technical and soft skills. You can conduct interviews via email, hiring platforms, or video calls. Asking about their project experience, problem-solving ability, and the approach to teamwork and website development trends. 

Also, reviewing their GitHub and Stack Overflow activities provides insights into their coding proficiency, community involvement, and ability to contribute effectively to projects. These steps ensure you find a developer who meets both technical requirements and fits well with your team.

Start with a small project

Before hiring a web developer, it’s crucial to test their skills through practical methods. Setting up a small test project allows you to assess their style, ability to handle tasks, and technical proficiency. 

You can also ask them to walk you through their portfolio to understand their coding background and communication skills, especially in collaborative projects. Live coding interviews are effective for observing their coding logic and problem-solving abilities in real time, ensuring they can deliver on your project’s requirements effectively.

Top Websites to Hire the Best Web Developers

After having an idea about the hiring process, the next step is to bring you closer to the execution. For that purpose, you will have to search for websites from where you can have the list of developers and the companies that provide website development services. The best ones are listed below: 

DianApps

DianApps is a leading outsourcing company that provides a plethora of services along with website development services. 

We know the challenges businesses face in website development:

• Meeting deadlines is crucial.
• Startups must satisfy investor expectations
• Finding the right market for your website is key
• Developing a scalable, high-quality website is essential

We’re here to guide you through these issues effectively. Our goal is to make outsourcing an effortless and successful process for your business.

• GoodFirms

Goodfirms is a platform that reviews and researches top technology, software, and eCommerce development service providers. 

• Clutch

Clutch is a platform where businesses share reviews of their experiences with development companies. DianApps has a profile on Clutch where you can go through our portfolio, read client critique, and see the services we offer.

• Upwork

Upwork is a freelance marketplace where you can find skilled professionals in various fields from around the world.

• Toptal

Toptal is a freelance platform that links businesses with top engineers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.

Outsourcing Models to Hire the Right Web Developers:

Hiring developers is common for both startups and established businesses. Due to high demand, there are various outsourcing options available to suit different projects. You can choose a collaboration model that best fits your needs. Here are three popular options:

1. Dedicated team

A dedicated team model involves a client working with a team of developers on a long-term basis. In this setup, you hire developers who are fully committed to your project and won’t work on projects for other clients.

2. Time & Materials

The time and material model means the customer pays for the hours worked on the project and the amount of work completed.

3. Fixed-price model

In this model, the budget and timeline are set before the project gets started. The client pays the agreed amount stated in the contract, even if there are delays or issues during the project.

4. Project-based Model

The project-based model is widely used by startups and small web development projects. In this approach, the development team is given specific tasks to comp

lete. They handle the technical setup and management of the project. Website developers are typically hired for a short period, usually until the project is finished.

Why Is Hiring Web Developers As An Outsourced Team Like DianApps The Best Choice?

As per the research by Deloitte, there are two main motives why companies choose to outsource website development projects

1. Focus on core functions
2. Cost-cutting

Source

Upon asking our clients, why they chose DianApps as their outsourcing development partner, the following answers were received as the main reasons: 

• Access to the pool of tech talents;
• We ask questions and give professional advice;
• Solve capacity issues

The need for outsourcing is hard to overestimate. Even, business giants like Google, Facebook, and Slack hire outsourcing teams.

If you have a raw idea and no team, outsourcing to a website development company like DianApps is surely the right choice. We can develop your app from start to finish quickly.

Above all, if you already have a product but need extra help or a fresh perspective, we offer tech expertise, new ideas, and a dedicated team to make the app development process faster and smoother.

Final Words

Building a website can be difficult and costly, but it’s essential for connecting with customers and representing your brand well. To make sure your site looks great and works smoothly, hiring a team of developers from a professional website development company is the best option. They will handle all the complex tasks, ensuring your website’s design, functionality, and management are top-notch.