In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, hiring software developers has become a critical challenge for businesses. With the UK’s tech sector growing 2.5 times faster than the overall economy and software developers making up 13% of the UK workforce, the competition for top talent is fierce.
As the demand for skilled developers intensifies, understanding the nuances of how to hire software developers in the UK can significantly impact your company’s success. This guide offers expert tips and strategies, delving into best practices for hiring software developers to ensure you attract and retain top talent. Whether you’re expanding your in-house team or seeking a dedicated team, mastering the art of hiring developers is essential to driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge.
Who needs the services of an app developer?
The short answer is everyone. Apps are quintessential to business success as they increase your market reach. In the modern world, almost every customer has the potential to access your business globally via their smartphones. So, the savvy businessperson realises the potential of boosting ROIs by tapping into web or mobile app development for their venture.
Of course, let us mention that hiring software developers is not paramount. There are business owners with enough programming skills to capably create an app using the myriad of free or paid development tools available online.
But simply having programming know-how may not always be enough. You will need to hire software developers if you have an underdeveloped app concept, insufficient technical background, or if the project is more complicated than anticipated.
Top 3 Strategies for Hiring Software Developers in the UK
Here are three ways you can choose from when hiring software developers. Let us consider how to hire software developers to match your business goals.
In-House Hires
If you already have an existing team of software personnel, it might be easier to additionally hire dedicated software developers. Advertise the opening, conduct job interviews, choose the best talent, and integrate them into your staff. This method works best for small to medium-sized businesses that need simple app development solutions.
Pros
- Committed employee;
- Team members are aware of company goals, focus and culture
- Monitored project development
Cons
- Hiring and onboarding expenses;
- Overhead cost for equipment and working condition;
- Salary, incentive, leaves and encashments due to a full-time employee
Collaborate With Freelancers
Hiring app developers working freelance bodes well for business owners and entrepreneurs seeking project completion within (or less than) a budget of $10,000. Many credible freelancing platforms showcase professionals and enable hiring software developers online.
However, one drawback is that sometimes, despite high ratings, some freelance app developers may not have diverse experience and may not be the right fit for big jobs. On average, the hourly rate to hire dedicated software developers in the UK is £21.79, based on project scope and features. In the USA, the hourly range is between USD 41-54.
Pros
- Cheapest option;
- Contractual employment
- Deadlines and deliverables-based agreements
Cons
- Project quality and commitment (Freelancers often take on several projects simultaneously)
- No undertaking for post-launch maintenance and upgrades
Outsource Services of A Reputable Application Development Company
An outsourcing strategy for hiring developers works well for fairly established entrepreneurs wanting to create a niche. In this scenario, you hire software developers solely on contract. Since you are dealing with an app development company, the entire process of hiring offshore developers is more likely to be efficient and have fewer issues than working with a single freelancer. The project is easily scalable, allowing you to expand or reduce the team based on requirements. Read here about Offshore Software Development 2022 – Stats & Success Stories.
Pros
- Access to diverse talent and global teams;
- Negligible hiring costs (covered by contract)
- Expertise and experience
- Better innovation and problem-solving skills
- Contractual collaboration.
Cons
- Monitoring team involvement and management;
- Communication issues and different time zones (offshore outsourcing);
- More expensive than hiring app developers or freelance.
How to Hire Software Developers in the UK: In-House vs. Freelance App Developers
The truth is that finding credible talent is not always easy. A great-looking introduction or resume on a freelance platform does not necessarily translate into quality work in real life. Here are some tips from GoodCore on how to hire software developers for your project:
Ask For Referrals
If someone you know personally or through business has recently been hiring mobile app developers or web app developers, asking them about their experience and the quality of the completed project will show you red or green flags. A referral is a great way to find suitable talent and will save time finding people and money spent on choosing the wrong people and rectifying their mistakes.
Choose a Reputable In-House or Freelance Hiring Platform
Do research the authenticity of the online platforms that showcase freelance app developers:
- Credible in-house talent pools- LinkedIn and Glassdoor
- Credible freelance platforms are Fiverr and Upwork.
- B2B platforms like Clutch and Goodfirms
- Design communities are available on Dribbble/Behance.
Be careful of scammers and fake platforms for hiring developers, and don’t invest large amounts without carefully determining the escrow or refund policies.
Business Benefits Of Hiring Software Developers
The app development market is a consistently lucrative sector and making sure you have the right talent is one of the most important decisions for your growth and success. Application development is complicated, time-consuming; companies hiring software developers without compromising quality and expertise ensure that their application stays relevant and scalable over time. Here are some benefits of hiring dedicated developers.
Reduced Costs
Choosing an outsourced development service provider or hiring remote developers eliminates costs of exorbitant IT infrastructure, assorted hardware and software requirements, monthly wages, incentives, insurance, overtime, holidays, pensions, and other employee-related expenses. You can agree to pay on an hourly or project basis.
Efficient Working
Do conduct comparative research on developers you are considering for your project. Make sure to ask them about their knowledge, expertise, and skills. Teams with experience in tech stack and advanced technologies can handle development cycle challenges better.
Scalability
Often enough, app development projects divert from timelines and expectations as your requirements may change, or you may decide to scale up or down. If you hire software developers working in-house, you will not be able to reduce or add team members if project scopes change. Hiring software developers on a contract basis provides easy scaling.
Diverse Skills
The key benefits of hiring remote software developers from across the globe are their diverse app development skills that enable new ideas and innovative solutions.
Speedy time-to-market
Apps are being constantly developed and launched on iOS and Android platforms, and what the next best thing will be, is anyone’s guess. That’s why delays in getting apps to the market can turn disastrous. App launch becomes easier when you hire software developers who are trained experts.
Top 3 Factors Impacting App Development Cost in the UK
Now that you know how to hire developers in the United Kingdom, it’s time to analyse the costs associated with this process.
End-to-end app development is often expensive, as it occurs in time-consuming stages. Full-cycle development phases may include idea generation, design, wireframes and MVP development, app development and deployment, and post-launch maintenance.
Differing Development Costs for Android or iOS Platforms:
Developing native apps solely for Android or iOS will cost more because they have OS-specific advantages. Stand-alone apps have increased costs as they demand expertise, more resources, time, and maintenance.
Developers create cross-platform or hybrid mobile apps using shared code that performs on both platforms simultaneously. These multi-platform apps cost less and get completed faster. They have the added advantage of reaching a wider audience but may not be as high performing as native apps. However, specific pricing packages will depend on your project requirements.
The average cost for hiring iOS developers is £29 per hour and around £30 per hour for Android developers in the UK.
Application Development Project Scope, Scalability and Features
The exclusive features an app displays are its unique selling points. These features can detract from or enhance customer experience. The more complex your app functionality and UI/UX design are, the longer developmental time will ensue. The time spent directly affects the cost. Adding shopping carts or advanced search will cost you more than an app with a simple login or limited links.
Hiring Costs for Developers Based on Skills and Experience
There are junior, mid-tier, and senior developers vying for projects. When hiring developers for your project, you should consider not only how much they will charge, but also their experience, technologies they are well-versed in, and completed projects portfolio.
Junior app developers may be fresh-out-of-college graduates with or without internship experience. Some with 0-1 year of experience may even possess an existing freelanced projects portfolio. Junior developers in the UK may earn up to £32,967 per year.
Mid-level developers with 2-4 years of app development practice should be able to develop a hybrid or native mobile (or both) app. They should be able to work individually on building, testing, and deploying apps on the Android play store or IOS application store. Mid-tier developers may earn up to £42,414 per year.
Senior developers have professional experience of up to 7 or more years. They can capably plan the design and development process, decide on the deployment environment, conduct tests and check automation, be conversant with cloud technologies, and be able to handle developmental challenges singly if required. They command a salary of up to £76,982 per year.
This guide will help you discover How To Optimise Your Web App Development Costs.
Conclusion
To recap, mastering how to hire software developers is crucial for staying competitive in today’s tech-driven market. By understanding the best practices for hiring software developers we’ve shared with you in this guide, companies hiring software developers in the UK can navigate the talent landscape effectively. Leveraging these strategies ensures you attract and retain top talent, driving innovation and success. For expert guidance and tailored solutions, partner with GoodCore.
FAQs
- What are the main challenges when hiring software developers in the UK?
Hiring software developers in the UK presents several challenges, including a limited pool of qualified candidates, high recruitment costs, and intense competition. Employers often struggle to find developers with the specific technical skills needed for their projects, and the high demand means that top candidates receive multiple offers, driving up salaries and benefits expectations
- How can I ensure a good cultural fit when hiring software developers?
Ensuring a good cultural fit involves more than just assessing technical skills. It’s essential to find candidates who align with your company’s values and management style, like GoodCore, for instance. Conducting behavioural interviews and involving team members in the process of hiring developers can help evaluate how well a candidate will integrate into your existing team and company culture.
- What are the average costs of hiring software developers in the UK?
The cost of hiring software developers in the UK varies based on the specialisation and experience level. As of the latest data, the average annual salaries are approximately £42,692 for hiring PHP developers, £57,334 for hiring JavaScript developers, and £46,892 for Python developers. These costs can be higher in major cities like London due to increased demand and living expenses.
- What strategies can I use to attract top software development talent?
To hire dedicated software developers, it’s crucial to highlight your company’s competitive advantages, such as interesting projects, a supportive team environment, and attractive employee perks. Offering competitive pay, opportunities for professional growth, and a positive workplace culture can make your company more appealing to potential candidates.
- Should I hire remote software developers or freelance developers?
Hiring remote developers or freelancers can be a cost-effective solution, especially if you’re facing budget constraints or have difficulty finding local talent. The benefits of hiring remote software developers lie in the fact that they offer the same level of expertise at potentially lower costs due to differences in living expenses. Freelance developers also provide flexibility, allowing you to scale your team based on project needs without long-term commitment.
