How to hire a reliable freelance software developer

The ever-growing workforce around the world along with worldwide demand for market capitalization and growth has contributed significantly to bring in diverse skill-sets from different geographies on a common platform. Larger corporations like Facebook, IBM, and PayPal, and many other start-ups continue to hire freelancer developers to build and to grow their business operations.

So before you get to your HOW, it would be imperative to understand your WHY and WHEN to Hire freelance software developer.

So Why Hire Freelance Developers?

As it turns out, the gig economy has greater advantages than having a full-time employee. Also, the affordable cost would be an important factor for you to consider. So is it cost effective for me to hire a freelancer? Weighing our options well regarding cost will help to come to better understanding your budget management.

It would be worth noting that the estimated number of freelancers across countries such as US, India, China, the UK, France, Morocco, Russia is a staggering 16 million professional Developers.

The advent of the online platforms has steered pooling of the best developer talents in the world. Also, if you are particular about a specific freelancer specialization, these portals offer you an in-depth walk-through a variety of developers.

Hiring freelancers are your best alternative for temporary scaling your team without any mulling commitments over you.

And When Should You Consider Hiring Freelancer Developers?

Critical projects come with the gospel of critical deadlines. It becomes necessary that you have your resource strategy well planned in your project management strategy in anticipation of such projects.

Identifying your skill-set gap is as important as planning for one. “70 percent of companies that hire freelancers use them to fill very specific skill gaps in their staff.

And Finally How To Hire Top And Reliable Freelance Developers?

“An arrow shot in the dark is a useless attempt.” – Anonymous

The very essence of the above phrase would reflect in you knowing three very key aspects of working with freelancers. Those include:

1.    Your budget
2.    Scope of your project
3.    Design concept of your project

All things would fall short if you do not know what kind of profile to expect out of your freelancer. And so it is imperative that you craft a very clear and precise job description of your intended freelance developer. Alternatively also knowing and using trustworthy online freelancing platforms go hand in hand in your search for the desired freelancer.

While you look for the right online freelancer platform, the five features below should serve as a good basis for you to start with.

1.    Unique talent
2.    Technical screening
3.    Communication & working style interview
4.    Project management prudence
5.    Secure payment process

Your freelancer could be based in a different geographic location. And so having an acceptable time difference with a language preference of your choice could simply merit your chances of working with the overseas freelancer.

And once you have narrowed your choices to a few desirable candidates, it would also be important to understand their communication style and their personality traits. A very clear communication involving budget and timelines of the projects needs to be well documented and shared with your prospective freelancers.

A behavioral interview, followed by a review of their portfolio and examples of their work should keep you on track in your hunt for the right developer.

Some of the other aspects that often gets overlooked by many out there while choosing their freelancer include:

•    Getting to know them on a personal level &
•    Inadequate project documentation

It would be worth noting that paid trials to your selected candidate stir more interest than taking the free project approach. Finally, a well-written contract with a buddying Non-Disclosure agreement, with clauses clearly defined, helps make your intent and interest to the candidate even stronger.

Once you board a candidate, it would be mandatory for you to

•    Define a clear roadmap
•    Share a detailed project documentation
•    Follow up and provide useful feedback
•    Share all necessary project resources
•    And most importantly, PAY ON TIME

Happy Hunting!