Content Curated by
Alex Kugell
Co-Founder of Trio
With over 10 years of experience in software outsourcing, Alex has assisted in building high-performance teams before co-founding Trio with his partner Daniel. Today he enjoys helping people hire the best software developers from Latin America and writing great content on how to do that!
Outsourcing Talent: Hiring Cuban Software and Web Developers for Your Projects
It can be expensive to find talented developers in traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. Limiting yourself to a single location also means that you might miss out on talented developers who live elsewhere.
But, as the world becomes more globalized, it has become easier to look outward.
One emerging hotspot is Cuba, where a growing number of skilled web developers reside. Hiring developers from Cuba or other parts of the Caribbean means you can access top-notch talent and make use of a range of benefits.
Let’s look at how to hire Cuban developers and some advantages you can expect.
How to Hire Cuban Developers for Your Software Project
Advantages of Hiring Cuban Developers
Cuban developers are known for their technical skills and proficiency in a variety of programming languages and frameworks.
This is partially because of how much their education system emphasizes STEM subjects. Even newer graduates end up well-prepared for the tech industry, making it easy to find highly skilled talent.
Additionally, hiring developers from Cuba can sometimes be a lot more cost-effective compared to other regions, even regions known for their relative affordability, like India.
This is partially thanks to the lower cost of living in Cuba, which translates to very competitive pricing for even the most high-quality development services.
Then, there is cultural compatibility. Sometimes, it can be difficult to facilitate smooth collaboration with Western businesses when hiring developers from other countries. Cuban developers are often bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English.
This can help bridge communication gaps. It also means that it is easy to expand your team using people from all over the world rather than just Spanish-speaking countries if you need to do so in the future.
What Skills to Look for When Hiring Cuban Developers?
The first skill that you need to look for when hiring Cuban developers is their technical proficiency. Focus on their knowledge of programming languages relevant to your project, such as Python, JavaScript, or PHP.
You should also consider their experience with frameworks that are crucial for your development needs, such as React, Angular, or Laravel.
However, soft skills are arguably just as important as technical skills. Effective communication is key, especially when working remotely. Look for developers who can clearly articulate their ideas and provide regular updates.
And, like all other developers, problem-solving is critical for success. They should be able to troubleshoot and solve problems efficiently to be able to contribute to your project, identify issues, and debug code.
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Cost-Effective Ways to Outsource to Cuban Developers
There are two main ways to outsource to Cuban developers in the most cost-effective manner.
The first way to find a candidate is to leverage platforms. These are usually specialized in connecting businesses with developers.
Good examples of these websites include Upwork and Freelancer. On these two specifically, you can hire developers to work on a project, perhaps hiring them full-time after a trial period.
Alternatively, you can consider hiring developers directly. Look at job boards or local Cuban tech communities.
This is usually the most cost-effective way as you do not have to deal with any fees, but it is also the most risky, and you have to put in a lot of work.
Foreign companies often find this direct engagement beneficial and like the flexibility despite the additional effort required.
Lastly, and the way that guarantees the most success, is to hire a company like Trio, which can match you with the perfect developer for your project.
Trio can help you hire local Cuban developers for staff augmentation as well as hire freelancers for general outsourcing.
Benefits of Hiring Remote Cuban Software Developers
How Remote Cuban Developers Can Benefit Your Business
There are two main ways that remote Cuban developers can benefit your business: scalability and competitive edge.
Remote developers provide the ability to scale your development team up or down easily as the needs of your project change. This extreme flexibility helps you to manage your resources more efficiently, saving you a lot of money over extended periods of time.
You can start working with remote developers quickly and adjust the team size as needed.
You gain a competitive edge by being able to access more talented developers who can deliver high-quality work incredibly efficiently. These professionals can increase your project turnaround times.
Ensuring Quality Work from Remote Cuban Developers
When working with a remote team, it can sometimes be a little more difficult to ensure the quality of work remains consistent and up to the standards that you need.
To prevent issues, make sure that you set clear expectations. Define your project goals, timelines, and deliverables upfront. Also, make sure that everyone is on the same page and working towards common objectives.
Then, check in regularly. You can use messaging and video tools like Skype or project management software like Trello for regular updates and real-time communication.
Regular conference calls can also be beneficial for addressing any issues promptly.
Regular check-ins will not only help you monitor progress but will also help you catch and address any issues promptly.
Choosing the Right Cuban Freelancers for Your Web Development Project
Understanding the Time Zone Differences with Cuban Freelancers
If you have a team working from all over the world, you need to effectively manage time zone differences to ensure that project execution is seamless.
Cuba operates in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone, so if you are a North American business, you will have similar working hours.
In the instances where working hours differ, such as if you work on the West Coast, you can manage any differences by scheduling overlapping working hours and making sure that you plan any meetings or collaborative sessions during these hours.
This way, your engagement with the team remains consistent and productive.
You can also use tools like Slack or Trello to facilitate asynchronous communication.
This means that you will get progress updates and will be able to address any issues even though you are not necessarily working at the same time.
Top Skills to Look for in Cuban Freelance Developers
As already mentioned, technical skills are very important.
Make sure that your developers have a strong proficiency in languages and frameworks that you will need to use. But also make sure that they have experience in front-end, back-end, or full-stack developent.
To figure out if they have any other skills that might make them suitable, look at their previous work experience and review their portfolio. This will give you an idea about specific niches that you might need, like finance or certain skills, like big data and AI.
Additionally, it is essential to consider their design skills. If your project requires a developer who can also function as a web designer, you need to verify their proficiency in both areas.
This dual skill set can be incredibly valuable, ensuring that your project not only functions well but also has an appealing user interface.
Hiring proficient developers with niche expertise can significantly enhance your project’s success.
How to Ensure Professionalism when Hiring Cuban Freelancers
A lot of people are put off by the idea of hiring a freelance programmer because they see it as a less professional setting.
As the software engineer does not always have to go into an office, you need to put some measures in place to ensure professionalism.
Make sure that you have detailed contracts in place that outline all the details of your expectations. A clear contract will help you avoid misunderstandings and will set the optimal foundation of your working relationship.
This can be a bit more difficult if you are a startup. But, once you get started and have contracts and processes in place, you will become incredibly efficient at hiring an expert from anywhere in the world.
Then, make sure that you are communicating regularly.
Even if there is no specific milestone that has been reached and requires reviewing, I often find that it is a good idea simply to follow up every few days and confirm what has been done or ask about issues that have been encountered.
The Cost of Hiring Cuban Web Developers vs. Other Countries
Comparing the Cost of Hiring Cuban Developers to Indian Developers
Vuban developers usually have very competitive hourly rates. These can even be lower than those of Indian developers.
When outsourcing local developers in India, you can expect to pay from $25 to $75.
However, Cuban developers earn a salary of about 30,000 Cuban Pesos per month; on average, this translates to a payment of about $6 or $7 per hour for a general work week.
This can vary depending on the skills of the developer, the required delivery time, and the type of app being created.
Both Cuban and Indian developers are known for their technical skills. The choice may depend on specific project requirements and the level of expertise needed.
For example, Indian developers have a long-standing reputation for their expertise in IT and software development, often working with large multinational corporations.
Factors to Consider when Calculating the Cost of Hiring Cuban Web Developers
Consider the total project costs, including any additional fees or expenses such as platform fees or taxes. For example, hiring through platforms like Upwork might include additional costs, which should be factored into your budget.
Assess the quality and reliability of the developers. Sometimes, paying a slightly higher rate for a more experienced developer can result in better project outcomes.
Reviewing client testimonials and previous project success can provide insights into their reliability and work quality.
Ensure that the developers’ communication style and cultural background align with your business needs for smoother collaboration.
Cuban developers often share a cultural background similar to that of Western businesses, which makes it easy to collaborate. This can enhance communication and teamwork.
Empower Your Projects with Top Cuban Talent
Discover the future of development with Trio. Connect with Cuba’s finest developers and elevate your tech capabilities. Let’s innovate together. Start your journey with us today!
