Introduction
These days, more and more businesses across the globe are interested in mobile app development. It shouldn’t come as a surprise – the industry of Android and iOS-based apps has been steadily growing for the past ten years. Considering that the trend isn’t showing any signs of stopping, developing a mobile app seems like a promising investment for all kinds of brands.
Mobile App Market in 2023
A 2023 report from Allied Market Research states that the global market for mobile applications is expected to reach $777.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2023 to 2032. The App Store is also expected to dominate the scene.
These numbers shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s been keeping an eye on the industry in the past several years. According to Business of Apps, the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented mobile growth between 2020 and 2022. First-time app installations grew to 143.6 billion and user spending reached $133 billion in 2021 alone.
However, that inflated growth has slowed down drastically by 2023. As a result, companies are now focusing on user acquisition and, most importantly, user retention. The old Harvard Business statistics still reign true: increasing retention by 5% can boost profitability by as much as 25%.
All this points to the increased importance of quality application design and performance. Consequently, this means increased importance of hiring highly skilled development teams.
Before You Hire Mobile App Developers, Consider This
There are a lot of reasons as to why some applications fail. Sometimes, the app itself is poorly put together; sometimes, the company is out of luck, and a good product simply doesn’t catch on with the target audience. Sometimes you just hire the wrong devs.
Luckily, there are some precautions you can take to maximise your chances of success. Or rather, consider the following.
Development Budget
You need to clearly understand how much you will be able to invest into your app’s development. It’s likely that whatever app idea you have in mind will turn out to be more costly than you expect, so be prepared to trim some of the bells and whistles.
It’s good to plan your spendings on an aspect-by-aspect basis. For example, think whether your app will be:
- small, medium, or large (enterprise-grade) in size;
- basic, average, or complex in terms of functionality;
- native or cross-platform;
- reliant on third-party integrations and to which extent;
- etc.
A lot of these decisions have a drastic effect on the overall price. Try to maintain a degree of flexibility in terms of budget: you never know what setbacks or hidden costs you might run into.
Read our article about the price of Android mobile apps in 2023 to learn how much each aspect of application development will cost.
Core Functionality
Releasing your dream app from the get-go is very unrealistic. That’s why most apps do not launch with their entire set of planned features intact. Sometimes the deadline is just too strict, sometimes the budget isn’t enough. In any case, you need to prioritise the functionality as early as possible. Define your application’s most essential features.
Consider developing an MVP (minimum viable product) or a prototype first – both are cheaper and low-risk ways of getting your core app idea off the ground.
Another good move would be to set measurable goals to track your app’s success at launch (number of downloads, interactions, payments, etc.). This will also prepare you for what sorts of professionals your project will need: for example, if the app’s main appeal lies in the ease of use, you will most definitely require a strong UI designer.
If figuring all of this out sounds overwhelming, you might want to hire a business analyst. What’s more, you may need the services of a Product Owner, in case you’re not very familiar with the app’s target industry.
Technology Stack
Different developers specialise in different technologies (languages, frameworks, operating systems). So if possible, try to decide which tech you’d like to use before scouting for potential partners.
If you do not have the technical expertise to choose a stack on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a professional development team for a consultation. Companies like Bamboo Agile have vast experience with a large number of technologies and can suggest the optimal set for your project.
Prior Experience in Mobile
Depending on the complexity of your project, you may require very experienced developers to pull it off. It’s best to avoid beginner developers altogether if the app you’re making isn’t completely rudimentary.
Of course, even fresh graduates can have incredible programming skills – but nothing beats actual industry experience when it comes to communication, process organisation, and problem solving. So try to get professionals with at least a few years of field expertise.
A simple way to measure a developer’s experience is looking through their portfolio and client testimonials. You can even try and contact their former partners to get an honest review of their services.
Code Ownership
Who owns the code written by the programmer? This is something you have to define before entering any kind of collaboration, especially one with freelance or outsourced developers. It’s crucial for preventing disputes later down the line.
Certain companies will ask for partial code ownership. But this has a high likelihood of making you dependent on that particular developer, which is less than optimal long-term. Make it clear that you want full ownership of the code before signing a contract.
Company Culture
This mostly regards freelancers, remote employees, and in-house developers. Despite having all the technical know-how you could wish for, some may simply be unable to integrate into your company workflows.
If one employee’s way of organising work or communicating with others hinders the project, it’s worth looking into a different candidate. Try to find out how your potential hires go about these things prior to onboarding, if possible.
Common Oversights
We approached Natalia Minayeva, the Strategic Partnerships Executive at Bamboo Agile, with the following question: “What are some common things clients tend to forget about when starting development, some things they don’t pay enough attention to?”
The response was a short list:
- Cultural differences between the developer and the client (namely, different work cultures in different countries);
- A choice of technologies that allows for easy support;
- A focus on specific technologies based on the future project roadmap (will it need scalability, will some specific native-only functionality be necessary);
- Effective onboarding.
“If it’s the client’s first experience in hiring remote developers, they need to think through an effective onboarding process, as well as how the remote work will be organised,” says Natalia. “Short business trips are often a good practice for new specialists, which will help them better understand the client’s business.”
Want to know some other common missteps to avoid? Give our article about hiring Android developers a read.
Types of Mobile App Developers for Hire
There are different types of mobile developers you can hire, all of which imply different workstyles and price ranges. Which will work best for your project? Let’s look at the options.
Freelancers
Freelance developers are extremely accessible and are usually the most effective option for small, undemanding projects (creating a basic website, for example). If you feel like your project can do without a custom UI, outstanding performance, and industry-standard security measures, then this is a safe bet. Relatively speaking.
The thing is, checking a freelancer’s level of competence can be very difficult. The least you can do to prevent flushing your money down the drain is taking the time to check the freelancer’s customer reviews.
Sometimes a software developer is extremely skilled on paper but has a lacklustre work ethic in practice. So, if you have a substantial amount of cash on stake, either consult an IT specialist you personally know, or look for mobile app developers elsewhere.
Freelancer Pros
- Low cost;
- Flexibility;
- Accessibility;
- Massive worldwide talent pool;
- No office & equipment costs on your end.
Freelancer Cons
- Difficult onboarding;
- Limited control;
- Possible communication issues;
- Does not suit large projects;
- No loyalty or long-term commitment;
- No quality guarantees.
In-house Developers
This is the complete opposite of freelancers. You hire developers as full-on employees and provide all the necessary equipment, technologies, and office space. This offers the greatest degree of engagement and direct control among all the options.
The obvious downside is, of course, the cost. Another big one is a lot of extra responsibilities and risks. The burden of finding the right talent and organising all aspects of the development process is completely on you.
It’s extremely hard to pull off without prior industry experience. Because of that, this option is not recommended for businesses that are just dipping their toes into mobile application development.
In-House Development Pros
- Full direct control;
- No communication lag;
- Higher degree of engagement;
- Loyalty and long-term commitment;
- A better understanding of your business workflow and processes;
- Integration into company culture.
In-House Development Cons
- Costs of equipment, hardware, software, and office space;
- Costs of extra benefits (insurance, memberships, etc.);
- Full-time salary;
- Long and complicated hiring process;
- Difficult to manage without industry experience;
- Talent pool limited to one location.
Staff Augmentation
While the concept of staff augmentation may sound somewhat similar to freelancers, they come with their fair share of differences. The workforce is supplied by specialised companies, who connect you with reliable specialists based on your project’s technical requirements.
Instead of working as a semi-independent party, remote employees temporarily become part of the team. This greatly boosts communication and allows you to monitor the employee’s progress a lot more efficiently. If you’re working on a medium-sized project, this is a solid choice.
Keep in mind that in most cases you’ll have to be the one to provide all the necessary tools for the remote employee. If you don’t want to spend extra money on workspace maintenance and various developer toolkits, the next segment may be a smarter choice.
Staff Augmentation Pros
- Direct control;
- Effective communication;
- High level of expertise;
- Simplified hiring process;
- Quick replacement if necessary;
- Large available talent pool.
Staff Augmentation Cons
- Costs of equipment, hardware, software, and office space;
- No internal company knowledge;
- Onboarding costs;
- Lower level of integration into company culture;
- High long-term cost.
Outsourced Developers
Outsourced mobile app development stands as the most popular and cost-effective option for complex and long-term software projects. Outsourcing companies rely on their level of expertise and service to compete, so they strive to provide the most experienced and skilled development teams on the market.
This doesn’t just include software engineers: project managers, QA experts, business analysts, UX/UI designers, and so on are all available for hire. In addition, every specialist is at least middle-level, and the majority of programmers are senior-level.
The big benefit of outsourced mobile app development is that the burden of managing it falls on the shoulders of the outsourcing company, not the customer. Though, you’re still required to engage through calls, messages, and meetings to keep updated on the progress.
Before hiring an outsourced team, check their corporate resume, look at their qualifications, read some of the company’s case studies, and study their customer reviews. Personally acquainting yourself with team members can also help you decide whether you want to work with a particular vendor or not.
Outsourcing Pros
- Solid industry expertise;
- High efficiency;
- Low cost;
- More time for core activities;
- Access to expert talent worldwide;
- Less stress in terms of team management.
Outsourcing Cons
- Less direct control;
- Can be inflexible;
- Possible communication lag or miscommunication;
- No internal company knowledge;
- Quality control can be difficult.
Developer Types Comparison
| Freelancer | In-house team | Augmented staff | Outsourced team | |
| Cost | Low | High | Medium to high | Low to medium |
| Level of process control | Low | High | High | Medium |
| Communication | May be lacking, depends on timezones | Direct | Direct | Depends on timezones |
| Quality control | Can be difficult | Direct | Direct | Can be difficult |
| Hiring speed | Can be slow | Very slow | Fast | Fast |
| Talent pool | Global | Local | Global or local | Global |
| Flexibility | High | Low | Medium | Can be low or high depending on the company |
| Developer’s engagement | Low | Very high | Medium | High |
Where to Find Developers
You should check out the following platforms depending on which type of developer you’re looking to hire.
Where to Hire Freelancers
You can scout out freelance developers on resources like:
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Behance
- Fiverr
- Toptal
- Youteam
Additionally, you can search your local hiring platforms or turn to social networks like LinkedIn. Another great method for scouting coding talent is by visiting hackathons, such as DEF CON, HackYeah, ShellHacks, and others.
Where to Hire In-House Developers
In-house developers are typically found on:
- Glassdoor
- SimplyHired
- Indeed
- Dice
Similar to freelancers, in-house developers can be scouted at hacking competitions and developer conferences. It’s also advisable to check out your local hiring platforms, since location is a deciding factor in this case.
Where to Hire Augmented Teams
Remote developers can be hired on:
- Remote
- Hired
- Gun.io
You can also contact development companies directly through LinkedIn or their website and ask if they provide team augmentation services.
Where to Hire Outsourced Teams
There is no shortage of resources for finding outsourced development teams:
- GoodFirms
- Clutch
- IT Firms
- 99 Firms
- DesignRush
- TopDevelopers
- Slingshot
Outsourcing companies are also often discovered at popular tech events, such as MWC, CES, Viva Technology, GITEX, etc. You can always search up local tech events on Google or LinkedIn and Facebook (just type “tech event [your location]”).
How to Hire Developers in 5 Steps
Step 1. Plan Your Budget
Start with confirming your budget. For this, you’ll need to solidify your requirements and platforms. Think whether you’d like to hire in-house, freelancers, or outsourced developers – this will majorly play into your budget.
No matter how little money you have, never compromise on your core concept and app quality. And remember that you don’t need exorbitant funds to launch something like an MVP. Try to remain flexible within a reasonable range.
You can even hire a development team just to carry out the discovery phase where you plan out the project and its budget in detail.
Learn more about the discovery phase in this article.
Step 2. Start the Search
Once you’ve settled on the budget and the type of developer you want to hire, it’s time to go searching. We’ve already listed the main spaces you should check out depending on who you are looking for.
But as a rule, any candidate or development company will have a LinkedIn page, where you’ll be able to find out more about their expertise. Various events such as hackathons and high-tech trade expos are also good places to discover expert talent.
Step 3. Review the Candidates
The initial screening process for freelancers, in-house, and outsource developers is pretty much the same. You check their portfolio, experience, client reviews, and so on. When working with individuals, you may prepare a test task or a set of interview questions to test their industry knowledge.
Ideally your future partner should have experience in the domain you’re targeting (Healthcare, Agriculture, Automotive, Food Delivery, etc.). At the very least they need several years of experience in mobile application development on your platform of choice.
Step 4. Get in Touch
Once you’ve sorted out the most trustworthy candidates, get in contact with them. This will help you assess their soft skills. Communication is crucial, especially in outsourced development – you need to establish how well you’ll be able to get with them.
Acquaint them with your application requirements. It’s best to create a requirements document before getting in contact with a potential partner. However, if you’re not sure how to go about it, outsourced development teams are usually more than ready to help you compile one.
This document will give you a better understanding of the types of specialists you need on the crew and narrow down your budget. Don’t forget to ask the potential partner about the payment models they have available (fixed price, T&M). Depending on the type of project, one may work better than the other.
Step 5. Sign the Contract
Does the developer seem just right? Don’t rush to signing a contract yet – you need to make sure your hire is willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It’s a crucial step to protect your app idea, as well as the code and assets that will be created during its development.
Once that is settled and all the necessary agreements are signed, you can begin custom mobile app development!
How Much Outsourced Mobile App Development Will Cost
Most mobile apps fall into the price range of $5,000-50,000. But the pricing can easily go into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
We’ve already looked at the basic budgeting factors inherent to the app itself: number of features, platform, integrations, etc. But when you’re doing outsourced development, you need to consider a couple more things.
The number and types of required specialists on the team is one critical factor. The location of these specialists is another one. Due to different taxing policies and costs of living, developers of similar skill levels have vastly different wages across the world.
So while a senior developer in North America will cost $143-172/hour, the same senior developer will take $68-76/hour in Eastern Europe (according to the 2023 Global Software Outsourcing Trends and Rates Guide).
Use our cost calculator to get an approximate estimate for your project!
Conclusion
The importance of quality app development cannot be overstated in the modern mobile market. Budgeting, prioritising core functionality, technology stack, developer experience, and code ownership are all essential factors to consider, as is the developer type you want to work with.
It’s a lot, but this strategic approach to hiring will help your business tap into the thriving app market with a high quality end product. At worst, it will minimise your losses.Bamboo Agile is an acclaimed software development team from Estonia with over 20 years of experience behind its back. If you don’t feel like scouring multiple platforms in search of some worthwhile candidates, consider signing up for a free consultation with experts.
Sign up for a free consultation with our industry experts:
