The Endless Quest of Finding Developers For Your Next Big App

Everyone has ideas. Once in a while, you get a great idea, one that can touch the world and change it irrevocably. Uber, AirBnB, DuoLingo, all of which are just a handful of applications that changed the way that people traveled, learned, and even changed how we dine out, because now with UberEats, we dine in the comfort of our own homes as food delivery personnel sends our food to our doorstep piping hot. 

Technology is a boon that has given rise to many of the conveniences that we have today. Businesses which hope to one day become scalable choose to go down the digital path because smartphone holders are their main demographic. Whether you own a holistic baby accessory business or a fitness service, an app can increase your brand awareness as well as give your business a boost in the engagement department. In fact, apps can be seen as part and parcel of a business’ digital identity, and much like how every business should have a social media presence, all businesses should also have their own mobile application.

However, while almost anyone can create a business out of thin air, thanks to e-commerce platforms like Amazon or Etsy, and the ever-so-handy free website building tools like Wix, it isn’t all that simple to create an app, therefore the best option is to hire an app developer, but where to begin? 

Understand exactly what you want

Sometimes you might have an idea of what you want but app developers need the specifications. You need to know exactly how you want the app to function and tweak it according to the capabilities of the application you are seeking to build. Some of the basic requirements that you should lay out before hunting for an app developer is figure out which OS platform you want to target first and what are the key features that it should possess, all while making provisions for future development and updates. 

As no two apps are identical and bearing in mind that application building for various niches do differ, don’t expect to find the right developer right away. If one is hoping to build an entertainment app or a gaming app, there are certain things that you have to consider due to its complexity. Likewise, you won’t go to a gaming app developer to commission a retail app. 

For most businesses, it would be far more beneficial to outsource for no-code app developers so that it could be easily maintained, but if the app is to be complex, it is much more sustainable to outsource a team that can manage or update it in the future. 

Large businesses should most definitely hire their own in-house developers in order to save on costs, especially if the app is their main product. 

Where should you start searching for a good app developer? 

LinkedIn is a great place to start searching for professionals who are open to committing to a long term project or even permanent hires. However, contractual based hiring platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr can also be a great option for one-off projects, though the quality on those sites do vary and many freelancers aren’t very reliable. The upside is that they are often very affordable, so it’s important to understand the budget that is available for the development of the application.

For more reliability, the top choice would be to search for a development team listed on reputable service providers such as Clutch or Goodfirms, but there are plenty of app developers out there and all it takes is a quick Google search for anyone to shortlist a few. 

Another way is to simply ask business friends in the industry for recommendations or to scour forums or Facebook groups. The internet is basically one large directory, as long as one knows how to utilize it. 

After shortlisting a few candidates or teams, now comes the more time-consuming part. 

Evaluate their portfolio and learn the difference between ‘best’ and ‘best for you’

There are hundreds if not thousands of app developer teams that will tout themselves as the best, and true enough, when you look through their portfolios, you might be blown away by the level of polished apps with great designs and user-friendly interfaces, but don’t forget that you’re shopping for an app developer that can cater to your needs. 

Again, you don’t go to a game app developer for your retail needs, so keep your key objectives in mind. If the team doesn’t have anything relevant to show you, bin them. You aren’t missing out on potential, but you will lose out on field experience if you choose to go with them. 

Also, don’t get starstruck by all the big names that pop up in their portfolio. Just because they worked for TikTok or Google doesn’t mean that they will be able to deliver what you need - furthermore, they are more likely to be outside of your budget too. 

Lastly, you want to talk to the key person in charge to ensure that your visions are aligned. Ideas don’t always come across the way we mean, you might say a circle while visualizing a black outline, and someone else might be thinking of a colorful one. Having someone that gets you will definitely expedite the process of app development. 

At the end of the day, just be clear about what you want and what you expect after the app is delivered. Do they include technical training or will they have to manage the app after it’s done? These are some of the bases you definitely want to cover before deciding on an app developer team.