Both tech and non-tech founders struggle when it comes to hiring IT professionals. Although some researchers show nearly 27 million developers worldwide, the number of companies in need of tech talents still outnumbers them. So, to thrive, you must learn how to hire a web development team that matches your precise business needs and technical requirements.
Yes, you will have to get creative and come up with some strategies yourself. But aside from your mojo, expectations, responsibilities, and the possibilities you offer, there are several unavoidable steps you’ll have to take. Make sure to understand and follow them.
What Is a Web Development Team?
Before hiring a third-party dev team, an in-house tech specialist, or a freelancer, be sure to know what their responsibilities will entail and which results from them you can expect. Firstly, a team of web developers is in charge of designing and developing websites and web apps.
They are proficient in various programming languages and use technologies that help them ensure site functionality, add different features, boost security, and more. Aside from strictly technical skills, they should have strong time-management and organizational abilities. Also, they should have an eye for detail and be a bit creative.
In addition, learning about the web development team structure is crucial for your success. Here are the members of a successful team that can take charge of your projects:
- Project Manager,
- UI/UX designers,
- Front End, Back End, and Full-Stack developers,
- QA Testers and Engineers.
Web developers can literally make or break your website or app. If you know what to look for, you’re halfway to your dream team. It’s critical to retain them and make sure they will help with all future challenges and assignments.
What Makes a Good Development Team?
Aside from having web development team roles established and dedicated to skilled individuals, it’s essentially important to keep an eye on these qualities:
- Meticulous approach and attention to detail,
- Tidy and thorough documentation,
- Automated processes,
- Version control,
- Good use of various tools, including those that ease collaboration and communication,
- Usage of integrated platforms,
- Collaborative code reviews.
In addition, successful teams have a strong team culture. Their interpersonal bonds are firm, and the way they treat each other is healthy and inspiring. When looking for the best solution and considering outsourcing development, make sure to look into how the developers get things done and take a moment to find out how they function as a whole.
If all members trust each other and have an excellent dynamic when working side by side, you have most likely found the right squad.
In-House VS. Outsourcing: How to Hire a Good Web Developer
Building an in-house team VS outsourcing web development or other parts of your work is a never-ending dilemma. Still, two-thirds of all US companies outsource. And when we take a glance at the figures worldwide, we can see that more than 300,000 positions are being outsourced.
Professionals in various fields are wanted to help businesses achieve their aims. And also, finding a third-party organization used to be reserved for well-established corporations and large enterprises. But now, nearly 80% of small businesses are planning to outsource some roles in 2021.
However, although outsourcing is evolving, it still has a few drawbacks. Its main risks and challenges include:
- The lack of quality control and inability to monitor performance regularly,
- Potential security risks and the need to be extra cautious when assigning external staff with handling confidential data,
- Communication problems and the struggle to stay connected when having a dedicated dev squad in another time zone.
So, before choosing this widespread and mainly efficient practice, make sure to get familiar with all of the pros and cons of outsourcing. Then, there is a matter of timing. How will you know that it is the right moment to outsource? Take a good look at your business and hiring needs and make sure to be precise regarding these crucial questions:
- Do you lack particular tech skills, familiarity with specific programming languages, and capabilities in-house?
- How much time do you have at your disposal, and how much is an empty seat costing you?
- Do you have a dedicated internal team of recruiters, and will they fill the positions timely?
- Is your in-house or outsourced HR capable of managing new staff and prioritizing their onboarding and needs?
- What is your budget?
On the other hand, some scenarios imply that it’s best to keep the project inside. For instance, if a web app you’re developing is, in fact, your core business, build it in-house. Also, if your plan isn’t predetermined and will undoubtedly change the project, it’s not wise to hand it out to a third-party team. Recognize your plans and needs and make a choice accordingly.
Why You Should Outsource Web Development
When you find the right BPO company, everything is a smooth sale. You will spot the numerous benefits of outsourcing immediately. These are the things to look forward to:
- Lowering operational and hiring costs and obtaining higher incomes,
- Saving time from the start and conquering the market faster,
- Scaling growth more efficiently,
- Gaining more room to deal with some core business matters and areas,
- Accessing technical skills and relevant knowledge quickly.
Finally, if you choose rightly, there’s no room for doubt that your entire team will be far more productive. Naturally, the quality you’re going to bring to your future users will also increase.
For instance, if you’re starting an eCommerce business and need a reliable web development team to help you out, be sure to do your homework and research the providers to hire the best one. Whichever your needs are, don’t rush and select the vendor with a good reputation and vast experience.
How to Hire a Web Development Team That Matches Your Requirements
Did you ever stop to wonder – How do I hire a web development team? If this is a question that’s been boggling your mind lately, it’s time to get familiar with the basics:
- Always start an action by traversing your business from the inside and analyzing your actual needs, requirements, and things you’ll be able to offer to prospective candidates and BPO companies,
- Research the market and be completely aware of what’s out there, how your competitors work, what are the vendors like, how much do freelancers charge, what are the costs of outsourcing parts of your project, and more,
- Be sure to direct your focus toward the technical skills you’ll want on board, but never neglect the significance of soft and interpersonal skills, relations within an outsourced team, their core values, assertiveness, punctuality, and others,
- Begin with more simple and manageable chunks of work, and increase the scope step-by-step to get familiar with your new hires slowly and correctly.
These are the essentials you must cover. Once you do, the rest will be pretty comfortable and painless.
Start by Knowing Your Business Needs
Each web development project is different. Without knowing its size and goals, it’s impossible to understand which web developers will suit your needs. So, first, you’ll need to determine the kind of project you’re hiring for:
- A simple project that involves building a simplistic website or integrating new features like a contact form, a CTA button, a fresh template design, and more,
- A medium project can cover multiple types, such as the development of different web apps, eCommerce stores, or services that require the integration of third-party solutions like CMS, databases, CRM, chatbots, APIs, and others,
- Large projects like social media apps or social networks demand many advanced technologies and cloud hosting servers to store user data.
Then, grab hold of these valuable insights:
- Do you want to build a project from scratch?
- Have the need to extend your in-house team and get help with an ongoing project?
- Want to use a specific technology that nobody in your in-house squad has hands-on experience with?
Once you’re clear regarding the critical aspects and familiar with your true aims and options, it will be easy to select the best practice, business model, and solution.
Do the Research
Regardless of whether you’re looking to find an outsourced web development team or build one yourself, doing thorough research is paramount. If you want to collaborate part-time with a freelancer, you could look into various platforms like Upwork and filter the profiles that match your requirements.
However, if your main question is – How do I hire a web development company? Things are a little more complicated. The search should be more careful. Finding the best outsourcing company should never be rushed, and it should consist of specific steps:
- Checking out references and reviews,
- Having a look at previous projects completed by their dev teams,
- Paying close attention to the user experience when glancing at the solutions they’ve built,
- Minding the speed of the sites they have developed,
- Comparing their price range to a few other skilled competitors and planning your budget.
If you’re unsure where to start, explore platforms like Clutch and find a BPO company that will align with your technical requirements, values, and finances. Then, when you get interested in collaboration with a specific vendor, strive to build honest and transparent communication.
Focus on Tech and Non-Tech Skills
The web developers you should look into can be classified as Front End, Back End, and Full-Stack Developers. Here’s what each of them does:
- Front End developers are dedicated to building or enhancing the part of your website its visitors will interact with. However, their expertise goes beyond changing the design and layout of your site. If you plan to focus on user experience, it will be best to add a designer to the team. Front End developers make website design fully functional by using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and frameworks and libraries.
- Back End developers are in charge of building or boosting website structure. In other words, their knowledge will impact how your website works behind the front end. You can rely on them to increase your website’s speed, integrate third-party services into its infrastructure, or resolve some complex technical issues. In most cases, these tech specialists use PHP, Python, Ruby, and Java. They have previous experience with relational or non-relational databases.
- Full-stack developers are skilled in building both the front and back ends. They are prevalent among start-ups in need of quick solutions. Also, hiring them could help you cut some costs. Although most of them have higher hourly rates, it’s often more affordable to work with an all-around specialist than hire FE and BE developers.
Once you choose a tech stack and background, start your search. Still, it is imperative to direct your attention toward non-tech skills. By doing so, you will find a perfect match, regardless of whether it’s an in-house dev, a freelancer, or a BPO company. Personality traits and a positive attitude will help you get the best results and maintain a healthy working environment.
Start Small and Give it a Try.
If outsourcing web development is your choice, it could be wise to start with a test project. Anyhow, if you don’t want to waste time with a trial, it’s still recommended to start by assigning your new crew with a small project. This will allow you to see how they handle tasks and the way they operate. You’ll learn about their ability to deal with deadlines and how they communicate.
Then, start to increase the workload gradually. Please give them a few more complex tasks before moving onto the main plan. The varying scope of work will also teach you a thing or two about their capabilities and ways.
How to Hire a Web Developer for Your In-House Team?
Full-time web developers are responsible for the daily management and maintenance of your web app or site. Choosing an in-house specialist for your company can be difficult, particularly if you don’t have much experience with the position and what it entails. Reviewing resumes can help you simplify the hiring process, but a CV can’t show if the candidate’s skills are aligned with your standards.
Raise the odds of hiring the best web developer by answering these questions first:
- Is the position you’re screening the candidates for newly open?
- Is the scope of work consistent from one day to another?
- Do you have the resources to hire the tech specialist you need onboard?
Then, start to recruit. You can rely on your internal recruiter or hire an agency to conduct the selection process on your behalf. Canvass all platforms and websites, starting with LinkedIn. Feel free to utilize all social media channels and groups for your recruitment efforts. Advertise the job opening and write clear requirements to attract applicants that match your needs. In addition, ask your employees whether they can refer a friend or former colleague for the role.
Once you determine where you’ll look for prospective hires, set up an interview process adequately. Be sure to check on the candidates’ tech skills, background, experience, previous projects, soft skills, preferences, and future objectives. Be sure to understand what their aspirations include and whether they are in line with yours.
Follow These Tips and Learn How to Hire a Web Development Team
These simple tips will help you understand where to start when looking to hire a web development team. Always start by double-checking your actual business and hiring needs, and then strive to obtain valuable insights about the market. Finding a suitable outsourcing company takes some time and dedication. Be patient and don’t settle for less than your true aims.
Pick a crew that will bring new ideas, efficiency, skillfulness, and the right attitude toward work. Their culture and ethics are equally significant as their tech mastery.
Explore your options to choose a leading BPO company and fulfill your targets.
