How to Hire a Web Developer: Your Complete Checklist 💡

Looking to hire a web developer? In this article, we’ll explore the role of freelancer web developers, the impact a good web developer can have for your company or project, and share a step-by-step guide on how to hire the right web developer for your business or personal needs.

Quite simply, a strong web developer enables a business to establish a strong online presence. A well-crafted website not only enhances brand visibility but also provides a platform for effective communication, customer engagement, and seamless transactions, ultimately contributing to business growth and success no matter where your customers are.

Whether you're a hiring manager looking to bring a full time web developer to your team or just find a freelance web developer for a limited time, it's more important than ever to connect with the right talent to bring your projects to life.



What is web development? 🤔

Web development is the art and science of building websites and web applications, bringing digital ideas to life. It involves coding, designing, and problem-solving to create user-friendly and visually appealing online experiences. 

Unlike web designers, who use design software to design a site's layout, usability, and brand aesthetic, web developers build a site's core structure and programming. To do so, they work with programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to ensure websites function seamlessly across various devices.

Why hire a web developer? 🖥

Since web developers help companies build, maintain, and improve their online presence, there are tons of reasons why you might consider hiring a web developer in a full-time or freelance capacity. A few examples include:

• Launch a new website with well-designed, well-tested code that functions responsively and flawlessly—even with increased traffic to your website.
• Develop an e-commerce functionality with features like product listings, shopping carts, and secure payment gateways.
• Improve User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design by creating intuitive interfaces, enhancing usability, and ensuring a visually appealing design.
• Audit and update your website functionality to ensure security, fix bugs, and incorporate any new features or content.
• Apply and customize your Content Management System (CMS) platform like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla.
• Implement search engine optimization (SEO) best practices to improve your website's visibility on search engines and attract organic traffic.
• Standardize your site using established HTML/CSS practices to ensure you have a website that is easy to upkeep.



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What is a freelance web developer? 📝

A freelance web developer is an independent professional who offers their services to create and maintain websites for clients, often working on a project basis and managing their own schedule. Working with a freelancer gives a hiring manager a flexible opportunity to get to know a web developer before hiring them to work full-time, or tackle a critical project when in-house resources are scarce.

Freelancer web developers typically fall into three categories:

Front end developers 🖼️

Often called user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) developers, front end developers ensure a smooth and straightforward client-side interaction with a website. They design responsive, easy-to-use web surfaces, ensuring the experience works consistently across surfaces, browsers, devices. 

These developers are well-versed in front-end coding languages like Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript, and HyperText MarkUp Language (HTML).

Back end developers 🔩

Back end developers are concerned with how a site finds information, what it does with that information, and how the foundations of a program or site implement the front-end interface. The back-end developer builds the server-side foundations of a website, implementing code and accessing databases to provide a basis for the UX aspects of a site. The back end developer works behind the scenes to create a framework that will support the needs of a client’s site or business. 

These developers are experts in server-side languages and frameworks, such as Python + Django, Javascript + Express, and Ruby + Ruby on Rails, to help build APIs. They also must be great at Database tools help fetch data from your application’s database (SQL).

Full stack developers 🚀

Sometimes, you want to get yourself a web developer who can do it all. Full stack developers are capable of building to the front end and back end of a website.

How much does it cost to hire a web developer? 💰

Rates for a web developer can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions (not to mention the scope and complexity of your own project).Check out the best of the best freelance web developers to get a sense of their hourly or project-based rates, and browse our network to uncover rates for web development talent, projects, and services.

How to use Contra to hire a freelance web developer in 5 steps ✨

Once you understand your needs, follow these five steps and voila: you’ll find the right developer for your project.

1. Define the type of developer you need

Ask yourself: do you need the support of a front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer? Which areas of expertise are critical based on your tech stack?

2. Write a project description

Be specific and thorough! A well-structured and engaging project description not only captures the attention of top talent, but also streamlines the hiring process, saving you time and resources. Need help? Check out this guide to posting strong project descriptions and job opportunities.

3. Review your budget

Depending on your needs and using our pricing guide above, set a budget that’s realistic for the work that needs to be done.

4. Post your project

It’s free to post your first project using Contra—you can get started with this guide. We’ll proactively match you with top candidates for the job.

5. Evaluate and find the right candidate

When you receive an application or proactively browse for the right web developer for your job on Contra, you’ll be able to see examples of their previous work, client testimonials, and clearly defined skills so you can quickly evaluate whether or not they have what it takes to get your job done. You can also send messages to web developers who you’re interested in working with to chat through any details of your project to ensure it’s a good fit.

Find the right talent with Contra 🥳

Web developers play a crucial role in how your customers interact with your brand, helping you ensure a seamless experience from browsing, shopping, and engaging. To find the best freelance web developers who can turn your needs and ideas into brilliant websites and apps, look no further than Contra. Join Contra today and connect with top-tier web development talent. 

Are you a freelancer looking to get into web development? Check out our guide on how to get started.



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