Did you know that mobile users spend 87% of their time on their phones using apps?
The competition is fierce to gain ground as a popular app with all of the competition so if you’re planning to launch an app you need to get it right. You need to understand how a user will interact with every single aspect of your app to provide an experience they keep coming back to.
And your software development team can nail that for you.
We’re going to tell you how to hire a mobile app developer, the right way. So read on for our top tips.
Top Tips: How to Hire a Mobile App Developer
We spoke to software development company Nizek, who shared their top tip for finding and hiring the right mobile app developer.
1. Assess Their Portfolio
It’s important that you see examples of their past work to assess their style. You should be looking at both the overall design of the app but also the UI/UX. The success of your design depends on how user-friendly your app is.
With so many apps in the market if your interface is not intuitive or delays the required action from the user then a great design won’t save you.
So ask for their previous work and get a feel for the design and experience of those apps.
2. Think About the Whole Package
There are plenty of options out there to decide from and you can easily find a freelance app developer through referrals or online. However, it is worth thinking about the bigger picture.
You don’t just need a developer. You need a developer, designer, UI/UX Specialist, and QA/Testing team. Unless you happen to have each of those skills a developer can only get you so far.
When looking at your options find out about their team and skillsets because the more input you can have from qualified specialists the better. That way, they will give you valuable input along the way, resulting in a winning app.
3. Look for Somone Who Is Interested in Your Business
In a similar way to the last point, you also want to look for relevant industry experience form that developer.
Have they worked on similar apps? If so, they might be able to take their input to the next level. They will have experience of what worked for those users and what didn’t. That means a more informed experience for your app, ultimately speeding up the process as they did the testing for you!
4. Don’t Select Based on Price Alone
Now, bear with us for this one. You obviously will have a budget in mind, and we’re not suggesting that you just spend a fortune but don’t go for the cheapest option.
The best method is to find software development agencies that you like and gets several quotes. See who fits all of the requirements and see how the prices align with those features.
There will always be companies who lowball a price to win business but just be aware that if you go for a cheap option you might just get what you pay for.
Software developers are not all created equal.
5. Check Client Reviews
Check if they have reviews online that you can read to see the overall feedback of past clients. You can also ask the developer for client reference to speaking to them about their experiences.
If they have clients listed or profiled on the site you could also reach out to the team yourself via LinkedIn to ask for specific feedback.
6. Consider Location
Working with developers will require back and forth with the team to get to a final app, so you want to make this flow as easy as possible.
It’s easier than ever to work with incredible global teams to get the best possible product but be realistic.
You should probably at the very least have a substantial overlap in working hours if working with someone in a different time zone so that the communication can be efficient. Sometimes it will be a quick item to check and if you’re waiting for your developer to wake up on the other side of the world or vice versa it can hold things up.
7. Request a Timeline
We cannot stress enough how important it is to agree on a timeline in advance. This protects both parties from unrealistic expectations and frustration.
You should ask the development team to establish a clear and specific timeline before starting the project. This allows you to manage the project efficiently and keep things on track instead of wondering about when the app will be ready.
It is in the interest of both parties to stick to the agreed timeline and this shouldn’t be a problem to have this outline from the start.
8. Ask About Maintenance
It’s good to ask before you get started what if any maintenance work is included in the cost. Or, if none is included, you need to find out how you will be charged for the maintenance work.
Will you be charged hourly? Monthly? Do they have a policy you can read to have a clear understanding? It is crucial to understand to ensure you don’t get any unexpected costs when following up with any pre-launch bugs and updates.
9. Trust Your Gut Instinct
Take all of these tips into consideration when choosing your developer and then…go with who feels right. Who instills you with the confidence that the team will deliver the best end product?
You will need to have a good relationship with the team as you work together through the process, so who feels right?
If the App Fits…
By 2020 apps are set to generate $189bn US dollars. That’s an incredibly lucrative market to be a part of if you can crack it.
It takes a team of creative, skilled professionals to deliver an app that users love to interact with. Hopefully, you now feel more clued up on how to hire a mobile app developer that can bring your vision to life, even better than you could have imagined.
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