The need for freelance developers has witnessed a skyrocketing growth in recent times. The proliferation of online platforms catering to freelancing opportunities has resulted in up to 73% of professionals choosing freelancing as a career path. Nonetheless, the magnitude of the market can be daunting, making it challenging for businesses to identify the right freelancer that matches specific requirements. As a result, sourcing qualified and experienced freelancers has become increasingly time-consuming for hiring managers. This has, unfortunately, left some companies with no choice but to engage freelancers who ultimately fail to deliver on projects.
To ensure they get the best out of their freelancing experience, businesses must conduct a thorough search of online platforms that offer highly skilled and experienced developers. In addition, they should familiarise themselves with the hiring process, recruitment tips, and frequently asked questions to make informed decisions. It’s critical to prioritize technical skills, as they form a crucial part of picking the perfect candidate. This article aims to provide clarity on some of the most perplexing aspects of identifying and recruiting freelancers in 2021.
What Constitutes a Freelance Programmer?
A freelancer can be defined as a professional who provides their services to companies on a contractual basis.
A freelance developer is an individual who operates as a software development consultant.
A freelance developer who delivers their services via the internet, without visiting an office, is commonly referred to as a remote freelance developer.
A remote freelance developer has the flexibility of working from home, giving them the freedom to set their own schedule and work without external pressure.
Advantages of Collaborating with Freelance Programmers
Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of outsourcing product development rather than keeping it in-house. It’s clear that remote freelancers will continue to be a vital component of business operations in 2023, necessitating a shift in approach. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that there are advantages and disadvantages to hiring freelance developers that must be weighed.
Undoubtedly, freelancing is a more cost-efficient option. However, it’s essential to delve deeper into why hiring remote freelance engineers is a logical choice.
1. Focused Growth
- Research has shown that remote working can lead to increased productivity and a better work focus. With employees situated in different time zones, companies can maintain a consistent workflow with minimal interruption. As companies expand and broaden their product development, the shift towards remote work is becoming more pronounced. Thus, many businesses are now seeking to hire freelance developers.
2. Seamless Collaboration
- Studies conducted by various companies have highlighted the productivity benefits of hiring freelance developers rather than an in-house team. To facilitate remote collaboration, several useful tools are available, including video conferencing applications such as Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom, which provide advanced features that enable seamless communication in real-time. Additionally, content planning and management tools such as Trello, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and OneDrive are available at your fingertips.
3. Capacity for Prompt and Comprehensive Development
- Freelance developers offer businesses a cost-effective option to swiftly enhance their development capacities. Remote teams are often more concentrated than in-house groups, making them an excellent choice when brainstorming the best way to approach IT ventures.
4. Approach that Reduces Costs
- Hiring an in-house team can be more expensive than recruiting remotely. If limited budgets make hiring an in-house employee impractical, then engaging three independent contractors could be a feasible solution. Here are the three primary reasons that justify this approach.
- Businesses can face considerable expenses in maintaining their office spaces. Over time, offices can decline in value, necessitating costly renovations. The expenses of office necessities such as computers, printers, and other electronics, as well as the monthly power bill, can negatively impact profitability. Remote working, however, offers a way to entirely eliminate these costs.
- A study by Stanford University has found that businesses may save as much as $2,000 per employee by permitting select staff to work remotely.
- Since remote recruitment is among the best ways to find the perfect freelancer, businesses can save money by avoiding hiring the wrong candidates.
5. Access to Global Talent is Effortless
- The global freelance software development industry is vast in its scope. It is filled with exceptional programmers and innovators who can deliver cutting-edge software quickly, without compromising on usability or efficiency.
6. Enhanced Productivity
- Apprehensions about the productivity of a remote workforce are valid. Nonetheless, studies indicate that companies that hire remote freelance developers can potentially experience a rise in productivity. This is due to the calm and productive atmosphere that remote work can offer, which frequently leads to increased focus and improved output.
7. Work Schedules Can Be Tailored to Meet Specific Needs
- Effective productivity can be attained by following a well-organized work schedule, allowing the business to concentrate on important tasks instead of wasting time on competing priorities. This approach benefits both developers and the company.
8. Market Visibility
- Businesses can broaden their market presence by leveraging the expertise of remote developers from different time zones, effectively turning them into unofficial brand ambassadors who can promote the company in their respective regions.
Important Considerations When Hiring Freelance Developers
When contemplating the hiring of remote developers, it is crucial to consider several factors such as technology expertise, compensation, working hours, and time zone discrepancies. Remote work can bring numerous advantages to businesses, but to realize them, it is essential to meticulously evaluate the company’s requirements. By carefully assessing the project’s scope, it is possible to match it with the abilities of freelance developers.
It is important to consider these factors before hiring any sort of developer, whether it be software or otherwise.
1. Clearly Define Your Requirements and Describe Your Project
Recognizing a project’s development demands before engaging any freelance experts is essential. This will aid in identifying the most appropriate candidates to search for, as well as whether it is necessary to build a complete remote team or hire a single developer.
2. Rigorous Selection Process
To ensure the appropriate selection of a remote developer, it is crucial to identify the necessary skills for the position. Employing a thorough screening process, involving technical assessments and interviews, is necessary to accurately evaluate a developer’s expertise and aptitude.
3. Streamlined Communication Process
When working remotely, it is important to recognize possible communication obstacles that may arise. Collaborating with teams operating in various time zones and countries can be challenging due to language barriers and different work patterns. To guarantee the success of a remote team, it is necessary to have an awareness of the hurdles that may be encountered.
Hiring Freelance Developers: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Draft a Comprehensive Job Description
Job descriptions should be written in a clear and concise manner, outlining all responsibilities, qualifications, and required experience.
When creating a job description, determine what characteristics the ideal candidate should possess. Are you seeking someone with specific skills and experience? Specify whether you require a freelance software developer, freelance web developer, freelance full stack developer, or something else. Clearly outline the technical abilities that applicants must have. Also, do not forget to mention that the position is remote.
2. Search International Job Boards
Start by thoroughly analyzing the project’s requirements and the skills of potential candidates. Then, post job ads on remote job boards, providing clear bullet points outlining the desired qualifications. To learn more about the inner workings of each remote job site and the type of personnel they typically attract, refer to their respective websites. You can also research freelance developers by reviewing their profiles.
Register and publish a job posting on an online job board to reach a wide pool of potential candidates. The site’s algorithms will then search its users for individuals who match your project’s requirements. These websites can be an effective way to find the ideal remote employee.
3. Skills of UI/UX Designers
When creating a list of potential remote developers for your project, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate their qualifications and skills to ensure they meet the job requirements. This involves confirming their technical, communication, and interpersonal skills prior to scheduling an interview. Therefore, it is highly advised to conduct a detailed background check to ensure the candidate is a good fit for the position.
- What are his strengths in digital media, and which medium does he prefer?
- Will he feel comfortable using the proposed medium?
- How comfortable is the candidate in using remote tools?
- Are they available to work in shifts?
Conduct Video Interviews
The video interview is a vital component of the hiring process and should only be scheduled after the candidate has been evaluated against the criteria outlined in the questionnaires. During the interview, make sure to ask questions that pertain to remote work.
- Have you ever worked remotely before? If yes, for how long?
- Which video conferencing platform do they prefer? How do they plan to communicate with their supervisors and HR department?
- How experienced are they in different collaboration techniques? Do they have any suggestions for alternative channels?
- I am interested in knowing the challenges they have faced while working remotely.
- How do they manage the challenges of remote work?
It may also be suitable to ask questions pertaining to the specific job being offered, as demonstrated in freelance software developer surveys available at Works.
- Databases.
- Organized data.
- Information science and computer networking.
- Hardware and programming language development environments.
or surveys that focus on self-employed web designers and developers, covering areas such as
- Technology utilized on both the client-side and server-side.
- Hardware and programming languages.
Working as a Freelance Developer in Various Disciplines
With greater flexibility offered by freelancing, it is not uncommon for developers to adjust their career aspirations. Nonetheless, this also poses various inquiries, including the most secure and lucrative freelance development positions. In response, we have compiled a list of some of the most desired freelance opportunities for developers.
- Self-Employed Web Designer and Developer.
- As a software developer, I am self-employed.
- Blockchain architect working for oneself.
- Self-Employed Data Scientist.
- Self-Employed Java Developer.
- Self-employed full-stack web developer.
Leading Freelance Platforms for Software Development Outsourcing
1. Works
Rest assured that at Works, we will handle all essential procedures for remote hiring and present you with the most fitting developer for your project within 48 hours. We are dedicated to guiding you through the entire recruitment process.
The process of discovering and hiring a suitable developer who can meet your requirements at Works is a simple three-step approach.
Initiate a brief phone call to explore your project’s requirements and to be put in touch with the appropriate developer.
At Works, we appreciate the importance of your time and strive to present you with the ideal candidate within a maximum of 48 hours. We are dedicated to providing prompt and effective outcomes.
Once we furnish you with a list of eligible candidates, you may schedule interviews and onboard them at your convenience.
Highly-qualified professionals who have undergone thorough screenings in the following technology domains are available at Works:
- Blockchain.
- Cybersecurity.
- Statistical Analysis Services.
- Defi.
- IoT.
- Machine Learning.
- Metaverse.
- NFT.
2. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the most popular social platform for networking with other professionals. It is an ideal option for companies searching for competent individuals as it provides both full-time and remote employment opportunities for people residing in different regions. However, it doesn’t offer any active job-seeking support services and is not suitable for firms looking for freelance programmers. If your company is currently hiring for position that requires physical presence, then LinkedIn could be the most suitable platform for you.
Living Expenses for Self-Employed Programmers
The intensifying competition among remote freelance developers has resulted in augmented compensation, making it an appealing prospect for developers contemplating moving to remote work.
United States
A web developer in the United States typically receives an average yearly remuneration of $112,125. Nonetheless, while the median salary for US employees is $156,000, novice workers can anticipate a salary of around $70,000.
For UK Professionals
The most profitable freelance web development position in the UK provides an annual earning of £75,943. Experienced professionals can anticipate a yearly compensation of £56,000, while new entrants can expect to receive an annual salary of around £46,000.
In India
Freelance software developers in India typically receive an annual income of $10,000. For novice positions, the average salary is $4,000 per year, whereas experienced developers may receive up to $26,000 annually.
Conclusion
As software development continues to be an essential commodity, enterprises worldwide are acknowledging the significance of freelance developers who can provide prompt and reliable solutions. IT giants are taking advantage of this opportunity by recruiting highly proficient developers, who have departed from their jobs in vast numbers. Many programmers are also recognizing the benefits of freelancing, comprising more autonomy, less stress, and higher compensation, while minimizing interruptions to their work. Remote software development is the future of the IT sector, with predictions of millions of new job opportunities by 2030 and a more flexible arrangement for both employers and employees.
