Software continues to play a fundamental role in almost every sector today, so it’s no surprise an estimated 27million software developers are working worldwide.
One particular area your business might need a professional for today is what’s known as full stack development. For instance, if you’re looking to build a website or a mobile application, you’ll likely need to find the best full stack development expert for the job.
This can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with what full stack development is, to begin with. That’s why we’ve written this full stack development guide to outline how you can hire the best individuals for your next project.
What Is Full Stack Development?
Full stack development refers to the process of developing a complete web or mobile application from start to finish. This includes everything from the back-end code that powers the application to the front-end interface design that users interact with.
This is why it’s known as “full stack” – if you think of it as a card game, full stack developers have a full deck of skills that they need at all times.
They’re able to develop client software as well as server software. They’re essentially the “jack of all trades” talents in the coding world.
This includes experience with both back-end and front-end technologies, as well as a working understanding of how the two interact with each other. Many professionals only work in one of these areas, which evidences just has proficient full stack developers need to be.
But that proficiency means hiring full stack developers can come with some challenges.
There are however steps you can take to simplify this recruitment process.
What to Look Out For When Hiring a Full Stack Developer
First and foremost, your prospective candidates have a strong portfolio of previous work. This will give you a good idea of their skills and abilities, as well as their style.
Full stack development is very project-based. You should therefore look for candidates who’ve completed a certain number of projects, relative to how complex your project is.
If you’re building a new website, for instance, you should look for candidates who’ve built several for themselves. It can be particularly helpful if they’ve completed these projects within a full stack development agency.
It’s also important to make sure they have a good understanding of both back-end and front-end development. The best way to test for this is to ask them specific questions about each area. For instance, you might ask them how they would go about solving a particular problem.
If possible, make sure all these questions link back to the project you have in mind.
Finally, another thing to look out for is whether or not the developer has a good understanding of your particular industry. You might be looking for full stack development experts who have designed sophisticated mobile applications.
Ascertain what exactly it is you’re looking for with your final project, and make sure to always look for experts with that project in mind.
There are then usually three options available to you when it comes to hiring full stack developers. You can hire in-house, hire a freelancer, or work with a full stack development agency. These companies are also often known as managed services providers.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay for a Full Stack Development Expert?
Once again, the amount you should expect to pay depends on the nature of your project.
If you’re looking to hire full-time, you should prepare for high costs. On average in America, full stack developers currently make around $100,000 a year.
This reflects the level of expertise necessary to fulfill these positions, and how important they are in businesses today. You can however choose to hire a freelance full stack developer.
Costs here will vary significantly depending on how experienced the developer is. Hourly rates typically range around $60-80 for a full stack developer, but you can find less experienced individuals for cheaper than this.
It’s worth bearing in mind that large-scale projects can take a significant amount of time to complete. That means these costs can add up if you’re planning a particularly large project.
Hiring a Full Stack Development Company
A final alternative is to hire a full stack development firm, rather than a single individual.
This approach comes with several benefits, firstly you’ll have access to a large team of talented developers. This means you’ll likely be able to complete your project far quicker than you would if you worked with a couple of freelancers.
It’ll also likely cost you less overall than employing a developer full-time. This is because you can tailor your contract to your company’s needs.
If you just need developers to jump in and fix up your project, you can do that.
Or, you can hire a development company to handle the entire process.
This provides a level of freedom that can help boost your creativity whilst not sacrificing the end result. These companies will also likely be experienced in other areas of tech or design.
That may include website development or areas like cybersecurity. The choice of whether to work with a company or hire yourself is always an individual one.
But it’s important to assess each option side by side. Oftentimes, working with a company is the superior option.
Where Can I Find Out More About Full Stack Development?
You should now know what exactly full stack developers do if you were unsure. You should also know what to look for when hiring people for full stack development and how much to pay.
If you’re looking for talented full stack developers for your next project, you’re already in the right place. Our team at Empist provides full stack development assistance alongside many other tech support services.
To find out more about how we’re able to help, make sure to contact our team directly.