Hiring an app developer might seem like an easy step to take, but it’s important to be prepared with the right questions and attitude to ensure that you’re on the right track. If you don’t ask the right questions and have the right expectations, then it’s unlikely that you will be satisfied with your choice of app developer in the long run. To help you successfully hire app developer, use this list of top five questions to ask when speaking with potential candidates.
1) How will my app benefit my business?
You probably want your app to help you gain new customers, increase sales, save time or simply make a task easier. If your business is like most, it’s going to need an app that enables you to meet one of these goals and then some. Before you even think about hiring an app developer, sit down and come up with at least two ways your company will benefit from having an app.
It’s best if those two points are measurable so you can actually see how effective your app is after it launches—but whatever works for you! The point here is not just to write down a couple of words that describe why your company needs an app; it’s more about clarifying what problem (or problems) your mobile application will solve for you and why it matters.
2) What does an app cost?
Many people think that mobile app development is an expensive process, but in reality, you can create an app for a fairly cheap price. You will need to spend a few hundred dollars if you want your app created by an experienced developer. However, it’s also possible for someone with no experience (or any coding knowledge) to create an app on their own. If you opt for a DIY route, then you should plan on spending around $50-$100 at minimum. Obviously, more complex apps are going to cost more money and take longer than basic ones. And if you’re working with Android instead of iOS, then your options might be limited compared to working with Apple’s platform.
3) Why should I hire an app developer?
If you’re not a coder, building an app can seem like a complex and daunting task. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Many of today’s top apps are low-code solutions, which means they require no code writing whatsoever. Some only use drag-and-drop interfaces with limited customization options. It’s much more important to know how your app will serve users than know how it will work behind the scenes.
With that in mind, here are some things to consider when hiring an app developer: Are their services customizable? Can I hire them for specific features (like back-end functionality) without having to pay for full development services? Do they understand my budget needs? How easy or difficult will it be for me to add new features later on? How experienced is their team? Do I prefer working directly with one person or would I rather communicate through project managers and teams of developers? Do they do testing? A lot of app development company focus heavily on front-end design, but skim on quality assurance. That may mean bugs get past them at launch time, meaning you end up dealing with technical issues instead of focusing on user experience. What if bugs pop up after launch time has passed?
4) What happens during the development process?
Mobile app development is a lengthy process that can take months, if not years. When you hire an app developer, there are many stages in which your input is required: from wireframing and feasibility to design and testing (alpha and beta). Your developer will work with you every step of the way. It’s important for you to understand how that process works before making a decision about who to hire. Here are five questions you should ask when looking for someone who can build a mobile app for your business.
5) Do you have a portfolio?
If you have an app or website portfolio, make sure it’s part of your initial conversation. If not, what kind of apps have you built? What do they do? Has any been published in a marketplace (like Apple or Google)? Is there anything specific that makes you stand out as a developer? What are your plans for marketing yourself and your mobile development company once the business is coming in? Who would be helping me with my project and how much experience do they have working on apps similar to mine? Is there another developer I can talk to who might be familiar with my industry/app idea so I can get an outside perspective on whether it’s worth pursuing at all?
Conclusion
You don’t want to be that business owner who hires a developer and then immediately regrets it. Finding a developer you can work with isn’t easy, but if you follow these tips, you should be well on your way. Remember, it’s important that both parties see eye-to-eye on development priorities and goals, so make sure that happens before hiring anyone. And as we said earlier: A smaller app may not always be a better option than a larger one; it all depends on your audience and goals. Now get out there and start hiring!
