How to find an app developer for your startup company?
Apparently, one of the foremost questions that startups and entrepreneurs face when deciding to go digital with their brand.
According to Statista, by 2021 there will be around 7 billion users worldwide. And the annual app downloads will reach a staggering 258 billion figure by 2022, as per App Annie.
The above numbers are only a few of the many other great statistics that are ought to convince you the influence app economy has on the digital world.
In this post, we’ll talk about the why and how to find an app developer for your startup ideas.
Why do you need to hire an app developer?
It doesn’t matter if you hire Android app developer, or hire iPhone app developer, there are various reasons why to go for one.
However, you can also develop an app yourself if you have a fundamental understanding of coding and know how to use development tools.
Realistically, most business owners doesn’t have the technical expertise to develop an app on their own, or simply, doesn’t have enough time.
At other times, the huge magnitude of the research, development, and after launch proceedings isn’t a one-man-army job. In such cases, you’ll be required to hire a team or a solo pro developer.
Related content: 14 app ideas to make your startup compete in 2021
Here are the ways you can go about it.
In-house team
Often, the old school development approach that medium to large-sized enterprises opt.
Although hiring an in-house team can live up to the quality expectations, you select the right candidates as the best fit for your workplace culture. But it is equally expensive as well.
Keeping the team on fixed salaries, bearing the seat cost per day, and system expenses can really give you a run for your money.
A freelancer
Hiring freelance app developers is an emerging, and increasingly preferred approach where businesses want to keep things under their control.
The contractual employment is cheap and the business owner isn’t required to pay for holidays, vacations, medical insurance, and other routine benefits that in-house, full-time employees enjoy.
On the downside, you need to be careful as there are many professionals who commit to projects way above their technical expertise. Often ending up hurting the business owner and his/her project milestones and end product’s quality.
Therefore, it is often advised that owners with a budget of only $10,000 or less should go for an online freelancer.
Outsourcing the project
Arguably, the most reliable and promising of the above two methods. An external app development team is hired on a contractual basis.
The outsourced team will cost you less than an in-house team, and deliver a much better, timely product than a freelancer.
Moreover, the scalability aspect is quite easy to implement. You can expand or limit the size of the team depending on the needs, milestones, and scope of your project. Hence, saving you plenty of time and resources in the long run.
In short, outsourcing your project to a professional agency is the most efficient, cost-effective way. Especially if you’re running short on time and cannot afford to compromise on the quality of the end product.
When to go with the outsourcing option?
In what cases should you go with the outsourcing option? These are the pointers to keep in mind.
Budget limitations
Unless you’re named among the most profitable companies in US or worldwide, hiring an in-house team with committed investment for app development isn’t a wise option.
It was reported that Google had around 20,000 software engineers making tools. Understandably, around 99% of startups or aspiring entrepreneurs won’t be inclined to have that much workforce. At least, not during their lifetimes.
The point being, budget constraints is one of the decisive factors that tempts companies to outsource their projects in the hands of relevant expertise.
Shortage of required talent
Experienced developers are really hard to come by in the software development business.
Even though there are plenty of developers ready to provide their services, but hiring the one for your specific business and project requirements is like finding a needle in a haystack.
This is where external talent can help you fill in the gaps. Hiring an outsourced company will provide you a large pool of talent who’ll mostly be capable of creating a custom tool with unique features you want.
Furthermore, hiring a readymade talent is easier and cheap as compared to investing time and money to train someone in-house.
Unable to meet crunch deadlines
One of the biggest reasons for not hiring a full-time freelancer is the over-commitment aspect.
Freelancers often have more than a single project lined up in their deliverables queue. And some might overcommit themselves to you only to end up missing valuable deliverables.
While, outsourced companies have a defined workflow that allows them to inculcate jump queue tasks and meet deadlines with appropriate resources in hand.
On the other hand, the contractual obligation keeps them on the hook to meet the mutually agreed milestones and deliver as promised.
No clarity
Any app development work involves so much complexities, co-dependencies, side quests, and consistent monitoring, that any particular entrepreneur might not have the time to micromanage.
Business owners, especially startups, need to invest their time in survival and consider the big picture. Rather than spending time and energy in the thick of the development process.
Albeit, outsourcing your project will allow the agency to cater the execution flawlessly. And free you the time to look after other aspects of your business operations.
How to find an app developer
Determining the exact steps on how to find an app developer without any hassle.
Look through the developer’s portfolio
Hire Android developer or hire iPhone developer, any startup doesn’t have the margin to acquire a rookie who’s just graduated with no experience intact.
Examine the developer’s portfolio by looking at their past work and what reviews they’ve gathered over the course of their experience.
Platforms like Clutch, or even the developers’ own website can tell you a lot about their technical caliber and professionalism.
Inspect testimonials
Somewhat an extension of the 1st tip, but deserves an explanation of its own.
You need to check what the developer’s previous clients have experienced through their deliverables, provided the testimonials are genuine.
Apparently, getting fake reviews today are common, but gauging their authenticity should be done at your end.
Understand their development approach
Understandably, each business has its own development and operational approach. The same goes for the development team you’ll hire for your project.
Even though you might not be technically sound, but knowing how the agency will manage your project is essential.
The idea is to talk through how they will cater various segments of the entire development process alongside other technical minutiae.
What technologies they use
Just like the development approach, every development company comes with its own set of expertise in technologies used.
- Is your app web-based?
- What programming languages and frameworks they’ll use?
- Do you require a simple, linear UI or a complex one?
Answering such questions will aid you narrowing down your list of potential candidates for your work. Remember, it’s not hiring the best company in the market, but the right fit for your custom project needs.
Learn the company’s culture
As much as you talk about the importance of your own company’s culture, you also need to learn about the culture of people you’re about to work with.
A company with a great reputation and excellent talent on board doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be the right choice for you.
The company’s ethics, values, short- and long-term goals, development methodology, and overall operational procedures need to be taken into account.
Sit down with them
Let’s suppose you’re hiring a company now during the pandemic, even then you need to sit down with them for a remote interview.
Although you have the testimonials and online reviews and ratings on screen, but meeting on a personal level has no substitute.
Be vigilant about conflict of interests that might create a problem for both the parties in future.
Maintain a transparent communication channel
Emails and calls will mostly be your major communication channels when hiring a company remotely.
Moreover, trying to maintain communication through different time zones is difficult. In short, minimizing the logistics as much as possible should be your priority.
In doing so, you’re creating and keeping a transparent communication channel. The development company should be clear with their tendencies, limitations, and payment terms right from the start.
In other words, working with people who seems like hiding something is a big NO.
Thoughts!
This sums up a comprehensive brief on why and how to find an app developer for your next business idea.
Remember, opting for a mobile app can be a game changer for your brand.
But understand the prerequisites, and following the hiring steps should save you a great deal of time and effort and alleviate the risk of failing with your development goals.
Imran Abdul Rauf is a Digital Marketing Strategist, employed at CMOLDS, and specializes in content marketing, email marketing campaigns, lead generation, and other aspects of digital marketing. A content enthusiast by the day, and hardcore gamer by night, Imran is also a regular guest contributor at some of the top tech and digital marketing platforms.
