The mobile app landscape is expanding quickly, and all businesses want in on it. Whether you operate a small business or are running a larger operation, a mobile app can help you connect to more people and enhance services. However, developing an app is complicated work, especially if you are not engaging the right app developer. Hiring a qualified app developer in the UK can be the difference between a successful app and a failed app. This guide will help you understand how to find a qualified developer, what skills they should possess, how much it costs, and what the hiring process looks like.
Know Your App Requirements
Before finding a developer, it is important to understand what kind of app you want to develop. Think about the function of your app, your app’s actors, and the features of your app. For instance, if you want to develop an eCommerce app, you will need features to support product listings, payment gateways, and customer accounts. Whereas if you develop a fitness app, you will need features for tracking tools, workout plans, and notifications.
When you have a clear understanding of what your goals are, it will allow you to find a developer with experience in similar projects. Having clarity about your goals also allows you to convey your vision better, allowing for overall labour time savings and avoiding miscommunication in the future.
Key Skills to Consider When Hiring an App Developer
When selecting an app developer in the UK, you’ll want to consider a variety of skills that will support your project goals. A good app developer should have a skilful technical and creative acumen. They should be familiar with programming languages such as Swift or Kotlin for native apps or with tools such as React Native or Flutter for cross-platform apps.
In addition to writing program code, a good developer should have some knowledge about making user-friendly interface designs and implementing a good user experience with the app performance on their intended mobile device. Communication skills are also important. Ultimately, they should be able to translate technical language into layman’s terms to present ideas, drafts and progress.
Hiring App Developers in the UK: What to Expect?
When hiring an app developer in the UK, various factors can impact the cost, including their experience, the size of the project and location. Typically, you’d expect to pay freelance app developers between £30 and £80 per hour. If hiring developers in large cities like London, these costs can be even higher thanks to the cost of living and demand.
When hiring an agency, you can expect to pay somewhere between £10,000 and over £100,000 for a full project. This amount can cover the design, development, testing, and support. However, agencies often come with a fully qualified team, so it can be more comprehensive than what a freelancer will offer.
If you’re looking for something smaller, consider hiring a developer from a smaller city or a remote developer/team. They’ll provide the same quality and work, but at lower rates. The key point is deciding what is right for you. The cheapest option isn’t always better – while it may be cheaper, it can cause longer-term problems if the app isn’t built or functioning properly.
Hiring an App Developer Step by Step
Finding the appropriate app developer entails a few key steps. The first step entails research and identifying a shortlist of candidates for projects. Depending on your needs, you can find app developers at freelance job sites, on LinkedIn, or via referral channels like professional talent agencies. Remember to check their portfolio for examples of prior work, and also enquire about what previous clients say about their work (recommendations) and their technical skills.
After coming up with a shortlist of candidates, interview them regarding details about your project. For example, ask them about prior relevant experience, how they typically solve problems, and any tools they typically use (e.g., task management tools). You can also ask them for examples of any app developed or to show you a demo of your app in the past.
Once you identify your shortlist, you can test their skills/tools on a smaller project, or designing a small project or request is a good way of demonstrating how the app developer writes code and meets timelines and deadlines. Then discuss the project costs, timelines, and payment terms prior to signing a contract. You will want to have the terms of agreement/scope clearly communicated and documented.
Once you have hired the app developer, you will want to maintain frequent conversations and communication. During your project, check on progress, give feedback and test your app at all phases. The success of your app project and development work largely hinges upon the duties you and the app developer complete together.
When you want to hire app developers in the UK, there are three main choices you can make: in-house, freelance, or agency developers. Each option has different benefits and drawbacks.
In-house developers work exclusively for your organisation. They are a good option when you are seeking to develop long-term projects. You may manage them directly and change scope within the same time frame. However, this can be the most costly option to hire, since you must pay salary, benefits, and other costs associated with the employee.
Freelance developers are a good option for short-term or small projects. They provide some flexibility, and they usually are less costly than an agency. However, managing freelancers can be more challenging than managing in-house developers, and the freelance developer may take time to learn the quality of their work.
Agencies have the ability to offer a complete development office, including designers, developers, and testing. Agencies take care of everything from concept to finished product, and the agency is likely to produce a high-quality app. The disadvantage of this approach is cost, but using an agency will ultimately save you time and risk.
Prevalent Mistakes to Avoid
Many common errors when hiring app developers. One error when hiring a developer is hiring one because they are cheaper than everyone else. Another common error is not reviewing their previous work or not outlining a clear contract. Miscommunication may also lead to misunderstandings and delays.
To avoid these common mistakes, always do your homework, test before hiring, and keep the lines of communication open. Pick someone who understands your objectives and can transform your ideas into an application that works and is user-friendly.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, hiring an app developer in the UK is all about balancing the right skill, experience, and cost. Check your options, ask questions, and hire someone who has the same vision as you do. When you engage the right app developer, you will end up with an app that not only looks great but also works smoothly and reflects your business objectives.
Tigerworld is one of the leading app development agencies in the UK and is known for providing unique and dependable digital solutions. At Tigerworld, we help businesses create unique and impactful digital products, from mobile applications to full web platforms. With an experienced team of app developers, transparent pricing, and a focus on quality, we ensure each project has measurable results and long-lasting value.
