How do you hire the right web developer with a job description that ensures your business stands out online? About 21% of business owners face low website traffic, highlighting the importance of employing a skilled web developer for web creation, maintenance, and technical solutions.

This extensive guide on how to hire a web developer will delve into what you must know, including responsibilities, job descriptions, and average salary.

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Responsibilities & Role of a Web Developer

Web developers’ skills and innovation play a crucial role in improving your business’s online presence, user experience, and search visibility. Understanding the help a web developer brings to your company will help you be more intentional about the hiring process before starting. Let us look at some responsibilities and roles: 

  • Online Presence and Branding: Your prospective web developer will create and maintain your business’s website, which enhances your professionalism, brand credibility, and user experience, leading to increased trust and engagement with your target audience.
  • User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI): Creates a positive user experience through various means and an appealing UI, reducing bounce rates and increasing conversion.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: The web developer will ensure your website functions flawlessly across different mobile devices and screen sizes for better accessibility.
  • Customization and Functionality: This person will ensure that your online presence aligns with your specific business goals, be it integrating third-party tools, building e-commerce features, or developing custom functionalities.

How to Hire a Web Developer

It is time to delve into the hiring process to get you the best web developer who will make significant contributions to your company’s website. For a spectacular hire, follow the following steps:

1. Know Your Business Needs

Before the hiring process and to ensure you get candidates who are the best fit, define your needs. Consider:

  • Your project goals and scope.
  • Your technical requirements.
  • Any skillset and expertise.
  • Your budget and compensation.

Decide whether you need a front-end, back-end, full-stack, or user-experience developer. By meticulously defining your needs, you create a detailed roadmap that will guide your entire hiring process and attract candidates with technical skills that align with your project objectives.

2. Search for the Most Proficient

Knowing your business needs takes you to the stage of attracting the best web developers. You can find some of the top talents on: 

  • Online job boards and freelance platforms: Post job openings on prominent online job boards and harness professional platforms like LinkedIn to dive deeper for eligible candidates. To hire freelance web developers on a long or short-term basis, on an hourly basis, or something else, use platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Check out our job description below to make your job posting stand out.
  • Industry-specific websites: Visit developer-specific communities, forums, and websites to engage with web developers and connect with professionals in the field.
  • Networking and referrals: Professional networking can be a great way to meet industry acquaintances and contacts. Attend conferences and meetups for potential connections. Referrals and recommendations from colleagues, friends, and employees can help you meet those that align with your company culture and goals.
  • Recruitment agencies and specialized tech communities: Work with agencies that specialize in headhunting IT and web development specialists. Also, platforms like Hasnode, Dev.to, or specialized Slack groups can be a great help.

The costs associated with employing these services will be given in detail in this article. 

3. Examine Professional Qualifications

Ensure to check up on professional qualifications when analyzing the resumes and CVs of potential talents. This will help you get a grip on their professional development, dedication to moral principles, and expertise. Keep an eye out for recognized certifications like:

  • Certified Web Developer (CWD): A CWD focuses on a range of web development topics, including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and more. It helps build credibility with clients and provides the needed knowledge for career advancement.
  • CIW Web Development Professionals: These developers focus on getting a web development professional track that covers the same curriculum as CWB but in a more professional manner.

Decide on the certification or qualification that will impact your company based on your development needs.

A CIW is your best bet if you need a developer who can work from anywhere in the world while maintaining quality. In contrast, a CWD will come in handy if you require a developer for full-time services. 

4. Go Over Their Work Experience

Candidates’ CVs and resumes will make analyzing relevant experience in your industry easy based on size and intricacy. A web developer role varies, and considering your required expertise is important. 

For example, if you require help with user research and usability testing, ensure the candidate has experience in UX/UI. In the same way, if you need help with web design implementation and browser compatibility, look for candidates with experience in front-end development. 

Hiring applicants with industry-specific knowledge can be advantageous to your business objectives and goals.  

In this time and age, being skillful in web development software is essential for success. 

The use of specific software and technology helps increase web developers’ productivity. Hiring candidates who are proficient in software like Adobe Dreamweaver, CodePen, Bootstrap, and React will improve and boost your website’s visibility and overall performance. 

In essence, list out candidates with appropriate experience, technical proficiency, and qualifications. 

5. Conduct an Extensive Interview Process

After shortlisting your candidates, begin interviewing them and be sure to exceed the conventional questions. Tailor your web developer interview questions using this template to evaluate their competence, skills, and tolerance to challenges. 

Your questions should go around their experiences and responsibilities, how they helped build online visibility in their previous roles, and their method of handling pressure and workplace conflicts. 

To ensure they are the perfect candidates, ask for work samples, like links to business websites you worked on. 

Be on the lookout for candidates who can develop your business website to be user-friendly and ensure that they have the ability to work in teams and adapt to change.  

6. Test Technical Skills

A technical proficiency assessment is vital in evaluating a web developer’s qualifications. It involves various methods such as coding challenges, technical tests, coding projects, and algorithmic problem-solving to gauge a candidate’s technical skills and knowledge.

These assessments provide insight into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, coding style, and ability to work under constraints. 

Dig into their programmer portfolio, take a look at their GitHub account, ask about their use of Stack Overflow, and, if possible, conduct a live coding interview. 

7. Carry Out Background Checks and Cross-Verify Their References

Once the interview is over, contact the references that were provided through phone or email, to know more about the candidate’s collaboration, communication, problem-solving skills, work ethic, and technical proficiency. Ask about their work performance and ability to meet deadlines. 

Carry out a background check to verify that the credentials and qualifications provided are credible and valid. 

Research shows that a good number of Americans fake their resume once in a while, ao conducting the background check will clear any doubts and help you hire sincere web developers. 

Tips for Recognizing and Addressing Concerns in the Hiring Process

In the process of hiring a web developer, recognizing and addressing concerns is essential to ensure you make informed decisions and select the best candidate for your web developer position. Here are some tips to help you get by:

  • Be Attentive to Inconsistent Information: If there is inconsistency in a candidate’s resume, references or interview responses, inquire about these differences to clear doubts and traces of dishonesty.
  • Do Not Ignore Negative Reference Feedback and the Gap in Employment: Negative feedback from a reference is a cause for concern, as follow-up questions to understand the context. A gap in employment could be another red flag to look out for; however, it could be due to career changes, personal reasons, and so on.
  • Be Cautious of Skill Set Mismatches and Overqualification: Concerns could arise from skill set mismatch but try to be calm and discuss potential training and skill development opportunities. In a case of overqualification, discuss the reason for pursuing the role and determine their level of interest and commitment to responsibilities.
  • Pay attention to commitment concerns: Any candidate who portrays traces of commitment issues should not be taken lightly, especially if you are looking for long-term employees. Inquire about their career goals and see if it aligns with business goals.

A new hire's first day checklist

Web Developer Job Description

Have you ever thought of what leads to a higher application rate in a job posting? Job postings with clear and compelling job titles, concise yet comprehensive descriptions of responsibilities and qualifications, and transparent information about benefits and opportunities for learning and growth with a respectful tone tend to attract higher application rates. 

Reduce the use of symbols in your job ad titles, and make your web developer job description straightforward. Remember that job descriptions impact the way a candidate perceives the role and the probability of applying. 

So, here’s what a spectacular job description looks like:

Download the template here

Job Title: Accountant

Company: [Your Company Name]

Location: [Location]

Job Type: [Full Time / Part Time / Contract]

Salary: [Salary / Competitive / DOE]

 

About Us:

[Provide a brief description of your company, its history, values, sustainability and work environment.]

The Opportunity: 

We are currently seeking a detail-oriented, experienced Accountant to join our team. You will be responsible for performing various bookkeeping and financial tasks, such as preparing budgets and financial reports, performing tax returns, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and managing company ledgers. You should have a strong understanding of financial regulations and accounting operations used in our industry.

What You’ll Do:

  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports
  • Analyze and report on financial status including income statement variances, communicating financial results to management, budget preparation and analysis
  • Improve systems and procedures and initiate corrective actions
  • Oversee taxes and abide by federal regulations
  • Evaluate financial operations to recommend best-practices, identify issues and strategize solutions, and help organizations run efficiently
  • Conduct forecasting and risk analysis assessments

What You’ll Bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field
  • [Specify years] years of accounting experience
  • Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting and legislation
  • Proficiency with accounting software ([specify if any specific software])
  • Strong computer skills, particularly with MS Excel
  • Excellent attention to detail with the ability to unravel complex accounting reports
  • CPA certification is a plus

Our Ideal Candidate is Someone Who Has:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
  • 5 years of experience in accounting or financial management
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Accountant (CA) are strongly preferred

Benefits and Perks:

  • Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Generous PTO and holiday schedule.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Equity or stock options.
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Life and disability insurance.
  • Continuing education and professional development opportunities.
  • A culture that prioritizes work-life balance.
  • Flexible work arrangements (remote work, flexible hours).
  • Company-sponsored team outings and social events.
  • Employee wellness programs.
  • Access to professional associations, conferences, and subscriptions.

How to Join Us:

Please send your resume, a cover letter detailing your qualifications, and any other supporting documents to [email address] with the subject line “Application for Accountant Position – [Your Name]”.

[Your Company Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Closing Date: [Insert closing date for applications]

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in [Your Company Name].

Note: Customizing this template to align with your company’s precise requirements and the unique responsibilities of the Web developer position you aim to hire is crucial. While this template encompasses a comprehensive role, adjustments might be necessary for specialized positions like front-end developer, back-end developer, full-stack developer or UX/UI developer.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Web Developer?

When selecting a web developer for your organization, it’s crucial to factor in the related costs to guarantee accurate budgeting and allocation of resources. The following are a few possible hiring expenditures worth contemplating.

Recruitment Costs

This encompasses costs associated with promoting the job vacancy, engaging recruitment agencies, and performing background checks or pre-employment evaluations. The expenses can differ based on the chosen recruitment avenues and the intricacy of the hiring procedure.

For example, utilizing an external agency typically involves an average cost of around 15% to 25% of the yearly salary. This expense can fluctuate based on variables like the industry and pertinent factors.

For an internal HR team, this expense might not be immediately quantifiable. Still, it could include a substantial investment of time for HR personnel and managers, totaling around $4,700. The specific amount can vary based on factors such as the company’s scale and the intricacies of the hiring procedures.

Salary and Benefits

The biggest cost when hiring a web developer is usually their salary. How much a web developer earns depends on things like how much they’ve worked before, their qualification, their skills, and how many similar jobs are available nearby.

The average annual salary for web developers is $81,957, which consists of a base salary of $77,367 and an additional annual pay of $4,589.

In addition, consider the cost of employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and other perks you may offer to attract and retain a top web developer. 

Training and Onboarding

If you hire a beginner web developer or someone who doesn’t know exactly what your company’s web development needs are, you might have to set aside money for teaching and helping them get started. This could mean giving them things they need, like tools and software, or getting experts to help train them. 

On average, you invest around $103 per hour in employee training, with employees potentially needing 62 hours of training annually.

Equipment and Software

Web developers usually need specialized software and tools to carry out their tasks effectively. Take into account the expenses linked to furnishing them with essential equipment, including computers, licenses for web development software, and any other tools necessary for fulfilling their roles proficiently.