How to Hire an NFT Developer [The Ultimate Cheat Sheet]

NFT? Why NFT?

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are two game-changing innovations of our generation. And now, with the advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), we are on the brink of another revolution.

NFTs are digital assets that are unique and cannot be replicated. This makes them perfect for things like digital art, collectibles, and gaming items. After the launch of popular NFT marketplaces — OpenSea, Rarible, and Magic Eden — we are beginning to realize the immense potential of this innovative technology.

But why should you care? Why not create a cryptocurrency exchange, for example?

The NFT market skyrocketed from $232M in 2020 to $11B in 2022. Experts predict its value will roughly triple by 2031. With this light-speed growth, it's no surprise that more businesses are looking to get involved in the NFT space. One way to do that is via NFT marketplace development.

This road is challenging, but it grants a myriad of benefits. For one, it allows you to tap into the booming NFT market. It also gives you the opportunity to stand out from other crypto businesses. With a well-designed NFT project, you can offer users a unique and valuable experience. Finally, such a platform can help you generate revenue. By charging for listings or getting a percentage of sales, you will create a new stream of income for your business.

Where Can I Find and Hire NFT Developers?

When it comes to gathering an NFT development team, there are several options. You can hire in-house developers, outsource the work to a development agency, or go the freelance route.

Each path has its pros and cons, which can be critical for certain NFT projects. Let's take a closer look at them, so you can make a better-informed decision.

Freelance NFT Developers

Hiring freelance NFT developers can be a great way to get the talent and expertise you need without breaking the bank. However, along with the perks, this venture has a few pitfalls to keep in mind.

Cost vs. quality. Freelancers can help speed up your NFT launch and do it without much upfront cost. But there's always the risk that they won't deliver on their promises or that the project won't meet your expectations.

Flexibility vs. experience. By partnering with remote developers, you can save time. You don't have to arrange their training or worry about management, and they are able to work 24/7. On the other hand, the industry is relatively new, so finding qualified NFT developers for hire is often a challenge.

Your needs vs. their vision. If you have a clear idea of your NFT marketplace, then a freelance NFT developer may be a suitable option for you. However, if you are unsure about the specifics of your project, better cooperate with a development team that can help you flesh out your ideas.

Where to Find Them?

• Upwork;
• Freelancer.com;
• Fiverr;
• UpStack;
• Toptal.

In-House Development Team

Reputation vs. experience. While there are plenty of great NFT development companies, some of them are far from being great. It's crucial to do your research and make sure you're recruiting an employee with a good reputation. Moreover, the process of creating a decentralized blockchain platform is complex, so you'll want to hire an NFT developer with a strong technical background.

Vision vs. cost. In-house developers will have a more profound understanding of your company's specific needs and objectives. However, this option is the most expensive of the three, so you should be prepared to pay a competitive salary and not forget about benefits.

Company size vs. budget. If you're a small business owner with a limited budget, it may not be feasible to hire in-house NFT developers. Conversely, if your company is large, and you have the resources and desire to invest more in NFT development services, this option will be a good idea.

Where to Find Them?

• Online job boards: Indeed, Authentic Jobs, Dice;
• Social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram;
• Developer websites: GitHub, Stack Overflow.

Outsourcing Companies

A win-win for any company, whether small or large, is outsourcing to expert blockchain developers.

Price. The most obvious benefit is that it can save you a huge amount of money. When you decide to outsource and hire an NFT development company, you don't have to pay the overhead associated with an in-house development team. This can be significant savings, especially if you are just starting out.

Time. In addition to cutting costs, an outsourcing company can help you save time. An experienced team of developers will get your NFT project off the ground quickly and efficiently. If you ever encounter any problems along the way, they will be there to help you troubleshoot and solve them.

Expertise. The right outsourced development team will have an in-depth understanding of the NFT space and guide you through the complexities of its ecosystem: smart contracts, NFT collections, blockchain integration, and other nuances. They can also help you create a project that is both technically robust and commercially successful.

Other benefits include:

• Larger pool of talent;
• Working around the clock;
• No need to train newcomers;
• Focus on core duties.

This option is not completely ideal, either. Here are some of the risks associated with it:

• More expensive than hiring a freelancer;
• Not as much control over the project as with an in-house team;
• Time lag due to a different time zone;
• Miscommunication risks caused by language barriers and cultural differences.

Where to Find Them?

• Ratings of influential websites: Clutch, GoodFirms, IAOP;
• Social networks: LinkedIn, Facebook;
• Recommendations from other businesses you trust or partner with.

On the Road to Top NFT Developers: Our Guide to Success

With demand for NFTs at an all-time high, businesses are scrambling to find top-notch NFT and blockchain developers to create unique and powerful software for trading digital assets. But with competition for top talent heating up, how can you be sure you're hiring the best and the brightest?

Below are some tips on how to find and attract first-rate NFT developers to your team. 

Step #1: Research the Market

By taking the time to explore the NFT development market, you can come across professionals for your project. Here's how to do it:

• Identify your needs. What kind of product are you eager to build: a blockchain-based marketplace, an NFT lending platform, or do you want to get into NFT game development? What features will your solution have? How about your budget? Once you know what you are after, you can start researching the market.
• Look for NFT development companies that have experience creating the type of product you want. Read reviews and case studies to see how they've helped other businesses. And remember to ask for quotes, so you can compare prices.

Step #2: Assess Technical Skills

One of the key indicators to help you determine if a candidate has the skills required for your development process is their technical knowledge.

When assessing the technical skills of potential NFT developers, it's crucial to consider the specifics of the blockchain industry. Candidates should have a strong understanding of blockchain technology, smart contract development, cryptocurrency wallet integration, and NFT collection development. They should also be well-versed in NFT standards and specifications, such as ERC-721 or ERC-1155.

Possible ways to check this knowledge:

• Technical test;
• Coding challenge;
• Quiz on NFT-related topics.

Step #3: Give a Test Task

A test task is an excellent opportunity to check how a potential NFT developer for hire thinks about a problem and approaches it. It allows you to see their skills and abilities first-hand and determine if they're the right people for your company and project.

When giving a test task, remember to provide clear instructions and parameters, as well as a reasonable deadline. Top NFT developers are in high demand, so you want to be sure they will have enough time to complete the assignment.

Step #4: Meet Face-to-Face

If the proposed solution to the test task meets or even exceeds your expectations and the candidate's level of technical expertise is high enough, you can move on to the next step — the interview.

The questions you will ask should validate the applicants' knowledge, experience, strengths and weaknesses, as well as determine whether they fit your company's culture. The interview also grants you a chance to share information about your business and the product you're working on. At the same time, interviewees get the opportunity to ask questions to better understand the specifics of future tasks.

Examples of questions:

• How much experience do you have with developing NFT-based platforms?
• What blockchain projects have you worked on in your previous position?
• In your opinion, what is the key to success in creating NFTs?
• What are the most common challenges of modern blockchain networks?
• What kind of NFTs have you created in the past?

Step #5: Onboard Your New Team

Now it's official — you've found the top NFT developers on the market, and you're ready to delegate product development to them. But before you do, there are a few things you should bear in mind to ensure a smooth and successful product launch.

Here are a few tips:

• Make sure the team understands your vision for the project. What are your goals? What does success look like? Be as specific as possible, so the developers know exactly what results you want to get.
• Create a detailed project plan. It should include the project scope, every step of the development process from start to finish, its timeline, and the people responsible for each task. This will help everyone stay organized.
• Monitor the project closely to ensure that it's on track. This means regular communication with your team, checking in on their progress, and addressing any issues that arise.
• Give feedback. Once the project is finished, provide feedback to the team, so they can improve on future work.

Let’s Get Your NFT Platform Started

With each passing day, it is becoming more and more evident that non-fungible tokens are the future of online investing, gaming, and collecting. Due to their unique properties and infinite potential, NFTs are quickly becoming a go-to asset for digital creators and enthusiasts all over the world. This offers you an excellent opportunity: to seize the moment and offer designers and collectors a platform where they can trade tokens — NFT marketplaces.

There's a lot to consider when creating such software, though the effort will be worth it. You'll need to decide what types of NFTs you want to support, how you want to handle transactions, what blockchain platforms to integrate, and what security measures you'll have to adopt. But you won't have to go this road alone. With a dedicated team, you are sure to overcome any obstacles and make your way into the NFT world.

You have the ideas, the vision, and now you just need experts to launch your product. Luckily, our team of NFT developers is only an email away from you. If you're ready to get started, contact us today, and we'll get to work on your project ASAP.