An attractively designed and well-coded website will help you convert customers, rank high on Google, and avoid frustrating mistakes and downtime.

You can build and maintain your website using a website builder or WordPress theme and plugins.

See this case by Tonic3 here

However, working with a developer has many advantages, especially for business owners: you will have more flexibility about the appearance and functionality of your site, you can be sure that everything will work correctly and also reduce It's your workload.

Whether you are creating a new website, updating it, or simply maintaining it, hiring a developer can save you time and ensure that your site performs well.

We've seen how to hire a developer for a custom WordPress theme above, and today we'll walk you through how to hire one for any website project.

We will see how to describe your project and identify the type of developer you need, where to find and hire developers, and what your budget should be.

 But first: Are you interested in Web Development? Let us help you and show you how you can implement Web Development in your business!! 

See this case by Tonic3 here

How to Determine the Scope of Your Project

Plotting out your project requirements will help you choose the right web developer and the right budget.

It will also help you communicate exactly what you need, so that it is more possible to have a positive working relationship with the developer.

One of the most important things to consider is whether the project relates to website design, coding, and functionality, or both.

• Design Projects: These are normally subject to branding and user experience. Maybe you want a new home page layout, a more accessible color scheme, or different fonts.
  
  
• Coding and functionality projects: These typically relate to the functionality of your site. Maybe you want a chat window or an easier way to add new products to your online store.

Sometimes projects require design and coding work. Your new home page layout, for example, may need new code to insert videos or collapse and expand text.

See this case by Tonic3 here

What Kind of Developer Do I Need?

There are many different types of website developers, but now that you know the range of your project, you can define which one you should work with.

1. Designer vs. Developer

If you just need design work, then a web designer is your best option. However, if it is a functionality-based project, you will need a developer.

If your project needs both, you have a couple of options: you can hire a designer and developer, or you can work with an agency.

You may be wondering if a graphic designer could do the job instead of a web designer.

While both graphic designers and web designers create branding images such as logos and color schemes, a web designer also uses CSS, HTML, and potentially other programming languages ​​to bring the designs to life on your website.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more importantly, they design with the user experience in mind.

This means they consider screen reader accessibility, SEO best practices, and how your website will look on different screens and systems.

2. Front-end developers vs. Back end

The frontend of your website is the visible part with which the reader interacts. The backend is the part you use to upload new content, perform security updates, and more.

Sometimes they are also called 'client-side' (frontend) and 'server-side' (backend).

These two parts of your website are built with different programming languages, so many developers specialize in one or the other.

Before you start talking to developers, you'll want to define whether this is a frontend or a backend project - or both.

Note that some backend developers describe themselves through the programming languages ​​they specialize in, ie PHP developer or Ruby developer.

If you are looking for an online backend developer and you know what language you need, try searching for that instead.

3. Full-Stack Developer

Let's say your project involves both frontend and backend for your site. You have two options: you can work with 2 developers or hire a full-stack developer.

A full-stack developer can work on both parts of the website. They have experience with all the major languages ​​and frameworks, and as a result tend to be more expensive.

It is particularly a good idea to work with a full-stack developer when you are designing a completely new website, as they can advise you on what is best for your site in the long run.

4. Freelance vs. Full time

Depending on the complexity and duration of your project, you may find it better to work with a freelancer or hire a full-time web developer.

Both options have their pros and cons, but it shouldn't be difficult to find what works best for you and your company.

For unique projects, where no maintenance is needed, a freelance web developer will probably best suit your needs.

Similarly, if only minimal maintenance is required, an agency or a freelancer will help keep your website running smoothly and costs will be reduced.

However, if you think your website is going to need regular and thorough updates or maintenance, then it might be better to hire a full-time employee.

Alternatively, you could bring in a full-time independent contractor for the duration of your project. This works well when your project is particularly large or urgent, but you don't expect significant long-term maintenance.

You benefit from having a dedicated web developer on the team, but you don't have to commit to a long-term contract.

Where to Hire a Developer

There are many places where you can hire a professional developer or even a team of developers online. The best option for you will depend on your priorities and amount of time. Here are some options:

Freelance Platforms

Online platforms and job boards will allow you to outsource your web design needs to freelance developers. Some of the most popular are Upwork, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour, Guru, and Stack Overflow.

While the exact process may vary from site to site, it tends to be quite similar. You can create a job position and wait for freelancers to contact you, or you can check for freelancers available and message them directly.

There are often thousands of freelancers to choose from, so there is always someone with the skills and experience. However, going through all the options and selecting someone can take time. Public reviews and work samples will help you narrow down your options.

Agencies

If you are looking for a team of professional developers, then you could try an agency. For example, it is particularly a good option if you know that you are going to need a designer and a developer.

Unlike individual website developers, agencies tend not to be on freelance platforms (although there are exceptions). Instead, you should find them by searching for them online or by voice-to-voice references.

Recommendations

If you're not sure who to work with, try asking your network of professionals or asking your friends for recommendations. Not only will you get a short list of developers who have impressed people you know, but you can also ask questions about their style and see their past work.

How to Evaluate the Quality of a Web Developer

When you're hiring a web developer, it's worth taking the time to find the right one. You should look for someone who is not only within your budget, but also understands the vision of your website and provides you with quality service.

It can be difficult to judge the skills of a web developer, especially if you don't have technical knowledge. However, there are some things you should look for in the candidate.

Technical Requirements

In simple terms, is the developer an expert in all languages ​​and applications?

Generally speaking, if you are a frontend developer, you should know CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and common frameworks like jQuery and Bootcamp.

It is very unlikely that you will find a frontend developer that does not meet these minimum technical requirements. However, you should also check to see if they are familiar with SEO and web accessibility best practices.

Backend developers, meanwhile, will be experts in PHP, Python, Ruby, and more. Depending on your project, you may think it is worth finding specialists in a particular programming language.
You may also want to find a WordPress, Shopify, app developer, or even a mobile developer.

Response time

It's not just the technical skills of a web developer that matter. Response time is also important, especially if you are involving them in a planning stage or to fix bugs.

Pay attention to how quickly a developer responds when you first contact them and then negotiate the other details. While freelancers generally do not respond as quickly as employees, they should still respond in a reasonable amount of time.

Communication Skills

Good communication isn't just about fast response times. Ask yourself: Are they clear communicators? Do they understand what you want? And do they clarify and confirm when necessary?

When you are negotiating, are they direct and professional? Do they explain what to expect and are they transparent about budgets, timelines, prices, and potential complications? Do they let you know what they will need from you to complete the job?

Are they flexible? When you express your preferences or doubts, do they listen to you and explain or adapt?

You are hiring a web developer, not a marketing manager, but still communication skills are critical. This will help the project run smoothly and ensure that there are no uncomfortable surprises caused by miscommunication or misunderstandings.

Experience

A more experienced web developer typically has higher fees, although they may be less expensive than you might think. This is because they also tend to work more efficiently and produce cleaner and better code than inexperienced developers.

However, it is not just the years of experience or the number of projects that count.

Pay attention to the type of work the developer has done previously, and what types of companies they have worked with. Ideally, you will have similar experiences to build on when working on your website.

Previous projects

Seeing the work they have done previously will give you an idea of ​​their skills and - especially for frontend developers - their style.

Most professional website developers will have a portfolio on their website, and you can also ask to see examples that are similar to your project.

Typically, developers will curate their portfolio to show only their best work. So if you let them know what you are looking for, you may be surprised by the additional examples they can show you.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about previous projects, but remember that some details may be confidential.

Ratings and Customer Testimonials

There is no better way to see what the developer's job is like than by reading past customer ratings and testimonials.

Most developers will have some on their website, while platforms like Upwork will show customer reviews by default.

When you are reading the reviews, specifically the public ones, try to read between the lines. Someone else's ideal developer may not fit your needs.

However, paying attention to the things that are highlighted will give you an idea of ​​their work and communication style.

Hire a Developer: Summary

Working with a developer can help you keep your site looking professional and working properly.

Whether you are editing a WordPress theme, removing malware, or adding new functionality such as a shopping cart, a developer can help you achieve your goals quickly and easily - whatever you want say that you can focus on the services of your website instead of its code.

Are you interested in Web Development? Let us help you and show you how you can implement Web Development in your business!! 

See this case by Tonic3 here