For any modern business, the website or web application is one of the most important assets. Whether you are launching a start-up or scaling a web-based SaaS platform, a freelance full stack developer helps to build the technical foundation for an online presence.
Since a full-stack developer can work with both front-end and back-end, they can be the only one handling your project on an ongoing basis, but it is essential to choose the right professional for your business.
What Is a Freelance Full Stack Developer?
A freelance full stack developer is a professional who works independently on the technical side of businesses. It means that they build both front-end (customer-facing) and back-end (server-side) of websites and web apps. Front-end development covers everything related to layout, buttons, text, forms, animation, or other visual elements and interactions on web pages and applications.
By contrast, back-end development covers the coding part and tools needed to provide the proper functioning of web pages and applications. Both ends of web development can be built with a wide range of programming languages depending on the application's purpose, such as:
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- React, Vue, and other front-end frameworks
- PHP and Laravel
- Node.js and Python
- MySQL and other database systems
By being proficient in both areas, a full-stack developer can handle a wide variety of tasks related to their field of expertise.
Why Hire a Freelance Full Stack Developer?
There are several reasons why many small businesses, agencies, and start-ups opt for hiring freelance full-stack developers rather than looking for a software development team:
Flexibility
A company does not have to hire a full-stack developer as a permanent employee. Particular tasks may be delegated for a limited period for specific purposes. The same applies to a single task or a particular stage of development that has to be completed.
The same role may even be fulfilled by different freelancers depending on the current needs of a business. Therefore, this type of cooperation is great for businesses that are in the discovery phase and for those whose demands change over time.
Technical Proficiency
A freelance full stack developer builds applications using front-end and back-end technologies. It means that you can get a professional who has extensive knowledge of both fields rather than hire two people for these areas.
Although it is possible to outsource front-end and back-end separately, in most cases, it is more time- and cost-effective to cooperate with one expert who understands the functioning of the entire system.
Lower Costs
Collaborating with a freelance full-stack developer usually involves lower costs since there is no need to maintain a team of developers. Moreover, the expertise of a developer is matched to the requirements of the project, which helps to avoid unnecessary expenses. The lower the complexity of an app and the smaller the scope of work, the more affordable the freelance developer may be.
However, lower costs should not be the sole criterion when choosing a professional since experience, code quality, communication, and additional services are also important factors.
Faster Development and Collaboration
Since a full-stack developer is proficient in both ends of web development, they can quickly navigate between various tasks related to the project. For example, the same developer can work on the front-end, back-end, and database, and resolve multi-faceted problems.
Thus, the collaboration process is much faster compared to when different developers with disparate specializations are involved.
What Skills to Look for in a Freelance Full Stack Developer?
Before hiring, make sure a developer has the following skill sets:
Front-End Development
A freelance full stack developer is expected to know web design and have strong front-end coding skills. This includes an understanding of responsive design, browser compatibility, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, or other front-end languages. These skills are vital for building the visual appearance and interactive elements of a web page or app.
Back-End Programming Languages
A full stack developer is proficient in back-end programming languages and tools, including PHP, Laravel, Node.js, Python, or similar. Such developers are likely to have extensive knowledge of the server-side of web development, application architecture, databases, and APIs.
Databases
To design a functioning web application, a full stack developer must have a clear understanding of databases and be able to create robust systems to store and organize information. Knowledge of MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or other database systems is crucial.
API and Third-Party Tools
Many web applications involve third-party elements and require the use of APIs, payment systems, CRMs, cloud storage, and more. A freelance full stack developer should have experience working with third-party services and understand how to use them within their application.
How to Choose the Right Freelance Full Stack Developer
When choosing the right freelance full stack developer for your project, it is essential to analyze specific factors:
Review Their Past Projects
First of all, you should take a closer look at the portfolio of a freelance developer to find out the types of projects they have worked on before. If you are looking for a developer to build a particular type of website, make sure that the professional has relevant experience and has completed similar projects.
Check Their Relevant Experience
Not all full stack developers are the same, and a professional who builds simple landing pages may lack the skills to develop a robust application. Ask specific questions and clarify whether the candidate has the necessary expertise for your project. In particular, discuss the technologies they have worked with and their experience with APIs, third-party systems, and databases.
Clarify Your Requirements
A professional developer will be able to identify potential issues and suggest individual solutions. Beforehand, clarify your requirements and expectations and share them with a developer so that they can address them accordingly.
Communication
Communication is one of the most critical aspects of cooperation. Ask the developer how often they will provide project updates and via which channels. A competent communication strategy is vital for establishing an effective working relationship for long-term cooperation.
Rates and Deliverables
Make sure to clarify what is included in the cost, project milestones, the estimated start and end dates, the payment schedule, and other terms. Specify the details about code delivery, testing, deployment, maintenance, and other project-related activities that may be necessary after the completion of development.
Having a clear contract is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and establish high-quality communication.
When to Hire a Freelance Full Stack Developer
A freelance full stack developer can work on a wide range of projects depending on the scope and complexity. A professional can:
- Build a website, web application, or SaaS platform from scratch
- Develop a business portal or e-commerce website
- Work on API integration for an existing business
- Provide ongoing development and maintenance support
- Supplement an existing team with specialized expertise for a specific project
Final Thoughts
It is vital to choose a competent developer when you want to hire a freelance full stack developer because it is the professional who will shape the technical foundation for your online presence. However, a wide range of expertise is not the only criterion that determines the quality of a developer.
Consider the following questions before hiring:
- Has the developer worked with similar projects before?
- What is their level of technical proficiency?
- How do they communicate and provide project updates?
- What are their rates and payment terms?
- What are the conditions for deployment and maintenance?
Make sure to clarify the conditions of cooperation, project deliverables, deployment, and maintenance since these factors are essential for the success of your project.