How to Find a Web Dev for Your Startup
Creating a startup is a cumbersome goal. But if done right, your idea may pay off greatly and even surpass your expectations. The majority of the most successful startups are tech ones, so there is no wonder that software developers are in such demand here.
Author:James PierceReviewer:Alberto ThompsonDec 02, 20211K Shares512.9K Views
Creating a startup is a cumbersome goal. But if done right, your idea may pay off greatly and even surpass your expectations. The majority of the most successful startups are tech ones, so there is no wonder that software developers are in such demand here.
Assembling a reliable team is essential for your success. You encounter a question: how to find a web developer for a startup? GBKSOFT, a top software outsourcing company, has a lot of experience cooperating with startups in different stages of their development. In this article, the team shares a few useful insights on how to find and pick the right specialist.
Step 1: Understand Your Product
Before you go to the market to search for developers, you need to understand clearly what project you have in mind. Here are the main aspects to think through beforehand:
- Who is your target audience? What problem do they have and how does your product resolve it?
- Who are your competitors? What do they offer and how do they communicate with their customers?
- What is your product value proposition? How do you differ from your competitors?
- What features should your application have? What platforms should it work on? What tech stack do you plan to use?
When you have clear answers to these questions, you will be able to articulate the tasks and requirements to your future developer, and your cooperation will become productive from the initial stages.
You should also think about your development plans and perspectives. Sometimes, it might be better to start the development process with a minimal viable product, or MVP. It’s a simplified version of your product that only contains a minimal set of features to make the application usable. With MVP, you will be able to test your idea on real customers before investing a huge sum into the project.
Step 2: Study The Market
The labor market of software developers is rich, so you won’t feel the lack of offers and opportunities. However, such variety may complicate your selection, as you may feel disoriented among a big number of candidates.
Researching the market and learning about your options will be the best choice. There are several models on how you can involve developers in your startup.
- You may hire them full-time, and assign a salary. However, some startupers ask people to work for a share in the company. It’s a possible solution, but, unfortunately, doesn’t work for long-time motivation.
- You may find a freelancer developer who will help you remotely. It’s a cost-efficient option, as typically, freelancers cost you less than a full-time employee. But there is always a risk that a specialist may be inexperienced or that they disappear without telling you.
- You may cooperate with the software development company. Here, you actually have a wide choice of possible partners. Outsourcing business is on a rise in different parts of the world, and offshore or nearshore partners may charge less than your local software agencies. Such companies may supplement your team with several specialists through outsfaffing, and you will be in charge of their workload and management, or they can assign a dedicated team and take full responsibility for the project performance.
After you choose one option, look for possible candidates or vendors. Here are a few platforms where you can find your desired developers:
- If you are looking for a software outsourcing company: Clutch, GoodFirms, DesignRush, Sortlist, etc.
- If you are in search of freelancers: Fiverr, Upwork, Thumbtack, Guru, etc.
- If you decide to hire a developer as an employee: LinkedIn, tech blogs, hiring platforms.
Whatever model you choose, you will face its pros and cons either way. However, it doesn’t mean that in-house hiring is always a good thing, and freelancers are always unreliable. The specifics of your project should determine how developers should join your team. It’s also about the developers themselves: if they are specialists interested in doing great work, you will be able to find the best solution for your case.
Step 3: Make A Choice
So, at this point, you most probably have a list of possible candidates. To select the one who will be suitable for your tasks, you need to have a clear set of responsibilities, understand what level of expertise the developer should have, and of course, you should click on a personal level.
Firstly, start with CV. Check their experience, companies, and projects they work with before, technical skills they obtain. You may also want to check recommendations, portfolios, and other documents that may prove the expertise of specialists.
Then, the interview comes. Here, you can actually talk to the person, see how they act, and interact with other people. It’s important to evaluate both hard and soft skills. The latest include their communication skills, approach to work, proactivity, creativity, problem-solving attitude, and other significant traits that are extremely important for the person working for a startup.
With the technical skills, you may struggle, if you are not a tech person yourself. The tech interview is a chance to double-check the experience described in the CV and understand if the specialist is able to do the required work efficiently. Hence, the interviewer should have relevant knowledge. So, if you don’t understand software development, you can always hire a chief technical officer (CTO), who will be in charge of tech questions and cover you.
In Conclusion
Hiring a web developer for a startup demands a lot of focus, patience, and effort to succeed. However, with a clear plan, knowledge of the market, and understanding of your product, needs, and requirements, you will be able to create a worthy offer to attract the required developers and connect with the ones you choose.
The web development market is huge, and there are a lot of active and skilled specialists who would love to work in interesting and promising startups. So, take your time, don’t rush, evaluate your decisions, and you will be able to find your ideal developer!
James Pierce
Author
James Pierce, a Finance and Crypto expert, brings over 15 years of experience to his writing. With a Master's degree in Finance from Harvard University, James's insightful articles and research papers have earned him recognition in the industry.
His expertise spans financial markets and digital currencies, making him a trusted source for analysis and commentary. James seamlessly integrates his passion for travel into his work, providing readers with a unique perspective on global finance and the digital economy.
Outside of writing, James enjoys photography, hiking, and exploring local cuisines during his travels.
Alberto Thompson
Reviewer
Alberto Thompson is an acclaimed journalist, sports enthusiast, and economics aficionado renowned for his expertise and trustworthiness. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Economics from Columbia University, Alberto brings over 15 years of media experience to his work, delivering insights that are both deep and accurate.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Alberto enjoys exploring the outdoors, indulging in sports, and immersing himself in literature. His dedication to providing informed perspectives and fostering meaningful discourse underscores his passion for journalism, sports, and economics. Alberto Thompson continues to make a significant impact in these fields, leaving an indelible mark through his commitment and expertise.
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