Over the last few years, we've interviewed 1,382 candidates and hired over 50 developers to get to our current team of 14 killers.

But man, it wasn't always like this.

And if you're thinking about hiring a developer right now, the stuff I learned the hard way could literally save your ass.

Because here's the thing - I know EXACTLY what you're going through.

You need someone to build your platform.

So you post a job and BAM - your inbox explodes with applications.

Half these people think they're hot shit because they copy-pasted some Solidity code from GitHub and suddenly they're "blockchain experts."

So, you spend weeks digging through portfolios that all look identical.

Same templates. Same generic projects. Same BS promises.

But then you find someone who seems different.

Their work looks solid… Price is reasonable…

And they talk a good game and promise they'll deliver everything on time.

You shake hands thinking, "Finally, someone who gets it."

That's when everything goes to hell.

And trust me, I'm sharing this so you don't have to go through the same nightmare I did -

Wasting months chasing people who disappear,

Throwing money at fixing amateur mistakes after the launch, or watching users bounce because your platform looks like garbage.

Get this right, and you'll actually launch something people want to use.

Get it wrong, and you'll be stuck explaining to investors why your "revolutionary" platform crashes every five minutes.

But here's what REALLY destroys startups...

Even when they finally deliver something, it looks shit.

Users take one look and bounce, and your platform feels cheap and amateurish because that's exactly what it is.

Meanwhile, that Web3 project that launched when the market was HOT?

They captured millions of users because their dev team moved like lightning and delivered something people actually wanted to use.

So, the difference between making it and breaking it often comes down to ONE decision:

Who builds your tech?

Great developers don't just code, they turn you into a market leader.

They get you to market BEFORE the window closes.

They build platforms so smooth that users can't stop using them.

Whereas shitty developers?

They're horrible communicators who just say they're "on it."

They push deadlines continuously because of "unexpected delays."

They stick to your exact specifications without thinking, creating platforms that feel weird and clunky.

They make you look like the founder who has no idea what they're doing.

So, hiring the right person or team to build your tech is probably the single most important decision you'll make when launching your Web3 startup.

That's why I put together this guide so you don't have to waste months chasing the wrong people, give them your trust and money, only to watch it all blow up and start from scratch.

Here’s How We Separate Real Developers from the Wannabes

Step 1: The Language and Vibe Check (This Actually Matters More Than You Think)

First thing…

Can they actually speak English without making you repeat everything three times?

Look, it's already hard enough explaining what's in your head to a technical person.

But if they can't understand you clearly, you're setting yourself up for months of crossed wires and misunderstandings.

You'll be talking to this person EVERY SINGLE DAY for months.

If you can't communicate smoothly, or if something feels off about their vibe, trust that feeling.

I've seen too many founders ignore red flags because the developer was cheap.

So, don't be one of them.

Even if you think this is secondary, having a good feeling with your developer is crucial.

If you get along, everything moves smoothly.

But if there's friction from day one, it only gets worse under pressure.

Step 2: Dig Into Their Experience Like a Detective

This is where most founders completely screw up. They glance at a portfolio, see some flashy projects, and think they're good to go.

WRONG**.**

You need to move project by project and ask these exact questions:

"What was your exact role within this project?

What were YOU personally in charge of?"

Watch half these developers crumble right here.

They'll start mumbling about "being part of the team" or "contributing to various aspects."

Translation: "I barely did anything important."

"What are some unique aspects or features that you built? Walk me through how you structured it on a technical level."

Real developers will get excited here.

They'll start drawing diagrams, explaining their thought process, and diving deep into the technical challenges.

Whereas wannabes will give you surface-level answers about "implementing the requirements."

"What was the most challenging part of this project? Why? How did you solve it?"

This reveals their problem-solving skills.

Because your project WILL hit roadblocks. So, you want someone who thrives on solving complex problems, not someone who freezes when things get complicated.

But, don't just take their word for it either.

Check online forums, social platforms, and client reviews.

Follow up with their past clients and ask the hard questions:

Did they deliver on time? How was communication? Would you hire them again?

Remember: Just because a developer is expensive doesn't mean they're good. And just because they're cheap doesn't mean they're bad. Sure, higher pricing usually means higher probability of getting solid work, but don't use this as an excuse to skip due diligence.

Step 3: The Planning Phase (Where Most Projects Die)

Found a developer who passes the tests?

Great. Now DON'T just hand them money and say "start coding."

You MUST put together a proper Statement of Work and design the entire project architecture BEFORE anyone writes a single line of code.

Because if you don't plan this out properly, development will hit obstacles a few weeks in, and you'll be stuck in endless revision cycles.

Here's the SECRET that reveals everything about a developer's quality:

Pay attention to how many questions they ask when trying to understand your project.

If they're just nodding along, saying "yes, understood" and moving to the next point - RUN.

These people have no clue what they're getting into.

They're going to disappear for weeks and come back with problems you never anticipated.

But if they're constantly asking detailed questions…

Trying to understand the complete user flow…

Looking for potential pitfalls…

Planning the architecture in their head…

And generally just ENGAGED in the conversation…

THAT'S the one. That's the person who won't disappear when shit gets complicated.

You MUST also define expectations for communication and updates.

Whether that's daily calls, written updates, or video recordings, establish the flow between you two from day one.

And you MUST estimate timelines and costs divided into clear milestones.

This creates accountability and prevents scope creep from killing your project.

Step 4: The Make-or-Break Factor Most Founders Ignore

The last thing you must ensure is that your developer has a proper testing and QA process in place.

If I had to pick ONE thing my developer was proficient at, it would be this.

Most Web3 projects fail on launch day.

Users flood in, bugs start appearing, smart contracts have vulnerabilities, and the UI breaks on mobile.

Your big launch turns into damage control day.

So, your developer needs a bulletproof testing process.

They should have preparation processes for launch day because that's the most stressful time for any Web3 startup.

Last-minute changes, delays, user complaints, and problems you can't even plan for.

Make sure they're ready for this chaos, not just the coding part.

But How Do We Know All This Stuff Actually Works?

Simple. We've been through hell and back.

Throughout our years as a development agency, we've interviewed 1,382 candidates and hired 50+ developers until we got to where we are today, a team of 14 absolute killers.

(not all of them are here, lol)

It took massive trial and error, but now we know exactly how to deliver the highest quality Web3 startups.

Our bulletproof developers have built platforms that have captured millions of users.

Projects that raised eight-figure rounds. Startups that went from idea to market leader because they launched at exactly the right time.

Just like…

[Recent case studies would go here - platforms we delivered and what those projects achieved for the Web3 startups and teams]

If I were YOU and I could go back in time, this is what I’d do…

You could spend the next couple of months talking to devs, hoping one of them actually delivers what they promise.

Or…

You could skip the trial and error.

We’ve already done the hard part - interviewed hundreds of developers, built reliable systems, and figured out what works (and what breaks).

And because we’ve done this so many times, we now have ready-made components for almost every stage of development, so your product doesn’t just get built faster… it gets built right.

If you want,

I’ll walk you through the SOW and architecture for your project -  and help you avoid the usual delays, bugs, and surprises that kill momentum.

Now, it’s your call.

If you’re ready, you can chat with me here on Telegram or save a spot on my calendar here for a 30-minute 1-1 strategy call.

Either way, hope this guide helped.

-Andre