Why hiring a remote developer can benefit your business

Remote work has been increasingly popular over the last decade, and it has become even more prevalent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from Buffer, 98% of remote workers would like to continue working remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers. Besides, it’s worth mentioning that 30% of these remote employees are developers or engineers. 

The increasing growth of remote work style can be attributed to a few factors, but the main game-changers are advances in technology, globalization, and cost efficiency on the client’s side and the zest for work-life balance and flexibility on the contractor's side. So, now that you know the causes of the remote work phenomenon, it’s time to discuss why your decision to hire software developers can be a win-win scenario right for you. 

Compare remote vs. in-house developers

Hiring a developer is an essential decision for any business, but it can be tough to decide whether to hire an in-house developer or a remote developer. Below, we’ve collected the most critical pros and cons for you to consider when hiring each type of developer.

Pros of hiring in-house developers:

• In-house developers can work in the same location as the rest of the team, which can make communication and collaboration more comfortable
• By shaping your team In-house, you build a stronger corporate culture and more significant emotional attachment to the project and the company
• In-house workers may be able to work more efficiently and have better access to resources, like a faster internet connection.

Cons of hiring in-house developers:

• If you choose in-house developers, you’ll face a smaller selection of available candidates, being limited by a specific location
• Hiring in-house developers is often more expensive than hiring remote developers
• In-house engineers will be narrow experts in the specific tech areas, and you’ll likely feel the skillset gap in some situations
• Limiting yourself to a definite number of in-house specialists, you may face the non-availability problem for certain projects or may need to quickly replace the former developer if they quit.

Now let’s look at the reverse side of the coin. 

Pros of hiring remote developers:

• Remote developers can be more cost-efficient than keeping a team of in-house developers on a constant basis
• In case you’re seeking specific skills to match the needs of a new project, you’ll have higher chances that the required developers are found by expanding the scope of seach to different geo locations
• Remote employees can work from anywhere, which can allow for more flexible scheduling.

Cons of hiring remote developers:

• Communication with remote developers can be more challenging, and it may take more time to establish a rapport with them
• Hiring remote engineers, you may not have as strong of an emotional attachment to the project or the company
• Remote developers may have less access to resources, like hardware or software, if that means anything to you.

Are you already on the way to choose remote developers for getting your tech job done? Find out more benefits in the next section.

What does a remote developer bring to your project

1. Specific skill match

When hiring a remote developer, you can find someone who has a specific skill set that matches your project needs, regardless of their location. This can be especially helpful if you have a niche project that requires expertise in a specific area.

2. Deeper interest and productivity

Practice shows that remote specialists are often more productive and motivated. This is likely because they have more control over their work environment and can choose a space that is comfortable and inspiring for them. Additionally, remote developers may feel more devoted because they’re not supervised as closely as in-house developers.

3. Higher quality and better performance

Remote work is also associated with a higher level of quality and better performance than in case of choosing in-house. Isn’t that logical if the hired experts have more focus on their work and avoid distractions that may occur in an office setting? What’s more, remote developers may experiencemore ownership over their work, which also should fuel their wish to stay productive and bring more qualitative results.

4. More resistance to disruption

The COVID pandemy alongside with all lockdowns and other isolation-related issues demonstrated that remote work was more resistant to such disruptions as workers could work from anywhere. This means that even if a local office has to shut down, the work can still continue with remote developers. Additionally, remote developers are able to remain efficient during times of crisis because they’re already accustomed to working remotely.

5. Better scalability

By choosing to hire remote developers, you handle the task scaling a tech team much easier than with in-house developers because they can be added to a project quickly and easily. This can be especially helpful if your project demands a large number of developers to be completed.

6. Creative idea generation

As remote tech specialists are usually more satisfied with their work, they’re more likely to generate creative ideas to solve a particular engineering challenge. They can think broader, not being limited by a specific office culture or close environment. Plus, your developers may come from completely different backgrounds and have unique perspectives that can contribute to creative problem-solving as well.

7. Cost efficiency

Compared to building an in-house tech team, hiring remote developers can significantly reduce costs in most cases. The latter don’t require office space or equipment, which already saves a significant amount of money for businesses. They may be also working with you on a project basis, which cuts down salaries and other popular benefits.

Ways to hire a remote developer for your project

Now it’s time to know the drill how to make it work, right? 

• Use a freelance platform. Upwork or Freelancer are good places to find a remote developer for your project, especially if you’re testing your business idea in a raw format
• Post a job listing on a job board. The examples that quickly come to mind are Remote.co or We Work Remotely, which will provide you with a vast pool of talents to catch a ‘fish’ you need
• Use social media. Start with your private social channels and switch to professional networking sites like LinkedIn to find a remote developer who has the specific skills per your project
• Attend remote job fairs. Sometimes it’s easier to talk business on live, and visiting online networking events can be a good option to meet and connect with remote developers
• Work with a remote staffing provider. If you want to release some burden from your shoulders, contact the reliable company that specializes in placing developers and other tech professionals.

Conclusion

The popularity of remote work has been steadily increasing over the past decade, and it shows no signs of slowing down. As technology continues to advance and the global workforce becomes more interconnected, businesses will need to adapt to this new reality. Hence, hiring a remote developer will be your win-win in terms of cost efficiency, specific skill matches, and better scalability. Furthermore, remote developers are often more productive and resistant to disruptions like COVID. Apply this strategy for your company’s success!