5 Tips for Hiring a Web Developer

Internet users spend an average of 400 minutes (almost seven hours) per day online, according to DataReportal’s 2024 Global Overview Report.

With so much consumption and competition in the digital space, you want your website or web app to shine. But how do you find the best web developers to make your business stand out?

The global software developer population reached approximately 28.7 million people in 2024 (projected). You need skilled professionals who understand your business. Here’s how to find a web developer who’s not only qualified but will also fit in with your team.

What Does a Web Developer Do?

A web developer is a type of software developer who specializes in building websites and web applications. While software developers usually contribute to a wide range of projects, such as mobile applications, desktop apps, and systems, web developers focus specifically on web solutions.

Often, web developers concentrate on one part of the web solution, such as the front end—the user interface—or the back end—the server-side logic. Full-stack developers, meanwhile, work on the entire website or web application.

How to Hire a Web Developer

1. Define Your Needs and Goals

Your needs and goals should touch on several areas: the type of web development, skills and tools required, scope and timeline of your project, and must-haves.

The type of web development may be front-end, back-end, full-stack, or specialized. The technical skills and tools required for the roles depend on the type of development. For example, a front-end web developer should know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, among other technologies.

The scope and timeline of your project are determined by the project’s complexity. Basic websites take just a few weeks, while feature-rich websites can take several months or longer (think ERPs or similarly complex, large-scale initiatives). 

Your must-haves are essentially your requirements. These requirements will also factor into the scope and timeline of your project. They are the basic building blocks of your website—the necessary components that make it what it is. 

2. Look Beyond Technical Skills

In 2024, problem-solving was considered the most important skill for IT professionals globally. While technical skills are at the core of a web developer’s role, soft skills like problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, creativity, curiosity, and time management are also important. Developers rarely work alone, and being able to contribute to teams and support colleagues not only leads to stronger team dynamics but also contributes to better-quality products.

Web developers should also be adaptable in the face of evolving technology trends, as well as your changing work environment. In your hiring process, consider cultural fit and the candidate’s understanding of your business goals and users.

3. Evaluate the Developer’s Portfolio

The developer’s portfolio gives you insight into the quality and complexity of their work. Review past projects to see the types and breadth of projects they’ve completed. You want to get a sense of their versatility—what’s their experience with websites, web apps, and e-commerce platforms?

Portfolios also showcase industry knowledge. It’s helpful for the developer to know your field’s best practices and challenges, even if they’re not an expert in your niche. 

When reviewing portfolios, ask about the candidate’s role within the project to better understand the context and relevance. 

4. Focus on Skills Over Credentials

A skills-first approach involves hiring based on skills as opposed to education, degrees, or certifications. Talent pools grow 10x on average when you use a skills-first hiring approach, according to LinkedIn data. This approach can also increase the representation of women in candidate pools by 24% more than men. 

Use coding tests or sample tasks to evaluate the developer’s technical proficiency. Consider AI coding tests, which can incorporate real-world scenarios relevant to your business and improve efficiency. 

5. Choose Between Freelancers and Full-Time Developers

Choosing the employment model—freelancers or full-time developers—depends on your needs and goals. What’s your budget? Your project size and complexity? Your overarching business goals?

Freelancers can contribute to discrete projects. This is a more flexible arrangement. While you can certainly hire freelance web developers for the long term, there are fewer constraints. This also tends to be a more cost-effective model since you don’t need to pay for overhead costs like benefits and full-time salaries.

If you have consistent and long-term project demands, a full-time web developer may be a better fit. They will become immersed in your company culture and understand your business. They’ll also be fully dedicated to your web development needs, and you’ll have more control over the project and the developer’s activities. 

Hiring a Web Developer: Final Thoughts

A qualified web developer is the ticket to a stronger digital presence. By employing a strategic approach to hiring the most skilled and best-fit developer for your company, you’ll boost your company image and brand appeal and hook consumers.

Searching for a skilled web developer for your team? We thoroughly vet qualified professionals from Latin America, Canada, and Europe. We handpick the best developers for your business and allow you to interview candidates directly to ensure they meet your needs and fit into your company culture. Learn more about hiring through Terminal.