How to hire HTML5 specialists
HTML5 developers are front-end developers with a specialization in the use of the HTML5 language to produce and present digital content on websites and mobile devices. HTML5 developers generally have a strong understanding and command of previous iterations of the HTML language, which can be used to help you and your business update or integrate any currently existing systems.
Defining your project with as much detail and documentation as possible will help you attract the right HTML5 developer to your project. The better you define your project, the more accurate the estimates will be when developers propose terms for your project.
The first thing you should flesh out is what the HTML5 developer will be doing. This enables you to describe the work to be done and gives you some direction on the level of programmer that you need (junior, intermediate, or senior).
These and other details may include:
- Information about your business or industry.
- A summary of your project: What it is, and why it’s happening.
- Your target audience.
- A project timeline, including any key milestones/deliverables and testing timelines.
- The project budget.
How to shortlist HTML5 specialists
A few other questions you may want to ask:
- “Can you name a few of your favorite new features from HTML5?” HTML5 launched with a lot of new features that any true HTML5 developer is sure to know about. Also look for answers involving features like geolocation, drag-and-drop, caching, and other fun new extensions to the JavaScript API.
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“What’s the difference between the HTML5 <header> tag and traditional header tags like <h1>?” This is a simple test of HTML5 knowledge—the <header> element is simply one of the structural elements of a web page, like the <body>, <article> or <section> elements. They help you better organize your content. <h1> tags retain their original role as the top-level heading of a “section.”
- “What is HTML5 Web Storage and how does it work?” One of the new features of HTML5 is the ability it grants web pages to store data locally without the use of cookies using Web Storage. It’s inherently more secure, as it involves storing data as name/value pairs that are only accessible by the web page that stored the data itself—information never has to be sent to the server. Bonus points if they also mention localStorage and sessionStorage in their answer, the former being a more permanent form of storage that remains on the user’s computer until they choose to clear their browser cache, the latter being a less permanent form that terminates after a user session ends.
How to write an effective HTML5 developer job post
Writing the perfect job description to find a front-end developer with expertise in HTML5 should include the basics about your site as well as some insight into the structure, content, and design of your site. Explain in detail what the site or app will do and look like so they know what’s being asked of the HTML markup that will organize the CSS and JavaScript (which create the look and feel and interactivity).
Tip: Since most front-end developers will probably list HTML5 as a skill, it is especially important you specifically state why you want an HTML5 developer and not just general front-end help.
To appeal to the HTML5 developer who’s best suited to your project, write a job post that explains:
- The problem you’re trying to solve with your app or site
- Wireframes or mockups that describe the architecture, content and functionality
- Any existing integrations, preprocessors, task runners, frameworks, or libraries used
- The deliverables and timeline
- Any requests for the proposal process