Laravel is a vigorous PHP framework, that offers a secure, maintainable, and scalable codebase. It has all those robust features that versatile SaaS applications need. However, finding the right skilled developer who knows all these features is not easy. You need someone proficient not only in Laravel but also who has related skills in cloud infrastructure, multi-tenancy, APIs, and scalable designs.
In this blog, we’ll tell you why Laravel is a complete solution for SaaS platforms. Alongside, the steps to hire a dedicated Laravel developer for building scalable SaaS applications.
Why is Laravel Ideal for SaaS?
Laravel provides built-in authentication features that allow developers to create secure, multi-tenant, and scalable SaaS applications. It is considered a developer-friendly framework that eases the process of SaaS development with the following tools:
- Sanctum is an authentication tool to make secure SaaS application
- Cashier is a billing tool, which provides services of Stripe and Paddle
- Horizon is a queue-managing tool, that streamlines background jobs in SaaS apps
- Nova works as an admin panel, which makes dashboards and manages SaaS data.
These Laravel flexible features are not used evenly by every developer. That is why it is important to understand the whole hiring process – to ensure that you find the right candidate who has the right skills and knowledge of these tools.
Steps to Hire a Laravel Developer for Your SaaS Platform
Developing a SaaS platform not only with Laravel expertise but also with SaaS understanding. Let’s get into a detailed process of what to look for in the right candidate:
Step-01: Clearly Define Your SaaS Requirements
Before starting the process of hiring a developer, it is important to mention what your platform needs. It is not possible to find the right candidate without letting them know clearly about your goals. Defining requirements means:
- Outlining goals by deciding whether you are building an MVP or scaling a current product.
- Clarify the use of other technology stacks beyond Laravel like Vue.js, Tailwind, or Docker.
- Specify the billing process that you follow either recurring, one-time, invoice, or prepaid billing.
- Inform the timeline of the project and expected due dates
Understanding SaaS requirements helps you to specify the right hiring model that suits best your project.
Step-02: Select The Right Hiring Model
After positioning the goals, the next step is to select the right model to hire Laravel developer. It depends on different factors such as the size of the company, number of employees, budget, and product stage. The types of Laravel talent are the following:
- Freelancers are a good choice for early stages like MVP development, short-term projects, and are more reasonable.
- Full-time Laravel developers are best in growth stage, long-term projects, and when you have constant revenue to provide salaries and benefits
- Laravel development agencies provide a complete package of developers, designers, and project managers, best suited for start-ups that don’t want in-house teams.
If you are considering an agency, Bizmia is the right choice because it provides skilled Laravel experts with a broad range of services to launch and grow SaaS platforms.
Step-03: Know Where to Find Laravel Developers
The next step after choosing the right hiring model is finding a valid platform where SaaS-focused Laravel experts are available. There are multiple options such as:
- Laracasts Forum always have active Laravel developers
- Laravel.io Community provides skilled developers
- Websites like Upwork and Topal give a chance to get experienced specialists
- Social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter
- Laravel-focused agencies like Bizmia have full teams or single developers to offer depending on your need
It’s important to note that while posting for a job vacancy, use the word “SaaS” in the title to improve the visibility of the job post.
Step-04: Assess the Skills of the Developer
Once finding the right candidate, businesses should look to hire Laravel developer who has the right skills to make high-quality SaaS applications. The technical skills they must be proficient in are:
- Laravel tools such as Lumen, Flare, JetShip, Laravel Homestead, etc.
- SaaS-specific skills like in multi-tenancy, can enhance API, and payment gateways.
- Cloud mastery as of AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
After assessing technical skills, they must have the following soft skills:
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability and time management skills
You can assess these skills while asking questions during an interview.
Step-05: Conduct In-Depth Screening Process
After shortlisting potential candidates, you can evaluate them by performing a screening process with the help of different tools and techniques. Such as phone screening, video screening, in-person screening, and automated screening. To hire Laravel developer following test questions are worth to inquire:
- Whether you have used packages like Tenancy for Laravel, or any other approach for multi-tenancy?
- Can you explain your experience with implementing subscription billing in a SaaS application?
- Have you worked on API-first development using REST or GraphQL?
Ask technical questions like the above or give real SaaS scenarios to evaluate their technical skills. Ask them to build a simple dashboard, make a multi-tenant user model, or apply a job queue to send emails. Moreover, assess their soft skills during the communication in an interview.
Step-06: Retain Your Laravel Talent
Finally, after hiring the right developer the most important next step is to maintain them long-term with you. After building the SaaS platform you still need ongoing support, maintenance, security updates, and feature rollouts. So, make sure you hire a Laravel developer who wants to make your website updated and robust.
Businesses can retain developers by providing them benefits, bonuses, flexible working arrangements, and certificates. Keeping developers long-term is one of the most effective ways to run your company cost-efficiently.
Conclusion
When you hire Laravel developer for your SaaS platform, not only do technical skills play an important role but also, but they should also know how SaaS works. From multi-tenancy, cloud computing, and APIs, to payment gateways. Moreover
There are many options in the market to choose skilled Laravel developers with SaaS experience. However, success directly depends on having a structured hiring process- one that helps to assess their technical skills, soft skills, and experience. With Bizmia you can easily find the right fit for your SaaS platform.
