The increase in digital initiatives by companies over the past few years has led to a projection of global spending on digital transformation reaching $1.8 trillion by 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic, intense competition, and changing consumer behaviors have all pushed companies to turn to technology for solutions, with mobile apps being a particularly popular choice.
If you want to enter the profitable field of app development and reach a wider audience, you will need to hire app programmer. Here is what you should consider when searching for top talent in this field.
Why Hire an App Developer?
While drag-and-drop app makers may seem like an easy and inexpensive option for creating a mobile solution, hiring dedicated app developers can greatly increase your chances of success and provide additional benefits.
Customization, cost-effectiveness, technical expertise, improved security, and the ability to migrate your application are all advantages of working with professional app developers.
However, the level of benefits you receive will depend on the team you choose. Here are some top engagement models to consider when hiring mobile developers for your app project.
App Developer Hiring Models
Gone are the days when talent acquisition was limited to hiring full-time in-house employees. Today, companies have the option of hiring remotely, using part-time contractors, or outsourcing development work. These options can broaden the pool of available talent and allow for more flexibility in recruitment. However, it’s important to consider your business plan and project characteristics when deciding which option is best for you.
Build in-house team
Hiring a mobile app developer who works in the office, also known as local talent sourcing, allows you to bring new employees onto your payroll and handle all administrative tasks. These developers work directly for your company and are a long-term commitment.
If the scope of your project requires skills that your current team does not possess, you may need to provide in-house training and upskilling. Local hiring also requires a company to have an office, purchase hardware and software licenses, and provide employee benefits. The recruitment process can take several months, depending on the rarity of the talent you are seeking.
Hire a freelancer
Hiring a freelance app developer, also known as a self-employed specialist who works for multiple companies, is another option for recruiting talent.
This option has become popular due to the low cost of app development and a large pool of potential candidates. Companies often search for freelancers on websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
However, this type of collaboration is best suited for simple or short-term tasks with a limited budget and flexible deadlines. Freelancers and clients may have communication difficulties, and there is no binding contract or guarantees. The client is responsible for managing and monitoring the project and bears all of the risks.
Outsource app development
Outsourcing involves hiring a third party outside of the company to handle both core and supplementary IT functions. An outsourcing vendor can either manage the entire development process or specific tasks.
This option allows a company to hire a programmer based on their specific needs without the burden of administrative tasks or a lengthy recruitment process. Outsourcing is often done in countries with affordable development costs and favorable tax systems.
One of the main benefits of outsourcing is the reduced level of responsibility and effort for the company. This allows for flexibility in the hiring process, as companies can build their workforce up or down based on demand and can delegate team management if desired. The vendor is responsible for employing the team and handling taxes, payroll, and benefits.
Factors to Consider When Hiring an App Developer
There are many factors to consider when trying to find the right talent for your project, as it depends on the specifics of the project and the needs of your business. However, here are some general steps to follow when hiring mobile app developers:
Define your app requirements
Before you start the hiring process, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your project. This will make it easier to find the right team.
During the pre-development stage, you should do extensive research on your app’s target audience, competitors, and business model. You should also decide which platforms you want to support and research the costs of app development.
It’s not necessary to have a complete requirements document, but you should have some information for the vendor to use in estimating your project. When you work with a vendor, their team can help you further clarify your product requirements and do additional research.
Make up a brief and plan a development budget
To help your future developers understand your project and choose the appropriate technology and tools, create an app development brief that outlines your high-level objectives, core features, and references. This brief will serve as a roadmap for your team and help them estimate the cost of your mobile application. Be sure to include a flexible but well-defined budget to avoid overspending.
Choose the hiring option
Your choice of collaboration model will depend on your financial resources. After you have an estimate for your project, decide whether to hire in-house, use freelancers, or outsource based on your budget. Regardless of the model you choose, be sure to verify the contractor’s experience.
Do thorough research
When searching for an app developer, it’s important to review their prior experience, certifications, and client testimonials. Outsourcing hiring makes this easier, as you can read through source reviews, review portfolios on official websites, and connect with previous clients.
Get a project quote
If you are not hiring in-house, you will need to have your project estimated. It’s important to note that project estimation is least accurate at the pre-planning stage because app developers do not have a complete list of requirements.
Once you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), your team can thoroughly analyze your project and provide a timeline and accurate estimate for each milestone. Freelancers may not have an NDA in place, so you may need to request one or trust that they will keep your project details secure.
How to Hire App Developers
If you want to discreetly verify the background of a potential hire and maintain a low profile, there are a few criteria to consider and places to source information:
Go to their website
One of the first steps in researching a potential vendor is to visit their official website. You can use a search engine to find the company’s website and look for the following information:
Their portfolio and case studies, which should ideally include similar projects
The size and structure of their team, as established providers typically have a diverse team to handle the full development process
Their tech stack and development approach, which should align with your project needs and business approach
The company’s culture, which should be compatible with your company’s values and needs.
Do additional research
Third-party review sites, listings, and social media can provide valuable real-world information about any brand and company. Look for client testimonials, monitor the company’s reputation, and see how they interact with their followers on social media.
Reliable vendors are transparent about their company news and regularly update their social media profiles. A trustworthy company should also be easily searchable online.
Challenges When Hiring Mobile App Developers
Attracting new talent is crucial for the success of any company, but there are several factors to consider, such as the cost and time it takes to develop a high-quality app. Here are some challenges that can hinder a quick and effective recruitment process:
Budget
The cost of acquiring a new hire can be as much as 40% of their base salary. According to Glassdoor, the median pay for an app developer is around $106,798 per year. This means that you may have to spend around $26,000 on hiring expenses, which could include sourcing and recruitment advertising costs, onboarding, referral bonus program costs, legally required benefits, and insurance.
In recent years, the average developer salary has reached an all-time high, which can make it difficult for smaller companies to compete due to budget constraints. However, it’s important to prioritize quality over cost and not sacrifice it for the sake of saving money.
If budget constraints are still a concern, consider the benefits of outsourcing, which allows you to access vetted developers at affordable rates and can cover hiring costs. This can increase your chances of hiring a top programmer within your budget.
Time zone differences
Asynchronous communication, or a lack of real-time communication, can be a challenge when hiring remotely. This can be especially difficult for employers who are concerned about limited availability, potential delays, and patchy communication from remote hires.
To minimize these issues, it’s important to be transparent with potential hires about your concerns with remote collaboration. This can include discussing overlapping working times, mandatory syncs, and a single team management channel. It’s also advisable to ensure that your candidate is based in an area with at least four overlapping work hours in order to maintain a smooth project flow.
Limited resources
In 2022, the global talent shortage has reached an unprecedented level. According to a ManpowerGroup report, three out of every four companies report labor shortages and difficulties with hiring.
At the same time, IT and data roles are in high demand. This can make it challenging to find the right team in your local job market.
If this is the case for you, consider expanding your recruitment efforts to other locations or outsourcing the hiring process to a third-party company. This can allow you to hire an app programmer in a less competitive market.
Security issues
Involving an external party in your project can potentially expose your security vulnerabilities. While you will likely need to share sensitive information and data with your tech partner, you can take steps to ensure that your data is properly managed.
One way to do this is by signing an NDA at the start of your collaboration to document your privacy and intellectual property policies. In addition, your vendor should regularly conduct security and network audits in the workplace and use tools to prevent data leaks.
Cultural differences
Differences in mindset can also impact the success of your tech collaboration. Cultural differences can influence business practices, software development methodologies, and communication flow, in addition to differences in beliefs, holidays, and languages.
It’s also possible that you and your hires have mutually exclusive project goals, with your hires prioritizing scheduling and cost efficiency while you focus on innovation and end value. To mitigate these issues, it’s important to hire a vendor that is culturally adaptable and has cultural intelligence to adapt to your business mindset and philosophy.
Start Mobile App Development with Orangesoft
Finding the right team is an important step in the process of mobile app development. Commercial experience, domain knowledge, and technical expertise are all important indicators of developers who will be able to successfully bring your business idea to life in the digital space. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging for companies to identify the best candidates.
At Orangesoft, we can help you find the mobile developers that are the best fit for your project. With over 11 years of experience, we have the skills and expertise to create feature-rich, dynamic, and innovative mobile experiences. Contact us to get started on your project and take advantage of our top talent.