Some assume that the help of front-end developers is only required when you are planning to build an application. In other words, this service is often associated uniquely with development. That sounds logical. In practice though, front-end developers can assist you in at least three more scenarios besides development.
What’s Front-End Development All About?
First and foremost, let’s define the scope of this job. That is, what can you expect from front-end development services? Most importantly, front-end development focuses on the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) in an app. They may work on an app being developed or upgrade an existing one. They code the visual elements that users interact with directly:
- buttons
- menus
- forms
- animations.
Thanks to them, your web solutions look attractive and are nice to use.
When to Hire Front-End Developers
Scenario 1: You’re Building a Unique Web Application or Website from Scratch
This is the most obvious scenario. When creating a custom solution, you usually know you need the help of a front-end developer. The latter is responsible for ensuring that your design vision is executed just as you planned. And of course, they are responsible for a great user experience.
Sometimes, custom projects require unique features and interactions not typically included in off-the-shelf solutions. A skilled developer can help with that, too.
Scenario 2: You’re Developing or Customizing a Content Management System (CMS)
Under this scenario, the role of a front-end developer is usually to customize your CMS so that it fits your brand’s look and feel. They can create custom
- themes
- templates
- plugins.
Their key focus here is the functionality and aesthetics of your site.
Scenario 3: You need to Improve the UI and UX of your Existing Site or App
UI/UX design is absolutely essential for retaining users today. If you know (through feedback and other metrics) that they aren’t enjoying their experience on your site, it’s time to change it.
Here, a front-end developer works closely with designers. They decide which UI/UX improvements to implement and how to make every interaction intuitive.
Scenario 4: Your Website or Web Application is Outdated and Needs a Facelift
On the face of it, this scenario seems similar to the previous one, right? Not exactly. In the previous scenario, we reviewed a situation where your website or app was not as enjoyable to use as you planned. The reasons why it was so vary. In this scenario, your solution is simply outdated.
That is, you may have once built an amazing website but If it looks and feels like it’s from the early 2000s (which may be true), it’s time for a modernization. A front-end developer can update your site to
- use modern technologies
- perform better
- be compatible with the latest devices and browsers.
You will certainly love these changes when you see your site’s SEO and overall performance improvement.
How to Hire a Front-End Developer
Define Your Requirements
Before all else, write down your project requirements. Don’t do it alone but with people who’ll be involved. Together, decide on the specific skills and experience you need. Are there particular technologies or frameworks that are essential for your project? Try not to complete this task in a day. You usually need a few days (or a week) to think it all over.
Look for Relevant Experience
It’s time to examine the candidate’s portfolio and past projects. You should do so with the list you completed in the previous step.
You must find proofs in the portfolio for each point on this list. It usually makes sense to cooperate with a specialized development agency. They work with people who have already completed this and further hiring process steps.
Assess Technical Skills
Then, there’s the practical test. You’ll conduct technical interviews and your candidates will be completing coding tests. This should give you a more or less clear picture of their problem-solving abilities and coding style.
Evaluate Soft Skills
The work of a front-end developer is always about communication and collaboration. So soft skills matter a lot. You can evaluate these during the interview. Like, are they good at explaining their ideas? Or, you could see the feedback from people they’ve previously worked with.
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As you see, you may need the help of a front-end developer more often than it seems at first sight. You now know how to hire one (at least, the general framework of the hiring process). As was already mentioned, it is usually the safest to cooperate with a reputable development agency. They have already spent much resources on finding the best people so you can skip this step and save time.
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