How can I find a software developer who can build a SaaS product idea?

Top SAAS developer and designer job sites:

Stack Overflow Careers

• "Stack Overflow Careers helps top developers get great jobs at great companies."
• Trust factor: you get access to how the developer thinks and helps others
• Use: finding a stellar, cornerstone partner/employee

Sortfolio

• "Find the right web designer for your next project."
• Trust factor: followers of 37signals--those who value simplicity, elegance, and usability
• Use: finding a freelancer or agency that designs

Elance

• "The best way to hire and manager online talent."
• Trust factor: extensive rating and review system of developers and agencies
• Use: finding a cheaper, international freelancer/contractor who develops or designs

37Signals' Job Board

• "The best way to find designers and programmers who get it."
• Trust factor: 37signals attracts developers who value simplicity, elegance, and usability
• Use: finding a great employee/freelancer who is develops or designs

oDesk

• "Hire, manage, and pay a distributed workteam as if everyone were in your office"
• Trust factor: extensive rating and review system of developers and agencies
• Use: finding a cheaper, international freelancer/contractor who develops or designs

Silicon Valley Craigslist

• Trust factor: No inherent trust. But many developers search this. Many could work remotely.
• Use: finding a cheaper or less-experienced employee/freelancer who develops or designs

FreelanceSwith Jobs

• "Get talented freelance professionals."
• Trust factor: No inherent trust. But it's a solid community of freelancers.
• Use: finding a cheaper freelancer who designs

First question to get over is whether you need a partner or you can hire an employee.

The next steps depend on that...

To expand on what @gmagana said, you should hire an employee if you have money AND time. If you don't have the time, the sort of managing and spec writing you need to do for an employee to build something like that won't work (just try outsourcing it to elance and you'll find out what I mean).

I suggest you start your search at StackOverflow careers. You can post your opening (and get your money back if it doesn't work out) or you can search the resume database.

If you don't have the time, then go with finding a partner. If you're only at the idea stage, you'll likely have to offer lots of equity.

Have you looked into something like the 37signals job board?

Justin,

The previous comment from @gmagana is correct - you need to determine if you want a partner, employee, solo freelancer, or dev team to help you. Once you do that, you can post on a job board or do some searches in your area for developers (i.e. Ruby on Rails Austin) or start finding networking events to locate a development partner.

I recently wrote an article on how to select a development team for your startup. This will help you filter through any candidates you identify to see if they are a good fit.

http://www.launchany.com/how-to-select-a-development-team-for-your-startup/

All the best in your new venture!

James

Justin -

There are a lot of outsourced software development firms that could probably work depending on your idea, however there is definitely a trade-off between cost and service so keep that in mind if you decide to go that route (in one of my startups we used outsourced Indian developers and had to completely throw away their work after 3 months).

One firm that we worked with and had good results with is Scio Consulting. They were a good fit because they focus on SaaS and web apps and are nearshore.

In addition, you should consider building your product using a platform as a service (PaaS) in whichever language your developer(s) are most comfortable with (e.g. Origo Networks for .NET development)