Assembling a front-end development team is no easy task. One of the workaround options is deciding to hire dedicated front-end developers. Dive into the peculiarities of employing an outsourced front-end team for your project.
As new startups find their place, having a skilled front-end team to make websites or apps look good and work well is crucial. When people visit your website or application, they care about how it looks and functions. They don't really think much about what's going on behind the scenes. What really counts is the front end. It greets new users, walks them through your brand's mobile or web stories, and convinces them to make a purchase or take action.
Let's take a look at how things go with user spending. According to data.ai, people worldwide are spending more money than ever on mobile apps, reaching about $67.5 billion in 2023. Evidently, this wouldn't be possible without developers going more user-centric in their front-end effort, translating from business and design to beautiful, functional language.
If you're looking to hire dedicated front-end developers, read on to grasp all the smart moves in bringing on the perfect people to build your solution.
You've probably heard about front-end developers and teams, but what's the deal with dedicated teams? Let's dive into this question.
A front-end developer makes the design come alive. They're the ones who make the button change color when clicked and the text smoothly appear when scrolling the page. A dedicated team is an externally hired team that's all in for a specific project or task within your startup or company. This crew works closely together, bringing their individual expertise to the table to overcome challenges and push the project forward.
Bringing it all together, a dedicated front-end team is completely focused on perfecting or building the visual and interactive parts of your solution. Commonly, this crew can be hired from an outsourcing company that lends you its team, comprised of the best front-end developers for your industry, tech stack, complexity, and other special criteria.
Thus, the close link of the dedicated team to your business's or startup's idea is the number one reason to go for it. Need more?
You may ask: "Why would I want to hire a dedicated team rather than gathering an in-house team?"
Even if it doesn't stand out right away, there are some benefits to having a front-end dedicated development team that you should definitely check out.
Save Time:
Getting a front-end development team comes with a big time-saving perk. The whole process of hunting for the right candidates, recruiting software engineers, bringing new hires on board, getting them up to speed on projects, and training in-house specialists can consume a lot of time. On average, it takes up to 1 month to make newcomers keep up with the required tempo.
Once you hire a front-end development team, you get instant access to a crew of seasoned pros who are all set to quickly and efficiently handle your project tasks with their expertise in your niche.
Save Money:
Now, let us spin you a tale about the cost of building your dream team. Initially, the thought of hiring a team might make you raise an eyebrow or two — it sounds like a ticket to the pricey side of town. But you need to understand what you're really investing in when you bring on employees or opt for a dedicated team.
In the traditional in-house team setup, you're locked into dishing out fixed monthly salaries, no matter if the project is cruising or during the holiday lulls. And don't forget about those annual vacations, sick leaves, and the bill for fancy training and certifications.
Now, picture this: with dedicated front-end developers, you're only footing the bill for the hours they're pouring into your project. It's a sure way to cut down on unnecessary expenses. If the dedicated team's go-to guy is nursing a headache today, well, that's not your headache — it's the outsourcing partner's. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.
Hire Experience and Expertise:
The real charm of dedicated teams is the freedom to handpick front-end specialists from the vendor's talent pool with laser-focused expertise — whether it's a specific technology, making leaves move and wiggle while scrolling, making a 3D model spin on click, or any niche where your existing team might need a boost.
But wait, there's more. You can strike a deal with this dedicated team to not only get the job done but also train your in-house people in the skills and technologies that pique your interest. It's a strategic move to empower your team with extra know-how, nurturing a continuous learning culture within your company.
To bring it all home, let's pin the tail on this donkey: take a peek at the comparison of how key things differ between employing an in-house front-end development team and a dedicated front-end development team. Weigh the options to find the perfect fit!
Making sure you're getting a team on board with precisely the skills and experience your project demands is a smart move. So, in this part, we're going to dissect the important factors to keep in mind when you're in the process of bringing a front-end development team into the fold.
Zooming in on the area of expertise of the dedicated front-end team is essential. Tailor this assessment to the specific goals of your project or task, and get a clear picture of the expected team's level of proficiency (whether it may be some juniors with a fresh look at things or long-bearded seniors knowing every detail in their technology). But, like, who are they really?
Junior Front-End Developer:
When a company is juggling smaller projects or looking to be savvy with expenses while nurturing talent, bringing in junior front-end developers to the dedicated team is like playing the ace card. These rookies bring in a fresh vibe, eager to learn and dive into tasks that match their experience level.
Middle Front-End Developer:
Think of middle developers as the sweet spot — hitting that perfect balance between cost and quality. They bring a solid set of skills without breaking the bank, making them the go-to choice for projects looking for a reliable mix of expertise and affordability.
Senior Front-End Developer:
Now, if you're plunging into the complex universe of projects that demand seasoned leadership and a serious technical punch, the move is to lock in a dedicated front-end team with senior developers. These professionals pack over 5 years of battle-tested experience.
The presence of similar projects in the team's portfolio is a big green flag. Do your homework and find everything possible about the company you're planning to partner with. Here’s what you should assess:
Company Website, Case Studies, and Blog Posts:
Take a deep dive into the dedicated team's website — it's your backstage pass to uncovering the ins and outs of their past endeavors through case studies. And stay in the loop with their industry insights via blog posts.
Team's Social Media:
Stroll through their LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram — it's a peek into the company's vibe, seeing how engaged they are, and catching a sneak peek at their ongoing projects.
Online Reviews:
Get the inside scoop by checking out what clients and employees are saying on platforms like Clutch, Glassdoor, and Trustpilot. It's real talk straight from the source.
Portfolio Websites:
Swing by Behance and Dribbble for a visual feast of the company's design chops. These sites showcase the complexity of designs their front-end crew can implement.
GitHub or GitLab:
Peek at their GitHub or GitLab profiles for a deep dive into the technical side. You might want to check out the code quality, standards, proficiency with a certain stack, and contributions.
Upwork or Freelancer Profiles:
Even on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr, you can find nuggets of info. These platforms often showcase history, client feedback, and versatility.
The Vendor's Niche Expertise:
Different products have different dedicated teams. So, when you're making your pick, ensure you're snagging a team that's specialized in your core niche.
The Outsourcing Company's Pricing Structure:
Understand the hourly rates, nail down the payment terms, and be crystal clear on any additional expenses that might pop up. Getting a thorough roadmap for your project's finances is a move to steer clear of any unexpected budgetary surprises.
Let’s unravel the essentials for a successful deal:
1. Initial Contact:
The first hello sets the tone. Whether it's an email, a direct message, or a phone call, that initial contact is crucial for establishing rapport.
2. Technical Interviews:
Consider running technical interviews to test problem-solving skills, coding prowess, and understanding of relevant technologies.
3. Project Discussion:
Dive into in-depth discussions about your project, goals, and expectations. Make sure you’re both on the same page.
4. Clarifying Doubts:
Encourage and address any doubts or queries. The more relevant and deep the questions, the better your understanding will be.
5. References and Testimonials:
Reach out to previous clients for an insider peek. Insights from past collaborations can offer firsthand perspectives.
6. Collaboration on a Small Task:
Consider a small collaboration or trial project. This allows you to assess the team’s work in a real-world scenario.
Obviously, proficiency plays a role in the hourly rate of the front-end developer or the monthly flat fee of the team. Yet another point to consider is the location of the dedicated team. The team's location is a fundamental pricing factor for various outsourcing models.
Depending on the number of specialists in the team, their proficiency, and location, the average monthly flat fee of the dedicated front-end development team will vary.
At IT Blueprint, we're blending the cool factor of building our own B2B SaaS products with the savvy of being your dedicated tech partner. We know exactly how and why business mindset matters in development.
We’re a remote-by-design squad of 50+ people scattered across 8 countries on 3 continents. No time difference is a challenge in this setting. We're ready to jazz up your project with a front-end team that's as global as it gets.
For our startup pals, we turn killer ideas into fully functional MVPs in just 3 months. Whether it’s slick SaaS apps or customer tracking software, we know exactly how the front end differs in each scenario for each buyer persona when providing MVP development services for startups.
Fast-growing business? We've got your back. In as little as 1-2 weeks, we'll plug in A-class professionals with our tailored team augmentation services for growth-stage businesses (think business analysts, developers, UX/UI people, and more — right into your in-house team).
Our guiding principles:
At IT Blueprint, these principles aren't just words on paper; they're the vibe that shapes everything we do, including front-end development. Feel free to browse our case studies and reach out to us to discuss your needs!
