Every website you visit is made up of different sections, beautiful elements, and complex design choices. But the interface you see is built on a carcass behind the scenes.
Every website you visit is made up of different sections, beautiful elements, and complex design choices. But the interface you see is built on a carcass behind the scenes. Users are not allowed to see it or interact with it. Because it`s meant for the internal use of the company that owns the website, this part is the heart of any web application, and without it, the website can not function properly. That`s what the back end is about. Many website development services you find online focus only on the surface of the site. This guide will help you understand what to look for in your next back-end developer.
Back end development refers to the part of software development and software development outsorcing that focuses on the server side of applications. It involves creating and maintaining the technology, logic, and infrastructure that power the front end (the part users interact with directly). Back end development ensures that everything works behind the scenes to deliver a seamless user experience. Consider hiring a front and experienced back end developer if you want to build a beautiful interface for your website.
Back end web developers create the logic behind the interface. They create the infrastructure that ensures the proper work of the web application. They focus on what users don’t see—the underlying logic, databases, APIs, and server configurations that make everything function smoothly. For startups wondering how to outsource software development for startups, back end developers play a pivotal role in ensuring the application runs efficiently, is secure, and scales well with an increasing number of users.
There are many technologies that a skilled back end developer can use in their work. Some though are more popular than others. Let`s discuss.
Programming languages are essential tools for software developers working in back end development, enabling them to create powerful systems that power web applications and mobile apps. Skilled back end developers use various back end programming languages to handle complex data structures, manage databases, and ensure efficient server-side operations.
A deep understanding of these programming languages is crucial for building scalable systems that deliver impressive solutions in any software development life cycle.
Java is a powerful programming language widely used in back end development due to its reliability and scalability. It is favored by software developers and back end engineers for creating complex projects such as web applications, enterprise-level systems, and APIs. Its "Write Once, Run Anywhere" (WORA) capability ensures portability, making it indispensable for managers overseeing a project.
Frameworks like Spring Boot and Hibernate streamline the product process, helping skilled back end developers build systems that support complicated data systems with powerful security and performance. Java is often mentioned in conversations about SaaS development: the flexibility of the language allows to create any custom solution.
Python is a top choice for back end developers due to its simplicity, versatility, and extensive ecosystem. It is widely used for tasks like database management, implementing application programming interfaces, and building web applications. For those considering how much does it cost to hire an app developer, Python's efficiency and extensive library support make it a cost-effective choice for many projects.
Frameworks such as Django and Flask provide solutions for full-stack developers looking to create secure and scalable systems. With its clean syntax and rich library support, Python is perfect for handling more complex projects and enhancing the software development lifecycle.
Ruby, particularly with its Ruby on Rails framework, is a favorite among back end developers for creating efficient web applications. Known for its developer-friendly syntax and emphasis on productivity, it simplifies the hiring process for companies seeking back end developers. Ruby supports database management systems, routing, and application logic, making it ideal for startups and smaller teams focused on building their development team.
PHP is a veteran in back end development and remains a preferred programming language for building dynamic websites. Its integration with HTML and frameworks like Laravel and Symfony make it a popular choice for freelance back end developers and teams looking to create complicated data systems efficiently. Companies aiming to hire a back end developer often turn to PHP developers to manage application programming interfaces, session handling, and database integration.
Everyone talks about this one, but no one actually explains it. Version control is the ability of the developer to look at the different versions of the code and apply changes to each and every one of them. Imagine that the website is a pie; you can add sugar to the frosting, or you can go back in time and add this ingredient to the cream. That`s version control.
A skilled back end developer understands the levels of the code and can create changes in different versions of it. There are different tools to perform version control, here are the most popular ones.
Git is an essential tool for back end developers, enabling efficient version control and collaboration in software development projects. It allows developers to track changes in code, manage different branches for features or fixes, and revert to previous versions when needed. By maintaining a history of code changes, Git ensures transparency and accountability, making it easier to debug issues and understand the evolution of a project which was done with Monitree.
It is a distributed version control system, meaning every developer has a full copy of the repository, providing redundancy and enabling offline work. With Git, developers can work on features independently, merge changes seamlessly, and resolve conflicts effectively, fostering smooth collaboration in team environments.
Gerrit is a web-based code review and collaboration tool built on top of Git, making it a powerful choice for managing version control in back end development projects. It facilitates a structured and collaborative code review process by allowing developers to submit code changes (patches) for review before merging them into the main codebase.
Gerrit’s review workflow helps maintain code quality, as reviewers can comment on specific lines of code, suggest improvements, and ensure adherence to coding standards. This tool is particularly useful in large-scale back end development teams where rigorous reviews are critical to maintain the integrity and performance of the back end systems.
CI/CD, which stands for continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment, aims to streamline and accelerate the software development lifecycle. It starts with discovery and validation, a part of the lifecycle of development that navigates the way software will be created. There are many ways to ensure CI/CD and many tools to control it. But one stands out the most.
Jenkins is a widely used automation tool in back end development, playing a critical role in streamlining the development life cycle. It is an open-source continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) platform that helps back end developers automate repetitive tasks such as building, testing, and deploying code.
With its extensive plugin ecosystem, Jenkins supports integration with various programming languages, version control systems, and programming interfaces, making it a versatile tool for managing complex projects. Businesses looking to hire React JS developers can benefit from using Jenkins in their workflows to ensure smooth collaboration between front-end and back-end teams. By automating workflows, Jenkins allows development teams, including full-stack developers and back end engineers, to focus on improving back end developer skills, enhancing code quality, and accelerating the development process.
In back end development, Jenkins ensures smooth collaboration between other team members, such as quality assurance teams, PMs, and software engineers. It provides a centralized platform to monitor code changes, execute tests, and deploy updates seamlessly across environments. For database management systems and websites, Jenkins is particularly valuable in maintaining the stability of server side operations and delivering high-quality, reliable software.
Its flexibility and scalability make it suitable for both freelance back end developers and large-scale development teams working on complicated data systems. With Jenkins, organizations can automate their workflows, reduce manual errors, and ensure consistent delivery, which is essential for modern back end development. Ration and accelerates cycles in results delivery, ensuring delivery of high-quality solutions.
Containerization is a critical aspect of back end development, enabling back end developers, full-stack developers, and software developers to create portable applications that run consistently across diverse infrastructures. This practice is particularly valuable for websites, mobile apps, and complex projects requiring seamless deployment and scalability. By leveraging containerization tools, skilled back end developers ensure high performance and efficient collaboration within the development team.
Docker is an essential tool in back end development for packaging applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers. Back end developers, back end engineers, and PMs rely on Docker for creating environments that eliminate inconsistencies across development, staging, and production setups. Docker enhances the development life cycle by simplifying the deployment process, providing a consistent platform for websites, and supporting quality assurance teams with repeatable environments. This method was used to create Fuel Finance.
For back end developers, Docker streamlines the development process, allowing full-stack developers and software engineers to focus on solving complicated data systems and machine learning challenges. Sharing Docker images via repositories like Docker Hub promotes collaboration and accelerates cycles in project management, ensuring delivery of high-quality solutions.
Kubernetes complements Docker by orchestrating containerized applications in back end development. This platform automates tasks like deployment, scaling, and management, ensuring that containers operate efficiently in distributed systems. For back end engineers managing complex projects, Kubernetes provides load balancing, automated rollouts, and self-healing capabilities, making it a go-to tool for maintaining high availability and fault tolerance.
By abstracting infrastructure complexities, Kubernetes empowers back end developers and development teams to define application states and focus on delivering strong web development solutions. With its declarative configuration, PMs and skilled developers can ensure that even more complex projects are handled seamlessly, boosting productivity in the software development lifecycle.
DBMS are vital for back end development, enabling back end developers, full-stack developers, and back end engineers to handle complicated data systems efficiently. These systems ensure reliable data management, scalability, and support for websites, apps, and other complex projects. Skilled back end developers leverage advanced tools like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and pgAdmin to deliver durable software development solutions. If you are interested in hiring a full-stack developer for your project, we already covered it in another article.
PostgreSQL, often referred to as Postgres, is a leading relational DBMS widely utilized by back end developers and software developers for its scalability and advanced capabilities. It is a favorite among skilled back end developers working on web development and mobile apps, thanks to its support for complex queries, JSON/JSONB, and advanced SQL features. Postgres ensures data integrity with ACID compliance, making it indispensable for DBMS in complex projects requiring reliable back and front end development like Dr.Alexa.
Postgres is ideal for project managers and development teams looking to build systems that handle programming interfaces and diverse datasets. Its extensibility allows back end engineers to create custom functions, adapting the system to a diverse range of use cases in the development life cycle.
MySQL is a cornerstone of back end development, prized for its speed, reliability, and ease of use. It is commonly used by back end engineers, freelance back and front end developers, and php developers for building scalable systems in websites. Supporting SQL for efficient data management, MySQL integrates seamlessly with back end programming languages and programming frameworks like Python’s Django, PHP’s Laravel, and Java’s Spring.
Its features, including indexing, transactions, and replication, make MySQL a go-to for project management teams focused on high-performance, fault-tolerant development processes. Whether you're a junior back end developer or a senior software engineer, MySQL is a tool that complements your technical skills and simplifies database-related tasks.
pgAdmin is an essential tool for back end developers managing PostgreSQL databases. Its intuitive interface simplifies management of database, offering features like SQL query editors, graphical database diagrams, and monitoring dashboards. Back end developers and development teams use pgAdmin to design schemas, track query performance, and visualize complex data systems, ensuring efficient operations.
For project managers and software engineers, pgAdmin streamlines workflows in back end development, supporting quality assurance teams with tools to troubleshoot and optimize applications. Its role in facilitating the software development lifecycle makes it an indispensable asset for hiring back end developers who specialize in PostgreSQL.
There are 3 common ways of cooperating with developers of any sort. Traditionally there are the following three:
When considering how to hire backend developers or remote developers of any kind, many executives initially gravitate toward the in-house hiring model. This method feels secure and offers control over the development team, but it comes with significant drawbacks.
Hiring back end developers in-house requires extensive HR involvement, including conducting multiple interviews, managing the hiring process, onboarding, handling contracts, and addressing tax obligations. These complexities can inflate development life cycle costs, making this option less appealing for smaller organizations.
For startups or small businesses, the risks associated with hiring a back end developer in-house include potential mismatches in skills, unforeseen absences, or limited flexibility to adapt to changes in the development process.
While this approach may suit big companies with specific needs or constant development team shortages, it is less ideal for companies that require agility in addressing complex projects, web app development, or database management systems.
In-house hiring is most effective for established organizations with the resources to maintain a permanent, full-time team of experienced back end developers, back end engineers, or software developers.
This option is best suited for:
Hiring full-stack developers and back end freelance developers have become an increasingly popular choice for businesses seeking flexible, cost-effective solutions. Platforms like Toptal and Guru provide access to freelance back end skilled backend developers, with diverse skill sets in back end programming languages and programming frameworks from the server side. Freelance back end developers are often the fastest alternative to in-house employees, offering expertise for short-term tasks or minor websites without the long-term commitment required by development teams. Also, be aware that freelancers often lack communication skills.
However, the hiring and interviewing process for a freelance back end developer can be challenging. Companies must carefully evaluate portfolios, references, and back end developer skills to ensure the right fit. While freelance developers are ideal for small projects, entrusting them with complex data systems or large-scale software development initiatives can be risky. This option suits businesses hesitant to commit to long-term contracts or in need of specific technical skills for their next project. Freelancers excel in delivering high-quality solutions for tasks involving programming interfaces, database management systems, and web app development.
This option is best suited for:
Outsourcing is one of the smartest approaches to back end development, offering flexibility, expertise, and cost-effective solutions. Partnering with companies like Empat allows businesses to access skilled back end developers, back end engineers, and software developers without the overhead of in-house hiring.
Empat also stands out in terms of communication and soft skills too: they create products people care about by enhancing their development with empathy. Outsourcing simplifies the development life cycle, as teams of experienced back end developers handle everything from programming languages to database management systems and version control systems.
With outsourcing, you can hire back end developers skilled in complex projects, including websites, apps, and programming interfaces. Companies like Empat offer dedicated development teams and full-stack developers tailored to your project’s specific needs. By outsourcing, businesses gain access to top-tier talent, proven processes, and the ability to deliver high-quality solutions efficiently.
Whether you're a startup needing cost-effective resources or a project manager for a large organization requiring ongoing support, outsourcing ensures your back end development and web development goals are met with precision and expertise.
This option is ideal for:
The cost of hiring back end developers varies based on factors such as experience level, location, and industry. Here's a breakdown of average annual salaries by seniority:
Location-based variations:
Salaries can vary significantly by location. For instance, back end developers in San Francisco, CA, earn an average of $180,375 per year, while those in Chicago, IL, average $138,695 annually.
International comparisons:
In the United Kingdom, junior back end developers earn between £35,000 to £55,000 annually, mid-level developers between £55,000 to £75,000, and senior developers between £75,000 to £100,000.
These figures are averages and can fluctuate based on the job description, specific skills, certifications, and the hiring company's budget.
Back end development is the backbone of any functional web application, handling everything users don’t see, but it is crucial for the seamless operation of websites and apps. From programming languages like Java, Python, Ruby, and PHP to tools like Git, Docker, Kubernetes, and PostgreSQL, a skilled back end developer ensures strong and scalable system architecture.
When debating on how to hire a web developer or a back end developer, companies can choose from three main options:
If you want to take advantage of back end development services and jump into the stream of modern businesses, contact Empat. They have the best backend developers with a proven track record of more than 300 projects and can assist you with any project of any complexity.
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