What is a full stack developer? A full stack developer is a developer that is knowledgeable in everything. They are all-in-one programmers. They are known as end-to-end developers. They can build a website on their own, do the coding, presentation, database, and infrastructure.

When to Hire a Full Stack Developer?

Knowing what a full stack developer do will help you know when to hire them. You should hire a full stack developer if you need someone for the following:

  • Create and develop a live website for you
  • Troubleshoot web issues, both technical (interface) and software related concerns
  • Provide testing techniques for apps
  • Web development management

A full stack developer is someone that can understand and perform tasks related to JavaScript, PHP, CSS, MySQL, Apache, etc.

Finding a Full Stack Developer

Finding a full stack player can be challenging as most developers are focused on only one stack or area of expertise. The best way to find a full stack developer is through online freelancing platforms like Upwork, StartupHire, LinkedIn, among others.

When looking for a full stack developer, you have to check a few things. Ask for the skills they have. This is beyond having a computer science degree. It involves expertise in using different software, app programs, and multiple software languages.

A full stack developer must be an expert in both client and server system (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, PHP, Ruby, Rails).

Advantages of Hiring Full Stack Developer

There is no exact list of what a full stack developer can do. The pay of a full stack developer is higher as compared to other developers. Here are some of the advantages of hiring a full stack developer that you should be aware of.

  • Hiring a full stack developer can save you time. You can screen one candidate for the entire project instead of interviewing different candidates for different stack or area
  • You can save money. You only have to pay one person for the entire project instead of paying a whole team

Tips When Hiring a Full Stack Developer

Since you are looking for an expert, ask for samples. Ask your candidate developer for a sample of their work or portfolio.

It is better to work with someone who already did a few projects in the past. Avoid working with a newbie because they might use your project as a training ground. If they can show code samples from Github or Gitlab, then it would be better.

If you are picking from an online platform, check for client reviews.

To sum it up, hiring a full stack developer can be a smart move if you know what to look for and where to look at. If you know where to find a reliable full stack developer, then you can give it a try. Once you tried working with a single person in creating your next website, you might find yourself entrusting your future projects to a full stack developer.