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What Is a Front-End Developer and Why Your Business Needs One
Front-end development plays a crucial role in creating websites. They are in charge of the front (user-facing) side of the site, so everything that a user sees or uses will have been created by a front-end developer through code.
The types of coding language that front-end developers utilize include HTML, JavaScript and CSS. The languages are used to craft the functionality and structure of a website, allowing it to be interactive and responsive.
It's also in the scope of a front-end developer to make sure that a website works just as well on a mobile device like a phone or tablet as it does on a desktop PC.
The responsibility of a front-end developer is to make sure that a website not only looks good but works well and is responsive to a user's interaction and demands. A front-end developer ensures that the back end of a site (the bit that users don't see like databases etc.) is properly connected to the front end which is designed for user interaction. What this means is that front-end developers save us all from having to be IT geniuses to work on a basic website. Instead, we just submit a query and out pops the answer, without us having to get involved with the back end at all.
Another key responsibility of a front-end developer is to convert the files from web designers and UX designers into code. By doing this they can craft interactive elements and ensure the structure and style of the website is correct.
Front-end developers need many skills to do the tasks discussed above. However some of the most crucial of these skills are the coding languages they must learn including HMTL, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML also known as HyperText Markup Language is a skill that a front-end developer will need. This is because HTML is used to create vital website content such as headings, lists, buttons and links.
Cascading Style Sheets or CSS is a type of computer code that all front-end developers should know well. This is because CSS is used to craft the style element of a webpage including animations, colors, and layouts.
The last computer programming language that front-end developers need to know is JavaScript. This is because it's JavaScript that enables users to do things like click on a button to perform a certain action. Without knowing JavaScript front-end developers will not be able to make sure that the websites they are working on are interactive.
Now you know a bit more about what front-end development is and what front-end developers do, you’re probably getting a sense of just how valuable they can be to any website project. Indeed, there are many benefits you can reap by hiring a front-end developer including the following.
Good user experience is hugely important in sites and apps because without it users will not stay on your site, or convert effectively. A positive user experience also demonstrates that your business is professional and trustworthy, demonstrating that you know what you are doing. In turn, this can be a big trust signal to a customer and help them choose you over your competitors.
Sites and applications require regular maintenance to ensure they carry on working properly and offer a positive experience to users. Unfortunately, updating your site or app can be a real nightmare if some things are not properly considered as it's built. For example, front-end developers will be able to make an educated decision on what libraries and frameworks to use and update based on the best fit for the type of site you are running. This means that you will inevitably need to update your site, you can be safe in the knowledge that it's already operating on a framework that will make this easier rather than harder.
Security matters when it comes to websites. The good news is that a front-end developer can help you keep your site as secure as possible. This is because they will use the most up-to-date technologies like CSS and JavaScript, which means making changes or updates is a great deal easier. Another benefit of this is that using these up-to-date technologies will make scaling your site or app easier too.
Finding the right front-end developer for your project can seem complex and overwhelming. This is because you need to consider a range of different elements before making that decision. The good news is you can get a breakdown of the most important things to consider when hiring a front-end designer, below.
The first thing to consider when hiring a front-end designer is the scope of your project. What type of software are you working on? Is it an app, a SaaS product or a website? Be sure that you understand the motivation behind your project and the ways that it fulfils a specific need for your business, as well as the details of the design you want the developer to execute. Remember like any creative career, the relationship will be one of communication and compromise so you need to have the scope of your project laid out before you begin your search. Otherwise, you run the risk of not only hiring the wrong developer but of wasting precious resources like time as well.
The next thing to consider when hiring a front-end developer is what skills they have. Your front-end developer must have all the skills necessary to complete their part of the project. This includes being able to use CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
Additionally, front-end developers will need to know how to use React, Bootstrap, and Vue, and they should have the necessary skills to test, debug, and fix any problems with the front end that occur.
Lastly, because the creation of software is nearly always a collaboration, a good front-end developer will need to be adept at communicating and demonstrate basic soft skills such as time management, and problem-solving.
There are a range of different levels of front-end developers including juniors, mid-level and seniors. This is important to remember when it comes to the complexity of your project because not every level of developer may be able to handle what you need them to do.
Indeed, while a junior front-end developer may cost less, they are meant to work in more junior roles and have senior developers supervising and mentoring them. What this means is that unless you have a full team or a particularly simple project hiring a junior developer may not be the best idea. Yes, more experienced developers will charge higher rates, but that investment is well worth it in terms of the problems you can avoid.
Lastly, one of the most vital aspects of hiring the right front-end developer is to take a good look at their portfolio. Their portfolio should be a document that demonstrates exactly what they can do in a practical sense. It shows that they can do the job. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about work you see in a developer's portfolio either, as this can provide you with valuable insight into how they will go about approaching your project.
User experience is vital for the success of your software, and front-end development and user experience are intrinsically tied to one another.Indeed a good front-end developer can ensure your software provides the best user experience in a variety of ways you will find discussed below.
Boring, unappealing or overly crowded websites encourage users to navigate away instead of staying on the page. That is why including dynamic bidals such as animations and graphics is such an important aspect of good user experience. The good news is that a front-end developer can help with this, creating appealing and engaging visuals.
Ever tried accessing a website or application that was designed for desktop only on a mobile device? Then you’ll know just how frustrating that experience is, and how quickly people will look for another option. Happily, a front-end developer will be able to provide a design that is responsive to the type of device used to access your project, meaning your site will always look its best whether it's viewed on a laptop, desktop, mobile or tablet, and that your users will stay happy.
Three main factors can impact the cost of front-end development services, including project complexity, technology choices and team expertise.
Different organisations need different types of software developed for a range of needs. Some of these are much more simple than others and this can greatly impact the cost of a front-end development project. For example, a basic website for a small local gardening business will be a great deal simpler for a front-end developer to complete than a website for a large multinational company like Nike or Gucci. Indeed, the latter type of client is much more likely to need additional aspects such as more detailed interaction, and pages that redirect depending on the location they are accessed. This means such projects will incur a higher cost.
Similarly, just as the complexity of a project will influence its cost, so will the technology choices used. This is because some are far more expensive than others, and the ability to work with some is more in demand so you can expect to pay more.
Last of all, the expertise of the team you are working with will impact the costs involved. This is because those with more experience will demand higher fees, and while working with more junior-level devs may seem to combat this, it's not always a good idea. After all, experience is expensive because it means the development process is more efficient and effective, and this can save you significant resources including money in the long run.
Need an experienced front-end developer for your software project? Want to avoid the lengthy recruitment and interview process, and get them working on your software within 48 hours? Then you need Match.dev where we do the vetting, and offer as few or as many hours as you need for either full-time or part-time roles. The benefits of using Match.dev include the following.
It's not just our front-end developers who are real-life humans, but our support staff too. That means a real person will listen to your project needs, and handpick a dev that matches them. There’s no AI algorithm matching here, just real people who want to help you get your best project fit.
Fancy taking a risk on a dev whose work you are unfamiliar with and you have no idea whether they can do the job you need them for? No, we didn't think so that is why we thoroughly vet all our devs before we assign them to client projects for around 10-15 hours. Don’t worry the devs are paid for this time, we just want to be sure that they will be the most effective and best fit for your needs.
We can help you add to your team either full-time, or part-time, or find you the perfect front-end dev you need for a much shorter space of time. Our only limit on time is that the smallest amount of time you can buy with a dev is 10 hours.
Yes, that’s right, unlike when you work with an untested freelancer, or employ someone through your recruitment process, when you work with Match.dev our devs are under warranty. What this means is that if you’re not delighted with the developer we match you with, we’ll sort you a fast replacement, ensuring only minimal disruption to your project. Although, it is worth noting that our vetting process is so good and thorough that we rarely have to do this.
Visit Match.dev to get matched with a high-quality, vetted front-end developer today.
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