Hiring your first developer can make or break your startup’s early momentum. Here’s what I learned the hard way:
1. Don’t Prioritize Speed Over Understanding
I rushed to find someone who could “just build it.” The result? Misaligned expectations and wasted time. Invest in clearly defining the product first.
2. Communication > Code Quality (at first)
Great technical skills are useless if your dev doesn’t ask questions or push back when needed. Early-stage devs need to collaborate closely.
3. Start with a Paid Test Project
Before diving into a full build, test the waters. A small task shows how they approach feedback, timelines, and communication.
Your first dev should feel like a co-creator—not just a coder.