Finding the Right Retool Developers: A Quick Business Guide

Are you going to take your business operations to the next level with Retool but unsure how to find the right low-code developer to make it happen? Rest assured, this guide has you covered.

Retool developers assist in building tailored internal tools that streamline workflows, simplify data management, and automate tedious processes. Finding the right developer isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about partnering with someone who understands your specific challenges and business objectives.

This article provides key insights to help you identify a top-tier Retool developer for your project, ensuring you make an informed choice and maximize the impact of your investment.

What is Retool: quick dive

Nearly 65% of businesses using third-party platforms for internal tools prefer Retool as their development solution. Why do they use it?

Retool is a powerful low-code platform designed to help businesses build custom internal tools quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending months coding dashboards, admin panels, or data management tools from scratch, Retool provides pre-built components that allow developers to focus on functionality and customization. Its versatility and integration capabilities make it a go-to solution for data-heavy applications, workflow automation, and operational efficiency.

When to use Retool?

Typically, Retool is used in scenarios where businesses need tailored solutions to manage and automate internal processes and data. These include:

1. Building dashboards: Creating interactive dashboards for real-time data analysis and reporting.
2. Streamlining workflows: Automating and simplifying internal processes, such as approval systems or ticket management.
3. Integrating data sources: Combining multiple APIs and databases into a single, unified application for seamless data handling.
4. Custom admin panels: Designing bespoke tools for managing customers, inventory, or operations efficiently.
5. Automating repetitive tasks: Reducing manual effort by integrating backend systems with custom workflows.

Looking for more Retool use cases? Dive into these articles for practical examples:

• Retool use cases & How low-code transforms industries — read here.
• Practical Retool use cases across different business domains — read here.

Ideal Retool developer: what’s the right profile?

To effectively leverage Retool and build customized backend tools, developers need more than just a grasp of low-code development fundamentals. Besides, they should be familiar with Retool’s specific features, platform requirements, and best practices to ensure efficient and scalable solutions. These include proficiency in several core areas to take full advantage of Retool’s capabilities. Without this expertise, you may not be able to maximize the platform's capabilities and miss out on its full potential.

What does a Retool specialist need to know?

• JavaScript & React: Retool is highly customizable through JavaScript and React. Developers should know these technologies to create dynamic interfaces, manage API requests, and implement complex business logic into the tools.
• HTML & CSS: While Retool’s drag-and-drop interface simplifies much of the UI design, developers still need a good grasp of HTML and CSS to fine-tune layouts, styling, and ensure a responsive and user-friendly design across different devices.
• Databases and data management: Retool is built to handle and display data from a wide range of sources. Developers should understand how to work with SQL databases, NoSQL databases, and other data sources (e.g., APIs, RESTful services). They should know how to connect Retool to these data sources and perform efficient queries for real-time data updates.
• API integrations: A key feature of Retool is its ability to integrate with various APIs. Developers should be “comfortable” with setting up and configuring Retool integrations to pull or send data between the tool and external systems.
• Workflow automation and logic: The platform excels at automating processes and workflows across multiple systems. Retool developers should know how to set up custom workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and connect different tools to streamline business operations.

Why businesses need Retool developers

Simply put, businesses need Retool developers because they know how to make the most of the platform’s features to build powerful internal tools. For example, they know how to:

1. Customize

Retool developers can build tailor-made internal tools that meet the unique needs of a business. By using Retool's powerful low-code framework, they can design custom applications that integrate seamlessly with existing data sources.

2. Handle complex data management

Retool developers excel at managing large datasets and presenting them through user-friendly interfaces. They can design dashboards and data visualizations that help businesses make informed, data-driven decisions in real time, significantly enhancing business intelligence.

3. Scale the system properly

As businesses grow, so do their operational needs. Retool developers ensure that tools and applications scale alongside the business, allowing for easy updates and adaptations as requirements evolve. This scalability is essential for long-term growth.

4. Make integration hassle-free

Retool developers ensure smooth integration with a variety of third-party tools, APIs, and databases. Their expertise ensures that data can flow seamlessly between systems, improving accessibility and reducing silos across business operations.

5. Speed up development

Developers who allocate around 30% of their time to creating internal tools consider Retool essential due to its ability to significantly reduce development time and speed up the overall process.

By leveraging Retool’s low-code approach, experts can rapidly prototype and deploy internal tools, cutting down on development time. This allows businesses to react quickly to changing needs and get new solutions to market faster than traditional development approaches would allow.

{{form}}

When to hire Retool developers vs. Build in-house

Deciding whether to hire professional Retool developers or rely on in-house teams depends on your organization's goals, resources, and timelines. Still, there are some “classic” scenarios why hiring a Retool expert matters and when building internally could be the better path.

4 scenarios when it’s better to hire a Retool developer:

1. Complexity requires expertise: You need to integrate multiple APIs, manage dynamic workflows, or handle data-heavy applications. In this case, professional Retool developers bring the necessary expertise to make the process seamless.
2. Time-sensitive projects: If your business has tight deadlines, hiring a dedicated specialist can dramatically speed up delivery, ensuring high-quality internal tools without overburdening your in-house teams.
3. Lack of in-house skillsets: Not every team has experience with Retool’s features, such as API integrations, React components, or database management. A professional Retool developer can bridge that gap, avoiding a steep learning curve for your employees.
4. Scaling needs: Effective scalability means choosing a platform that not only addresses present needs but also anticipates future changes, avoiding the build-up of technical debt. Retool developers create adaptable solutions that keep pace with growth, ensuring sustained efficiency and preventing costly technical challenges over time.

Read more about the reasons for hiring a Retool developer by following this link.

3 scenarios when it’s better to build in-house:

1. Simple tool requirements: If your project only involves basic workflows or a straightforward app, an in-house team with a moderate understanding of Retool’s drag-and-drop functionality may suffice.
2. Cost-effectiveness for small teams: Small businesses with tight budgets might benefit from training internal staff rather than hiring external developers, especially for low-complexity tools.
3. Hands-on customization: For organizations that want full control and iterative development, leveraging in-house expertise allows for ongoing adjustments aligned with immediate business needs.

When considering DIY Retool development, it is important to keep in mind the hidden costs of developing in-house. Although it may appear to be a cost-effective option at first, developing Retool internally often involves unforeseen expenses, such as:

• Time drain: In-house teams can spend weeks troubleshooting features that an expert could resolve in days.
• Skill development: Unless its drag-and-drop interface simplifies UI creation, Retool still requires knowledge of JavaScript, SQL, or APIs to fully leverage its capabilities in building customized internal applications. Training staff on Retool can slow other operations, especially if Retool is “unfamiliar territory”.
• Quality trade-offs: Without expertise, the created tools may lack the optimization or scalability required, leading to inefficiencies down the line.

Quick sum-up: Whether choosing a Retool development company or building in-house, the decision hinges on balancing immediate project needs with long-term strategy. For more complex and scalable requirements, bringing in an expert developer is often the smarter choice. For simpler projects, an in-house approach can work.

How to find the right Retool developer

Here are the steps to ensure you find the ideal candidate for your project:

• Identify your needs: It's the most important step to initiate. Understand the specific requirements of your project — whether it’s for building internal tools, automating workflows, or integrating with other software.
• Look for relevant experience: Search for developers with experience in building applications using Retool, along with a strong background in databases, APIs, and front-end technologies like JavaScript, React, and HTML/CSS.
• Check for problem-solving skills: The right developer should not only be technically skilled but also able to find creative solutions to business-specific challenges.
• Review portfolio and case studies: Examine previous projects to assess their experience with similar business needs and tools.
• Evaluate communication and collaboration: Ensure they can work closely with your team and understand your business goals.

Where to look for a Retool expert? Here are a few places where you can find skilled Retool professionals:

• Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal
• Low-code development agencies: Companies specializing in Retool
• Job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor
• Networking and events: Low-code meetups, conferences
• Retool communities and forums: Retool Community forum, OutSystems Developer Community, etc.

Need more insights on where and how to find a good low-code developer? Read this guide.

Final thoughts

Finding the right Retool consultant is crucial for getting the most out of your internal tools. Focus on their experience, problem-solving skills, previous case studies, and technical expertise to ensure a successful project.

Don’t forget to explore a variety of sources to find the perfect developer, from freelance platforms to specialized agencies, and even low-code communities.

If you need expert guidance in low-code development services, whether it's Retool, UI Bakery, Appian, or other platforms, the Akveo team is here to help you bring your vision to life. Feel free to contact us!