In this digital era, every business wants a strong online presence, which is achieved through a well-structured website. The problem is that developing a professional site is not as easy as it seems. Not only do you have to think of domain names but also hosting and design.

Not all developers possess the ability to juggle back-end, front-end, and database-related tasks. In some cases, you have to hire an entire team where different people handle each aspect. That will get expensive as you have to hire at least three separate developers.

The good news is that your have the option to hire a full stack developer instead. They are increasing in demand these days—and for good reason! There’s a lot they may do for your business in terms of developing software, applications, and websites.

What does a full stack developer do?

A full stack developer is someone proficient in programming languages for the back-end and front-end, such as JavaScript, Python, and PHP. They are responsible mostly for the back end but must also know front-end languages to manage the look and feel of the site.

Some of their other responsibilities include:

• Testing codes to validate apps and check for their compatibility across different platforms
• Coordinating the development process with project managers and other developers
• Coding programs, mobile applications, web applications, and so on
• Using different testing methods for a variety of applications and aspects of a website
• Troubleshooting technical issues at every layer of the development process
• Laying the plans for future requirements and communicating them with upper management
• Analysing queries for the database and dealing with any bugs that may come up
• Keeping tabs on important metrics or KPIs and taking measures where needed
• Seeing through projects from conception to the finished product
• Staying updated on the latest developments in programming languages and web applications

Why hire a full stack developer instead?

There’s a lot that a full stack developer may do, so there’s a lot that your company may gain from them too. Here are some examples of the benefits of hiring one to work for you full-time.

They are versatile

They’re skilled in both back-end and front-end development. The former means they may write codes to connect your site with content management systems while the latter means they write codes to control the interactivity and appearance of the website on a browser.

They contribute on all levels

Get them to help with the entire plan structure and provide input on any level as they need to. Their services go beyond developing the website and optimising existing frameworks. They also represent your product or brand in conferences and events.

They are budget-friendly

If you need a nice website but have a limited budget to work with, it’s best to arrange the services of a full-stack developer. As they’re able to handle all aspects of the project, you won’t have to hire multiple developers thereby saving you money.

They assume full ownership

You may rely on them for all of your project needs as they are accountable for the development from beginning to end. Even if you hire them in the middle of the project, they know how to plan the best way to progress. They also assist with quality control and assurance of the design.

They are updated on innovations

Make your project friendlier to users with the help of a professional full-stack developer. They know what the latest technological innovations are and how to use them in putting together your website or application. They know how to implement smart features for an interactive and responsive site.

What to look for in a full stack developer

A full-stack developer will be a great addition to any product development and delivery team. In case you’re unsure what to look for in a candidate, consider the following skills:

Hard skills

These refer to technical skills you may measure, such as databases, languages, and software.

Back end

PHP: Useful for both back-end and front-end, it’s commonly used for gathering data, creating content, and receiving cookies

Git: This ensures that all changes to the code are tracked so it’s highly useful when working on a team.

Python: With its ample frameworks and libraries, this makes for a wonderful tool for back-end developers.

Front end

JavaScript: This programming language is rising in popularity because it’s useful for making interactive features, animation, and automation.

HTML/CSS: HTML is used for creating content on websites and applications. Meanwhile, CSS is used for making aesthetically pleasing layouts and designs.

Full stack

Apart from the back-end and front-end skills mentioned above, a full-stack developer also needs knowledge in:

Web architecture: This role requires your candidates to know how to code, how to structure their data, how to separate their files, and how to perform computations.

HTTP and REST: The former is for fostering communication between web servers and clients, whereas the latter is for providing constraints and standards when creating web services.

Web storage and databases: Every application and website needs databases to store and manage data so your full-stack developer needs working knowledge with these.

Soft skills

Here are the soft skills that are useful for all kinds of roles in web development:

• Creativity: Whether it’s for structuring code, managing records, or designing a website, there is a need for creativity in these roles.
• Attention to detail: Developers need to pay close attention to the code they’re making in order to save time by shortening production schedules.
• Communication: For a more comfortable and efficient work environment, it’s important to have open communication with superiors and peers regarding technical concerns and issues.
• Patience: Coding consumes a lot of time so you want someone who maintains a calm and positive attitude even when faced with pressure.
• Problem-solving: Challenges and obstacles are inevitable so pick a worker who is able to solve problems quickly in potentially stressful situations.

Where to find a reliable full stack developer

With an increasing number of companies aiming for a digital transformation, there is also a greater need for developers. Hiring a team of front-end, back-end, and database developers can be expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, it makes sense to hire a single full-stack developer for your needs.

We at Remote Workmate are ready to assist you in recruiting for this kind of role. We have an existing pool of talents where you may choose a candidate from, but even if you’re unable to pick one, we may arrange for a separate screening too.