For any website or mobile application project you might be keen to launch, there will be a front-end and back-end to the app. The fronts and backs of an application are extremely distinct, each with its own architecture and each requiring separate expertise to build. That is why it is so important to hire back-end developers for your next project.
Back-end development deals with the server-side functions of a website or application. It deals with the highly technical aspects of the project’s architecture, such as data storage and security. In other words, back-end developers must have robust knowledge and advanced skills. This can make it difficult to find back-end developers suitable for the job you have in mind.
The recruitment landscape for back-end development can be rocky and uncertain. This is in stark contrast to the saturated job market for front-end development. Filling your team with front-end devs who will create the graphical interface of your application may come as little challenge.
When you need to hire back-end developers, however, you need to equip yourself with the latest industry knowledge and best recruitment methods in order to attract top talent.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are approximately 216,700 jobs in web development and digital design as of 2022. This field, which encompasses back-end development, has a growth outlook of 16% by 2032.
What this means for hiring managers is that the already competitive space of hiring back-end developers will only become more fierce as the industry continues to exponentially increase its output of web applications and mobile apps. Read on to learn more about the benefits of working with the best back-end dev talent and how you can come out on top in the recruitment race.What Does a Back-End Developer Do?
Back-end developers have specialized skills that take a great deal of time and experience to cultivate. These talented experts understandably respond well to those who recognize their skills, especially if they are working on a high-demand freelance basis. That is why it is important for you, as the hiring manager, to demonstrate that you understand the role when you hire back-end developers.
So what does a back-end developer do once you add them to your project? They:
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Create and maintain website infrastructure
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Test and debug various back-end website elements
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Build databases and data structures
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Integrate server-side aspects of the website with cloud services (AWS, Azure, etc.)
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Configure security settings
If you are scouring job boards to find back-end developers for hire, these are just a few of the crucial skills to make sure your chosen candidate possesses. Much of it comes down to an understanding of code - building code, configuring it, adapting it, and integrating the code with other software.
In an article for Forbes, Visartech Inc. CEO Slava Podmurnyi offers an explanation of the role that goes beyond mere coding. “We think of the back end solely as a coding process. However, the back end is a complex term consisting of two mutually supportive aspects: technical structure and business logic.”
“Both of these main back-end components are integral parts of a brand's solution,” Podmurnyi continues, emphasizing that back-end developers have a part to play in shaping the brand as well as the software itself. “However, it's important not to focus only on user engagement features but pay lots of attention to the internal idea of a brand's product—business logic.”
This highlights the need to hire back-end developers who are highly receptive to feedback. The developer you ultimately recruit should have communication skills that make it easy for them to coordinate with front-end developers and implement feedback from the end user.How To Hire Back-End Developers
Though back-end development is ubiquitous across every web design project, it is not a one-size-fits-all role. That is why the first step to finding and hiring the right back-end developer is company introspection.
Start by identifying the needs of your organization and the scope of your upcoming project. For example, you might consider the programming languages that the team is likely to use when building your app. Common back-end development programming languages include Ruby, Python, and PHP, so look for a candidate who will fit in with your team’s current programming method.
A recruiter who truly knows how to hire back-end developers will also know exactly who to look for in a candidate’s portfolio. This is your chance to get answers to these very important questions:
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Has the candidate worked on similar projects in the past?
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Did they leave any projects incomplete?
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Are they familiar with the tools your company already uses?
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Will their work process mesh with your project plans?
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Do they exhibit passion or enthusiasm for back-end development?
Depending on the project and the state of your team, you might need the skills of a highly experienced developer. In some cases, however, it might be more appropriate and cost-effective to seek a junior back-end developer.
As a hiring manager, it is important to know how to differentiate between a budding developer and a grizzled software veteran just by glancing at their application or profile. The telltale signs of a good back-end developer include:
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Strong time management - How quickly did they complete past projects?
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Teamwork skills - How many of their past projects were solo- or team-based?
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Communication skills - Is their application well-written? Does it convey information clearly?
You may also consider consulting with your current development team when you hire back-end developers. Their input can be invaluable in narrowing down candidates who will bring maximum value to the project. Even if you are only hiring for a temporary or freelance position, keep in mind that this decision can impact the evolution of your business even beyond the current project.
What Skills To Look For When Hiring a Back-End Developer
Back-end development is the most technical aspect of building a website or web application. As such, you will likely be on the lookout for a bevy of technical skills from your list of potential back-end developer candidates. Having one or two skills is rarely enough - the expert you decide to hire will need several proficiencies in order to contribute in this fast-paced field.
In addition to mastering common programming languages like Java, PHP, and Python, your back-end developer needs to have experience with the back-end web frameworks that put those coding skills to use in an efficient and standardized way.
The most common back-end frameworks include:
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Django, for use with Python
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Flask, also for Python
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Node.js, a common framework for JavaScript
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Ruby on Rails, for use with the Ruby programming language
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CakePHP, an open-source PHP framework
When you hire back-end developers, make sure that your candidates are also proficient with database management systems. These are the tools used to manage the storage, organization, and retrieval of customer and client data for the website.
The most popular database management systems are:
MySQL
MariaDB
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle DBMS
PostgreSQL
Like so many other areas of IT and software development, back-end development is a constantly evolving field. Tools powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming commonplace in web dev, so your chosen candidate should be open to learning these and other emerging tools. According to a survey of 3,240 programmers, approximately 35.4% of back-end developers are already using AI systems daily.
Tips for Writing a Back-End Developer Job Description
Back-end developers may be more likely to respond to your job postings if you demonstrate that you understand the nuances of their role. When you hire back-end developers, use the job description to provide applicants with opportunities to demonstrate their back-end development expertise. You can accomplish this by including the following requirements in your job description:
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Proficient knowledge of back-end programming languages
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Basic understanding of front-end technologies
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Experience integrating multiple data sources into one system
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Good understanding of accessibility and security compliance
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Expertise in data migration and transformation
It can also be effective to pose a technical challenge in your job description. Consider asking applicants to prepare an example of code they wrote for a previous project. By challenging them to explain their code in a potential interview, you can test the candidate’s ability to communicate complex topics clearly and replicate past successes.
Common Interview Questions To Ask When You Are Looking To Hire a Back-End Developer
Asking the right questions during an interview can bring to light a candidate’s interpersonal skills and motivation level for the role. When you hire back-end developers, though, the focus should remain primarily on the technical side of things.
Consider using project simulations and coding tests that reflect the types of situations that may arise during the back-end development of your future projects. Gather input from your current dev team to gain insight into the types of problems they would need a freelance back-end developer to help solve.
If a certain candidate seems particularly promising, you might consider taking the evaluation one step further with pair programming exercises. Match your candidate with another back-end developer to see how they collaborate or match them with a front-end developer to see how they implement ideas from the other side of the dev team.
Ultimately, though, the core of any interview is in the questions asked by the hiring manager. You can gain deeper insight into a candidate’s personality and history with these meaningful questions:
| Interview Question/Request: | Goal: |
|---|---|
| How do you overcome communication and collaboration challenges when working in a remote or distributed team? | Understand how the applicant ensures timely teamwork, especially if working in a different time zone. |
| Describe the last project that did not go as you planned and how you adapted. | Find out how the candidate responds to setbacks or failure. |
| How do you keep up with the latest technologies and trends? | Determine whether the candidate acknowledges the evolving nature of dev tech and has a willingness to keep working. |
| Describe one of your favorite features of an app that you use as a consumer. | Gauge the candidate’s passion for applications and their development even outside of the work context. |
| How would you explain [mention a complex coding concept] to teammates with little or no coding background? | Find out how the person communicates and if it would complement your team’s style. |
The inclusion of questions centering around the candidate’s ongoing education is especially important when you hire back-end developers. Consider also inquiring about which programming languages the candidate is currently learning, as this can reveal whether they have an inquisitive mindset or a “good enough” mindset.
How To Find Freelance Back-End Developers for Hire
When the time comes to find back-end developers to fill crucial roles in your growing IT enterprise, look into the list of the best sites we provide and briefly compare the different options. Consider your desired speed of hiring, your preferred methods for matching with talent, and how involved you wish to be as a hiring manager when it comes to vetting talent. From there, you can easily narrow down your ideal recruitment platform from the list of best sites to hire back-end developers.This explains why Backend developers are absolutely essential for web development. While a frontend developer works to create the design of your website with HTML, CSS, and web scripting languages, the backend developer makes sure the database is working and that the site transfers data safely and efficiently.
Finding the right backend engineer can feel like an exhausting process, but there are reputable sites and businesses that can make your search for a hiring expert much easier. While all the sites listed here can be helpful to you in some way, you’ll want to evaluate your needs before selecting the service that helps you hire backend developer talent.
Freelance marketplaces can help you find affordable developers in a limited amount of time. Toptal, unlike many of the other freelance marketplaces, also prioritizes quality, only accepting the top 3% of backend developers who apply.
Job boards and recruiting services can help you find permanent hires. Job boards are cost-effective but you’ll be in for a lengthy hiring process.
Ultimately, you’ll want to consider a number of factors before using a website or service:
- Whether you need a lead backend developer or a junior backend developer
- What platforms they need to be familiar with (e.g. Magento backend developer, PHP backend developer, or Ruby backend developer)
- How quickly you need to fill the backend developer position
- What the timeline is for your project
- What the budget is for your project
- Whether or not you feel comfortable hiring a freelance back end developer
- Whether or not you need a frontend and backend developer
Hiring Back-end developers - FAQs
- Why Should You Hire a Back-End Developer?
Today’s consumers expect lightning-fast and accurate results from online applications. Web app performance is critical; over 50% of mobile site visitors won’t wait more than three seconds for the app to load. Back-end developers perform crucial behind-the-scenes work to make speed and accuracy possible. Typical responsibilities include:
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Building and maintaining databases
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Developing application programming interfaces
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Configuring servers
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Ensuring security
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Addressing web app development and functionality issues
Malfunctioning apps often cause customers to go elsewhere, meaning you lose valuable client interactions and potential clients. Back-end developers can keep your apps running smoothly, even for those handling high-volume traffic.
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- How Do I Hire Back-End Developers?
Back-end developers may specialize in various areas, including:
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Database
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Security
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API
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Web app
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Middleware
These positions require different skill sets, so you should determine the areas of expertise your project requires before beginning your hiring process. You should also set a timeframe, budget and goals.
You may choose to hire one or more part-time, full-time or freelance back-end developers. Finding qualified candidates is easier when you use top sites to browse developer profiles or post a job opening. If you’re uncomfortable judging a candidate’s skills, you can also take advantage of talent-matching services that vet developer qualifications.
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- How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Back-End Developer?
The average yearly salary for back-end developers in the U.S. is $119,704 or $58 per hour. Annual salaries range from $11,500 to $176,000 depending on years of experience, location and skill level. Freelancers typically cost less because you won’t pay overhead or associated payroll costs.
- What are the main back-end languages?
- Programmers use back-end languages to build internal systems that work in the background of a web application. Software developers should prepare from these eight back-end languages: - C# - Golang - Java - JavaScript - PHP - Python - Ruby - SQL
- What's the difference between back-end, front-end, and full-stack?
- A full stack developer is a more well-rounded holistic programmer with knowledge and experience across both the front end and back end of a web application. The front end is the visual user interface and how the app or website will look and feel, while the back end is all the data management, code logic, and infrastructure of the app or site.
- How many languages does a back-end developer need to know?
- Experienced developers suggest that all programmers should know at least 3 programming languages. Mainly, Java, Python, and PHP.
- Are back end developers in demand?
The world’s increasing dependence on digital technology and immediate online access means that talented back-end developers will remain in high demand. This demand should increase by 23% by 2031.
- Where can I find back-end developers?
- Toptal
- CyberCoders
- GitHub
- Upwork
- Stack Overflow
Find more recommended sites to hire a developer.