How To Hire a Mobile App Developer: Advice and Strategies, Pricing & Strategy
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The market for mobile apps worldwide is growing rapidly and is expected to hit the sum of $939 billion at the end of 2023.
As the app market grows each day, it's becoming difficult to find quality mobile application developers. With millions of software developers to select from, how can you separate the grain from the chaff?
In this article we'll provide you with an easy-to-follow guide to how to hire a mobile app developer for your company. We'll look at how much you'll pay and the various hiring choices, what skills to consider in hiring, and much more.
What is the best time to hire a Mobile App Developer?
This makes hiring an app developer for mobile an easy decision. Not only will they save the company money and time, but they'll also offer many additional advantages.
More Focused Efforts
A mobile app creator allows your other team members to concentrate on their specific tasks.
An experienced mobile developer may help with CRM issues or even manage cloud computing or integrations, such as freeing other staff members to concentrate on improving services and client satisfaction.
Access to an Expert
A mobile app developer's previous experiences, expertise in technical areas and abilities will prove extremely useful throughout the lifecycle of the development project.
The team will be accessible throughout the entire process so they'll be able to resolve any issues whenever they arise. In this way, you will not experience any bottlenecks that could result in a loss of time and money. Instead, you get to experience smoother processes where tasks are done in time and on budget.
Be a step ahead of your competitors
Technology is always changing and evolving.
With 255 billion mobile applications installed by 2022 (up 80% from 2016) It's evident that consumers' need for applications is increasing.
The huge number of app downloads makes it clear that the app industry is more competitive than it has ever been.
To be noticed and remain competitive, you need an app builder who is current with the most recent changes. In this way, they will be able to implement the most recent features and ensure relevant and secure technology for users.
Post-Maintenance Services
Depending on the type of mobile app programmer you select -- something we'll cover in the next section -some will offer after-launch support.
It can involve updating functions, repairing issues, adding new features, and more. It's not necessary to worry about a job on your own once the project is finished.
Some of the most common options for hiring a Mobile App Developer
There are a variety of options available when it comes to hiring an app developer for mobile.
1. Hire In-House
The most common option is employing an app developer part of your internal team. If you already have an app development team but need an individual who can focus on mobile apps specifically, you can fill the gap in labor by finding and hiring someone for this specific role.
Although this choice allows you to have more control over the entire development project, it also comes with more expenses. Here's a list of some of the pros and cons using an internal mobile app developer:
The advantages of in-house hiring
- Higher employee engagement
- More loyal to your business
- Incorporated into your culture
- Gain a better understanding of your company's workflow and procedures
- Complete control over your team
- No communication difficulties
The pros and cons of hiring in-house
- Longer hiring process
- Full-time salary
- Benefits that aren't included, like the 401(k) plan
- The cost of hiring work equipment as well as hardware and licensing
- Limited to local tech experts (if you need an office employee)
2. Find a freelancer to work for you.
You can also choose to hire a freelance mobile app developer.
The freelance market has grown tremendously over the past few years. In 2022, there were 70.4 million freelancers in the US in 2022, with this number being projected to rise to 90 million by the year 2028.
There's a lot of skilled freelancers to pick from.
Employing a freelancer typically more affordable, however freelancers can also be extremely specialized. However, they can also be harder to control. These are the top pros and cons you should consider in hiring freelance developers
Pros of Freelancers
- Cost-effective
- Flexibility
- The ability to access expert talent
- Simple to locate using a myriad of hiring platforms
- A large pool of developers possessing different abilities
- It is not necessary to purchase working equipment
- Global access to talent
The pros and cons of freelancers
- Complicated onboarding process
- A lesser degree of control of the freelancer's process
- Loyalty is not a factor and requires a an indefinite commitment
- Only suits small-to-medium businesses
- Possible language barrier
- More likely to abandon the project
3. Hire an Outsourced Team
Finally, you may outsource the development to an experienced IT firm. The outsourcing of your IT needs gives you access to people who are highly skilled in the development of mobile apps as well as having a successful track record.
However, this can also require you to dedicate more time and energy to manage the outsourcing team. You also heavily rely on an external companyleaving you in their hands.
Here are some benefits and cons take into consideration when hiring a company to develop your mobile apps:
Benefits of outsourcing
- Time to focus on core activities
- Increased efficiency
- Cost-effective
- Access to expert talent
Pros and Cons of Outsourcing
- Lack of full control
- Higher risk of miscommunication
- Less Flexibility
How Much Does It Cost to hire a mobile App Developer?
For example, according to the BLS The average hourly wage for software engineers is $52.50.
If you take a closer look at the types of developers, Android developers earn an average of $54.50 per hour as well as iOS developers earn around $57 an hour..
Android developers that reside in particular states, like Oregon, California, and New York, earn 15%-24 percent more than the typical. And those who live in Utah, Kentucky, and Arkansas earn 25% less than the average.
Although the developer of mobile apps won't be responsible for all of these stages however, they'll participate in an important part of the process and might even be needed to troubleshoot some technical difficulties.
What To Consider When Hiring an Mobile App Developer
There are a few fundamental skills and characteristics to take into consideration when looking to employ a mobile application developer.
Development Approach
In order to find an app development company that fits your project as well as your business, you'll need to consider their development approach. This is how they organize their work and organize their time between different tasks.
This tells you whether they'll work closely with the team in your company and adhere to the right procedure. It'll also tell you whether they're able to finish the work in your desired timeframe so you can set suitable deadlines and set milestones.
Use of Technologies
You need to look at the technologies the app developer candidates specialize in. So, you'll be able to be sure that they are equipped with the necessary skills for your application.
- Are you able to make your app accessible via the internet?
- Do you require an extensive user interface?
- Do you need cross-platform development?
The answers to these questions can help narrow those applicants once you've got to the hiring phase.
Prior Experience in Mobile App Development
If you're looking to create an excellent mobile application that's capable of competing with other apps in the market You need to find a developer experienced. One can determine whether a developer has experience by taking a look at their resume, portfolio and their testimonials.
You should consider hiring someone who have at the very least years in experience. Although it's possible for graduates to be extremely skilled, they may not be adequately prepared to handle difficulties that come up because they haven't been employed for very long.
Code Ownership Views
Also, you should consider the opinions of the developer regarding their ownership of the code. This is especially true in the case of hiring app developers who are freelance or outsourced teams.
Certain companies require to have a partial control of the code. But, if you are the owner of the code, then you're not bound to rely upon the IT organization or a particular developer. Therefore, ensure that your app's developer knows and acknowledges that the code belongs to you.
The Top Websites to Employ Mobile Apps Developers in 2023
The websites you decide to employ the developer will depend on whether you choose an in-house, freelance or outsourcing option.
Platforms for hiring employees in-house
- In fact
- Glassdoor
- SimplyHired
- Dice
Platforms to Hire Freelancers
- Toptal
- Guru
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Youteam
- Guru
- Behance
Platforms to Hire Outsourced Teams
- Slingshot
- Clutch
- QBurst
- GoodFirms
- IT Companies
- 99 Firms
- Intellectsoft
There are a myriad of tech-related annual events. Here are some of the most well-known events that you can think about.
- Droidcon: Events specially designed for Android developers. The attendees can take part in these events across the world, including London, New York, Berlin and many more where they get to discover, develop and interact with developers.
- Appdevcon A tech-focused Amsterdam gathering that is open to Android, iOS, and cross-platform app developers.
- Code Conference: A tech conference organized by Vox Media Events -- offering an important gathering opportunity for media, tech, and ecommerce leaders.
- Techspo: The events are held in diverse locations across the world where business and tech professionals get to meet and innovate.
- THAT Conference: An event hosted in Texas and Wisconsin in which people from diverse technological backgrounds and levels of expertise gather to learn and form the community.
6 Steps to Recruit Mobile App Developers
Before beginning your hiring process, it's important to have specific goals in the development of your app as well as a budget. It is essential to determine what kind of app you'd like to develop and when you'll need it, and how much you're willing to spend on the various phases.
This way, you'll be able to select the right candidate or team that can get the job accomplished on time, without costing you a fortune.
Once we've gotten that out of the way, let's explore the ways to hire a mobile apps developer.
It's crucial to remember that if you've found someone who looks good on paper, that doesn't necessarily mean you've found the right person for the job. There are other aspects to consider. The following are six steps to take to identify the best person (or group) to do the job.
1. Ask Your Business Friends or Colleagues For Referrals
The people you have in your circle and trust for referrals is an excellent way to cut candidate hunting time drastically.
This way, you can save tons of time and energy sifting through hundreds of subpar worker profiles. Instead you'll have the ability to focus on high-quality candidates referred to you by those whom you are most comfortable with.
Keep your eyes on the fact that although the business partner you're working with thinks the candidate is a good fit, they might not necessarily be. Therefore, be sure to stick with the things you want and consider the best option for your company.
2. Explore different hiring platforms to find Ideal Candidates
If you couldn't obtain referrals from family members and colleagues or were not a great match then the best alternative is to investigate hiring websites. The above mentioned platforms are great places to source candidates.
Let's take an example. For instance, suppose you decide to search for an individual who is a freelancer via Fiverr. It is easy to go to the site and search for a "mobile app developer" using the search box.
You can then browse through the freelancers who pop up to find the right one for your needs. If none of the freelancers suit your project You can use the exact same procedure on other freelancer sites until you find suitable candidates.
Additionally, you can find outsourcing teams through platforms such as 99 Firms or Slingshot or by identifying companies at tech events.
3. Examine Their Portfolios, Testimonials and other technologies
Once you have a list of potential candidates, examine their testimonials and portfolios each one by one. It's vital to look at what their past clients have to say about them.
Create a list of questions that can help you assess their capabilities and their experience. What was the time it took for them to complete their project? How well was the app implemented? Was it well-organized?
Make sure that their specific abilities are compatible with the project needs.
4. Check out the Other Services These Providers Offer
While these services can be beneficial, they can often cause higher prices. Depending on the scope of your venture, it might be best to look for someone or a team who offers packages that only include the services you need.
5. Think about the Company Culture
If you're bringing on an individual who is a new hire, they must have an attitude that will work within your workplace. In the event that you're hiring an outsourced team, take a look at the culture of their organization and see if it matches yours.
For example an IT firm whom you're considering outsourcing work to could give its employees large amounts of creative leeway while you do not. A freelancer could already be accustomed to managing projects on their own while you want them to work within a group setting.
The most effective way to find out whether they're the right fit is by conducting an interview with them in person or on video. Find out about their beliefs as well as their goals, working practices, etc.
At the end of the session, you'll be able to gauge their personality and see whether their work ethic, the values of their company, as well as standards are similar to yours.
6. Keep Communication in Mind
When you hire a remote person or a team, you must ensure that communication is in place. While working with someone who is located on the opposite side of the world is feasible, working within different time zones could hinder your operations.
Prior to hiring an app designer it is important to make sure it logically makes sense and that you have the necessary communication tools to make it work.
For example, if the company you work for is in North America and you hire a freelancer from Eastern Europe, you have an hour difference of 7 hours. That means at the time that you go up at 9am to start work at 4pm, you're already in Europe and that's nearing the end of their day.
It's always best to consider the possibility of hiring someone who is located on your side of the globe. This way, you can effortlessly schedule specific times for a phone call or to collaborate.
Summary
Hiring a mobile app developer could be a challenge, particularly if you're not sure which direction to take or what you can expect.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll get to source, hand-pick, and hire a mobile app developer which will work for your the company.
Remember, if you're looking for a developer with specific technology and work capabilities, consider their technology stack and approach to development. Take a look through their portfolios and testimonials for a better understanding of what to expect from their work.
Jeremy Holcombe
Content & Marketing Editor at , WordPress Web Developer, and Content writer. In addition to all things WordPress, I enjoy golf, the beach, as well as movies. Also, I have height issues ;).