What is front-end development?
Front-end development is the process of turning UI/UX designs into the functional user-facing features you interact with on a webpage. Using a combination of markup languages, design, and client-side scripts and frameworks, the front-end developer creates the environment for everything that users see and touch: content, layout, and interaction.
How do you hire a front-end developer?
You can source front-end development talent on Upwork by following these three steps:
- Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in a front-end developer.
- Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
- Shortlist and interview front-end developers. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview.
Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of front-end developer you need to complete your project. Check out “How do you write a front-end development job post?” to learn more.
How much does it cost to hire a front-end developer?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced front-end developer may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their front-end development services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How do you write a front-end development job post?
Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample front-end development job post titles:
- React developer needed for the front end of a universal JavaScript app
- Looking for a front-end developer with Angular experience for an SPA
- Front-end developer needed to build UI components with Vue.js
Project description
An effective front-end development job post should include:
- Scope of work: From front-end features to code documentation, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, web frameworks, or developer tools, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Front-end developer job responsibilities
Here are some examples of front-end developer job responsibilities:
- Translation of designer mock-ups and wireframes into front-end code
- Build, test, and deploy UI components
- Work with back-end developers to integrate front-end features with server-side logic
- Implement form validation and other front-end security measures
Front-end requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a front-end developer. Here are some examples:
- Web fundamentals (e.g., JavaScript, HTML, CSS)
- JavaScript frameworks (e.g., Angular, React, Vue)
- CSS preprocessors (e.g., Less, Sass)
- UI/UX design