In 2020, the global revenue of mobile applications reached $318 billion, according to Statista. This number grew by $60 billion in just one year. Among the most profitable endeavors are mobile games and social media apps. If IT is not the core of your business, it is a valid option to hire an Android app programmer to develop such a project. In this guide, you’ll learn about the most crucial things to know to hire Android programmer without any risks.
Advantages of Android Development
First of all, let’s define why it is beneficial to choose Android for app development compared to other technologies. It is a market leader when it comes to smartphones and mobile devices. In 2019, it had an 87% share of the global market. iOS has only 13%. This is a huge difference that is expected to only grow accordingly. Almost every business nowadays is required to have a strong online presence. Android development offers a multitude of opportunities in this regard from marketing to sales and overall business growth. Professional Android app developers can build a variety of solutions, such as:
IoT applications;eCommerce apps;Web-based apps;Cloud apps;Games;Service apps (banking, insurance, healthcare, fitness, tutoring, etc).
The pros of Android development are:
Cost reduction – it is an open-source technology that works on relatively inexpensive devices;Little to no compatibility issues with the OS upgrades;Offers fast and easy development process and thus gives competitive advantage on the market;Higher ROI based on the audience size;Fast deployment and reduced time to market;Easy portability to other platforms like Symbian or Ubuntu;The versatility and scalability of the technology allow for building all types of applications with unique UI/UX and a lot of features.
Whether you are working on a computer vision labeling application or delivery software, Android is the best choice. It offers flexibility in terms of customization and advanced functionality. Also, as it is a popular technology, there is a significant talent pool to choose from. A business can hire a freelancer, or development agency, or opt for an in-house team. And it is possible to outsource everything regarding the project, from tech stack to video annotation.
10 Factors to Consider When Hiring Android Developers
- Project Scope Before you start looking for developers, it is essential to figure out the project scope. It defines the competencies you are going to need and how many professionals are required. Decide on the budget, technology, audience, functionality, and workflow. Maybe you’ll need video frames labeling or computer vision annotation services. This will require a bigger team.
- Type of Employment Based on the budget, project scope, and business goals, decide whether you need a freelancer, outsourcing, or in-house employees. Each of the options has its pros and cons and the choice will be different for every business.
- Type of the App Android programmers can create any app you need. But it is better to find specialists that have experience in a specific type of mobile application you are planning to create, whether it is a grocery delivery, fitness solution, or social media app.
- Hard Skills Pay attention to the hard skills an excellent Android developer should possess:
Excellent knowledge of Android SDK and Kotlin, Java, Firebase, and XML.Expertise in SQL and databases;Android design, UI/UX fundamentals;SDLC;APIs;Version control and relevant tools (Git);Testing tools and experience.
- Soft Skills Whether you are looking to outsource data labeling or app development, it is not only about hard skills. Soft ones are essential for successful collaboration. The required soft skills for Android programmers are:
Communication;Teamwork;Attention to detail;Problem-solving;Creative thinking.
- Portfolio When looking through candidates, pay attention to previous projects and portfolios. An experienced professional will have successful apps published on Google Play. You can download and try the application to figure out how you like the product.
- UI Limitations One of the main challenges in Android development is the absence of a consistent user interface. As the OS is used in a multitude of various devices, the app can perform differently on them. Look for a programmer that can use responsive templates and test application performance on different platforms/devices.
- Security Data protection is a crucial concern when it comes to mobile and web products. Android is an open-source technology, so it needs advanced security measures. An excellent professional should know security best practices in terms of app architecture and encryption.
- Copyright issues With a huge number of applications out there, there are valid copyright concerns. To avoid that, business needs to hire experienced developers that can create a unique and authentic product without any guidelines violation.
- Workload There are front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers. The first ones work on the client side, the second ones work on the server side of the software. Full-stack developers are knowledgeable and skilled on both sides. Based on the scope of the project, decide what type of programmer you need. If it is a complex solution, it is reasonable to have several professionals on the team.
Conclusion
Android development offers businesses major opportunities in terms of digital presence, sales, and growth. Hiring a suitable and knowledgeable developer is the basis for the successful development and release of the product. Take these ten factors into consideration to make recruitment smooth and efficient.
