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How and why to hire SaaS developers – A complete guide

Software as a service (SaaS) is an increasingly common delivery model for applications of all kinds, leading to a high demand for inhouse and freelance SaaS developers. You’ll find many talented developers here on Yotewo, whether you’re looking for a permanent hire, a freelancer for project work or someone to plug an expected gap in your development team’s skills or capacity. Read on to find out more about SaaS and its benefits, and how to hire SaaS developers that will quickly integrate into your team and operations.

What is SaaS?

Software as a service, often referred to by the acronym SaaS, is a method for software delivery based on cloud-based services. Where traditional software models require the user to make a one-time purchase to acquire the application and then download and install it on their computer (or in the past, insert a disk or CD-ROM), SaaS works a little differently. Instead of purchasing the software outright and then owning it, the user pays a recurring subscription to gain and keep access to it, either on a monthly or annual basis. This is a key feature of software as a service, but it’s far from the only important way in which it differs from traditional software paradigms.

Key differences between SaaS and ‘on-premise’ software models

The differences between SaaS and other models are rooted in the contrasting ways in which they are delivered to the user. These include:

• Cloud-based instead of local – Users of SaaS access the software online in the cloud, and this is where the software lives. All they need to access it is a valid login and a reliable internet connection.
• On-demand anywhere instead of on specific computers – No copies need to exist on the local machine that the customer uses, and they don’t even need to be using their own machine. This frees them up to use the software anywhere they are in the world, and for businesses it means that workforces can be distributed geographically and even globally with relative ease.
• Managed by the provider instead of the user – Another key benefit for the customer in the SaaS model is that all of the maintenance and technical aspects of the software are handled by the provider. For businesses, this can mean fewer overheads, streamlined IT teams and effortlessly up-to-date software.
• Flexibly scalable rather than fixed – Growing businesses can easily and instantly gain access to as many user logins for the software as they need, and scale up and down as their workforce or requirements fluctuate.

Why are Freelance SaaS developers in high demand?

The SaaS market has grown exponentially over the past decade, and is currently valued at more than £200billion globally. This is in large part due to the benefits it has over older software models – greater cost-effectiveness due to not having to invest in hardware and infrastructure, the flexibility and adaptability it offers, the collaborative features it provides in a digitally connected world, and the capacity for remote work. This in turn has led to a greatly increased (and increasing) demand for freelance SaaS developers who can do the work needed to ease this growth and to meet the significant demands of a userbase that has come to expect fast, efficient, high-performance software at the click of a few buttons.

With this growth in demand has come the need for platforms that can provide an avenue through which businesses can quickly find the reliable and experienced freelance SaaS developers they need, and for SaaS developers to find a constant flow of work that requires their skills. Yotewo provides both of these – a trusted partner for businesses to build their IT teams in a scalable way, and a platform for talented SaaS developers to get matched with roles that suit their skills and experience.

Experience and skills to look for when you hire SaaS developers

The development of SaaS applications is not limited to any one programming language, and your project may well use a number of different languages for front-end and back-end development. This means that you need to hire SaaS developers that are experienced in the ones you are using. Common development languages used in SaaS include Python, Ruby and JavaScript (Node.js) on the back-end, and CSS and JavaScript frameworks like React and Angular on the front-end.

But it’s not enough to simply hire a developer that is knowledgeable in the languages used in your project. To ensure good outcomes, you need to hire experienced SaaS developers like those on Yotewo, who are knowledgeable in the technical specifics of creating and maintaining software as a service. These include:

• Cloud computing – The cloud is at the heart of software as a service, and so your SaaS developers need to be intimately familiar with its specific nuances and applications.
• APIs – Because SaaS frequently involves communication between any number of different software and hardware components, freelance SaaS developers must be able to design, build and maintain APIs as needed. Knowledge of RESTful architecture and GraphQL are generally helpful.
• Front-end and back-end knowledge – Even if they’re specialising in one or the other, any SaaS developers you hire should be well-versed in both the front and back-end, so that they can understand the full product lifecycle.
• Data management – SaaS by its nature requires the storing and accessing of vast amounts of data on a constant basis. As well as being able to ensure data security, SaaS developers need data management knowledge to allow them to understand user behaviour, use data-driven insights in product development, and maintain compliance with critical regulations.
• Version control systems – The delivery of SaaS requires the input and collaboration of many SaaS developers working simultaneously. Working within version control systems to ensure that updates and fixes are handled and tracked correctly is essential.
• Authentication/Authorisation – Where traditional on-premise software models see the user register or authenticate their application once, with software as a service they will often need to log in every time they use it. To ensure a seamless and secure experience, SaaS developers need to understand and be able to implement these processes in line with current security paradigms.
• Cybersecurity – Similarly, the fact that SaaS is accessible online globally means that developers must understand the security implications of this, and be aware of cybersecurity best practices for protecting data and the prevention and elimination of vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Hiring SaaS developers – Front-end, back-end or both?

Any successful software as a service product depends on talented front-end and back-end developers. When you hire SaaS developers, it’s important to know which you’re looking for.

• Front-end – Front-end SaaS developers focus on developing and maintaining user interfaces and delivering the overall user experience. For the front-end, proficiencies in CSS, JavaScript and HTML, and frameworks like React and Angular are often needed. Front-end SaaS developers generally work closely with designers and product managers to create end results that satisfy users’ needs.
• Back-end – Back-end developers are responsible for server-side development and maintenance concerning the software’s logic behind the scenes, and often deal with the management, storage and retrieval of data, developing APIs and refining performance issues. They mainly work with server-side scripting languages like Python, Ruby and PHP, but knowledge of the front-end is valuable for ensuring smooth and efficient integration.
• Full-stack – For smaller operations and start-ups, hiring a full-stack SaaS developer with extensive front-end and back-end experience is often prudent, as they can handle both sides of the equation, without the need for multiple hires. Full-stack developers are also indispensable when it comes to creating prototypes of new services or features, and for troubleshooting at all stages of development.

The importance of soft skills when hiring freelance SaaS developers

As well as the all-important core technical skills detailed above, when seeking to hire a permanent or freelance SaaS developer, you should also look for soft skills that will make them more effective and efficient in their role. When presented with two equally qualified developers, one whose experience is underpinned by relevant soft skills will usually far exceed the results achieved by one who is merely technically proficient.

There are a variety of helpful soft skills that you should look for when hiring freelancers and permanent team members. These include problem solving and the ability to think analytically to overcome coding and practical platform issues, understanding of customer needs and psychology, project management skills and creativity. Communication and collaborative skills can be particularly important for SaaS developers working in teams of any size, while the ability to adapt and embrace change can be vital in a constantly shifting digital landscape.

Yotewo can help you to find full-time and freelance SaaS developers with both the core proficiencies and soft skills that are most important to your business and the delivery and maintenance of the software products you offer.

Hire talented SaaS developers on Yotewo

Good SaaS developers can be hard to find, but fortunately Yotewo takes all the time-consuming hassle out of the search. Our platform makes it possible for start-ups and established businesses alike to find the expert talent that they need to provide their software as a service solutions to the highest standards. Replace your long search with a few clicks on Yotewo and you’ll gain instant access to top SaaS developers from around the world. With Yotewo, the process is simple but yields powerful results:

1. Select the criteria that are important to you – Are you looking for permanent or freelance SaaS developers? How much experience should they have? What additional skills are vital for your project when you hire a SaaS developer?
2. Get matched with SaaS developers that meet your specifications – We provide matches for your role or roles within 48 hours on average.
3. Onboard your new hire – We’ll provide support to you during the onboarding process, so that your new SaaS developer integrates into your team quickly and smoothly.
4. That’s it!

As well as being able to quickly fill any skill or capacity gaps within your SaaS team, one of the key benefits of Yotewo is that there are no hidden fees – what you see is what you get. And when you know that you can hire reliable SaaS developers and others with ease when you need them, you can grow your team with confidence as your business’ unique circumstances demand.

Find the full-time or freelance SaaS developer that suits your role

When hiring a SaaS developer to your team, it’s important to be clear about what it is that you’re looking for. No project is created equal, and each one will have specifics that may alter the nature of what your ideal developer looks like. Questions to ask yourself include: Will the developer be joining a new or existing project? Do you need them to take on a specific role within the project and if so what skills are valuable for them to have? Will you benefit from hiring a developer with direct experience of the industry or marketplace your product resides within? How many years of experience do they ideally need to excel in the role? Do you need a SaaS developer who can make key strategic decisions, or one who can follow specifications and get the job done?

Whether you’re seeking a freelance SaaS developer from the short to mid-term, or you’re looking to hire someone on a permanent full-time or part-time basis, answering these kinds of questions first will help you to ensure you find an expert that suits your company where it is currently, and your requirements.

Get pre-vetted SaaS talent today

One of the risks with conventional recruitment processes is that you can spend a long time searching and interviewing, and then recruit someone who looks perfect on paper, only to find that their skills and aptitudes are not up to scratch. You can of course vet them to ensure that they can perform as well as they say, but this can also take significant time and resources. With Yotewo, when you hire SaaS developers they come pre-vetted, thanks to our meticulous vetting processes that help make sure that only top development talent makes it into our network and onto your team.

You can rely on Yotewo as your trusted partner for hiring SaaS developers. Get started today, to find top development talent that meets your current and future requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a SaaS developer do?

Software as a service (SaaS) developers are responsible for all code-related aspects of the creation and maintenance of SaaS applications which are accessible to users via a subscription. As well as being technically proficient in a variety of programming languages, they need to understand the purpose of the software, the needs of the target market and how the product is monetised. Everyday tasks for a SaaS developer include writing code for the front-end and back-end of the application, applying fixes and troubleshooting bugs, and making updates and improvements to the software.

Does SaaS need coding?

While it is possible to build a SaaS without knowing any code, through the use of so-called ‘no-code’ and ‘low-code’ platforms that employ drag and drop visual interfaces, these can be limiting, and due to their use of pre-built components it can be harder to create anything unique. One of the key benefits of hiring experienced SaaS developers who are coding experts is that they can create a SaaS platform bespoke to your requirements and totally unlike anything else out there. Because they have in-depth knowledge and skills in the development of software as a service, they can also troubleshoot any issues along the way and eliminate bugs and problems before release.

What are the most popular coding languages for SaaS development?

A number of different programming languages are used extensively in SaaS projects. Java, is a popular choice due to its performance characteristics, extensive support community and eco-system, and its compatibility with multiple platforms. Python is also a firm choice thanks to its similarity to natural language, expansive collection of libraries and scalability. Other popular languages used by freelance SaaS developers and others include Ruby, PHP and JavaScript with node.js. HTML and CSS are also used extensively for front-end development of software as a service.

What are the most common forms of SaaS?

Software as a service applications are used widely for many different purposes and by a vast array of different people and businesses. Customer relationship management (CRM) software which allows companies to manage customer interactions are particularly popular for businesses, as enterprise resources planning (ERP) apps that handle everyday critical activities for businesses. Business communication platforms such as those which allow collaboration on tasks or meeting via video calls are also popular. For consumers, cloud storage, social media, multimedia streaming and online email platforms are all popular forms of software as a service.

Will AI replace SaaS?

Despite significant hype and uptake of AI applications at the moment, the general consensus is that AI will not replace software as a service models, though it may transform them. Where the SaaS of today sees customers utilise cloud-based software on demand to fulfil their needs, the SaaS of tomorrow may see them asking an AI agent to carry out key tasks within that ecosystem and then return to them with an answer. Freelance SaaS developers who stay up to date with this cross-pollination between AI and SaaS will likely be in high demand.

What are the key challenges of SaaS?

Due to its inherent connectedness to the internet, ensuring that your software as a service offers users a secure experience is a significant challenge that must be faced, and one which is paramount for the viability of your business. Hiring SaaS developers who understand this and can help eliminate any security vulnerabilities that might threaten your service is an important step. Compliance with any regulations governing your industry, particularly in relation to data security, is also important.

SaaS projects are often expansive and can grow to such an extent to strain your budget and lead to cost overruns. By hiring freelance SaaS developers as an when you need them on Yotewo, you can scale up and down as needed, helping to keep your budget in check.

Maintaining performance is another important challenge to overcome, particularly if your platform is expected to grow rapidly or experiences sudden bursts in demands. The development of robust architecture that can be scaled up as needed is essential, and this may well necessitate the hiring of additional freelance SaaS developers during periods of growth.

What is multi-tenant design in SaaS?

In software as a service, multi-tenant design means that multiple customers are served by the same instance of the application, as opposed to single tenancy, where one instance of the software serves one customer. In multi-tenant SaaS design, while multiple customers use the same software and database, their data remains isolated from one another’s so that only the authorised user can access it. Multi-tenant software as a service can facilitate lower costs, as well as easier integration with external software and simplified central management. When you hire freelance SaaS developers, be sure to check if they are experienced in single-tenancy or multi-tenancy architecture, or both.