Thinking of hiring a developer?
Most small businesses need a developer for some of the week, not all of it. Before you hire, compare the four usual ways to get technical work done, and what each costs you in money and in management.
The work owners usually want a developer for.
Examples in an owner's words, to show the kind of work we take on. They are not finished client projects.
“Connect our website forms to the CRM.”
“Build a simple portal where customers check their order status.”
“Make our accounting and our job software share the same data.”
“Fix the internal tool the last freelancer built and nobody understands.”
“Build a dashboard of the numbers I check every Monday.”
“Set up AI to draft replies to the emails we get every day.”
How it works with us instead.
No job post, no interviews, no salary. You start with a conversation.
Tell us the problem. We work out what to build and agree it with you first.
One monthly fee, with what it covers agreed in writing.
The next change goes to people who already know your systems.
Four ways to get technical work done.
| Amalgament | Full-time developer | Freelancer | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | $2,500 a month | Salary, benefits and recruiting | Hourly or per project | Per project |
| Who manages the work | We do | You | You | A project manager |
| Works out what to build | Yes | If you hire senior | Usually builds to your spec | Usually builds to a spec |
| After it's built | We keep it working | Stays if they stay | Often moves on | Support plan or new project |
If software is your product, or you have a full week of development work every week, hire a developer. We're the better fit when the work comes in pieces and you'd rather not manage it.
Common questions.
Should a small business hire a developer?
- Hire one when there is steady, full-time work, or when software is what you sell. If the work comes in bursts, a freelancer, an agency or an on-demand tech person costs less and asks less of your time.
Freelancer or on-demand tech person?
- A freelancer suits a single job with a clear spec. If you want someone who learns your business, works out what is worth building and keeps it working afterwards, that is what we do.
Who owns the code?
- Your systems and your data stay yours. Before we start, we agree in writing what we hand over if you leave.
What does it cost?
- $2,500 a month, agreed before work starts. The monthly fee covers an agreed amount of ongoing technical work, not unlimited development. Anything bigger gets its own scope and price before it starts.
Do you work with businesses near me?
- We work remotely with businesses anywhere in the United States, by video call, email and shared screens.