Node.js is the hottest topic in web development right now, with the biggest growth rates and many of the largest companies already on board. According to Stack Overflow, Node.js is the most popular framework among professional developers, with 36.42% using it for its frameworks, libraries, and tools.
Hiring a Node.js developer is not easy, particularly in the current economy. Not to mention that there are certain factors you will need to consider and specific skillsets you will need before hiring one for your project.
On the other hand, having a team of Node.js experts can help you with your development and even help you find ways to improve your coding practices and be more efficient in the long run.
But what are the benefits of hiring a Node.js developer? What are the skills they require? What are the best things to look out for when hiring a Node.js developer? This blog will answer all these questions.
Benefits of hiring Node.js developers:
1. Node Developers work on both – frontend and backend
Node.js is a great choice for developers because it allows them to work on both the frontend and backend simultaneously, which means they can get more done in less time and deliver higher quality solutions.
Node.js developers can work in the same language on both sides, which helps them to understand the entire code base more efficiently. It reduces the maintenance cost of software because there is no need to learn different technologies for frontend and backend development.
2. Node developers ensure scalability
Scalability is the ability of a software system to handle an increased workload without significant changes in response time, user performance, or resource consumption.
Node.js has been built with scalability in mind from the ground up and is known as one of the most scalable programming languages. This means that you can run your app on multiple cores without having to worry about its performance being affected by doing so.
3. Faster time to market when it’s Node development
Node.js is an asynchronous event-driven JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine that allows your application to respond immediately to events without waiting for long-running tasks to finish.
You can easily create scalable applications with fewer resources than in languages like Java or Python. Due to the synchronous nature of these languages, developers need more time to develop a single feature.
4. Powerful MVP development with NodeJS
Node.js developers can build prototype applications quickly using JavaScript and other frontend libraries like jQuery without having to set up a complex backend server environment. This makes it easier to create MVPs (minimum viable products) and test them before going to market.
If you want to build an MVP (Minimal Viable Product), Node.js developers can help you build a secure, scalable, and cost-effective solution.
5 Skills required to be a good Node.js developer
1. Proficiency in JavaScript and a basic understanding of HTML & CSS
Developers must have proficiency in JavaScript and a basic understanding of HTML and CSS. This is because Node.js uses JavaScript as its main programming language and has built-in support for HTML and CSS.
Developers need to have a strong understanding of how JavaScript works on the client and server sides. They should also know about DOM manipulation and animation using JavaScript.
2. Experience in database management
Data is the most important part of any application, so the developer must know the database management system (DBMS). The integration with databases is one of the key features of Node.js. The language has excellent support for various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle.
Node.js developers need good knowledge of database management like SQL and NoSQL databases. These databases are often used for storing data on databases for further processing by other applications like web servers or mobile devices etc.
3. Understanding of frontend development
Node.js is not just about backend development; it also involves frontend development. A good Node.js developer has to be well versed in JavaScript, HTML, CSS and other related technologies. They should also have a thorough knowledge of frameworks like Angular, React, and VueJS.
4. Ability to test and handle errors
To get better results from your application, you must hire someone who will be able to test your product thoroughly before releasing it into production mode. A good developer should have a good eye for bugs and be able to fix them before they negatively affect your business.
5. Good understanding of algorithms and data structures
A good Node.js developer should possess a sound understanding of algorithms and data structures like stacks and queues, as they’re used extensively in Node.js programs.
For example, when a developer writes a function that accepts an array as input and returns another array based on the input, they need to understand how to sort an array using some algorithm such as bubble sort, merge sort, etc.
Apart from these, you can also check our more Node.js developer’s skills before hiring for a project.
How you can hire Node.js developers?
1. Hire a Node.js development company
You can hire a Node.js development company to help you with your project. A Node.js development company will be able to provide you with the right kind of talent who can work on your project and get it done on time.
When hiring a Node.js development company, you should make sure that:
- They have experience in the field.
- They can deliver quality results within the given deadline.
- They have the right credentials and skills in programming languages like JavaScript and Node.js.
2. Share your requirements
Before hiring a Node.js developer, sharing your requirements with the company you’ve hired is important. They’ll understand what they’re getting into and whether they’re a good fit for the job or not.
Let them know what kind of projects you have in mind, what kind of technologies you use, and what kind of workflows you follow.
3. Get on a project discovery call
Once you’ve shared your requirements, get on a call with your chosen development company so they can ask questions and clarify any details that may be unclear in your communication so far. This will help avoid misunderstandings later in the process when things get more complicated (and they always do).
4. Review different developer profiles
The next step is to find a developer(s) with the necessary skills, experience, and expertise in Node.js development. You can review their resumes, portfolios, testimonials, and recommendations.
Look for candidates who have worked on projects similar to yours in the past and have a good understanding of your business requirements.
5. Interview shortlisted Node.js developers
Once you have shortlisted a few candidates, you should conduct interviews with them individually. You need to assess their technical skills, communication skills, and soft skills like teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving ability.
You should also test them on how well they understand your business needs and requirements so that they can build customised solutions for your business.
6. Conduct a project trial with the final candidates
After the interviews are finished and you’ve decided who you want to hire, it’s time to let them work on your project. The best way to do this is by setting up a trial period where they can build something specifically for you so that they’ll already have experience working with your company’s business goals and needs when the time comes.
Get the best Node.js developer for your next project
Hiring JavaScript developers for Node.js is a process that needs to be considered carefully. It can be confusing, expensive, and time-consuming.
At the HIP, we can help you build a top-notch Node.js development team. Our process includes finding the best candidates, vetting them thoroughly, and getting the project off to a great start. With our proven track record, you can be confident that HIP is the best partner for your hiring needs.
FAQs
1. What should a Node.js developer know?
When you’re looking to hire a NodeJS developer, make sure they know the below things:
- The basics of JavaScript and other programming languages.
- How to use JSON and XML, which are common data formats used in web development.
- The Express framework or another web application framework for Node.js development, such as Hapi or Sails.
- Using npm (the package manager for Node.js) is used to install packages from the npm registry.
2. What do Node.js developers do?
The most common things Node.js developers do:
- Develop, test and maintain server-side applications
- Develop user interfaces (UI)
- Create cloud-based mobile applications
- Build microservices architectures
- Design and implement APIs
3. Is a Node.js developer a software developer?
Yes, a Node.js developer is a software developer who knows the node.js framework. The node.js framework is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment for building server-side and networking applications.
4. Is Node.js frontend or backend?
The answer to this question is both. Node.js can be used as a frontend and backend, but it’s unsuitable for building full-stack applications.
Node.js can be used as a frontend because it has a great way of handling requests and responses; it’s fast; and it’s easy to create APIs with Express, which is built into the Node.js core. It also has support for popular frontend frameworks like React and Angular.
Node.js can be used as a backend because it has an active community that builds modules for almost any imaginable use case in the backend space, from database drivers to web servers (Nginx) to templating engines (Handlebars).
