You have a solid business or a great idea and need an app to bring it to life? But finding and hiring a great app developer may seem like an overwhelming prospect, especially when you have a lot of other things on your plate. Before you just hire the first developer to come along, it's important to get to know what you need and want from your app. It is important to do your research and understand exactly what and who you need. Read on for some great advice on how to hire the right developer for your needs.
Think About Your Needs
Before you start looking at app developers, you need to take a close look at why you need an app and what you need it to do. If you can go into your developer search with a general idea of what you're looking for, it'll be easier to find someone who can help you accomplish your goals. Developers can work with you to create a variety of products from a proof-of-concept to a fully-functional app.
What will you be using the app for? If you're looking to obtain funding and investors for your idea or business, you'll need a prototype. If you're looking to build an app that you can launch, test, and gather feedback about (and hopefully improve on that feedback), you'll need an MVP (minimum viable product). You should familiarize yourself with these terms and what they mean before you start looking for a developer.
It's also necessary to think about what platform you want your app to run on. IOS and Android are the two most popular options and each has its pros and cons. IOS is more popular in the US and UK, while Android is more popular in Asian markets.
And of course, it's important to consider your budget. Have a clear idea of what you can spend upfront as you're going into your search. A great developer will be able to work with you to create an accurate estimate of how long and how much it will take to create what you're asking for.
Create a Shortlist of App Developers
Once you've defined what's important to you, create a list of a few developers that you may like to work with. During this phase, you'll be doing a lot of research. Reach out to people you know, search online, find developer Meetup groups you can attend. If a developer says they're great, don't simply take their word for it. Look for evidence. A good developer will be proud to show off the work they've done in the past, and will have many examples and references in their portfolio. Read plenty of reviews on sites like Clutch to get a better idea of what past clients have said about that developer.
Also, research what market segments these developers focus on. Many developers choose a particular industry or area of expertise to work within. Do they have experience in your industry or with projects similar to the one you're planning? A developer with experience with projects similar to yours will be able to help you develop your idea into a working app and bring your dreams to life!
Talk to Potential Developers
Once you've narrowed down your list of potential developers, reach out to them and try to schedule a time to talk, either in person (if they're local) or on the phone. A great developer will be eager to speak with you to get a better idea of what your project entails, but this is an opportunity for you to interview them as well. In this stage, asking the right questions will help you a lot.
Ask about how your project will be managed. Are you working with a single developer or a whole team? Do they use an agile approach? How involved will you be throughout the process? Some developers don't want too much client involvement, while others provide meetings and ask for feedback throughout the whole process. At the very least, they should be able to provide you with an update at least once a week.
Always ask for a Mutual NDA before you discuss your ideas at length. And when you speak to a developer, sometimes it helps to go with your gut. If something doesn't feel quite right, or they just don't gel well with your vision, move on to another option. Create a sort of scorecard with all the things that are important to you - factors like communication, technical abilities, experience in your industry, etc, and grade each developer you talk to. And ask for client references!
Finding a great app developer doesn't have to be overwhelming. Make sure you do plenty of research and talk to each developer before you make a final choice, and always check out sites like Clutch, GoodFirms, G2Crowd to read reviews and get a big picture overview of the developer's experience and expertise.
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