Hiring mobile app developers to create your mobile application enhances customer engagement and expands your services to your clients. From a user’s perspective, mobile applications are quick problem-solvers for any concerns or tasks they might need from the owner of the mobile application.

Meanwhile, from a business perspective, mobile apps provide more benefits than costs. Because of this advantage, companies create their own applications suited for operating systems like iOS or Android. 

It’s come to a point where outsourcing mobile application developers became the solution to satisfy this demand.

To create something so convenient and accessible you would need the right tools and the right person to make it. This article has all the information you need to know about what skills are required for mobile app development. Included are the benefits and challenges you might face during your search for mobile developers.

Why Do You Need Mobile Applications?

Mobile app developers create the coveted applications that many companies use. But why should you do the same for your business? The reason is simple: it’s a necessity now. 

App usage has been dominating Australia and New Zealand with each niche receiving staggering numbers in downloads. 

To achieve sustainable growth a business must receive data from their users to pinpoint the next steps they should take to maintain their performance.

Mobile applications provide more information on how your clients use your services. It’s also more convenient for your clients to have direct services from the push of a button–making it more accessible for audiences who don’t have time to physically interact with you in stores.

Engagement, brand presence, customer satisfaction, feedback loops, and an overall increase in sales revenue can be obtained through the use of your mobile application. 

Web Developers VS Mobile App Developers

Mobile application developers should not be confused with website developers. While the two have similarities, website developers build and maintain a website while collaborating with a web designer for enhanced UI/UX comfort. 

Website development also includes mobile optimisation to ensure that the website maintains readability through different screen resolutions. Common code languages that website developers use are CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. 

Meanwhile, mobile app developers are also in charge of maintenance and building–but only for mobile applications. They also have a wide range of requirements and skills to build a functioning application.

Why You Need Mobile App Developers

Mobile application developers have a difficult job. They create the entire platform from complex programming languages to function as it’s intended. Not only that–they also have to consider how easy it is to navigate and how aesthetically pleasing it is to the eyes of target audiences. 

There are indeed other IT-related professions that could succeed in developing an app. However, mobile app developers who are skilled in creating a seamless application and are aware of the best practices in mobile development.

Utilising skilled mobile app developers results in high-performing applications that can:

• Increase sales
• Elevate customer satisfaction
• Increase engagement with users
• Provide seamless processing of services and products

Skills Needed by Mobile App Developers

A developer must have a certain set of skills to maintain the standard quality of a mobile application. These are the skills you should look out for when hiring a mobile developer. 

Soft Skills

Soft skills refer to the less technical requirements of a job but provide valuable benefits and insights. These skills are not hyper-specifically required for one job alone. Instead, they are traits of a person that are advantageous to specific careers.

Adaptable

A mobile developer must be adaptable to any possible changes that could happen during development. Unforeseeable changes and circumstances must be dealt with in an effective way without difficulty in transition.

Collaborative

Mobile developers must be collaborative given the nature of their work. A skilled mobile developer would be transparent, communicative, and openly participate in knowledge-sharing sessions. 

User-centric Mindset

The unique thing about mobile developers is their perspective. Mobile developers must be user-centric when creating the application. By having this user-centric mindset, the overall customer experience is secured.

Time Management

Time management is exceedingly crucial for mobile app development. Being able to prioritise and organise tasks at hand to meet deadlines is important for many jobs. However, for mobile developers, this includes handling defects which could delay application deployment for months. 

Hard Skills

Hard skills are all about the technical requirements for a specific job. These are skills necessary to continuously work on their designated tasks and requirements. 

Advanced Programming Language Proficiency

Multiple programming languages are required to successfully produce a functioning mobile application. Included are familiarity with version control systems.

Native App Development

Mobile development naturally includes knowledge of native app development. Native app development involves operating systems such as iOS and Android. 

Secure Coding Practices

Mobile developers should also be aware of the best secure coding practices to prevent any malicious intent involved. 

CI/CD Practices

Continuous integration and continuous deployment practices are a requirement for maintenance and building. Receiving feedback and issues 

Knowledge of Web Services and APIs

Knowledge of API and web services integration for a more fluid delivery of services and products.

UI/UX Knowledge

Mobile developers should know how to integrate UI/UX into each platform.

Where To Find Mobile App Developers

So where can you find a skilled app creator in Australia? Any kind of business seeking mobile app development has three key options: upskilling, job posting, and outsourcing.

Upskilling in-house developers by sponsoring knowledge-sharing sessions or seminars related to mobile application development can lower costs in hiring but increase the workload of your employees which could result in burnout.

Job posting is also another option. However this also requires high costs from recruitment to onboarding and to regularisation. If you want a cost-effective solution, outsourcing is the option for you.

However, IT outsourcing also comes with its challenges and varieties you should know about. 

Each path to acquire a mobile app developer has its advantages and disadvantages. Our suggestion is for you to compare each method to find out which one suits you best.

Ways to Acquire Mobile App Developers:

• Upskilling in-house employees 
• Job posting
• Outsourcing

Conclusion

Learning about mobile app developers and what they bring to the table is one thing–hiring them is another. All the information you have now should give you an idea of what to look for when hiring mobile application developers. 

Ready to begin your journey into mobile applications? Hire the best mobile application developers with Flexisource IT! Contact us now for more details.