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Meet our Front End Developer community
Braintrust is a user-owned talent platform created by and for the world’s top talent. This includes a talented network of experienced Front End Developers available for hire.
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Zak Butcher
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Luke Hayes-Alexander
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Jared Malcolm
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How to hire Top Front End Developers
Overview
Hiring a Front End Developer involves several considerations, ranging from the skills and experience required to the nature of your company and specific job circumstances. In terms of technical skills, front-end developers should be proficient in various programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and depending on the project requirements, may also need to be familiar with particular templates and JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js. Additional skills like responsive design, performance optimization, understanding of version control systems, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are also essential for web and mobile applications. Reviewing a candidate's portfolio and past work can give you a clear idea of their practical and technical skills and experience.
The size and nature of your company can influence what you need in a front-end developer. At a startup, developers may need to wear multiple hats, meaning they might need a broader range of skills. They may also need to be more adaptable and comfortable with fast-paced changes. On the other hand, a larger company might look for more specialized skills or experience with specific tools and technologies. The developer may need to integrate into a larger web development team, requiring strong collaborative skills and familiarity with team collaboration tools.
When it comes to hiring full time versus hourly, each has its pros and cons. Full-time employees tend to be more integrated into the company culture, have a deeper understanding of the project, and can provide continuity. However, they are also more expensive when you factor in benefits and overhead costs. An hourly or contract developer might be a better fit if you have a specific, time-limited project or if you need to ramp up your team temporarily to meet a deadline. They provide flexibility but may not have the same level of commitment or in-depth understanding of your project as a full-time employee.
Hiring a remote front-end developer versus an on-site developer is another consideration. Remote developers can offer flexibility and access to a broader talent pool, but effective remote collaboration requires robust communication systems. On-site developers can more easily build relationships with the team and engage in face-to-face collaboration but might limit your hiring options geographically.
Overall, hiring a Front End Developer requires a careful assessment of your company's needs, the specific requirements of the project, and the skills and characteristics of the candidate. It's a complex process that can significantly impact the success of your project.
Technical Skills
Technical skills are the cornerstone of a front-end developer's role. These are typically focused on three key areas: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for creating web pages. A front-end developer should have a firm understanding of HTML syntax and semantics. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to describe the look and formatting of a document written in HTML. Developers should be familiar with CSS fundamentals like styling text, positioning elements, and creating responsive layouts. JavaScript is used to make web pages interactive and dynamic. This may include everything from creating simple animations to handling user input data. In addition to these fundamental skills, depending on the project requirements, understanding of JavaScript libraries and frameworks (like jQuery, React.js, Angular.js, or Vue.js), CSS preprocessors (like Sass or Less), and build tools (like Gulp or Webpack) may also be required. An understanding of AJAX to fetch data asynchronously would be a plus.
Experience with Responsive Design
Responsive design is about making websites look and function properly on a variety of devices, from desktops to mobile phones. This requires an understanding of CSS and HTML, as well as frameworks like Bootstrap that can make the process easier. A developer with years of experience in responsive design should understand how to use media queries to adjust layouts based on screen size and how to design flexible grids and images that adapt to their containers. They should also be familiar with mobile-first design principles and understand the importance of touch-friendly design elements for mobile devices. Additionally, they should understand how to test the responsiveness of a site across various devices and browsers to ensure consistency.
Understanding of Performance Optimization
Web page performance optimization is an essential skill in creating fast, efficient websites that provide a good user experience. This can involve everything from minifying CSS and JavaScript files to reduce their size, optimizing images for the web, implementing lazy loading for resources, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests. Developers should also be familiar with performance analysis tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse, which can provide insights into a page's performance and offer recommendations for improvements. Understanding concepts like asynchronous loading and experience with JavaScript performance testing could be beneficial. A developer who understands how to build a website with performance in mind from the outset will likely create a faster, more efficient site.
Experience with Version Control Systems
Version control systems, such as Git, are essential tools for managing code in a collaborative environment. They allow developers to keep track of changes made to the codebase, making it easier to find and fix bugs and to understand what changes have been made and by whom. Developers should be comfortable with the basics of Git - committing changes, creating branches, merging branches, and resolving merge conflicts. They should also understand the principles behind version control - why it's used and how it can help a team work together more effectively. In addition, familiarity with platforms like GitHub or Bitbucket, which host Git repositories and facilitate collaboration, would be a plus.
Problem-Solving Skills
In software development, unexpected issues are part and parcel of the job. Thus, problem-solving is a critical skill for front-end developers. A significant part of a developer's time could be spent debugging code, identifying why something doesn't work as expected, and figuring out how to fix it. This often requires logical thinking, patience, and a deep understanding of how the code works. Tools like Chrome DevTools can aid in this process by allowing developers to step through their code, inspect variables, and understand the flow of execution. Additionally, a good developer should understand how to write tests using testing frameworks like Jest or Mocha to catch issues before they become problems. Familiarity with error tracking software like Sentry could also be beneficial.
Communication Skills
As front-end developers often work as part of a team, effective communication is key. They need to articulate technical details to designers, back-end developers, project managers, and sometimes clients in a way that they can understand. This includes discussing project requirements, reporting on progress, explaining challenges, and offering solutions. Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can facilitate this communication within a team. Additionally, front-end developers might need to create clear and concise documentation using tools like Confluence to explain how their code works and how to use it.
Attention to Detail
The front-end of a website is what users interact with, so even small details can impact their experience. Front-end developers need to accurately implement designs, ensure that the application behaves correctly, and consistently test their work across different browsers and devices. Tools like Pixel Perfect or similar browser extensions can help ensure that implementations match designs exactly. Additionally, understanding how to use automated testing tools that can check for visual regressions, like Percy, can be a significant advantage. Developers should also be familiar with browser dev tools for testing site responsiveness and ensuring compatibility across different browsers.
Portfolio and Past Work
When hiring a front-end developer, you'd want to see their previous work to assess their skill set and experience. A strong portfolio demonstrates a range of abilities, shows an understanding of good design principles, and provides evidence of their coding skills such as scripting. Candidates might also contribute to open-source projects, which can be viewed on platforms like GitHub. Look at the code's cleanliness, organization, and whether they follow best practices. Also, note if they have worked on projects similar to yours. Reviewing live projects they've worked on will provide insights into their real-world experience. In addition, asking about the specific roles they played in past projects can help assess their ability to work as part of a team and manage different aspects of a project.
Expert Resources for Hiring Front End Developers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Front End Developer skills and what do they work on?
Front-end web developers (sometimes referred to as front-end engineers or software engineers) are responsible for implementing the web design or visual components of a web application that users see and interact with directly. They essentially take website design files and convert them into HTML, JavaScript (JS) and/or CSS code - the core elements of front-end development. This includes everything that users experience directly: text colors and styles, drop-down menus, sliders, contact forms, and more.
Front-end developers typically do the following:
1. Develop user interfaces: They take designs from UX/UI designers and turn them into functional user interfaces. They ensure the website's UI/UX design is optimal for user interaction and satisfaction.
2. Write and test code: They write high-quality code to turn designs into reality, and they test this code to ensure it works as expected across various browsers and devices.
3. Debugging: Front-end developers are responsible for fixing bugs, troubleshooting, and ensuring that the front-end codebase is free of errors.
4. Collaboration: They often work with back-end developers to make sure the website's server-side code (like database queries and operations) works well with the front-end of the website. They may also work with other team members such as expert full-stack developers who are familiar with both back-end and front-end technologies.
5. Optimization: They work to optimize the web app or site for speed and efficiency. They may also be responsible for ensuring the website is responsive, i.e., the layout adjusts itself to the screen size of the device on which it's viewed.
6. Maintain site updates and improvements: Once a website is live, front-end developers may be responsible for implementing and maintaining website updates and improvements.
Front-end developers typically have the following skills:
1. HTML/CSS: These are the backbones of any web page. Developers need to know how to use them to adjust the layout, position, and appearance of elements on a page.
2. JavaScript: This language helps to make web pages interactive. It is used to manipulate the elements created with HTML and CSS.
3. Front-End Frameworks and libraries: JavaScript frameworks (like Vue, Angular, or React) and CSS frameworks (like Bootstrap) are tools that front-end developers use to speed up development and write more efficient code.
4. Responsive design: With the variety of devices available, developers need to ensure that websites look good and function properly on all device types and screen sizes.
5. Version control/Git: This helps developers track changes made to the code over time, allowing them to go back to previous versions if something goes wrong.
6. Debugging/Testing: Front-end developers should know how to test their code for bugs and issues, and how to solve these when they come up.
7. Performance optimization: Users expect pages to load quickly, so developers should know how to make web pages perform well.
8. Understanding of SEO principles: A good front-end developer should be aware of the basic principles of SEO, as the structure and layout of the code can impact a site's search engine ranking.
9. Collaboration tools: Front-end developers often work as part of a team, so they need to be familiar with development services or tools for collaborative work and project management like Jira, Trello, Slack, etc.
Remember that the specific skills required can vary from job to job. Some jobs may also require familiarity with certain CMS (Content Management Systems) like WordPress or specific build tools like Webpack or Gulp.
How much does it cost to hire a Front End Developer?
The cost to hire a Front End Developer depends on multiple factors, including their level of experience, the complexity of the work, their time zone or location, and whether they are being hired as full-time employees or as freelance contractors. In the United States, the average salary for a front-end developer ranged from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually. For a more junior role, salaries might be lower, while senior or specialized roles could command higher salaries. You should note that these figures may have changed, and it's best to look at updated salary databases or job postings in your specific area for the most accurate information.
Where can I hire a Front End Developer?
There are various places where you can hire a Front End Developer. Online job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor are common places to post job listings. If you're looking for freelance or contract developers, use sites like Braintrust to hire front-end developers. Braintrust is an online freelance job platform, where you can list your job for free and get vetted candidates in 48 hours. GitHub Jobs is another excellent platform for finding developers, as it's a site frequented by developers. Networking events, tech meetups, or job fairs are also viable places to meet potential candidates.
How do I recruit a Front End Developer?
Recruiting a Front End Developer starts with a clear and detailed job description. Define the technical skills and experience you're looking for, and also consider cultural fit and soft skills. Once the job is posted on the platforms mentioned above, screen resumes and portfolios for a match with your requirements. Interviews, both behavioral and technical, are crucial. They allow you to assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, culture fit, communication skills, and technical abilities. For technical assessment, coding challenges or a review of past work are often helpful.
How much does a Front End Developer charge per hour?
Freelance Front End Developers usually charge per hour, and the rates can vary greatly depending on their experience, skills, and location. An average range might be from $60 to over $100 per hour. However, highly experienced or specialized developers may charge significantly more. Rates in other countries can vary, and it's worth noting that hiring developers from regions with lower living costs can be a cost-saving measure. Always remember to ensure that you are not compromising the quality of the work for lower rates.
Is it hard to find good Front End Developers?
Finding the best Front End Developer can indeed be challenging. This is due to several reasons. Firstly, there's a high demand for skilled front-end developers as every business seeking to have an online presence needs them. Secondly, the field of front-end development is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to find developers who keep themselves updated with the latest technologies and best practices. Lastly, being a good Front End Developer is not just about coding. It also requires excellent problem-solving skills, a keen eye for design and usability, effective communication skills, and a good understanding of user and business needs. Therefore, finding a candidate who possesses both technical prowess and these additional qualities can be difficult but not impossible.
What types of applications do Front End Developers typically work on?
Front End Developers work on the part of the application that users interact with, typically through a web browser or a mobile app. They work on websites, web applications, mobile apps, and even desktop applications using web or front-end technologies. They can create everything from static websites to dynamic web applications like social networks, e-commerce sites, content management systems, interactive games, and more. They are also involved in building user interfaces for single-page applications (SPAs) that interact with backend services via APIs. Nowadays, they might also work on progressive web applications (PWAs) that blend web and mobile app behavior, or server-side rendered applications for performance benefits.
Why hire a Front End Developer?
Hiring a Front End Developer is crucial for creating an engaging and effective user interface for your digital product. They translate your company's design and functionality needs into a user-friendly, interactive, and appealing interface. A good Front End Developer improves user experience, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and potentially higher conversion rates. They also ensure your website or app works well across various devices and browsers, making your product accessible to a larger audience. Moreover, by using best coding practices and focusing on performance, they help your site load faster, rank better in search engines, and provide a better user experience. In essence, a Front End Developer plays a pivotal role in how your users perceive and interact with your digital presence.
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