How to Hire Dedicated Developers: A Complete Guide

If you have your own business or work in a top managerial role, hiring software developers or software development teams for your company is nothing new. However, you may not be aware of ‘dedicated developers’, or may have queries about fully utilizing the advantages of dedicated development. Hence, here we have attempted to shed light on all questions related to hiring dedicated developers so that you can proceed at ease on your next project.

Table of Contents

1. What is a dedicated developer?
2. What are the benefits of hiring dedicated developers?
3. What are some common challenges of working with dedicated developers and their solutions?
   1. Communication
   2. Management
   3. Cost
   4. Quality
4. Are dedicated developers better than in-house developers?
5. What are the different types of dedicated developers?
6. How do I hire dedicated developers?

• Step 1: Define your needs.
• Step 2: Find dedicated developers.
• Step 3: Interview the candidates.
• Step 4: Select the best candidate.
• Step 5: Onboard the developer.

7. What should I look for when hiring dedicated developers?
8. How much do dedicated developers cost?
9. What are the risks of hiring dedicated developers?
10. How can I avoid fraud when hiring dedicated developers?
11. What are some best practices for onboarding and training dedicated developers?

• Onboarding
• Training

12. How do I manage a team of dedicated developers?
13. What are some tips for working successfully with dedicated developers?
14. How can I measure the success of a dedicated development team?
15. Conclusion

1.   What is a dedicated developer?

A dedicated developer is a third party software developer on hire who is focused only on one specific technology project of a particular client at a given time, in other words ‘dedicated’ to developing only a single development project / task during the time hired. This allows greater efficiency alongside better quality software development overall. A dedicated developer, therefore, can be considered someone between an employee (who only works for a single company though often many tasks / projects) and an independent contractor (who can be contracted with many companies though often only working on a single project at each company).

2.   What are the benefits of hiring dedicated developers?

There are many benefits to hiring dedicated developers, including:

1.     Cost-effectiveness:

Hiring dedicated developers is often more cost-effective than hiring in-house developers or freelancers. From our calculations in past projects at Era Biz Solutions, we found that dedicated development saves approximately 60% – 70% of overall costs on average, and over 90% of overheads. This is because you only pay for the time that the developers are working on your project.

2.     Access to a global talent pool:

According to the Global outsourcing survey 2022 by Deloitte over 50% of company executives stated that they have major challenges hiring developers with the necessary soft skills in-house. With dedicated developer services this challenge is solved. When you hire a dedicated team or dedicated developers, you are not limited to the talent pool in your local area. You can hire developers from anywhere in the world, which gives you access to a wider range of skills and experience.

3.     Better Expertise:

In comparison to in-house developers or freelancers, it is easier to find dedicated developers who are highly qualified and experienced in working with the exact skills you need to complete your project on time and within budget. For example, our dedicated developers at Era Biz Solutions are not only skilled but also up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends.

4.     Reduced risk:

Hiring dedicated developers can help to reduce the risk associated with your project. This is because you are working with a team of experienced professionals who have a proven track record with tens, hundreds or even in some cases thousands of projects or tasks in the same field of expertise.

Over the 12+ years that Era Biz Solutions has worked, hiring highly experienced developers being very experienced in IT project management has helped us hone our process and reduce risk. Our dedicated developers work with a project success rate of over 99% in comparison to the average 33-40% in the market. Practice makes perfect as they say.

5.     More Focus:

If you hire dedicated developers, they will only be focused on your project and your project only for the period you hire them (usually hired and paid on an hourly basis). This means that they can give your project the attention it deserves and ensure that it is completed to the highest standards. With Era Biz Solutions, all our projects are handled on a dedicated development basis with maximum focus.

6.     Comfortable Communication:

In a 2019 research study on Factors Influencing Team Performance in Software Development Projects^[1], it was analyzed that communication had the highest weight on the performance of the team and hence project success. Most dedicated developers are very fluent or at least conversant in English. They are also available to communicate with you on a regular basis as they work on your project only. This helps to ensure that you are on the same page and that your project progresses as planned.

At Era Biz Solutions we place great importance on communication. Hence we only hire all our developers after confirming that they are fully conversant and comfortable communicating general and technical information in English. We also consider other languages other than the native ones and English a good bonus, which means often there may be someone who can communicate with our clients in their native language even if the client has difficulties with English.

7.     Absolute Flexibility and Scalability:

Dedicated developers are flexible and can adapt to your needs. If you need to make changes to your project, they can accommodate your requests. In addition, you can easily scale up your development team by hiring more dedicated developers. This gives you the flexibility to meet the changing needs of your business.

Overall, hiring dedicated developers is a great way to get the expertise, focus, communication, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness that you need to complete your project on time and within budget.

3.   What are some common challenges of working with dedicated developers and their solutions?

Some common challenges of working with dedicated developers include:

1.     Communication:

Even as communication is an advantage when working with dedicated developers, it can also be a challenge. This is especially so if the developers are located in a different time zone or have a different cultural / linguistic background.

Solution: Use video conferencing tools for regular communication with the team. Establish clear communication channels and protocols, such as using a project management tool to track tasks and deadlines. Use a translation tool if necessary.

2.     Management:

Managing a dedicated development team can be challenging, especially if you do not have experience managing remote teams..

Solution: Have a clear project plan. Use a project management tool to track tasks and deadlines. Communicate regularly with the team to provide feedback and to answer questions. Use a remote team management tool to monitor team activity and productivity.

3.     Cost:

Hiring dedicated developers can be expensive depending on where you decide to hire from, especially if you are hiring from a high-cost country instead of a low-cost one.

Solution: Get quotes from multiple providers and negotiate the best possible price. Consider hiring developers from a lower-cost country.

4.     Quality:

It is important to have a quality assurance process in place to ensure that the code meets your standards. Some developers may not do proper quality assurance by default and will need to be checked and followed up on.

Solution: Have a quality assurance process in place to ensure that the code meets your standards. Test the code thoroughly before deploying it to production.

4. Are dedicated developers better than in-house developers?

Whether dedicated developers are better than in-house developers depends on your specific needs and requirements.

Dedicated developers

Dedicated developers are typically employed by a third-party company and are assigned to work on your project specifically.

In-house developers

In-house developers are employed directly by your company and work on a full-time basis.

Which is better?

The best option for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. If you need to scale your team up or down quickly, or if you need access to a wider range of skills and experience, then dedicated developers may be a good option. If you need to have close control over your development team or if you need to ensure that your codebase is kept confidential, then in-house developers may be a better option.

It is also important to consider the cost of each option. As per the rates Era Biz Solutions provides, hiring dedicated developers can be much more cost-effective than hiring in-house developers, especially if you are only hiring for a single project with a deadline or from a lower-cost country such as Sri Lanka. However, make sure you factor in the cost of managing a remote team, although some teams (such as when hiring Era Biz Solutions Dedicated Teams) come with project managers that can help you on that end.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which option is right for you is to carefully consider your specific needs and requirements.

Wondering if Dedicated Developers are the Right Choice for You? Contact Us at Era Biz Solutions and we can help you decide based on your specific needs!

5.     What are the different types of dedicated developers?

There are many different types of dedicated developers based on specialized skills and experience. Here are a few of the most common types:

• Web developers: Web developers specialize in developing websites and web applications. They have a deep understanding of web technologies such as PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and frameworks such as React.js and Node.js.
• Mobile developers: Mobile developers specialize in developing mobile applications for smartphones and tablets. They have a complete knowledge of mobile platforms such as iOS and Android along with expertise in mobile programming languages and frameworks such as Java, Swift, Kotlin, Objective C, React Native, etc.
• Software developers: While all developers are called software developers in general, this categorizes those who specialize in developing desktop and enterprise software applications. They are experts in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++, etc.
• Data scientists: Data scientists specialize in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They are skilled in statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.
• DevOps engineers: DevOps engineers specialize in automating and streamlining the software development and deployment process. They have a deep understanding of tools and technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Ansible.

In addition to these general types of dedicated developers, there are also many specialized developers who focus on specific technologies or industries. For example, there are dedicated developers who specialize in developing cloud-based applications, e-commerce applications, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, or healthcare applications.

What are the core requirements of your project? What type of software do you need to develop? What technologies do you need to use? What industry are you in? You need to consider all these for dedicated developers who have the skills and experience required to complete your project successfully.

6.     How do I hire dedicated developers?

Here are some steps on how to hire dedicated developers:

Step 1: Define your needs.

What type of software do you need to develop? What technologies do you need to use? What industry are you in? Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can start to look for dedicated developers who have the skills and experience required to complete your project successfully.

Step 2: Find dedicated developers.

There are a number of ways to find dedicated developers. You can search online, ask for referrals from your network, or contact outsourcing companies. Here are some specific places to look:

• Online job boards: There are a number of online job boards that specialize in IT jobs, such as Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn.
• Freelance marketplaces: There are also a number of freelance marketplaces where you can find dedicated developers, such as Upwork and Fiverr.
• Outsourcing companies: Outsourcing companies can provide you with a team of dedicated developers to work on your project

After your candidates have been chosen either directly or through the hiring process of outsourcing companies, it is time for personal interviews

Step 3: Interview the candidates.

Interviewing your final candidates is an important part of the final selections. Here are some questions we ask the candidates during hiring interviews at Era Biz Solutions:

• What are your areas of expertise?
• What is your experience with the technologies that you need to use?
• What is your work process like?
• How do you communicate with your clients?
• What are your rates and payment terms?

Checking on payment terms may not be a necessary step if you hire through an outsourcing company as you would have already negotiated the terms with them. Instead, try to get a feel for the candidate’s personality and communication abilities. We also ask the candidates to complete a coding challenge to assess their skills and experience firsthand.

Step 4: Select the best candidate.

Once you have interviewed all of the candidates, you can select the one who is the best fit for your project. Consider the candidate’s skills, experience, work process, availability, personality, rates, and payment terms.

Step 5: Onboard the developer.

Once you have selected a developer, you will need to onboard them. This includes providing them with access to your codebase, development environment, and any other tools or resources they need to do their job effectively.

By taking the time to find the right dedicated developers, you can set your project up for success.

7. What should I look for when hiring dedicated developers?

When hiring dedicated developers, you should look for the following:

• Skills and experience: Make sure the developers have the skills and experience required to complete your project successfully. This includes having experience with the specific technologies and programming languages that you need to use.
• Communication skills: It is important to be able to communicate effectively with your developers. This means that they should be able to understand your requirements and provide you with regular updates on their progress.
• Work ethic: You want to hire developers who are hardworking and dedicated to their work. They should be able to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work.
• Cultural fit: It is also important to consider the cultural fit of the developers. You need dedicated developers who will be a good fit for your company culture and who will be able to collaborate effectively with your other team members.

8. How much do dedicated developers cost?

The cost of dedicated developers can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• Location: Developers in high-cost countries, such as the United States and Western Europe, will typically charge higher rates than developers in lower-cost countries, such as Sri Lanka and Eastern Europe.
• Experience: More experienced developers will typically charge higher rates than less experienced developers.
• Skills and expertise: Developers with specialized skills and expertise, such as cloud computing or machine learning, will typically charge higher rates than developers with more general skills.
• Project scope and complexity: The scope and complexity of your project will also affect the cost. More complex projects will typically require more experienced developers and will therefore be more expensive.

Here are some tips for reducing the cost of dedicated developers:

• Hire developers from a lower-cost country.
• Hire slightly less experienced developers who can prove their skills (Experience above 5 years is considered well-experienced in the IT industry. However, experience of around 3 years is usually not that bad either, and won’t affect your development needs heavily)
• Hire developers with more generalized skills instead of specialized skill sets.
• Break down your project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Negotiate with the developers.

It is also important to keep in mind that the cost of dedicated developers is just one factor to consider when making your decision. You should also consider the other key factors we mentioned above as well.

9. What are the risks of hiring dedicated developers?

In addition to these general challenges in the previous subtopic above, there are also a few specific risks that you should be aware of when hiring dedicated developers:

• Security: If you are working on a sensitive project, it is important to make sure that the developers have a good track record of security and confidentiality.
• Intellectual property: It is important to have a contract in place that protects your intellectual property. This will help to ensure that the developers cannot use your exact full program code or ideas for their own projects.

By being aware of these risks and taking steps to mitigate them, you can reduce your chances of experiencing problems when hiring dedicated developers.

10. How can I avoid fraud when hiring dedicated developers?

There are a number of things you can do to avoid fraud when hiring dedicated developers, including:

• Do your research. Before hiring any developers, be sure to research their company and their reputation. You can do this by reading online reviews, checking their social media presence, and contacting previous clients for references.
• Use a contract. A contract will help to protect you in case something goes wrong. The contract should clearly define the scope of work, the timeline, the budget, and the ownership of the intellectual property.
• Beware of upfront payments. Some fraudulent developers may ask for upfront payments before they start working on your project. This is a red flag. Be wary of any developer who asks for an upfront payment.
• Use a secure payment method. When you do need to pay the developers, use a secure payment method such as PayPal or escrow. This will help to protect you from fraud. Alternatively, pay through an outsourcing company such as Era Biz.
• Monitor the developers’ progress. It is important to monitor the developers’ progress throughout the project. This will help you to identify any problems early on. If you are not satisfied with the developers’ progress, you can fire them and hire a new team.

Here are some additional tips for avoiding fraud when hiring dedicated developers:

• Be careful who you give your personal information to. Do not give your personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card number, to any developer until you have verified their identity and reputation.
• Be aware of common scams. There are a number of common scams that fraudulent developers use, especially on freelancer websites. For example, they may ask for an upfront payment, they may promise to deliver services that they cannot deliver, or they may steal your intellectual property. Be aware of these scams so that you can avoid them.

By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of being defrauded when hiring dedicated developers.

If you are ever unsure about a developer, it is always best to err on the side of caution and not hire them.

11. What are some best practices for onboarding and training dedicated developers?

Here are some best practices for onboarding and training dedicated developers:

Onboarding

• Set up a clear onboarding process. This should include a welcome email, a schedule of meetings and training sessions, and a list of resources that the new developer will need.
• Introduce the new developer to the team. This can be done through a team meeting, a lunch, or a one-on-one meeting with their manager.
• Provide the new developer with access to the necessary resources. This includes the codebase, the development environment, and any other tools or resources that they need to do their job effectively.
• Set clear expectations. This includes communicating the company’s culture and values, the developer’s role and responsibilities, and the project’s goals and objectives.
• Provide feedback and support. It is important to provide the new developer with regular feedback on their work. You should also be available to answer their questions and to provide support.

Training

Training may not be absolutely necessary when it comes to dedicated developers as they are third party developers, and usually have the experience and expertise necessary already. However, it is still recommended that you do a short training or induction to fill any specific knowledge gaps, improve familiarity with the company and work as well as improve teamwork with existing staff. Expect to spend a week or two on this familiarization process, though it will be much quicker than the 3-6 month training and probation for standard employees.

• Assess the developer’s skills and knowledge. This will help you to identify any areas where they may need additional training.
• Develop a short training plan. This should be based on the developer’s skills and knowledge gaps, as well as the company’s training needs. Make sure you include sessions on the company itself so that your developers can adapt to your style of business when developing.
• Give the developer opportunities to practice their skills. This may involve giving them small tasks to complete or assigning them to a project in collaboration with your developers. This will improve teamwork as well

Here are some additional tips for onboarding and training dedicated developers:

• Make it a social experience. Onboarding and training should be more than just learning new skills. It should also be an opportunity for new developers to get to know their colleagues and to feel welcome on the team.
• Be patient and understanding. It takes time for new developers to learn and to become productive. Be patient and understanding as they go through the onboarding and training process.
• Celebrate successes. When new developers achieve a goal, be sure to celebrate their success. This will help to motivate them and to keep them engaged.

By following these tips, you can create a positive and productive onboarding and training experience for new dedicated developers.

12. How do I manage a team of dedicated developers?

Managing a team of dedicated developers can be challenging, especially if you are not experienced in managing remote teams. However, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier and more successful.

Here are some tips for managing a team of dedicated developers:

1. Set clear expectations. Make sure that the developers know what you expect of them in terms of their roles and responsibilities, the project’s goals and objectives, and the company’s culture and values.
2. Trust the team. You have hired the developers because you trust their skills and experience. Let them do their jobs and don’t micromanage them.
3. Communicate regularly. It is also important to communicate regularly with the developers during the development process. This can be done through email, video conferencing, or instant messaging. Regular communication will help to keep everyone on the same page and to avoid misunderstandings.
4. Be flexible and adaptable. Things don’t always go according to plan, so it is important to be flexible and adaptable. Be prepared to make changes to the project plan if necessary.

In addition these recommendations will also help you:

• Use a project management tool. A project management tool can help you to track the developers’ progress, manage tasks, and communicate with the team.
• Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to the developers based on their skills and experience.
• Encourage collaboration. Encourage the developers to collaborate with each other and to share ideas. This will help to improve the quality of the work and to create a more cohesive team..

Managing a team of dedicated developers can be a lot of work, but it is also very rewarding. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success and build a strong and productive team.

13. What are some tips for working successfully with dedicated developers?

In addition to all the regular steps to hire top dedicated developers, and manage dedicated development teams, the following tips can help you solidify the success of your project:

• Build a relationship with the developers. Get to know the developers and learn about their skills, interests, and goals. This will help you to build a more productive and enjoyable working relationship.
• Use a code review process. A code review process can help to improve the quality of the code and to identify any bugs or defects early on.
• Use automated testing. Automated testing can help to ensure that the code meets your standards and that it works as expected.

14. How can I measure the success of a dedicated development team?

As you approach the end of your project you will wish to measure the success of your dedicated development team. There are a number of ways to do this. Some common metrics include:

• Project delivery time and budget: Did the team deliver the project on time and within budget?
• Quality of the code: Is the code well-written, bug-free, and easy to maintain?
• Customer satisfaction: Are the customers happy with the quality of the work and with the team’s communication and responsiveness?
• Team productivity: How much work is the team able to complete in a given period of time?
• Team morale: Is the team happy and motivated?

In addition to these general metrics, you may also want to track specific metrics that are relevant to your project or industry. For example, if you are developing a web application, you may want to track metrics such as website traffic and conversion rates. If you are developing a mobile app, you may want to track metrics such as app downloads and ratings.

It is also important to consider your goals when measuring the success of your dedicated development team. What do you want to achieve with your project? Once you know your goals, you can select metrics that will help you to measure your progress towards those goals.

Here are some additional tips for measuring the success of a dedicated development team:

• Set clear goals and objectives. Before you start working with the team, it is important to set clear goals and objectives for the project. This will help you to measure the team’s progress and to determine whether they are meeting your expectations.
• Track the team’s progress regularly. It is important to track the team’s progress regularly so that you can identify any problems early on. You can do this by using a project management tool or by meeting with the team on a regular basis.
• Get feedback from stakeholders. It is also important to get feedback from stakeholders throughout the project. This feedback can help you to identify any areas where the team can improve.
• Use a combination of metrics. It is important to use a combination of metrics to measure the success of your dedicated development team. This will give you a more complete picture of the team’s performance.

By following these tips, you can effectively measure the success of your dedicated development team and ensure that they are meeting your expectations.

About Us

Era Biz Solutions is an offshore software development company in the UK and Sri Lanka that was formed in 2011. The organization focuses on providing custom software development, web development, and mobile app development services to clients in a transparent and reliable manner. It is known for the innovation and creativity of its talented dedicated developers and dedicated teams sourced by its tech hub in Sri Lanka. In addition to the custom development projects offered in the form of full project outsourcing, Era Biz also provides flagship solutions for CRM, ERP, LMS and Logistics that have many loyal users over the years.

Our Process for Hiring Dedicated Developers and Dedicated Teams are as follows:

Era Biz Success Stories

Here are some of the successful projects our Dedicated Developers handled:

1: The Mobile App Developer

A few of our seasoned mobile developers at Era Biz Solutions were hired to tackle a seemingly insurmountable challenge. A leading global travel app was plagued by app crashes and sluggish performance, jeopardizing user engagement and bookings. Their own internal IT Team could not find the problem and didn’t have too much time to focus on digging deep as they had to deal with other technical issues to keep the app afloat.

So our dedicated developers dove deep, meticulously analyzing code, conducting stress tests, and collaborating with stakeholders. The culprit ended up being outdated libraries and inefficient backend architecture. Era Biz spearheaded a complete overhaul, implementing modern frameworks, optimizing code, and restructuring the backend. As a result the app became lightning-fast with a 78% reduction in crashes and a 29% increase in user sessions. Our mobile app developers not only saved the app but also helped cement its position as a top competitor in the travel market.

2: The E-commerce Website

In 2017, Era Biz Solutions received a dedicated developer hiring request from a major fashion retailer in the USA whose website struggled with abandoned carts and low conversion rates. Through user experience research, analysis of checkout flows, and a detailed check of the backend, we identified several issues such as loading delays, complex forms and confusing navigation. After discussion with the client we championed a user-centric redesign, streamlining the checkout process, personalizing product recommendations, and integrating secure payment options. The results were transformative boosting the retailer’s revenue significantly.

Conclusion

Hiring dedicated developers can be a great way to get access to the skills and experience you need to complete your project on time and within budget. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved and to take steps to mitigate them.

Some of the benefits of hiring dedicated developers include access to a wider pool of talent, reduced costs, and increased flexibility. Some of the challenges of working with dedicated developers include communication, management, cost, and quality.

To hire dedicated developers, you should first define your needs, find dedicated developers, interview the candidates, select the best candidate, and onboard the developer. When hiring dedicated developers, you should look for skills and experience, communication skills, work ethic, and cultural fit.

Follow the steps and you will definitely have success with your dedicated developers and dedicated teams.

Contact us at Era Biz for any queries or for a free consultation on dedicated developers.

References

^[1] Samarasinghe, S. M. and Samarasinghe, S. S. U. (2019) “Factors Influencing Team Performance in Software Development Projects”, American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 56(1), pp. 86–103. Available at: https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/4873 (Accessed: 21 September 2023).