The mobile app market is growing at a tremendous pace and is projected to generate more than $935 billion in 2023, according to Statista. Such statistics make app developers one of the most demanded specialists in the tech market. Whether you are launching a startup or planning to digitize your current business, you will likely need to hire an app developer to accomplish your business goals.
Hiring a qualified app developer may seem an easy task to handle from first sight. In reality, it's a multistep process that requires effort and specific knowledge to hire a top candidate. Like any hiring process, it has pitfalls that may cost you a reputation if the project is poorly implemented. This article aims to save you time by showing how to hire an app developer and accomplish your business goals.
Factors to Consider Before Hiring an App Developer
Technical expertise
Mobile web development requires advanced progress; therefore, you should look for a specialist who is experienced with most app development platforms. Look for a developer with technical certifications and a decent understanding of both operating systems.
- To hire an iOS app developer, check for the knowledge of Swift. Flutter, Objective-C, and C#.
- To hire an android app developer, check for knowledge of JAVA, C#, Python, Kotlin, and C++.
Portfolio
A developer's portfolio is one of the most effective ways to verify the quality of the candidate's app developing skills. The portfolio must be updated with their most recent projects. It should include highlights of the most successful app-developing projects to give an overview of the candidate's capabilities. If there is still uncertainty after reviewing the portfolio, you can ask the candidate for references from past clients.
Pricing
You should first allocate and finalize your budget for the app developer before beginning your candidate search. Having a clear idea of how much you are able to spend can help avoid misunderstandings during the app development process. The set budget will also help you create a pool of developers in the range so that you can find a qualified app developer at a low price.
Project timeline
To get an idea about how effectively the app developers work, ask about their timelines in previous projects. How long have they taken to complete the project? You can also give them a project and ask them to suggest a timeline.
How to Hire an App Developer?
Source candidates online
Start looking for an app developer online. Freelance websites, tech blogs, and job boards like getting Apps Done are all good places to begin your search. One of the most popular coding platforms to look at is GitHub. You can use this platform to find developers with the necessary skills and experience in the same concept of the app you're planning to create.
To save time and effort on sourcing and screening potential candidates, you can seek professional help from tech recruitment agencies like Employa. Employa can help you find a top app developer just for a 10% fee using AI-powered software.
Examine portfolios
Once you identify potential candidates, look at their portfolios to see past app development experience. You can reach out to them asking for a portfolio, their website, or Clutch profile if they have one. You can also visit Google Play Market and the App Store and check out similar concept apps and reach out to developers who worked on those projects.
Conduct Interviews
After completing a shortlisted selection of potential candidates, you can now invite them for an interview. During the interview, you can ask them to tell more about their expertise - the tech stacks they specialize in and the previous projects they implemented. You may also want them to explain their development methodology to see if it is a process you can follow.
Below are some of the points you should inquire about while conducting an interview:
- Tech specialization
- Previous app development projects
- Seniority level and years of experience
- Obtained certifications and tech achievements
- Experience in dealing with strict deadlines
- Personal traits
Choose a developer and finalize arrangements
Now that you have considered all the important aspects of hiring the top app developer, you can now finalize your choice. Make sure that every arrangement you agree on is written in a contract. You may also decide to provide a non-disclosure agreement document to ensure the safety of your app development project. However, before signing off, ensure you give sufficient time and thought to a final decision regarding your app developer.