Laravel is a PHP framework that enables web developers to create websites and applications more quickly and easily than with traditional PHP development.
And freelance Laravel developers are individuals who offer their services to clients on a project-by-project basis. They can be a great option for businesses that need specific features or functionality built into their website but don’t want to hire a full-time developer.
As in any business, and especially when you need to hire someone you don’t know, you have to be careful. If you haven’t been in this business for a long time, you probably don’t know about the pitfalls you can encounter. That is why we have singled out the ones that you should pay attention to.
1. Not doing your research
There can be several consequences that happen when you don’t research who are you hiring.
First, you may end up hiring someone who is not as qualified as they claim to be. This could lead to a subpar product or even worse, no product at all. Second, you may end up paying more than you need to. A lot of times, developers will charge differently based on their experience and qualifications. If you don’t do your research, you may end up overpaying for someone who is not as qualified as you thought. Finally, you may also end up working with someone who is not a good fit for your project. It’s important to make sure that you hire someone you can work well with and who understands your vision for the project.
If you don’t take the time to do your research, you may end up regretting it later on.
2. Not verifying the developer’s skills
Once you have done your research and found a few potential developers, the next step is to verify their skills. There are a few ways you can do this.
You can ask them for portfolios or previous projects that they have worked on. That should give you a good idea of their experience and what kind of work they are capable of. Also, you can give them a test project to work on. This is a great way to see how they work and if they are a good fit for your project.
Checking references also help you to avoid making a mistake in your hiring decision. There are a few different ways you can go about checking references. First, you ask the developer for a list of past clients. Then, you can contact those clients to get their feedback on their work. Alternatively, you can check online reviews or ratings to get an idea of what other people have thought about the developer’s work.
Another way to check is to use freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. On these platforms, you can see the feedback that past clients have left for them. This feedback can help assess whether or not the developer is a good fit for your project.
Whichever method you choose, checking references is a vital step in hiring. But if you have some doubts you can learn more about it.
3. Hiring without a contract
When you hire a freelancer, it’s important to have a contract in place. This contract should clearly outline the scope of work, the timeline, and the payment terms. Without a contract, you are leaving yourself open to several risks.
The developer may not do the work that you agreed on or may take longer than expected to complete the project. This can cause delays and additional costs. And the most important thing is if there is a dispute, it can be difficult to resolve without a contract in place.
A contract protects both of you, so it’s important to make sure that one is in place before work begins.
4. Failing to specify the project requirements
When it comes to specifying project requirements, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you have to be as specific as possible. The more details you can provide, the better. This will help the developer understand exactly what you’re looking for and make sure that they are on the same page as you are.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something isn’t clear, or if you’re not sure about something, just ask. They should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Also, remember that communication is key. If at any point during the project you’re not happy with something, or if you need to make a change, just let them know. As long as everyone is on the same page, the project should go smoothly.
5. Allowing scope creep
As a project manager or business owner, you may have experienced scope creep firsthand. This is when a project gradually starts to encompass more tasks and features than what was originally agreed upon. While scope creep can be frustrating, it’s important to allow for some flexibility when working with a laravel developer.
Laravel is a complex PHP framework that is constantly being updated with new features. As a result, your developer may need to take some extra time to familiarize themselves with the latest changes. However, this extra time spent on research will ultimately benefit the project in the long run.
In addition, they are often able to use their expertise to suggest ways to improve the project beyond the original scope. As long as scope creep doesn’t cause significant delays or cost overruns, it can be beneficial to the success of your project.
6. Not testing the developer’s work
This is one of the most popular web development frameworks, so it’s no surprise that many claims to be experts in the field. So how can you be sure that they’re the real deal? Here are a few key things to look for:
Make sure that the developer has a strong understanding of the laravel framework itself. They should be able to explain how it works, and how they would use it to build a website or application.
Take a look at some of their previous work. See if they have created any laravel applications or websites that are currently in use. If they have, that’s a good sign that they know what they’re doing.
And finally, ask them to walk you through a few examples of their code. See if they can easily explain how their code works, and why they chose to write it in the ways that they did. If they seem lost or confused when answering these questions, likely, they’re not as knowledgeable as they claim to be.
Conclusion
By checking references, testing their work, and ensuring a strong understanding of Laravel, you can be sure that you’re working with a qualified professional who will be able to bring your project to life.