Planning to create a high-quality, interactive website? Hoping to breathe new life into old websites? You need to find the right JavaScript developer for hire.
JavaScript: The Basics
JavaScript is the cornerstone of web development due to its ability to unify design and functionality. While HTML and CSS handle a website’s structure and design, JavaScript makes everything work, from animations and pop-ups to buttons that react when clicked. Yet, aside from front-end works, you can also rely on JavaScript for back-end development with frameworks like Node.js for creating servers and APIs. Moreover, whether your project involves desktop applications, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), IoT (Internet of Things), or web, app, and game development, JavaScript will always be a requirement.
Nowadays, JavaScript offers a vast selection of libraries and frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js, Angular, and Node.js). They should help you create powerful applications without an overly complex development process. However, mastering JavaScript in general can be taxing, which is why getting a JavaScript developer for your website and related projects is always recommended.
Why get a JavaScript developer?
These developers have mastered the art of JavaScript. They have all the relevant knowledge and skills that can ensure your website, apps, browser-based games, and other JavaScript-related projects in the best ways possible.
JavaScript developers have a wide range of responsibilities: create applications that communicate with external services through APIs (payment gateways, maps, social media integration, and more), optimize web applications via asynchronous programming and lazy loading, and expand app usability beyond the web. These professionals can even revitalize old websites by enhancing their functionality, interactivity, and overall performance.
Doing all these things requires time and an absolute unit of knowledge, and a JavaScript developer can all offer them.
Responsibilities of JavaScript developer
As said earlier, JavaScript developers do a lot of work for your website and other projects. Aside from bringing your website to life, here are the other responsibilities expected from a JavaScript developer:
- Handling front-end interactive works. JavaScript developers are responsible for creating dynamic user interfaces in order to enhance the functionality of web pages. You usually see this in animations, sliders, pop-ups, and dynamic forms, which are created with the aid of GSAP or jQuery. They also slap Socket.IO onto your website to build real-time functionalities, such as live notifications, chats, and data updates.
- Back-end integration. These developers need to establish the management of databases and handling of requests. They write server-side scripts that make this possible. They can also create RESTful APIs that different software systems can use to communicate and exchange data. Moreover, integration of third-party services is a must in order to fetch and manage data from external services.
- Ensure cross-platform development. Your app should not be limited to the web. That is why JavaScript developers develop applications that are compatible across various browsers, devices, and operating systems. By that, we really mean compatibility and that your app is optimized and free from issues in those places.
- Management. Developers have to manage application data centrally to make sure that behaviors across components are consistent.
- Testing and debugging. Developers always have to identify and fix errors in their code so they can be reliable and easy to maintain. To do that, they have to perform testing and debugging and be knowledgeable about Jest, Mocha, Chrome DevTools, and other relevant tools. Ultimately, they ensure that your website and web apps have the right speed and responsiveness, which require techniques like lazy loading and caching.
- Security. You don’t want your website to be pestered by Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), as they mean a huge headache both for the business and the user. With this, they have to implement secure coding practices to prevent such vulnerabilities.
What to look for in a JavaScript developer?
While there are many JavaScript developers out there, you need to be picky to find the right one for your needs.
Needless to say, the JavaScript developers you are looking for should be well-versed in your projects’ needs, including the core JavaScript concepts. Are they proficient in asynchronous programming, ES6+ features, and DOM manipulation? Can they efficiently handle Webpack (for bundling), Jest (for testing), and Redux (for state management)? Most importantly, are they familiar with the latest JavaScript tech trends, including TypeScript, WebAssembly, and PWAs? If not, can they adapt?
Also, check their past projects and assess their skills in the frameworks and tools you are using. Talk about your project requirements and see if they already have experiences that are applicable to your current needs.
Ultimately, you’ll want to perform technical interviews or coding tests to evaluate their ability to write efficient and maintainable code. Make sure to present real-world problems to see how they will handle the matter with their debugging and optimizing skills.
Of course, that’s not the end. The perfect JavaScript developer should also have the necessary soft skills, as they usually have to work with a team. Specifically, they have to collaborate with designers and back-end developers, so having excellent communication skills is a must. One important skill covered in that section is their ability to explain technical concepts in a clear, concise manner.
Where to find your JavaScript developer for hire?
You’ll find JavaScript developers everywhere, that’s for sure. However, if the success of your business and project is your utmost objective, you’ll want to hire developers from trustworthy places like Upstaff, where you can find the best front-end, back-end, and full-stack JavaScript developers from around the globe.
Upstaff streamlines the hiring process, making it easy and fast yet efficient. Usually, clients find their developers in this place within 24 to 48 hours, making it a good option for projects on tight deadlines.
Moreover, Upstaff vets its developers, so you can be certain that you’ll get to choose from its selection of highly skilled professionals proficient in modern JavaScript frameworks and state management tools.
The majority of these professionals are highly skilled in advanced JavaScript concepts like asynchronous programming, event-driven architecture, and modular design patterns. You can instantly check these details (and their past successful projects) on the developers’ profiles, allowing you to find the right JavaScript developer for you in a snap.