Hiring developers for startups can be tricky, especially when you’re just starting your company. You know how important these positions are to your business. No one wants to screw it up and hire someone who will do little more than slow you down or make you lose money as you waste time & resources trying to find someone new!
With that in mind, what’s the best way to hire developers for a startup? Start by understanding the right strategy for this search process via the steps outlined here to find the right developers for your startup.
One can break the right strategy into three major sections:
- Conducting an in-depth study of what you need from the developer
- Where to find & hire developers for startup
- Critical aspects to consider while hiring developers
So, let’s focus on each of them in detail.
Table of Contents
Conducting an In-Depth Study of What you Need from the Developer
You need to be very clear about what your business entails and what specific skills the developer requires. How to hire developers for a startup also depends on whether you want to hire offshore developers or look for local developers in your city. Generally, it’s best to approach this by conducting an in-depth study of what you need from the developer.
From needs assessment to budgeting, our guide helps you form the ideal startup development team. Start now for a tailored software solution that mirrors your vision and goals.
Here are the Critical Factors for Decoding the Project Needs:
1. Analyze What You are Building
It may sound simple, but you must get clear about exactly what you want. So, understand what your business entails and how your product fits into that bigger picture.
Don’t forget to include business and technical considerations in your planning. It creates a more focused outline of what is needed from the developer. Here are some questions you should think through before moving on.
- Who are the end-users of the software?
- What problems will the software resolve?
- What does the current workflow look like, and how would it change after implementing this new software?
- How much time do you have available for your developers to complete the project?
Note: It is ideal to enlist the necessary features for the software. Thus, you can see if the developer can provide the required solution.
2. Which Platforms Does the Software Need to Work On (Mac, Windows, Linux)
This step involves having a clear view of the software deployment platforms. For example, Windows software will not work on a Mac machine and vice versa. If you know that your target users use only one platform, you can restrict yourself from asking developers to develop an application with cross-platform compatibility.
On the other hand, if it is supposed to be used by everyone, then developers should ensure that it runs on all relevant platforms. So, you can avoid problems while marketing your product later on.
3. Studying The Three Major Types of Developers & Services They Offer
- Front-end Developers: The front-end developer is responsible for creating customized user interfaces and other software visuals. The front-end developer works with designers and decides what type of design needs to be implemented in any application or website. Many things come under their responsibility. However, HTML5/CSS3, JQuery, and javascript are the most prominent ones that also make up the majority of any web project.
- Back-end Developers: The back-end developer handles everything related to the data inside the system. They take data storage, security, reliability and scalability issues, etc. They ensure proper working of every aspect of managing and manipulating data within an application or a website. PHP and Python are two of the languages most commonly used by back-end developers because they enable them to build robust applications that meet high-security standards due to open source languages.
- Full-Stack Developers: These developers are the Jack of All Trades. They are proficient in both the front-end and the back-end development tasks. However, this comes at a cost, as Full-Stack Developers can be expensive to hire. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them for your startup. It might be worth investing in a Full-Stack Developer from the start if you are building a company that requires expertise in both areas.
4. Budget Estimation
You must know the overall project cost to find the right developer for your project. Keep in mind that as you refine your idea of what is needed, your estimation will change too. So keep refining it till you find the perfect match for your project.
The general formula for finding the development cost is multiplying the developer’s hourly rate with the hours he is expected to work on the project. It gives you the total project cost, but you can further refine this number based on your project. Here are some of the factors that you may want to consider:
- Is there a potential for future projects?
- How long is the project expected to last?
- How often do you want updates?
- Is there a penalty if you don’t update in time?
You should also decide how much of your efforts you’re willing to contribute. It is essential when hiring offshore developers who may charge higher rates than domestic developers.
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Where to Find & Hire Quality Developers for Startup
1. Inspect the Popular Options for Hiring Developers
Where to find developers for startups? You can either go local or focus on how to hire offshore developers for a startup. Hiring offshore software developers benefits you with less price and the convenience of developers located in a different country. However, paying attention to several aspects is crucial before selecting an offshore developer for your project.
Overall, you have the following options for hiring software developers.
Software Development Companies: This has become one of the most preferred options for enterprises and SMEs, providing them with guaranteed performance and project warranty. For example, PixelCrayons offers a 100% project warranty with zero contract lock-ins. Customizing the platform to suit your specific requirements is also available. It’s a good choice for startups looking for developers to create a scalable project.
Freelance Platforms: It has many advantages and is one of the most preferred outsourcing methods. Freelance platforms give you access to a broader talent pool that you can review based on their portfolio, references, and reviews from previous employers. The flexibility of hourly or per-project pricing is another strong advantage as it provides better cost control than other methods. However, some freelance platforms charge extra fees, which you may not be ready for. Also, hiring freelancers can get time-consuming as they are typically sourced locally.
Local Recruitment Agencies: Connecting with HR-based companies is also an available solution when trying to find developers for a startup. Recruitment agencies can handle all aspects of the recruitment process based on your recruiting metrics. Whether you are looking for a local developer or offshore, they have a vast database that lets them connect you to the best candidates. When going through a database of developers, you can filter the search by location, type of project, and skill set.
2. Consult about the Technology Stack for the Project
You don’t need to give away the whole idea during the consultation. Discuss with the developer what kind of project they are expected to build. For example, provide insights on deployment platforms, anticipated number of users, target audience, and software category.
The developer can quickly provide insights about the compatible technology stacks necessary for the project based on all of them. For example, if you are looking for software that requires new cutting-edge web technologies. Then Node.js and Golang will prove beneficial to the hybrid mobile app.
On the other hand, if you plan to launch an MVP (minimum viable product) on a budget but still require some quality work, then local freelancers might be what you need. The technology stack would likely consist of PHP, MySQL, or NoSQL databases. Using HTML5/CSS3 frameworks such as Bootstrap or Foundation, JavaScript libraries like jQuery, AngularJS, and more are a standard part of most development projects.
Note: Do not shy away from seeking advice from a tech-savvy person when dealing with these things because this is their field of expertise. Moreover, consultation is primarily free in most enterprises nowadays.
3. Check Whether the Developer Can Guarantee Deliverables
You must check whether the developer can guarantee deliverables. If they cannot, then it is best to look elsewhere.
There are a few ways to do this:
- Check their previous work: Checking a developer’s previous work is a great way to see if they can meet deadlines and produce high-quality work.
- Look at their reviews: Checking reviews from other clients can give you an idea of what it is like to work with the developer and whether or not they are reliable.
- Ask them directly: Asking the developer if they can guarantee deliverables is the best way to get a straight answer. If they hesitate in giving you a clear answer, it is probably best to move on.
It is critical to create a feasible deadline for the project deliverables. Discussing deadlines will be something that will come up during your interview process, so make sure you’re prepared to discuss this topic thoroughly. A startup company needs a developer who will be able to commit 100% of their time, just as much as the startup company would need a full-time employee.
By now, you have gained clear insights on where and how to hire software developers for startups. However, finding a quality developer is paramount to project success. So it’s critical to consider some critical things when hiring developers.
Read Also: 13 Questions To Ask Before You Hire a Software Development Team
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Critical Aspects to Consider While Hiring Developers for Startups
1. Development Experience
This aspect focuses on the developer’s experience and what you should expect from them. It is critical to find as much information about their work history as possible. It includes the companies they have worked with, their technologies, and their skill sets. You can use an online search engine or other tools to discover this information.
2. Expertise in Similar Projects
Prior exposure to similar projects is add-ons as it becomes easier for the developer to implement the business logic over the software. Moreover, by finding out if they have previously worked on similar projects, it becomes easier for the developer to implement the company’s business requirements and identify any gaps in the implementation early in the process.
3. Coding Languages
Good developers always analyze what languages and technologies best suit the project. They need it to be sure that what they develop should be accepted by a company. Moreover, being aware of these factors helps them estimate how much time a project will take & how much it would cost.
They are thinking about these things too because they must be thinking about how they can provide great value as efficiently as possible while working within tight deadlines.
4. Previous Work Samples
It is one of the most important aspects, as it can help you decide if you are willing to work with a developer. Good developers always want a chance to show their ability and prior experience.
Moreover, samples will help you assess how good a developer is at providing solutions that match your expectations and needs. It will also allow estimating how much time it would take to finish a similar project and if it fits your deadlines.
5. Software Development Methodology
The top software development methodologies include Agile Development and Waterfall Development. Agile development is faster than waterfall and has many benefits like building prototypes quickly and getting feedback fast which means it is more suitable for startups.
Agile provides flexibility, so you don’t get stuck doing long hours trying to fix something that was broken in the first place. Waterfall offers structure, where there are stages with specific deliverables where you cannot skip certain steps without risking delivery or quality assurance standards.
Read Also: How to Hire Flutter Developers? A Simple Yet Comprehensive Guide
Over to You
Before you start your quest for the perfect developer, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what you need. That means taking the time to sit down and write out a detailed job description. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can start searching for candidates.
The interview process is vital for getting to know the person behind the code. But it’s also an opportunity to see how they think about problem-solving and whether or not they would be a good fit for your team. After the interviews, it’s time to decide and extend an offer.
We at PixelCrayons offer high-quality developers for startups that need skilled developers with specific skill sets. Our international development teams deliver web and mobile app development services that include design, software engineering, testing, and project management expertise for startups wanting to hire offshore developers.
Contact us now to learn more about how our team of experienced developers can help take your startup to the next level! Let's get started on building a powerful and reliable software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do I get startup developers?
Answer: To ensure the right choice, perform the following:
- Define the expected set of responsibilities
- Analyze work process
- Ensure the most recent code
- Avoid fixed-value models
Question: How much does it cost to hire a team of developers?
Answer: The rate differs according to the nation. The following table offers insights:
|
Region |
Rates per hour |
|
North America |
$70 – $120 |
|
Latin America |
$30 – $65 |
|
Central Europe |
$40 – $80 |
|
Asia |
$20 – $50 |
Question: Where can I hire developers for startups?
Answer: The standard options for hiring developers are:
- Software development companies
- Recruitment agencies
- Freelance platforms
