How to hire Ruby on Rails developers
Looking to build a website? Got a need for development speed? A Ruby on Rails developer can help you rapidly prototype performant web applications built for scale.
So how do you find a Ruby on Rails developer? What follows are some tips on how you can find top Ruby on Rails developers on Upwork.
How to shortlist Ruby on Rails professionals
As you’re browsing available Ruby on Rails consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the freelancers you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Technology fit. You want a Ruby on Rails developer who understands the technologies behind your website.
- Developer workflow. Familiarity with the project management tools, version control systems, test suites, and other tools used by your development team is a plus.
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular Ruby on Rails developer.
How to write an effective Ruby on Rails job post
Your project description should give the developer a basic idea of what’s being built, and then define the deliverables that you expect. For instance, do you want the developer to hand you the code and you’ll upload it to your production server? Or do you want the developer to deploy the code for you? You might also want a maintenance contract for future bugs and improvements. The developer needs to know the time that will need to be spent on the project to give you a good estimate.
Below is a sample of how a project description may look. Keep in mind that many people use the term “job description” but a full job description is only needed for employees. When engaging a freelancer as an independent contractor, you typically just need a statement of work, job post, or any other document that describes the work to be done.
Sample project description
Title: Ruby on Rails developer needed for new ecommerce site
Description: We need an experienced Rails developer to help us build a new ecommerce site. We need a fully developed web application with custom reports defined in the attached document.
The right developer will provide us with the full back-end and front-end code, and we will need you to deploy it to our production server. We will also need future improvements and enhancements with a maintenance contract after the website is fully developed and deployed. We’ve attached business requirements for your review.
The estimated duration of this project is three months. We need the completed app by XYZ date.
It’s likely that most developers will have questions and want to discuss the project further, but this gives every developer a basic idea of what you’re looking for. A good project description will help the developer give you a more accurate estimate and delivery date, so it’s one of the most important parts of finding the right developer and defining your project timeline.
RUBY ON RAILS DEVELOPERS FAQ
What is Ruby on Rails?
Ruby on Rails (commonly referred to simply as Rails) is an MVC (model-view-controller) framework that places programmer productivity front and center. An extensive library of “gems” allows a developer to quickly whip up a website with the latest best practices and standards.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in Ruby on Rails consultants:
- Ruby programming language
- Web fundamentals such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Front-end and back-end web development concepts
- Familiarity with the Ruby on Rails test ecosystem (test-unit, RSpec, Minitest, etc.)
- MVC programming paradigm
Ruby on Rails consultants help businesses quickly build, test, and deploy websites and applications.
Why hire Ruby on Rails developers?
The trick to finding top Ruby on Rails developers is to identify your needs. Are you building a web app from scratch entirely with Rails? Or do you require experience with another framework such as React to serve as the front end to your Rails back end? The cost of your Rails development project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a Ruby on Rails developer?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced Ruby on Rails 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 Ruby on Rails development services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.