How to Hire an App Developer: The Only Guide You’ll Need for 2024

Are you an entrepreneur, startup founder, project manager, or investor looking to hire mobile app developers?

Are you looking to develop a simple app or a complex app?

Are you starting a new company with app development or looking to the extent of the current business?

Be specific about this as it will impact the cost to hire mobile app developers coupled with the projected time and budget for production you expect.

It is critical for the businesses to have clarity, and it would also help you analyze the timeframe that your project will take to be built and the budget that it will require in terms of the type of product development.

This guide will help you answer a number of questions:

One of the statistics shows that the global mobile workforce is expected to reach 1.87 billion people by 2022.

That’s a whopping 42% of the total workforce in an organized sector.

Indeed, mobile apps are now becoming a part of life that helps pay bills, watch films, order food, book shows, read books, remain focused and coordinated, and much more.

This is why many businesses from other industries are looking to break in. They begin with the idea of app development but often fall flat as they don’t know how to hire an app developer.

Apps are typically designed to help end-users quickly perform tasks for them and allow them to display their app presence to consumers. Creating a successful app is not easy, especially when you need the right team and do not know where to find app developers.

Intelivita provides high-quality mobile app development services to enable enhanced user experience and unique functionality for your startup.

So, if you’re looking to stay ahead in the market with a high-end mobile app development solution, get in touch with our experts.

What Are the Challenges When You Hire Mobile App Developers?

It is crucial to identify how you hire mobile app developers as there are many challenges to it.

While hiring a mobile app developer is straightforward, you need to be prepared to overcome the following three challenges.

Challenge #1. Budget

Budget is the primary concern of many businesses looking to develop mobile apps.

It is something that prevents owners from hiring the best mobile application developers.

The cost of hiring a mobile application developer is entirely up to you.

If your application has a large number of unique novel features, you will need the services of an experienced developer.

Experienced mobile application developers are costly.

So, if your app needs some minor overhaul or quick changes, you can opt for freelancers.

This way, you can move things quickly with a less experienced developer at a lower cost.

You may, however, first determine your budget and understand how to hire an app developer.

Mobile app developers located in developing countries may charge less, but you must be prepared for quality compromises.

Challenge #2. Time Zone Gaps

Another challenge IT firms face when hiring a mobile app developer is the time zone difference.

This means your remote teams are not always accessible, and ultimately, it delays the project milestone.

IT firms rely on communication tools like Slack, Teams, etc., and project management tools like Jira, Trello, etc.

But, this only means updating the remote team members and waiting for them to check those messages or tasks.

Challenge #3. Lack of In-person Communication

When you hire app developers working in another country, you feel a communication gap.

This is true when you cannot see the work in progress or want to share quick feedback when developers are working live on your project.

When you hire remote workers, your ability to communicate is hindered due to language which can be managed if they work in person.

Challenge #4. Cultural Differences

Businesses in the United States and Europe often outsource their mobile app development requirements to Eastern Europe, Israel, India, China, and other South-Asian countries.

This gives rise to cultural and geographical differences due to the physical distance between your organization and the developers working remotely.

The way a company operates and provides its services to customers might vary depending on the culture and holidays they follow due to different religious preferences.

Hire an App Developer: 3 Options to Choose From

Option #1. In-house App Developers

Be prepared to incur massive expenses when opting for in-house developers and pay a lot of money if you employ in-house developers.

Since you need a service for a short period, it is unnecessary to utilize them full-time.

You’ll need to cover the price of hiring new employees, training them, paying their vacation time, and offering other perks.

Option #2: Hiring A Freelancer

If your app development project is not too complicated, it is good to hire app developers on a freelance basis.

Try searching for a competent freelancer who can craft a quality app in a short time while also fitting into your budget.

Remember, the hourly prices vary and therefore, the cost of mobile app development needs to be fixed before starting with the project.

However, you can’t rely on just one person to see things through to the end.

Everything else, such as design, coding, quality assurance, and team management, will be outsourced to freelancers.

While this is a cost-saving option, it often leads to a lack of synergy and thereby dwindling accountability and transparency, hampers your app development process.

Also, you need to expect some delays while working that result from a lack of coherence due to the skill gap between different talents.

Option #3. Outsourcing

Outsourcing your mobile app development is a great way to stay within the budget and leverage the expertise.

But, there are several obstacles, ranging from communication gaps to time zone differences.

However, when you work with a reputable mobile application development company like Intelivita, these variables will be controlled by our competent project managers.

Once you opt for outsourcing to hire mobile app developers, you are assured of the quality they provide coupled with timely delivery.

7 Steps to Hire Mobile App Developers

Begin with understanding the purpose of hiring and what sort of developers are required to create your app.

This includes identifying whether you need a dedicated resource or a freelance developer for creating a mobile app.

Examine what features you are looking for in your application for the best. If you want your app to be monetized, you will find the one who worked on these ventures accordingly.

Step 1. App Development Goals

Start with doing extensive research related to your app at the very beginning before you resolve how to contact app developers.

This includes the type of app and its revenue model – is it paid or free? A free app is fully free and, in the paid version, also provides unique features to those who pay for it.

You can go for a free app if you are new and want to build your roots with your audience, and you should prepare for monetization by providing in-app purchases after receiving good responses from the users.

You should be very specific about the product concept, design, and functionality when you want to build a mobile app.

And then, you will be prepared to describe the same to your app developer and other partners.

Draw simple templates and flowcharts for work processes, software functionality you may like, and final items you intend to accomplish with the mobile app, if possible.

Step 2. Knowing the Type of App and Platform for Development

You must be specific on the type of app you want to make, whether you will design the app yourself or hiring app developers.

Since the app development process can get very complicated as it progresses without this clarification.

Step 3. Setting up the App Development Budget

The core of any application business lies in navigating how much it costs to hire an app developer.

When you employ an app developer, you need to decide your budget, depending on your app development platform – iOS or Android.

You are strongly encouraged to provide an understanding of the production cost of the app.

Once you know how to hire an app developer, it makes sense to set up the app development budget based on their experience and expertise.

Spend estimation is necessary as it helps you determine how much you need to invest in app development and what more is required from your end for its growth.

You need to be sure about your app type, specifications, app design, type of features, and developers, among other criteria and choices, to decide on a budget.

It is also necessary for the budget to be a little flexible, but the chances are that the cost would be much higher if you are too flexible.

A balance needs to be maintained.

Step 4. Finding the App Development Resources

Whether you employ an individual developer or a full-service organization, you must make sure they are competent and trustworthy.

When you want to know how to hire a mobile app developer, ensure following the below-mentioned tips:

• Do your research

Before handing over your project to another, you must know the ins and outs of the industry.

If you’re new to the world of mobile app development, consult a few experts to understand how much it costs to hire an app developer.

Start with learning everything that goes into creating a successful mobile app – programming languages, how much it costs to create an app on average, best countries to find mobile app developers, etc.

These things will help you select the right technology partner to address your project needs skillfully and within your budget reach.

• Check app developers experience

Learn about your knowledge of designing apps.

In specific, ask if you’ve created an app like yours previously?

Knowing where they come from provides you with a sense of how much you can expect from them.

• Check portfolio

App developers, like physicians, should be screened to ensure they are qualified for the job at hand.

Is it a web-based app or a mobile app? Why do you need a certain programming language? Does your mobile app need an exquisite user interface or one that is simple?

Hire app developers only after answering these questions.

Don’t simply employ a skilled app developer, but one that has experience with the specific technology you need for your project.

• Examining expertise in communication

While communication is not the first thing you should look at, it is not essential to neglect this aspect.

If your technology partner doesn’t understand your requirements, they won’t produce anything similar to your needs.

And that’s why it is essential to understand how well it is possible to express and comprehend your mobile app development vision.

• Set straightforward standards

When you know how to contact app developers, ensure you reach out to them and set your specific expectations in the initial meeting.

This will allow you to keep disputes at bay and speed up the development process.

• Know their technologies

Does your application require an elaborate user interface or one that is simple?

Candidates will be narrowed down by answering these questions.

• Conducting through the interview

Whoever you’re recruiting, interview them rigorously.

If required, you can seek assistance from a professional on finding an app developer and setting up an interview once you get in touch.

Aside from that, here are a few things you can consider before interacting with anyone.

In your initial meetings, get clarification on these critical areas.

This way, you’ll know whether or not hiring an iOS or Android developer suits your project.

• References and prior evaluations
• Industry-specific exposure
• Niche expertise in any of the development departments
• Programming tools
• Growth Method
• Supervision of Programs
• Communication

Step 5. Choose one Between a Dedicated Resource and a Freelance Developer

Getting the precise answer on how to hire an app developer is tricky as all the different developers have sets of their pros and cons.

Therefore, you must have an in-depth business understanding when out for hiring mobile app developers.

Different factors can be used to decide, such as the level of competence, dedication, affordability, and data security.

The level of expertise is the main thing to consider if you want to know how to hire a mobile app developer as they can come as a full-time dedicated resource and freelancer.

The former will offer a more competent approach to growth that will help you under all circumstances.

If you hire freelance developers, you will have a package of skills because these developers have worked with multiple clients and covered various aspects of their job experience.

However, to be noted, in terms of their availability, freelance developers are minimal.

They are not so accessible for last-minute changes or quick bug fixes.

They should be hired for brief and time-sensitive duties. Otherwise, you should go for hiring dedicated mobile app developers.

Step 6. Consider Time to Build

Your app development time to market can play a crucial role in deciding the mobile app’s success.

No business wants to be deprived of leveraging the first-mover advantage.

There is no doubt that the app market worldwide is 3.5 billion users, but once you know how to hire an app developer, try to quickly build the app that launches following the app market compliances.

Therefore, several startups look for an agile and robust team when hiring mobile app developers.

They are all bound to follow a brief 3-step app development model, as mentioned in the below image.

Once you agree on the cost of hiring app developers and onboarding a decent team, you are bound to get the final product delivery within two to three months.

Stage 1: Design and Mockup
Time Duration: 2-3 weeks

Stage 2: App Development and Testing
Time Duration: 5-7 Weeks

Stage 3: Submission >> Preparation and Submit to App Store
Time Duration: 1 to 2 Weeks

Things to Consider When Hiring App Developers

Social: 1 -2 weeks for social media Integration

Design: Getting the out-of-box UI to gear up the app design process and tailoring the mobile application’s look and feel.

Platform: Mobile app development for iOS will take more time than Android as there is more App Store compliance to be considered.

Creating a standard, standalone app with no internet or backend support will take anywhere around 2-3 months for the android app, while the one with a server backend may take 3-4 months.

A highly customized and graphics-intensive mobile app for iOS and Android apps will take anywhere around 6 to 12 months.

Step 7. Contact Developer or a Company

You should know how to hire a mobile app developer while answering the core question of how to contact app developers.

Because you need to contact them directly post app developers review and gauging the competitors.

By talking to them yourself, it will help you give proper judgment.

You could inquire regarding their technology, user interface, and design skills, taking into account what you need.

When hiring a mobile app developer, try to go beyond the google reach of “hire mobile developers for near me” for the best results.

You have to ensure that you know how to hire an app developer based on interviews and summaries, recruit them, and run a development sprint.

You can ensure that you find the exact skills in a developer that you’re looking for. You should review their previous experience, projects, and referral to the customer before you look to employ a developer to build your app.

After the interview process, you can discuss the terms from your end and theirs.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer?

If you wonder how much it costs to build an app for your business, it is important to know where your app developers are.

Of the many elements that affect the cost of app development, one in the country where your developers are located, how much expertise they possess, and the kind of skills they bring to the table.

This is why the cost to hire an app developer can range from $40 per hour to $150+.

Note that a high price does not necessarily signify a high-quality product as it often depends on the country’s economy where your developers are located.

Here are the wage variances of app developers to consider based on their geographical location:

On the other hand, the hourly charges of hiring an app developer will also be based on the following factors:

• The programming language goes into creating the application (Swift, Java, Kotlin, PHP, JavaScript, Golang).
• The level of difficulty involved in the project and the number of professionals required; (programmers, testers, business analysts, scrum master, project managers, etc.).
• Credentials and experience (senior, middle, or junior).

More information will help you make a more informed decision about the idea.

These key application cost considerations will assist you in developing an initial application design that fits your needs.

FAQs

Q.1 How do I find and hire reputed app developers?

For the greatest user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) for your Android or iOS mobile app developers, you need to look at their portfolio, timeline, adaptability, communication abilities, years of experience, and professionalism.

Q.2 How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?

The cost of developing a feature-rich software is between $20,000 to $300,000. When a firm hires a mobile app development company or an app developer, it is greatly dependent on their business needs and budget.

If you’re seeking for skilled help developing a performance-driven and sophisticated app, contact us.

Q.3 How to hire mobile app developers?

We’ve put up a list of suggestions to assist you choose the ideal mobile app developers:

• The first step is to figure out what kind of mobile app you want (native or cross-platform). It is necessary to engage iOS or Android developers to create native applications. Flutter developers, on the other hand, are best suited for cross-platform app development at this point.
• Take a look at each candidate’s work portfolio and case studies to discover more about their abilities.
• It’s a good idea to get feedback from former customers.
• Make sure that you are aware of any variances in time zones, language levels, cultural barriers, and communication technologies while doing business.

If you aren’t tech-savvy, bring in an impartial IT specialist to examine all prospects.

Conclusion

Just like creating an MVP, perfect mobile application is essential for your company’s success and so is the way you take care of your app and the customers who reach you via the app.

No matter how much does it cost to hire an app developer, a lot will depend on how your audience receives it.

As mentioned earlier, hiring mobile app developers and creating a dynamic app requires a rigorous process to follow coupled with expertise.

Ideally, look for a team of software developers that include innovative UI/UX designers, including manual testers, a modern technology stack, and a team who can later test the app’s code and solve any bugs.

Also, a mobile app development company sells out the full package instead of providing you with a single developer.

Here, everyone in the team will do the job they are employed for, and the whole process is done smoothly.

This will help save costs and also involve more accountability amongst the mobile app developers.

Intelivita provides a robust team of mobile app developers that can take your project to the next level.

Onboarding us would mean hiring mobile app developers who believe in your mobile app’s potential to enable your idea with technical committees’ right amount.

Here’s us – a bunch of skilled individuals who gel with your team and blend in the expertise to make a mobile app a successful business project.