Finding a developer for an app project is a challenge. We talk to people all the time who are lost in the process of finding the right developer for their mobile app idea. Sure, you can hit the search engines and find hundreds of mobile app developers. But how do you find a mobile app developer with the experience and ability to take your idea from concept to the app store? Here are six principles that will help -
- One is not enough. Get multiple bids from experienced app developers. The more you talk to experienced developers, the more you’ll learn about your project. If the developer thinks you’re serious and not just kicking tires, he will be happy to share his thoughts during the initial call. This will help you in two ways – finding the right developer and refining your app idea.
- Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish. The lowest bid is not always the best or even the cheapest. We see project after project in which someone hired the cheapest alternative and ended up with a shattered project or nothing at all. Work only with reputable, experienced app developers. They may not be the lowest bid, but you get what you pay for.
- Ask common sense questions. For example, if your mobile app includes a social network, ask the developer about his experience developing apps with social networks. If your mobile app will be graphics rich, ask the developer about his graphics capabilities. Get the answers you need. If they duck your questions, run. Fast.
- Check out the developer’s website. If the developer’s website does not impress you, how likely is it the developer will impress you with the app you’ll get? If the developer doesn’t have a website …
- Check out other apps developed by the developer. A developer’s app portfolio is like a picture – “worth a thousand words.” Do the developer’s prior apps have the look and feel you want for your app?
- Finally, don’t pay to train an app developer. Hire only experienced developers with at least one app in the iTunes store or one deployed Android or Blackberry app.
Many of the thoughts you have mentioned are valid even today. How often we get clients who have burnt their pockets badly with not-so-reputed iphone developers. It pays to spend a good amount of time researching and finding a good developer. Scour the net, read up their website, browse through portfolios, check out the app store, read their resources section and ask for US references.
Great points. We hear that way too often as well:
“We blew the full budget, and are no where ready for app store”
[...] for the proposed price. We’ve posted in the past about this subject, including posts on how to find an app developer and the three most important questions to ask an app developer, but here are some more tips to help [...]
This is great article, I used this when selecting my app development team. I will say though, it is very important to have what you want done documented. I spoke to some other developers would were confused about the app in the proposal. In the end, I would say follow the steps above, but make sure to clearly document and communicate the requirements of the app. Either way, great job and keep up the good work!
Thanks for the article, I would recommend giving a chance for the dev that has experience with good quality projects. If he pays attention to the details then he will even spend more time without additional fee just to polish his code.
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