Pros and Cons of Hiring Full Stack Developer

Rapid digitization of the global population has significantly fuelled the demand for software development over the past couple of years. As a result, the demand for full stack development services has also increased significantly. Numbers suggest that demand for employing software developers will surge by 22% by 2029. Besides that, 54% of tech companies claim to have a shortage of relevant software development talents.    

While it will take some time to narrow this gap, the demand for full stack software developers still seems to be on the rise. This raises an important question for businesses: Is hiring full-stack software developers worthwhile? As is the case with every other business decision you take, even hiring full-stack software developers comes with certain pros and cons.    

This article will explore different aspects related to hiring full-stack software developers to help you make more informed decisions. So, let’s dive into the details without any further ado!

But First, Let’s Define Full-Stack Developers!

Any individual with the necessary knowledge and skillset to facilitate front-end and back-end web development is a full-stack software developer. Full-stack development differs from conventional software development since it requires an in-depth understanding of computing technology. This means mastering multiple programming languages, including JavaScript, Angular, jQuery, ASP, PHP, Node, and Python.   

It is important to understand that every application is made of three primary layers of software development: front-end, back-end, and database. Anyone offering full stack software development services will be responsible for managing each of these software development layers. These developers will start with front-end development and eventually proceed to back-end development, ensuring the application has all the necessary features and functionalities. 

Primary Advantages Of Hiring Full-Stack Developers In 2023

Full-stack development is much more complex than many might imagine it to be. Therefore, full-stack software developers must have all the necessary skill sets and knowledge to complete the development process effectively. Even businesses hiring them benefit from multiple advantages of hiring full stack software developers. Some of the best-known advantages include the following:

Extensive Technological Skills 

One of the best things about hiring full-stack software developers is the technological expertise that comes with them. These developers have in-depth knowledge of each software development layer, making determining and fixing existing issues easier. This also allows full-stack software developers to provide businesses a more long-term and sustainable solution to their problems.    

But more importantly, a competent full-stack software developer is easily well-equipped with both software development tasks. This differs from the conventional software development process, where front-end developers work on visible aspects while back-end developers work on the codes. This can help businesses save on resources and enhance the overall development pace.  

Full-stack software developers are also technologically versatile since they can work on an ongoing project, enhance codes, and add new features. This can be very helpful for any full-stack software development company looking to drive better results.  

Problem-Solving Abilities 

The other great thing about full-stack software developers is they are great problem solvers. This is another important reason why the demand for employing competent full-stack software developers is still on the rise. However, that does not mean every full-stack software developer is a problem solver, making it important for businesses to hire accordingly. 

The weird thing about full-stack software developers and problem-solving is that they are not taught this skill in their educational institutions. Instead, they must learn and adopt these skills while working on their projects. As a result, it does not make much of a difference if someone has a full-stack software development degree or is self-taught. Whether a full-stack software developer is experienced or novice, it is important for them to be good at solving problems. 

Updated With The Latest Frameworks 

Technology is evolving at an exponential pace, and every full-stack software developer must make all the efforts to keep up with this evolution. A competent full-stack software developer will keep up with all the latest frameworks and libraries. Besides that, most full-stack software developers will have to keep up with the latest technological developments, such as Big Data, AR, IoT, and VR.   

It is worth acknowledging that full-stack software developers have a lot to keep up with, given the pace of technological evolution in today’s age. As a result, they need to pour in extensive efforts to keep up with all the latest developments in the field of technology. Any complacency or ineffective time management might also make this a disadvantage for full-stack software developers.  

Better Cost Savings

Saving on costs is key to increasing the profitability of a business, and hiring full-stack software developers can help you realize that goal. The best part is that businesses can employ full-stack software developers based on the project’s specific needs. If your project requires only one or two full-stack software developers, you can hire them instead of an entire team.   

This can help you complete your projects with a limited budget. Most businesses in richer countries also hire full-stack software developers from poorer countries to meet their full-stack software development requirements at cheaper prices. More importantly, businesses can hire full-stack software developers and save on the cost of separate back-end, front-end, and QA testers.  

More Flexibility

Full-stack software developers’ best qualities are their unmatched adaptability and flexibility. These developers are well-versed in every aspect of software development, making it easier for them to adapt to almost any situation. Besides that, you can even hire full-stack software developers for optimizing and maintaining your existing system.  

Most full-stack software developers have an extensive perspective on users’ preferences along with other relevant knowledge. Besides that, these developers must keep up with all the latest technological advancements. As a result, these developers can implement the latest technologies into solutions and deliver more advanced and user-friendly solutions.   

Extensive Experience In Software Development 

People do not become competent full-stack software developers with a day’s work. Instead, a competent full-stack software developer comes with years of experience working on many different types of projects. This experience has given them extensive knowledge to solve complications with minimal effort. 

This can be highly beneficial for businesses looking to deliver superior solutions that stand out in the market. This helps them enhance the acceptance of the solution among the target audience and the entire market in general. So make sure you go with a full-stack software development with expert and experienced team developers.  

Increased Productivity

It is no secret that full-stack software developers are meant to take over and manage the entire project from the start till the end. This helps them facilitate more effective management that can increase their productivity and ensure timely delivery. 

Besides that, a competent full-stack software developer will better understand how every piece of software development fits together. This allows them to create ideal solutions that work great for every stakeholder involved and with better efficiency.  

Seamless Troubleshoot of Errors 

Full-stack software developers have all the necessary skills and knowledge to manage every aspect of the software development project. This makes it easier for them to easily detect any complex issue and initiate permanent fixes more efficiently. 

This can help businesses save on additional resources they might have investing in troubleshooting. But more importantly, this helps ensure that your website or solution is free from any complex errors and offers an optimal experience to end users. 

Unmatched Management And Executive Skills

Effective execution and management are two of the most important aspects of any successful project. This is where full-stack software developers can be very useful for businesses. These developers can work with everything from front-end development to back-end development, along with the skills to manage all middle architectural layers.  

Full-stack software developers are also more versatile in terms of managing different technology stacks without a hiccup. This helps them ensure better management and execution to ensure the successful completion of the project. 

Timely Delivery

Time is of the essence in today’s software development sphere, where competition is always at its peak. This is where full-stack software developers can be great in ensuring timely project completion.    

You can simply hire a small team of full-stack software developers to ensure efficient software development. This is better than working with a huge team of front-end and back-end developers struggling to collaborate with each other.   

Are There Any Disadvantages Of Hiring Full-Stack Software Developers?

As is the case with every development sphere, even hiring full-stack software developers comes with certain cons. Understanding these cons can help businesses make more informed decisions and mitigate the chances of incurring losses. Some of the best-known cons of hiring full-stack software developers include the following:  

Limitations With Certain Tech Stack 

A common misconception about full-stack software developers is that they have all the necessary skills to solve all technical complications. However, that is not always the case since even full-stack software developers have certain limitations.  

For instance, a full-stack software developer might be skilled in front-end and back-end development, but the project requirements differ. Suppose your project requires a thorough understanding of Java Stack; then, you will have to hire a Java full-stack developer with skills to meet those requirements.

Relatively Time-Intensive 

Full-stack development is as comprehensive as it gets, and developers need to manage every single aspect of the project. This means completing a task with a specific tech stack but also having to review primary changes that make up the fundamentals of the program. 

Full-stack software developers must refer to previous manuals and brush up on older details. As a result, this further increases the time full-stack software developers need to complete a given project.  

Inability To Keep Up With The Latest Technology Trends

As mentioned earlier, full-stack software developers must always be updated with the latest technology trends. However, this can be very challenging for these developers as there are multiple technologies they need to keep up with. 

Apart from the latest trends, full-stack software developers also need to keep up with all the latest tools from their expertise areas. This might not affect their profiles as full-stack software developers, but businesses are left stuck with someone without the latest knowledge. 

Complications Related To The Motivation Of Full-Stack Software Developers

Most people often tend to overlook the fact that even full-stack software developers are nothing but humans. This makes them prone to human limitations, such as a lack of motivation, which can hamper the performance of your full-stack software developer. For instance, suppose you are hiring only one full-stack software developer for your needs. 

In these cases, it is not uncommon for these developers to lose the sense of motivation due to less competition, lack of companionship, and more. This is another reason why hiring multiple full-stack software developers can be better than hiring just one. This will help employees be motivated and competitive to ensure your business gets the best of their skills and competence.  

Ineffective Distribution Of Responsibilities

Ineffective distribution of responsibilities is another significant challenge that full-stack software developers face today. Since these developers are responsible for the entire development project, their responsibilities often tend to overlap. 

This makes switching between different processes challenging, even with a large team of full-stack software developers. This further leaves room for confusion and lack of clarity regarding their exact responsibilities. 

Diverse Knowledge Can Sometimes Turn Into a Curse 

While the wealth of knowledge among full-stack software developers can be a significant benefit, the opposite is also possible. In most cases, people expect full-stack software developers to understand all technical nuances comprehensively. This further fosters a cognitive bias, making hiring a single individual more unfair than hiring different specialists. 

One cannot deny that hiring a single specialist will give them access to more enhanced expertise on a specific subject. This does not come as a surprise, considering specialists are more likely to have more in-depth knowledge than someone with more diverse knowledge. This is one of the most significant challenges that almost full-stack software development company faces today.  

Things To Consider When Hiring Full-Stack Software Developers 

Now that you understand the perks and drawbacks of hiring a full-stack software developer, it will become easier for you to make more informed decisions. However, since the perks outweigh the drawbacks of hiring full-stack software developers, you must be mindful of some considerations for making better decisions. So here are some of the most important considerations you need to remember when leveraging full-stack software development services.    

Technical Competency

Before you go on to hire a full-stack software developer, you must always consider their technical expertise. A reliable full-stack software developer must be well-equipped with knowledge about the fundamentals of front-end and back-end development technologies. This means they must be well-versed in different programming languages such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML, .NET, Node, PHP, and more.    

Besides that, full-stack software developers must also have an in-depth understanding of database constructions. This means having enhanced knowledge of MariaDB, MySQL, and MongoDB, among other relevant databases. These are some of the many areas where full-stack software developers must have unmatched skills to help them offer effective development services.  

Experience And Expertise

When it comes to hiring the ideal full-stack software developers, experience and expertise are among the most important considerations. In most cases, freshers and graduates often lack the skills needed to offer effective software development services. However, you can always hire freshers and train them with other experienced experts to get favorable outcomes. 

Most businesses often choose to hire more experienced full-stack software developers since they have the skills to deliver quality solutions. But, ensure you evaluate your project’s specific needs and requirements before proceeding with the hiring process.  

Salary Of The Full-Stack Software Developer

The global software development market suffers from an acute shortage of competent full-stack software developers who meet all business requirements. Additionally, finding the right full-stack software developers in developed countries is getting more challenging with increased competition. This has fueled the demand for these developers, further increasing their worth in the market. 

Given these considerations, businesses should not be surprised to encounter full-stack software developers asking for significant remunerations. However, businesses must evaluate their operational scale and ability before hiring any full-stack software developers. This means you can hire a full-stack software developer asking for a significant salary if your business is huge. On the other hand, small businesses and startups will be better off leveraging the services of an affordable full-stack software development company. 

GitHub Profile 

Full-stack software developers must be well familiar with the most popular Version Control System in the world known as Git. If you plan to hire a full-stack software developer, you must ask them for the details about their GitHub profile. This is a relatively new concept but can be highly effective in terms of helping businesses recruit the right talents. 

GitHub eliminates hosting barriers and gives people seamless access to relevant information about their preferred candidates. Of course, some chances experienced full-stack software developers might get a competitive edge over others. But this will be the case regardless of whether the employer checks the candidate’s GitHub profile.  

Effective Partnership

Partnering or hiring a full-stack software developer means fostering a long-term collaboration that benefits both parties. This makes it important you evaluate the full-stack software developer’s level of commitment. Besides that, the full-stack software developer must have all the necessary qualities to foster a productive collaboration. 

This will ensure a committed partnership right from the beginning of the project till the end. Your preferred full-stack software developers will also help you keep up with all the latest technology trends. So make sure you evaluate your partnership level with the full-stack software developer before hiring them. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to hiring a full-stack software developer, it is always important to weigh in all the 

perks and drawbacks that tag along. Besides that, you must also evaluate your project’s specific requirements to decide accordingly. 

Evaluating your business’s scale of operations is also another important consideration you need to weigh while hiring full-stack software developers. You can even consider hiring a full-stack software development company to get the best results without burning a hole in your pockets. 

FAQs