Key Takeaways
- Web developers are critical for building websites that convert, perform well, and scale with your business.
- Freelance web developers are best for one-time projects or limited maintenance needs.
- Hiring a web developer as a full-time employee makes sense if your site requires continuous updates and optimization.
- The best places to hire web developers include freelance platforms, job boards, developer communities, and vetted global talent networks.
- Betternship helps companies hire pre-vetted African web developers; skilled, cost-effective, and compliant through EOR support.
Hire a Web Developer
Global e-commerce is booming.
According to industry data, online sales are growing at double-digit rates year after year, and consumers now expect to research, compare, and purchase products entirely online.
Even traditional brick-and-mortar businesses now rely heavily on their websites to attract and convert customers.
But building a web presence that drives results is no longer a “do-it-yourself” project.
Customers demand speed, stress-free design, mobile responsiveness, and advanced features like payment gateways, booking systems, and even interactive tools.
This is why most businesses, from startups to established enterprises, hire a professional web developer instead of trying to piece it together in-house.
A skilled developer brings both technical expertise and industry knowledge that can turn your website into a growth engine.
Why Hire a Web Developer?
Hiring a web developer isn’t just about saving time. It’s about building a website that performs, converts, and grows with your business. Here are the biggest advantages:
1. Speed to Market
An experienced web developer can launch your site faster than any DIY approach. This accelerates your return on investment and ensures you don’t miss opportunities while competitors move ahead.
2. Focus on Core Business
Even with user-friendly tools like WordPress or Wix, the learning curve is steep. Spending weeks tinkering with plugins or fixing bugs distracts from your real work: running and growing your business.
A web developer handles the complexity so you can focus on strategy, sales, and customers.
3. Built-In SEO Expertise
Good developers design with search engines in mind. From mobile-first coding to clean site architecture and optimized metadata, they give your site a better chance of ranking higher. This means more visibility, more traffic, and more sales.
4. Advanced Functionality
Modern websites go far beyond text and images. Think shopping carts, subscription systems, booking engines, calculators, or interactive dashboards. A web developer ensures these features are seamlessly integrated and secure, giving visitors a reason to stay — and buy.
5. Optimized Sales Funnel
A developer doesn’t just make your site look good. They optimize the customer journey. From page load times to checkout flow, everything is built to maximize conversions and turn visitors into paying customers.
Through Betternship, businesses can access vetted African web developers who bring these skills at a fraction of the cost, without compromising quality.
How to Hire a Freelance Web Developer
Suppose your project is a one-off build, for example, launching a marketing site, redesigning your company homepage, or adding e-commerce functionality. In that case, hiring a freelance web developer can be the smartest move.
Freelancers work on a project-by-project basis and can also offer maintenance retainers for updates and bug fixes after launch.
When hiring a freelancer, quality and price vary widely. To make the right choice:
- Seek recommendations from trusted peers or industry groups.
- Compare multiple quotes and understand what’s included. Most freelancers offer tiered packages based on page count, features, and complexity.
- Check niche experience. A developer who’s worked in your industry before will understand your jargon, target customers, and business goals, which makes communication smoother.
- Use fixed-price contracts where possible. Hourly billing can spiral out of control. Fixed pricing keeps the focus on deliverables and timelines.
Freelancers are flexible, cost-effective, and great for short-term needs. But if your website requires constant improvements or scaling, you may need to think bigger.
How to Hire a Web Developer as an Employee
If your business relies heavily on its website, such as an e-commerce store, SaaS platform, or content-heavy portal, it may be better to bring on a full-time web developer.
This ensures you have someone consistently maintaining, improving, and scaling your site.
Keep in mind: web developers are used to remote-friendly work environments. To attract and retain them as employees, you’ll need to offer flexibility, clear growth paths, and competitive benefits.
A strong in-house developer should have well-rounded skills across:
- Front-end development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React or Vue.
- Back-end/server-side development: PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, or .NET.
- E-commerce functionality: integrating carts, payment gateways, subscription systems.
- Hosting and infrastructure: managing servers and deployment environments.
- Web security: protecting against vulnerabilities and attacks.
- SEO and content strategy: ensuring visibility and engagement.
- Sales funnel optimization: designing sites that convert visitors into customers.
Project management and communication are equally important. Often, one developer can’t master everything, so they’ll need to outsource certain tasks or collaborate with specialists.
A developer who can liaise effectively with non-technical colleagues ensures projects move smoothly from concept to launch.
Where to Hire a Web Developer
Once you know whether you need a freelancer or a full-time employee, the next question is where to find the right talent.
The answer depends on your budget, timeline, and project scope.
1. Freelance Platforms
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are popular starting points. They give you access to thousands of developers worldwide, with ratings and portfolios you can browse.
The downside is that quality can vary, and competition for top freelancers often drives prices higher.
2. Job Boards and Career Sites
If you’re looking for a permanent hire, posting on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor can help you reach active job seekers.
This approach works well if you have time to filter applications and run a thorough recruitment process.
3. Developer Communities
For specialized roles, check niche platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Dribbble (for design-heavy projects).
These communities let you connect with developers who are already active in their craft, often showcasing their work publicly.
4. Referrals and Networking
Sometimes the best developers never browse job ads. Asking for referrals from your network or current employees can lead to hidden gems who are pre-vetted by people you trust.
5. Global Hiring Platforms
The fastest-growing option is remote hiring through global talent platforms. This allows you to tap into wider talent pools without geographic limits.
With Betternship, companies can skip the endless filtering.
We connect you directly with vetted African web developers who are skilled, cost-effective, and ready to work remotely.
And with our Employer of Record (EOR) support, you don’t have to worry about payroll, contracts, or compliance; just plug the developer into your team and start building.
Conclusion
Hiring a web developer is no longer a “nice-to-have”; it’s a business necessity.
Whether you need a one-time project completed, ongoing support, or a full-time employee, the right developer ensures your website isn’t just live but thriving.
The choice comes down to your needs:
- Freelancers are ideal for short-term projects and budget-friendly builds.
- Employees make sense if your website is central to your business and requires constant optimization.
- Global remote talent gives you access to skilled developers at competitive rates, often with faster turnaround times.
Ready to hire a web developer for your next project?
Book a free call with Betternship today and build with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to hire a web developer?
Costs vary by region and expertise. In the US or UK, hourly rates often range from $50–$150. In Africa, companies can access vetted developers at 30–50% lower costs without sacrificing quality.
2. Should I hire a freelance web developer or a full-time employee?
If you need a short-term project or occasional updates, a freelancer is ideal. If your business relies heavily on its website for sales or operations, a full-time employee is the smarter investment.
3. Where is the best place to hire a web developer?
Options include freelance platforms (Upwork, Toptal), job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed), and developer communities (GitHub, Dribbble). For cost-effective, vetted talent, platforms like Betternship make hiring faster and more reliable.
4. What skills should I look for in a web developer?
At a minimum: HTML, CSS, JavaScript for front-end, plus a back-end language like PHP, Python, or Node.js. For e-commerce projects, knowledge of payment systems and security is essential. SEO, UX, and communication skills are also highly valuable.
5. Can I hire a web developer remotely?
Yes. Most web developers work remotely, and remote hiring is now the norm. Using an Employer of Record (EOR) through Betternship ensures you stay compliant with contracts, payroll, and local laws while hiring internationally.
Get started with us today!