How to Hire a React Developer for your E-commerce startup
What type of React developer do I really need?
Match the developer to your e-commerce business model and team size. High-volume DTC brands need developers who can ship fast, test changes quickly, and optimise for conversion during campaigns.
Enterprise e-commerce with longer release cycles needs developers comfortable with more process, QA, and stakeholder management.
Small teams thrive with strong solo coders who can own features end-to-end. Larger teams need people who can navigate cross-functional meetings and handoffs. The wrong fit here slows everything down.
How do I assess React devs without running a drawn-out process?
Skip generic coding puzzles. Give them a short, paid project instead. Then do a live session to review it and make small changes together. You’ll see their speed, problem-solving, and ability to handle real e-commerce needs all in under a week.
What should I include in my 30/60/90-day plan?
Define what success looks like:
- 7 days: Fully onboarded, local store running, improved onboarding docs
- 14–90 days: Owning and shipping features like product pages, cart flows, or promo banners.
- After 90 days: Knows the codebase like a long-timer, handles edge cases confidently, can optimise key pages without guidance.
How do I decide between a generalist and a specialist?
Early-stage e-commerce needs a reliable full-stack dev who can handle frontend React work, API integrations with the commerce platform, and basic deployment. Later, as you grow, split into specialists: one team focused on frontend UX/conversion, another on backend/catalog logic.
What’s the right mix of technical skill vs. product sense for this stage?
Early stage: You need “entrepreneurial developers” who work from rough ideas, make product calls as they code, and figure things out on the fly.
Later stage: You need “team player developers” who execute within structured processes alongside PMs, designers, and QA.
How do I compete for talent without paying top-of-market salaries?
It’s tough when you can’t match big-company cash and equity is limited. Startups can offer faster growth, broader responsibilities, and direct impact on the product, but finding devs who value that takes time.
ReactSquad helps tackle this problem by connecting you with top React talent for roughly half the cost of US freelancers. That way, you can compete without blowing your budget or losing months to recruiting.
How do I evaluate startup-readiness, not just technical ability?
Look for people who’ve shipped features under tight deadlines, worked without full specs, and prioritised impact over perfection. In e-commerce, that means being able to fix a broken checkout in hours, not days.
How fast should my hiring process be?
Aim for under 3 weeks. Seasonal campaigns like Black Friday don’t wait. A slow process means losing top candidates to faster-moving companies.
Getting matched with a ReactSquad developer is even faster. We connect you with an expert engineer within 48 hours.
What’s my plan if my first hire doesn’t work out?
Have a 3-month probation. Keep repos documented and avoid one person owning critical flows like checkout or payments. Maintain a shortlist of backup freelancers or agencies so you can recover quickly without losing sales.
What is React?
React.js is a JavaScript library for building dynamic user interfaces. It lets developers create reusable components, making apps faster to build, easier to maintain, and more responsive—without needing to reload the whole page each time something changes.
Technical Proficiency and Soft Skills
- Strong understanding of core JavaScript and React fundamentals (JSX, components, state, props, lifecycle methods)
- Experience with key tools in the React ecosystem (Redux, React Router, UI libraries)
- Ability to build reusable, modular, and maintainable components
- Proficiency in working with APIs and handling async data
- Clean coding practices and version control with Git
- Problem-solving and critical thinking in debugging and development
- Effective communication and teamwork in cross-functional environments
Finding React Developers
You can find dedicated React teams on vetted talent platforms which focus on experienced developers. Clutch and GoodFirms list React development agencies with client reviews. GitHub, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn can also help identify active React teams. Consider hiring remotely to expand your access to skilled global teams.
OR save yourself the time and hire directly from us. You can get expert part-time devs within hours.
The Cost of Hiring React Developers
Part-time React developers typically charge $70 to $160 per hour, depending on experience and location. In the US, average React developer salaries range around $120,000 annually, with variations across different states. Junior developers may start around $50/hour, while senior talent in the U.S. or Western Europe can command $100/hour or more.
ReactSquad offers startup-friendly rates at $75 per hour.
Next Steps
As you progress in your hiring process, consider the benefits of integrating a team like ReactSquad into your development projects. Our developers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in React development. Our approach also ensures seamless integration with your project goals, resulting in developers shipping code for you within a week. In a nutshell, partnering with ReactSquad streamlines your hiring process and helps you build successful React projects.
