The MOST complete
Guide to Finding the Best Developer for your App.
Let our expert Guide Walk You Through the Hiring Process.
2 Bonus GIFTS included:
Developer Evaluation Matrix
Choosing the wrong developer may cost you tens of thousands of dollars, lots of time, and business opportunities. Evaluate developers using our Developer Performance Matrix and the worst won’t happen!
Developers Comparison Template
Gathering information and assessing agencies may be overwhelming. Use our Developers Comparison Template to keep the most important decision-making information organized in one place.
Is this just another guide disguised as a marketing brochure?
Nope. If you google "How To Hire a Software Developer?" you’ll find a lot of marketing materials presented as a guide by software development agencies.
•JetRuby doesn't want to be one of those agencies.
We have huge experience in hiring and firing numerous developers and development firms. During the past 12 years, we’ve worked with more than 100 companies — and before that, we were a startup.
So, finding the right developer or firm for a project has been part of our business. And now, we want to share our wisdom on that process with you!
Why do we share this guide with you?
Because we hope you use it on our team when you consider us for a project.
Please send the evaluation of us as a developer and your feedback to
Or click "Submit" and send us a message via the feedback form:
Follow Our Process
We promise. It'll be good.
Read the guide.
Contact developers, put their info into the Comparison Template provided.
Use the Scoring matrix, ask the questions, and calculate the score.
Choose the developer with the highest score.
Technology Stack Overview
What's a stack?
— Well, we aren’t talking about pancakes. So let’s get that out of the way first.
A "stack" refers to the set of technologies used by developers to build a product. If you are reading this article, we assume that you want to develop a mobile, desktop, web, or cross-platform app. There are different sets of technologies for developing each type of application.
The Back-end and the Front-end
— Technology stacks are made up of the front-end and the back-end segments. The front-end part of a stack develops the application component, interacting with users. It could be the webpage or an application’s Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Back-end technologies are used for creating the application’s layer, which communicates and transfers data between the client (where the application is installed) and the server (storing the retrievable data of the application).
Libraries and Frameworks
— If you drill down one lower level of detail of what comprises a tech stack, it’s typically composed of frameworks and libraries. Both frameworks and libraries are reusable code written by someone else that developers use to build and create functionality for an application.
A framework is the skeleton of an application similar to the framing in a house. There are different frameworks for different kinds of applications. A framework makes creating the application easier because the developer doesn't have to start from scratch. Using a framework also creates consistency in the code which makes testing the application easier and the security of the code better.
A library is a collection of code syntax used in building specific functionality or parts of an application. Just like a framework is like the framing of a house, the library is like a hardware or furniture store you go to and buy things to put in or add to the house—that way, the homeowner doesn't have to build those things from scratch.
Why is it important to know the technology stack a developer is going to be using?
— It‘s essential to look at the technologies and languages the developer or agency you want to hire uses. Every tech stack has its strengths and weaknesses. Some are geared toward building mobile apps or web applications, and others are geared toward data science applications. What stack you decide to use in your project can also determine how easy it will be to upgrade and maintain in the future and scale your digital product as your business grows.
Current Development Technologies
— The industry reports, such as Stack Overflow Developer Survey are excellent sources of information if you’d like to learn more about technologies and languages currently relevant to the application development.
It refers to the most popular technology stacks used by developers today in the 2020-s. Of course, these are just brief overviews of the technologies, and we encourage you to do more in-depth research if one of these stacks looks like a good fit for your project.
Ruby On Rails Stack
— Ruby On Rails (RoR) is a rapid development web application framework, that allows to quickly walk from an initial idea to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) web application.. Since RoR has a host of ready-made, out-of-the-box, plug-ins and modules, the framework is very time efficient, consistent, secure, scalable, and cost-effective.
MEAN Stack
— The MEAN stack is one of the best stacks for developers to use on projects that involve cloud hosting, calendars, mapping, and content aggregation sites.
The stack consists of MongoDB, Express.JS, Angular.JS, and NODE.JS.
The stack is open source, so it’s free and has a well-supported developer community.
The MEAN Stack is a one-language, end-to-end solution.
It means the use of a single language for all technologies of the stack.
That also makes the stack very efficient because it’s easier for developers to reuse code.
In addition, the database is easily scalable to respond to the growth and success of your new app.
MEVN Stack
— This cousin to the MEAN stack uses Vue.js instead of Angular.JS for a front-end framework. Vue.js offers a basic, out-of-the-box, lightweight functionality that can use third-party services to extend its capabilities.
In addition, Vue.js combines the best aspects of Angular.js and React.js to offer developers a complete toolbox of options.
Serverless Stacks
— Cloud-based apps generally make the scaling process for an application much easier because all efforts on managing and configuring the server infrastructure for your app are handled by the cloud provider.
The cloud provider charges licensing fees for the computing time spent by your app.
Serverless stacks include Google Cloud Platform, AWS Lambda, IBM Cloud Functions, Azure Stack, Cloudflare Workers, and Computer@Edge. The cloud provider charges licensing fees for the computing time spent by your app.
LAMP, WAMP, MAMP Stack
— LAMP is the old workhorse of the software development world. It is a reliable and stable set of technologies that is still very popular today.
It consists of the Linux (Windows, or MAC) Operating Systems, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
As an open-source product, it’s free and enables an easier adjustment of the stack components according to your business needs. PHP can be switched out for other options like Python or PERL.
Flutter for Web
— Flutter for Web is a new contender in the web development space and a competitor to React Native. Flutter perfectly suits the development of cross-platform applications. In addition, it ensures an easy deployment so developers can focus on bug-fixing bugs and new features.
— Not all developers are equally proficient with all technology stacks. Your goal is to build the application, using the most appropriate stack whereas a development agency may choose the one they have skills for.
Development Agencies Versus Freelancers:
Use the table to evaluate which path is best for your project.
When to use an agency:
When to use a freelancer:
•You have a new idea for an app but no details on the scope or deliverables.
•You have a long-term project that requires a scalable team.
•You have a project that requires a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development stage.
•You have a complex project that requires a team of specialists.
When to use an agency:
•You have a shorter-term project (10-20 days) with a clear scope and well-defined deliverables.
•You have a project that requires minor changes within existing software that has quality documentation and version control.
•You want to develop an interactive prototype for your project.
•You have a project that requires no or low-code development tools like the website builders Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly, or like the app builders Air-Table, Bubble, and Adalo.
Developers : How do I find one?
— Asking this question is only natural.
First, ask your friends and colleagues if they can recommend you to anyone. Personal recommendations from your trusted inner circle are the best way to find another trustworthy business partner. But, if you’ve run out of people to ask, here are some popular platforms to help you in your search for your next developer.
Platform
Best For Finding an Agency
Best For Finding Freelancers
INSIDER TIP:
These websites usually have robust vetting and ranking systems in place for their candidates.
However, it is common practice for these websites to offer "sponsorships" to get companies promoted to higher positions of rankings on those review platforms.
“Sponsorship” packages can be as pricey as $25,000 per month, so as the company’s client you will cover these expenses in one form or another. Therefore, considering agencies ranked from 20th to 40th on review platforms can save you money without compromising your project’s quality.
Freelancer Websites
— Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, PeoplePerHour, and Guru provide transparent prices. Most freelance platforms thoroughly vet candidates. Toptal only accepts 3% of applicants.
Freelancer Websites
— Blogs like TechCrunch can be a great place to read articles about software development companies that you want to consider hiring. Other blogs like Techmeme and ReadWrite can also be good places to read up on current trends and technology in the software development industry. Aggregators like FeedSpot provide an excellent choice of tech blogs. There is also Hashnode, where software developers create their blogs and cover various industry topics.
Portfolio Websites
— These types of websites include Github, Dribbble, and Behance. Many of the freelance platforms work as portfolio websites as well. Some of them charge a special fee to unlock freelancers’ portfolios. Github is the industry standard for project repositories. If you are considering a freelance software developer and they do not have an account profile on Github that should be a red flag. Most working software developers do. Behance and Dribbble are mostly popular among web and UX designers.
How to tell if you are hiring a professional developer?
Professional
Unprofessional
•The developer has a substantial, well-organized portfolio that they readily offer to you.
•The developer’s website and any other content they provide to the public is well organized and the content explains technical concepts and their business practices in an easily understandable way.
•The developer can provide references. They have no dead links in their portfolio or public information. Their contact information is readily available.
•The developer asks about your business goals before seeking to understand your project's technical specifications.
•They take some time to estimate the amount of work required to complete the project before providing you with an estimate.
•The developer considers your customers and how the project will impact them now and in the future.
•The developer focuses on the project's scope and the work required to meet your app's business requirements.
•The developer is patient and takes time to educate you about any aspects of the project you don’t understand. Then, you notice yourself starting to ask questions about your project that you didn't think of before.
•The developer takes the time to gently engage you about software development and how the trajectory of a project works. They also make an effort to adapt to your needs.
•The developer requests your project specifications and offers to help you create them if you do not have them already.
•The developer asks for a small retainer to begin your project and correlates future compensation to when they complete project milestones.
•You and the developer create a clear understanding of their role, project responsibilities, and project deliverables.
When to use an agency:
•The developer doesn't offer a portfolio or they don’t have a large body of work in their portfolio.
•The developer's public information, like their website, either lacks the necessary information or is too confusing for you to assess if they would be suitable for your project. The technical information they provide is also difficult for you to understand.
•The developer doesn't provide any references. There are dead links in their portfolio or public information. Their contact information is not provided, or it isn't easy to get a hold of them.
•The developer seems hyperfocused on your project’s technical specifications without trying to understand your business goals.
•The developer quickly offers an estimate for your project without spending any time learning about the project's work or your business goals.
•The developer is more focused on coding than how their work will influence your business or customers.
•The developer is very rigid about the tasks to complete and will not deviate from them.
•You feel like you are the one who has to take the initiative to communicate with the developer, and you don't feel any connection with them.
•The developer takes a rigid stance even on minor issues that you bring up.
•The developer doesn’t work with specifications.
•The developer wants the entire payment upfront before starting the project.
•They also change their estimate after starting the project.
•They do not offer to stagger their payments in correlation to meeting project milestones.
•The developer does not offer to engage you in creating a clear plan for contributing to your project.
•You are confused about their role, their responsibilities to the project, and their project deliverables.
Test Skills of Developers Before You Hire Them
— Coming up with a good resume is one thing but the proper skill validation should prove the developers’ ability to follow through and do what they say they can do.
The following skill check websites will help you to test candidates you are considering for a project:
Other Vetting Techniques
— Hosting a Hackathon
— Paired Programming Interview
Legal Checklist
— It probably goes without saying to make sure you have a good lawyer look over any business agreement before you sign on the dotted line or give anyone any amount of money. That being said, make sure you ask and look over the items on this checklist before doing business with any developers:
Thank you for reading
THE MOST complete Guide to Finding the Best Developer for your App.
We always appreciate any feedback about this guide. Please feel free to contact us and let us know how this guide worked for you.
The JetRuby team wishes you good luck with your project.
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