A Guide to Hiring NetSuite Developers
When used to its full potential, NetSuite can be a powerhouse, helping companies scale their sales and services to new levels. This happened in the case of The Royal Standard, which increased its revenue by 43% over the past four years while keeping payroll expenses flat while using NetSuite.
NetSuite enabled the company to create custom-coded software options, such as product feeds linked to Facebook Shopping and Google Shopping, allowing site changes to reflect instantly on Facebook and Google.
How did The Royal Standard create custom programs? By hiring NetSuite developers!
What Is a NetSuite Developer?
A NetSuite developer is a technical expert who creates customizations, integrations, and workflows that enable you to optimize your business processes. Developers are not NetSuite consultants (professionals who help you plan your NetSuite implementation process); instead, these developers use their knowledge of programming languages like SuiteScript, SuiteCommerce, and SQL to turn your business ideas into programs and extensions within your NetSuite environment. If you need business development, NetSuite could be the right solution for your company. Freelance developers can help with those NetSuite jobs.
What Does a Remote NetSuite Developer Do?
1. Develop New Features and Functionalities
Freelance NetSuite developers use their programming skills–SiteScript, JavaScript, or SQL–to develop custom code and scripts that introduce new functionalities and features.
So, if a company requires customized reporting to gain insights into its sales performance, NetSuite developers can use SuiteAnalytics to create custom dashboards and reports, presenting important data in an easy-to-understand format.
2. Integrate Third-Party Applications and Systems
Companies often rely on multiple software solutions to manage various aspects of their operations, such as customer service management (CRM), inventory management, e-commerce, or accounting systems.
NetSuite developers facilitate seamless data flow between these systems through REST-based web services, SuiteCloud, and SuiteTalk SOAP web services. This NetSuite feature enables companies to centralize their data, streamline workflows, and eliminate manual data entry and duplication.
3. Troubleshoot and Resolve Technical Issues
As with any complex software system, occasional problems or errors may occur, impacting functionality and user experiences.
NetSuite experts come in handy during these times–developers use their knowledge of NetSuite’s architecture to identify errors and resolve them. This may involve modifying scripts, workflows, or configurations to restore proper functionality.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire NetSuite Developers?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a NetSuite developer is $115,195 per year, or around $55 an hour.
Of course, these rates vary a lot depending on a freelance developer’s level of experience, skill level, and location. Nonetheless, most salaries currently range between $102,000 to $133,500 per year. The good news is that you can save a lot of money by hiring a freelance NetSuite developer instead of a full-time employee–you won’t have to pay for office space, internet, benefits, or vacations. Remote NetSuite experts will charge by the hour or by the job.
What Skills Should a NetSuite Developer Have?
When you hire NetSuite development services, it's crucial to ensure that the developer has the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary to complete the job. When you hire a top NetSuite expert, you can be confident that your project will be completed successfully. Here are the qualifications you should keep in mind when you hire freelance NetSuite services:
Hard Skills
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Deep understanding of NetSuite’s architecture, e.g., SuiteScript, SuiteFlow, SuiteTalk, SuiteBuilder, SuiteCommerce, and SuiteAnalytics
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Proficiency in JavaScript (for customizing and scripting) and SQL (for data manipulation)
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Expertise in SuiteScript to write code for custom scripts (client, user event, map/reduce, and Suitelets)
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Background in HTML-using methodologies like OO, CSS, and DOM
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Ability to use RESTful APIs, web services (XML, WSDL, SOAP), and other integration tools
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Knowledge of integration patterns, data mapping, and data synchronization
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Proficiency in customizing NetSuite administration including records, forms, lists, fields, and workflows
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Ability to troubleshoot and debug script errors, system issues, and integration breakdowns across the company
Soft Skills
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Capability to understand business processes and translate them into NetSuite workflows, scripts, and customizations
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Effective communication skills to interact with stakeholders
How to Hire a NetSuite Developer
If you’re looking to hire a NetSuite expert, here’s how to start:
1. Understand Your NetSuite Needs
Before you begin looking for a NetSuite developer, you should understand your NetSuite needs. This means assessing your company requirements, identifying the specific areas where you need customization, and determining the project scope.
Once you have this information on hand, you can define the skills and expertise you should look for in a NetSuite developer. When you post jobs or search for a freelance developer, you can use this information to find the best candidate for your NetSuite job.
2. Search for NetSuite Developers
After you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a NetSuite developer, you should begin your job search by using Guru! Post a job listing on Guru to directly connect with potential freelance candidates from all over the world. You’ll get instant access to client reviews and testimonials, and you’ll be able to shortlist freelance candidates with the best reputation and qualifications. You can find a variety of NetSuite developers who have the skills necessary to complete your jobs.
3. Administer a Technical Assessment
When you’re hiring NetSuite developers, a technical assessment is a must. This will help you verify their familiarity with NetSuite, assess their knowledge of NetSuite SuiteFlow, SuiteBuilder, and SuiteScript, and test their ability to work with SuiteCloud and SuiteTalk.
However, it’s important to consider that while some freelance candidates may have the “right” technical skills on paper, this doesn’t guarantee their ability to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. So, during the assessment, consider incorporating practical exercises that simulate real-life challenges encountered in NetSuite development. This will help ensure that the freelance programmer you hire can complete your NetSuite jobs.
4. Conduct an Interview
A job interview provides you with the opportunity to assess the developer’s experience and organizational fit. Develop a list of interview questions that cover various aspects of NetSuite development, such as scripting or integration, to understand how the developer handles common challenges.
You should also ask the developer about previous NetSuite experiences and ask them to provide examples of jobs they’ve worked on, their role in those NetSuite projects, and the challenges they encountered to assess their familiarity with NetSuite modules.
5. Onboard and Hire NetSuite Developers
Once you’ve selected the right NetSuite developer for your team, you can confidently hire the freelance expert and begin the onboarding process. This includes providing the freelance NetSuite developer with training resources and familiarizing them with your development methodology, code review processes, and version control systems.
So, Should You Hire a NetSuite Developer?
More than 50% of ERP implementations like NetSuite fail the first time because of shoddy front- and back-end code. This is where a freelance NetSuite developer becomes an important investment for companies.
A Netsuite developer can help you maximize the functionality of your NetSuite implantation by creating custom workflows, fields, and forms, developing scripts and integrations, and implementing advanced third-party configurations that help you gain a competitive edge. Plus, customized solutions built by developers specifically for your business requirements eliminate the need for expensive and complex workarounds or the use of multiple software tools–this can help you avoid costly subscriptions and maintenance fees.
So, while hiring freelance developers may seem too expensive upfront, the long-term benefits can significantly outweigh the expenses. For the best NetSuite developer candidates to fit your needs and budget, Guru has you covered!