A modern website is essential for every business operating today. There are plenty of web developers and designers, but finding an expert team with multiple years of experience in technical development and an efficient market is not easy.
Read on for more information from Peppermonkey Media about the critical things to consider when thinking about how to hire a web developer.
Peppermonkey Media is a leading website development company in NJ dedicated to your business’s growth and forming a long-term relationship focused on your success.
Why an Effective Web Developer Is Important
Even with the off-the-shelf web products that are now available, it still makes sense to hire a web developer for many reasons.
Real-world benefits that come with hiring a competent web developer include:
- Improved user experience. Websites that are slow or do not function seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices drive customers away to competitors. A site has to look attractive and run quickly to stand a chance in the marketplace.
- Search engine optimization. An effective website is one that potential customers can easily find when conducting typical web searches.
- Security. Competent web development enhances cybersecurity and protects sensitive information.
- Customization. Unlike off-the-shelf websites, a competent design and development team can create a custom brand for your business page with specially designed features for your company.
Web Developer Hiring Process Considerations
These are some of the most important considerations when thinking about how to hire a web developer.
Define Your Project
When considering who to hire for web design and development, you should start by clearly identifying your goals. Are you starting a brand-new website from the ground up or changing an existing product?
If your project calls for an entirely new website, you should consider its purpose, including:
- How will the website meet customer needs, and what are those needs?
- How should your website differ from competitors, and how should it be similar?
- What added value do you expect the website to provide customers?
If you are redesigning an existing website, consider whether you only need design modifications or whether there are substantial functionality and coding revisions that will be necessary.
Knowing what you need from your website project helps you narrow the field down from the multitude of choices available.
Plus, the more you know in advance about what you need, the faster and more efficient the hiring process will be. You’ll receive better estimates and have a much better understanding of expectations and timeframes with some careful project planning first.
Decide What Kind of Developer You Need
Understand that not all web developers are web designers and vice versa.
A designer creates a website’s appearance and layout and is heavily involved with graphic design.
A developer writes code, creates files to make technical changes, and is generally an expert in working with code editors and programming languages.
There are also different types of developers:
- Front-end developers. This term is often interchangeable with web designers, as they work with the parts of the website that are visible to users.
- Back-end developers. These developers work on the nuts and bolts that make the software operating your website work correctly. They focus on operational speed and technical issues related to performance and functionality.
- Full-stack developers. A full-stack developer is either a single generalist who handles both front-end and back-end development or a team of specialists with expertise across all parts of development.
You should also decide whether to hire a full-time or freelance developer.
Static websites that require little or no upkeep are often suited to freelance web developers who offer a single, standalone service on a one-time contract basis.
A full-time developer is better suited for a company that needs ongoing support, maintenance, and revisions to website function. Hiring a freelancer may make immediate responsiveness more difficult when it comes to maintaining your website.
Evaluating the Quality of a Web Developer
There are some important qualifications to consider and ask about when considering potential web designers.
Technical Capabilities
Considering the project scope you must complete, carefully assess whether the prospective developer has the requisite technical skills to handle all parts of the job competently.
Response Time
It’s critically important that you can reach your developer promptly during your project. Ask questions about how fast they handle issues and how well they stick to established timeframes.
Communication Practices
Determine early whether you are pleased with a prospective developer’s commitment to clear, direct, and timely communication. You will be spending a good bit of time working with a development team, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable with them.
Experience
Ask about the prospective developer’s experience, specifically about projects similar to yours. Also, look at the overall team you are considering and the experience that members have in different aspects of design and development.
Customer Ratings
Look at customer ratings for the developer you are considering. Ask about other customers they have worked with who can provide recommendations and comments about their work. The best way to evaluate a new partner’s work ethic and likelihood of success is by looking at their track record with other customers.
Count On Peppermonkey Media for Complete Web Development in New Jersey
The expert team at Peppermonkey Media can provide high-end web development that leads the industry in New Jersey. We focus on extensive interaction with our clients, keeping them involved in all parts of the design and development process. We ask you to thoroughly examine us on the criteria we set out in this post.
Our highly experienced team knows how to design and implement the features of a great website that will drive traffic and hold customers. When we build your website to be the best it can be, and you work with our digital marketing team, you can focus on serving more clients and taking your business upward and onward. Let us take the stress out of thinking about how to hire a web developer.
Call Peppermonkey Media at (732) 576-0171 today to schedule a web development and design consultation. Let us get started on a custom-made solution tailored to your business!
