Advice - hiring a full-time team of web developers

[AdamLP700]

Hi everyone,

I've created an online tech company related to property rental searches. The site has been doing OK particularly when taking into consideration the fact that it's fairly new and there hasn't been much marketing of the site due to lack of funds. There's continuously little issues that have popped up with the functionality of the site which I simply cannot sort out myself and am therefore forced to turn to my previous web developer (a freelancer).

To cut a long story short, I'm considering getting on board a full-time developer/developers as it's extremely time consuming and frustrating to turn to the previous freelance developer whenever there's an issue. I've browsed online for dedicated developers but have no idea where to start. I don't have the money to pay developers and it would have to be raised. I've been told that some web design agencies may agree to taking a percentage of the business in exchange for their services. Is this correct or have I misunderstood?

So the main two questions I have are;

1) As mentioned, I don't possess the funds to hire full-time developers and would therefore need to raise the cash before I can do so. Bearing this in mind, do you recommend this move or should it be avoided for now? If so what do you recommend?

2) Where's the best place to search for dedicated developer/developers? Note, I'm based in central London and would need someone fairly close that I'd be able to work with continuously.

Look forward to your responses.

Thanks.

Adam

 

[jacobc]

Hi Adam,

Without knowing more about your business it is difficult to know but my initial suggestion would be try out some freelancers and when you find one like offer then longer term work.

Regards,

Jacob

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Wait untill you have the funds from profit

Why do you need someone to work in london the most expensive labour charges in the country to do work where they could be situated anywhere

Use freelancers until you are 1000% sure you can afford and have the need for a full time person

 

[Silk Media]

A full time web developer isn't going to come cheap!

You've got to consider whether or not the issues warrant a full time developer and whether or not you can afford to support employing one in the long term.

I would say to either use a freelancer or to approach a development company and discuss a decent hourly rate to fix issues as they arise.

Dean

 

[altwebdesign]

Certainly go for a freelancer for the time being.

Why pay for someone full time when you may not need them full time?

 

[Amivbridge]

I can offer is hire an offshore developer (from our firm, to keep the costs down), but communicate only with the person working in UK, near to London (again from our firm). Advantages are you communicate with someone onsite, but actual work is done offshore. Keeps the costs down, you are working with a UK company and communication will also be decent. And there is no contract and it can be part time too.

Has been working in this model for some time.

 

[makeusvisible]

If you dont have the funds to hire a full-time developer, you need to rule that option out straight away, as web developers need to pay the bills to, and a % profit would unlikely entice anyone with a decent skill set.

What is wrong with your current developer doing the work?

 

[pbdesigns]

The issue with hiring a full time developer is that you are limited to the capabilities of that developer.

What if you want to develop something that the developer can't develop? As the site grows and you need more complicated functions, freelancers enable you to hire the right freelancer for each aspect - it may be down the road that you need 2 or 3 very specialist freelancers to work on a new function.

Freelancers will be much more flexible for your needs.

 

[Deleted member 61074]

How about looking for a freelancer who would commit to working for you for a set number of hours per month?

 

[AdamLP700]

Thanks guys for your advice. I've taken everything mentioned here on board.

Adam

 

[AdamLP700]

How about looking for a freelancer who would commit to working for you for a set number of hours per month?

I was considering this. Actually not a bad idea.

Thanks!

 

[FlatRockTechnology]

Hi Adam,

I checked all the replies above and I agree. It sounds to me that a person working for you on flexible terms in the beginning will be the better option. Searching for a work force in UK would be quite expensive. That is why what I can offer you is a dedicated person, which you can use either until the project is done, hourly, part time or full time employed.

Our company has two offices - in London and in Varna, Bulgaria and that gives us the opportunity to offer very competitive rates.
If you are interested, just write me a private message.

 

[altwebdesign]

How about looking for a freelancer who would commit to working for you for a set number of hours per month?

Certainly a good idea, at least then the freelancer will have your scheduled hours booked in and available for you.

 

[Baz Watkins]

Go for the retained approach, we work that way and we're able to pass a discount on in return for regular work. You get someone who can help build and manage your online presence, they get a regular income for the life of the contract, it's a win win.