The main concept behind the ROR framework is rapid development. Hence, startups can deploy web applications quickly.
Are you a founder who has to work with Ruby on Rails developers? Why is Ruby on Rails the best tech stack for non-technical founders? What strategies can help you to optimize workflow? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
“The top industries hiring Ruby on Rails developers include technology, finance, and professional,” according to Zippia.com. Studies such as these prove that the most lucrative companies are looking to hire Ruby on Rails developers.
You might be asking yourself. Where do I begin?
As a startup founder with a non-technical background, you need to begin with the basics. The first step is understanding the nature of Ruby on Rails developers’ skillset and software engineer job description.
Ruby on Rails developers are responsible for building and maintaining web applications using the popular Ruby on Rails framework.
They use the Ruby programming language to create databases, user interfaces, and server-side software.
These developers write, debug, maintain, and improve code to ensure website functionality runs smoothly.
Additionally, they perform tests to make sure applications meet quality standards and implement security protocols for protection. In short, Ruby on Rails developers create robust websites that offer an efficient and secure user experience. The following is what would come under the software developer job description for Ruby on Rails developers.
“Ruby on Rails is a web development framework written in Ruby. Rails are known for their ease of use, “convention over configuration” and support for code reuse via the Ruby on Rails Active Record pattern.”
Amit Agarwal, growth hacker and founder on LinkedIn
In the paragraph above, we mentioned the importance of understanding Ruby on Rails development and the features that make it the best tech stack. Now, it’s time to cover the l steps non-technical founders can use. Let’s begin, shall we?
We cannot stress enough why it is a necessity to learn about Ruby on Rails before investing time in it.
How will you hire Ruby on Rails developers if you don’t have any idea about how it works? Although you don’t need to become an expert in Ruby on Rails, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts of the technology stack.
This will help you to better communicate with your technical team and understand both the boundaries and potential of the platform.
According to a LinkedIn article by Marshall Gray, a digital director
“There are so many benefits of using Rails for your startup, especially if you are coming from a non-technical background and are wanting to build your own minimum viable product.”
Even without any technical background, having a general idea of the products and technologies is crucial. As a team lead or founder, you need to ensure everyone is on the same track.
Setting out your project goals and requirements from the get-go is key for ensuring everyone is on the same page. To make sure nothing slips through the cracks, craft a clear plan and document everything down to the details.
Don’t forget to draw upon useful resources like wireframes and user stories to create an accurate picture of your project vision. Such an approach will be advantageous even when you’re hiring Ruby on Rails developers.
With everyone working together towards the same objectives, you’ll drive successful outcomes with flying colors! Here are some questions you should ask yourself before making a list of objectives.
Has anyone done this before?
Who is your target audience?
What about ergonomics?
Have you thought about the user authentication system?
How will you gain more users?
For how long can you sustain the effort?
How do you find out if it is working?
What about app maintenance?
How to retain a strong online presence?
Build a team as early as possible
The news of layoffs, and jobcuts since 2022 is a sign that companies have been doing something wrong. The pressure of the pandemic and the burden of clients led to startup leaders making illogical decisions.
As a startup founder that too with a non-technical background, you need to pay attention to each detail. The technical team is what drives the company, gets work done on time, and gives birth to an office culture.
Therefore, it is essential to spend the right amount of time and effort to build a team of suitable Ruby on Rails developers. There are several ways to recruit suitable experts.
“Building a strong team is a prerequisite to shipping successful, innovative, and good quality products that customers love.“
How To Hire A Strong Software Development Team, Linkedin article
As a non-technical founder, you need to figure out ways to optimize the hiring process. Instead of getting into the hassle of checking resumes, it is always better to rely on the experts.
You can search professional networks on LinkedIn, even on certain Facebook communities as well as Github. Another option is to look for a reliable virtual hiring board.
Gaper is an example of a marketplace of software engineers from around the globe. The best part about choosing Gaper is that it saves time and extra expenses. Plus, you get expert advice. Just by filling out the online form, the team lead can get in touch with the CTO
Sometimes, you have to think smart for the sake of business growth.
“Optimism is an occupational hazard of programming: feedback is the treatment.”
Kent Beck
There is always room for improvement.
When you have experienced Ruby on Rails developers on your side, they can share invaluable knowledge and advice. As a non-technical founder, one must keep their ears open to input and use expert insights.
This feedback could shape the future of your project in exciting ways – so make sure to keep an open mind toward their ideas!
A master tip for being a non-technical founder is to have a budget plan. You do not want to regret certain decisions later on. The main reason for formulating a budget is to ensure that the project stays within financial boundaries.
“Budgeting first and planning later causes a common business problem that costs more money. If you use this flow, your company usually overestimates expenditures and fails to account for hidden expenses.”
“Therefore, carefully prepare every aspect of the project before starting to budget it.”
How to reduce software development costs, LinkedIn article
Below are some steps you can take to budget your Ruby on Rails development journey.
Create user flows and consider multiple scenarios
Draft user stories to explain the purpose of the product
Make wireframes to identify anomalies
Build a clickable prototype
Come up with a software architecture design. Does it meet the requirements?
Agile development techniques like Scrum, Adaptive software development (ASD), and Kanban are great for the Ruby on Rails project organization. They help to keep tabs on progress with regular check-ins and feedback loops.
By monitoring the status of your project in smaller time frames, you can quickly identify any potential risks and make adjustments accordingly. This thoughtful method allows you to stay one step ahead. Thus, the founder can adjust their strategy for maximum success.
“Any software product building demands suitable software methodology appliance. It is used to be prosperous while effective digital solution creation.”
Andrey Davidov, scientific researcher, and co-founder.
It does not matter if you’re a non-technical founder. To work with the best tech stack, you have to think like the best leader.
A development team has members dealing with different tasks, QA engineers, Ruby on Rails developers, designers, etc. Working with a team requires clear and consistent communication.
Establish guidelines with your team that outline the frequency of progress updates and the method of communication (e.g., email, Slack, phone calls).
Therefore, everyone can remain on the same page while working on a project, and keeps them informed of any changes.
With regular check-ins, you can stay up to date on their progress. That way you can make sure no one is left out. Communication channels should be open so everyone can keep track of the project’s journey from start to finish, ensuring a successful result.
According to a user on a programming subreddit
“Software development is a lot more. It’s mapping out client needs, it’s discussing tech choices with the colleagues, it’s functioning well as a team. It’s making software that actually is useful and creates value.”
What is the point of using the best tech stack if you cannot utilize its capabilities to the maximum? At the same time, sticking with deadlines and timely delivery is crucial.
Without a set of project management tools, it’s impossible to manage the workings of a startup. Through these tools, you can effectively work with Ruby on Rails developers. With so much happening in the world of AI and tech, there are tools for every task.
“Quality is a critical factor in software development, as poorly designed or executed software can lead to a range of issues, from user frustration to data breaches.”
“By having a strong project management process in place, software development teams can ensure that they are following best practices and adhering to quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.”
The Importance of Good Project Management in Software Development, Linkedin article.
The following is a list of project management tools that are not only popular but can optimize the development process.
Jira: It is a product for tracking and managing software development products. It even integrates with quality assurance apps.
Trello: Trello is a project management tool for the automation of tasks. Due to its easy-to-use fun interface, it is ideal for team collaboration.
Monday.com: Contrary to its name, Monday.com is a cloud-based platform that works as a project management software. Teams can create workflow apps to manage their projects.
Asana: It has online mobile apps and web apps to keep projects on the right track. Teams can rid themselves of the mess of emails. In simple words, Asana is a workplace management dashboard.
Slack: Slack is a messaging app for businesses, it is an instant messaging program to send files. By using Slack, you can bring the whole office into one place.
Pivotal Tracker: It is an agile project management tool. Pivotal Tracker promotes collaboration amongst software development teams.
“If you want to get your product out the door quickly, why not test the technology with real users before building all the features, or get early feedback from your target audience?”
Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is an effective way for startups to get the most out of Ruby on Rails developers. Prioritize the must-have features and lead your team’s efforts in delivering value early in the development process.
“The primary benefit of adopting an MVP strategy is that it allows you to gather early feedback on your product without building the full product.”
“It gives you the opportunity to take your product outside your team’s echo chamber and put it in front of real users. The earlier you get that input from your target users, the less time and money you’re likely to spend on components that don’t make sense to them.”
How to build a successful minimum viable product (MVP), LinkedIn article
By building an MVP, you can quickly create something tangible your users can interact with. Therefore, customers can give feedback to help you refine the product over time.
An MVP provides your team with useful insights into what works, and what doesn’t, and allows for real-time course corrections. Plus, it saves time!
Keeping track of your project’s progress is a must, and creating a roadmap can help you do exactly that. A project roadmap is like a visual schedule that breaks down the development process into more manageable chunks. Therefore, the founder can communicate project milestones to their team.
This way, all team members are always aware of the bigger picture and can work efficiently towards achieving the project goals. A roadmap keeps everyone on the same page and promotes maximum collaboration among team members. In turn, overall speed increases.
Don’t be afraid to try new ways to get your project moving forward again. Be willing to make adjustments – sometimes the best-laid plans change along the way.
Remember, staying flexible and adaptable isn’t just about making things easier for yourself. It’s also about keeping your team motivated, even when the going gets tough.
A positive attitude and a willingness to adapt can make all the difference when it comes to achieving success. So keep your head up, stay open to new possibilities, and keep pushing forward – you’ve got this!
“If you’re going to put your product in beta – put your business model in beta with it.” –
Joe Kraus, Partner at Google Ventures
Ruby on Rails – it’s the best tech stack beloved by non-technical founders the world over. And what’s not to love? It’s user-friendly, intuitive, and perfect for building MVPs in record time. But before you dive in headfirst, there are a few things you need to be aware of.
Firstly, there’s the issue of a limited pool of developers. While RoR has a devoted fanbase, hiring expert Ruby on Rails developers are tough. It is indeed a headache!
RoR is great for simple projects but can become cumbersome when things get more complex. Plus, the framework requires regular maintenance and updates.
All that said, non-technical founders, can still build great startups with Ruby on Rails developers. Don’t let a few drawbacks scare you away – go ahead and build your business with confidence!
What should non-technical founders do?
As a non-technical founder, you should make sure you have sufficient knowledge of the basics before proceeding with the next step. Research Ruby on Rails developers, their software developer job description as well as Ruby on Rails developer salary.
It is not about becoming an expert but you need to know enough facts about Ruby on Rails development. With this approach, you can hire better without avoiding a lot of hassle.
Secondly, make sure you have a list of objectives and a budget plan in place. You do not want to compromise on the quality of the product. Hence, it is better to take all the necessary precautions.
When building a team, you have to strategize and choose the right channels. Begin by checking social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook. Do not hire right away! Compare the profiles of Ruby on Rails developers to assess what qualities stand out.
Another method is to outsource developers, it can be quite beneficial in the long run. It saves time, costs, as well as resources.
Remember to utilize the right project management tools, and make a project road map that developers can take direction.
What skills should Ruby on Rails developers have?
Ruby on Rails developers write the back-end logic of server-side applications and build back-end components. As a startup founder, one should be well-versed in Ruby on Rails development skills which can be an asset.
Are Ruby on Rails developers in demand?
Yes, Ruby on Rails developers are in demand
Even with a lot of competition from programming languages such as Python, Ruby still remains an in-demand programming language. Due to this factor, Ruby on Rails is the best tech stack for web developers.
Since its formal introduction in 2005, Ruby on Rails gave developers a new perspective on web applications. With its interactive features, developers can focus on the business features of the app.
Plus, its community support and libraries still make it a reliable framework.
What makes a good Ruby on Rails developer?
There are a couple of qualities that set a good Ruby on Rail developer apart from their competitors. As a startup lead or recruiter, it is your responsibility to access and identify the qualities of the best Ruby on Rails developers.
Proficiency in Ruby language goes without saying
A strong grasp of web development and design patterns
Knowledge of front-end development
The knowledge of ROR libraries and the OPPS concept
The best ROR developers should know how to use version control systems
Interpersonal skills do matter as well as the quality to take feedback
Is Ruby on Rails good for startups?
The answer is yes, and there are several reasons why Ruby on Rails is a great choice for startups.
Firstly, it is easy to learn which makes it an excellent choice, especially for non-technical founders who have limited resources.
The MVC scalable structure makes it easier to scale individual application components. Therefore, the stress of handling rapid traffic growth becomes history!
Built-in security features protect against attacks such as cross-site forgery and SQL injection.
The main concept behind the ROR framework is rapid development. Hence, startups can deploy web applications quickly.
Ruby on Rails is free. Therefore, founders do not have to worry about paying extra costs. Also, the large community of developers makes it much more attractive for startups.
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