Hire expert freelance React/Node.js developers for your company's digital projects

React/Node.js is a technology power couple for web app development – Cad Crowd has just the right developers skilled in both

There are many programming languages and frameworks available when developing webs and apps, but very few are better than the combination of the React library and the Node.js JavaScript runtime environment. Cad Crowd helps you connect with developers who are well-trained and experienced in both technologies to achieve the most streamlined workflow in your project.

Getting to know React/Node.js

While you can use React or Node.js separately or pair them with any other alternative, they work best in tandem to let developers (and the web/apps being developed) get the best of both technologies. When utilized together, a skillful developer can tap into all their features and maximize their potential.

Node.js

Most people know JavaScript as it is run in the browser. Node.js takes JavaScript code outside the web browser and runs everything from a server instead. The runtime environment is built on Chrome's V8 engine and is best known for exceptional features, including but not limited to:

• Efficiency: Node.js's non-blocking architecture and event-driven technology allow it to handle any number of requests simultaneously, which is ideal for high-traffic applications. Good efficiency translates to a web or app that feels quick and responsive.
• Simplicity: with Node.js, developers can re-apply the codes already written for the client-side (front-end) to server-side (back-end) development. Because codes are reusable, web/app development becomes simpler and after.
• Scalability: the lightweight nature of Node.js and its ability to process multiple concurrent requests mean the runtime environment easily meets the demand of growing applications over time.

And then there is the rich ecosystem behind it. Out of the box, Node.js comes with a library of pre-built package managers (or modules if you like). It’s like having ready-to-use tools for just about every development need.

React

If Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment for back-end development, React is an open-source JavaScript-based library for the front-end. An application made with React is composed of multiple components – each component is responsible for handling or rendering one piece of HTML. One of the best things about React applications is the way those components can be nested within other components. You can almost say that a complex React application is built by stacking components as if they're simple building blocks. Apart from that, the main advantages of React library include:

• Reusable codes and components make React a beginner-friendly option. Since the components have their own logic and components, it's easy to manage a large-scale application.
• React library utilizes JavaScript XML (JSX), which has HTML-like syntax that can be processed into JavaScript calls.
• There’s only one-way data binding, so implementing control through an entire application is quite practical.
• Virtual DOM (Document Object Model), which represents UI, is kept in memory and synched with the “actual” DOM. 

Just like with Node.js, there is a huge active community of developers behind the React library, giving a rich ecosystem where every developer is spoiled with a wide range of tools, supports, and other resources to get the project going.

React and Node.js also complement each other well. What you find missing from React is available from Node.js, and vice versa.

React is a well-known JavaScript library for front-end development, whereas Node.js is a dependable server-side technology. When implemented together, developers have nearly all the tools they need to build engaging modern UI backed by low latency performance and robust functionalities.

Full-stack React/Node.js developer

Some developers specialize in Node.js, while others have accumulated years of experience working with React. In case you need to use the technologies for your web/app projects, the obvious thing to do is to hire two professional developers to handle the job. That said, there is an easier and even more efficient solution to that: Cad Crowd can connect you with a full-stack developer competent in both the React library and Node.js runtime environment.

In simple words, a freelance full-stack developer is a programmer competent enough to build websites, web apps, or mobile apps from scratch, including both the front-end and back-end. This means they can create UI, manage database structure, build and implement features, update the web/app, and ensure security. Some of them also take part in designing web/app wireframes for UI.

Main roles and responsibilities of full-stack developers:

• Design and develop websites, web apps, mobile apps, or software in general
• Write clean and clear codes that conform to the industry's standards and best practices so documentation and maintenance are easy
• Take part in code and design reviews to ensure consistency and quality
• Discover bugs and troubleshoot errors
• Create application database and build servers
• Participate in the creation of new features, which often requires the developer to work with a professional graphic designer
• If the app/software has to be cross-platform, the developer makes sure it offers consistent functionalities on all platforms

Many small companies and startups actually prefer a full-stack developer to (two) front-end and back-end developers, mainly because the former is usually self-sufficient and capable of handling the entire development process with minimum supervision. It also means the developer will have to fix any problem that may arise with little help from anybody. This isn’t ideal in most situations, but the efficiency benefit is undeniable.

What it takes to be a full-stack developer:

• Most full-stack developers have a Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or related field
• Understanding of client-side technologies, including JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
• Well-versed in at least one front-end framework or library, such as React
• Experienced in back-end technologies, for instance, Node.js
• Familiarity with database systems like SQL and NoSQL
• Expertise in version control, like Git

Soft skills are equally essential. The most important thing is that a full-stack developer must be able to work in a collaborative environment with graphic designers, IT personnel, and DevOps engineers. If you run a small company, the developer may have to maintain communication with clients as well.

Many developers claim to be full-stack programmers, but only because they haven't specialized in either front-end or back-end. In general, they're general beginners (or masters of none), if you will. Just because they can do the basics of client-side and server-side developments, it doesn't always mean they're skillful enough to be full-stack developers in the truest sense of the word. 

Cad Crowd has been working long enough with front-end and back-end developers to know that truly competent full-stack developers are experienced in UI, server-side development, web/app deployment, and maintenance. They’re coding wizards who are equally adept in IT operations. A true full-stack developer is not a Jack-of-all-trades but an all-around coding expert with a highly sought-after skill set.

Our talent database is filled with thousands of professional programmers and developers specializing in the React library for front-end, Node.js runtime environment for back-end, and full-stack developers competent at both technologies. Most full-stack developers in our network are independent, experienced programmers with commendable portfolios and years of track records. Some of them have less than two years of experience and have only worked on small-size projects (non-enterprise web/app). Unless you are indeed hiring a beginner for an entry-level position, our recruiters can and will avoid targeting inexperienced developers.

One thing is certain: it doesn’t really matter if you’re looking for expert React/Node.js developers or entry-level programmers; Cad Crowd always has the right professional to fulfill your hiring needs. We have the resources to handle the recruitment process from start to end in “turnkey” service while keeping you in the loop every step of the way. You’ll always be the decision maker, and we can only function as an extension of your arm in the search for the right candidates, nothing less and nothing more. 

Reach out to Cad Crowd today to get your free quote. During our discussion, we’ll give you a concise walkthrough of the effective method we employ to handle a hiring process. More importantly, our recruiters take the time to listen to your needs, learn about your company culture, and study the open position in detail so that together, we can find the right candidates to be positive contributors to your project right away.