Hiring a React developer is easier than it looks and harder than it should be. Anyone can say "I know React". What matters is whether they can deliver a clear result, on time, in code your team can live with. Here is how I would hire, if I were the client.
Key takeaways
- Write down the outcome before you talk to anyone.
- Judge a portfolio by decisions and results, not by screenshots.
- Pay in milestones, and make sure you own the code from day one.
1. Define the outcome, not the technology
"We need a React app" is not a brief. Better: "Customers should be able to log in, see their orders and download invoices." Add who the users are, which devices matter, which tools it must connect to, and your deadline. Developers who ask questions about this are a good sign.
2. Read a portfolio the right way
- Open the live site on your phone. Is it fast and usable?
- Ask what the developer personally built, and why they made certain choices.
- Look for work similar to yours in size and complexity.
- Reviews matter. Look for comments about communication and deadlines, not only code quality.
3. Questions worth asking
- How do you structure state and data fetching in a project like mine?
- How do you keep pages fast as the app grows?
- Do you use TypeScript, and how do you test critical flows?
- How do you handle accessibility and different screen sizes?
- How will I see progress each week?
You do not need to understand every answer. You are listening for clear explanations without defensiveness.
4. Red flags
- A fixed price quoted in minutes, with no questions asked.
- Refusing to share progress until "it is finished".
- No mention of testing, security or deployment.
- Pressure to pay everything upfront.
5. Protect yourself in the agreement
- Milestones: pay as defined pieces are delivered and accepted.
- Ownership: the code lives in a repository you own or control.
- Handover: a short document covering setup, environment variables and deployment.
- Support: agree what happens after launch, including a bug-fix period.
6. Start with a small paid task
Before a large project, give a small, real task for a day or two. You will learn more about communication and quality than from any interview.
Working across time zones
Clients in the US, Europe, Canada and Australia often hire remote developers. A small daily overlap, a written update each day and a shared task board solve most problems. Agree on this in the first week.
I work with clients this way on Upwork and directly. If you would like to talk through your project, message me and I will tell you honestly whether I am the right fit.
