In the duopoly of Android and iOS, we do have some compelling grounds to opt for Android app development. Indeed, this technology is progressive, has made it to billion devices, and owing to its popularity, there is high call for dedicated Android developers in the industry.
So, once you have tested your bright idea, it’s the time to turn it into a tangible asset, i.e. an Android compatible app. While we have a number of developers around the world for building apps for Google Play Store, finding those who have their potential complimenting your project requirement is a job of responsibility. However, to simplify your job, here we are with few specs and skills that will help you to choose the right developer for your upcoming project.
1. Interview Developer for Technical Skills
Java and Kotlin Expertise: Developing a native Android app is possible only with Java and Android Studio/Eclipse as IDE. The developer should be familiar with the syntax and programming structure. A clear-know-how of loops, variable, OOPs, lists etc. is important. However, Kotlin (programming language the compliments Java for Android development) is secondary.
The Android SDK Knowhow: No matter how fine the programming skills are, understanding the tool for development is equally important. When hiring the Android developer, check out their knowledge for SDK like activities and lifecycles, screen sizes and densities, storing data etc.
Working with the APIs: A lot many times, developers will require the app to communicate with the third party services for successful execution of app’s functionality.
Miscellaneous Information you should Ask
- Link to Live Android Apps: Before you finalize and hire dedicated Android developers for your project, make sure that they present a proof of their qualification. For this, you can ask them for link of few Android apps that they have developed and submitted to the Google Play Store.
- Familiarity with Dev Resources: A mobile app development process is never free from challenges and new functionalities that a developer might not be familiar with. Platforms like Stack Overflow, the Android Dev subreddit, Android Weekly, Google’s Official Android Developers site for updates, YouTube Lessons are some of the amazing resources for Android developers. Ask them if they use any of these to stay updated or resolve their development challenges.
- MVC as Deliverables: An app might take months to be launched in the app store. In this period of time, Minimum Viable Product (MVC) help the clients to track the development progress. When hiring an Android developer, ask if their development policy allows them to deliver MVC at short time intervals.
- Open for External Auditing: Mobile apps that have some critical impact on the masses (like apps related to healthcare, security, finance etc.) needs to be audited externally. In this case, the external auditors generate an unbiased report of a product or service performance, thereby assuring that it meets the promised standards. If you app requires external auditing to be done, talk to the developer beforehand so that the application is thus developed accordingly. Some of the examples of external auditing includes HIPAA for healthcare, PCI DSS for mobile payment security.
Time to Start Android App Developer Hiring
An Android app developer is supposed to be a package of multifarious skills and qualities to render an expected deliverable. If you are hiring a developer with above mentioned skills, remember that you can only expect front-end development along with API handling. For rest of the mobile app development process, you would require hiring different engineers like UI/UX designers, backend-developers, architect designers etc.
That is why, hiring a professional Android developer from experienced company is definitely a great move. This will ascertain that by hiring dedicated developers for building an Android app, you can stay assured about rest of the services that accomplish an app development process.
Android App Development Company: How can it Help?
Developing an Android app is not just about logical coding and launching. The entire development cycle comprises of various phases, which collaboratively forms a productive mobile app. The 7 imperative phases of mobile app development includes:
- Wireframing the App: This phase of app development is responsible for designing user experience (UX) for the app. With wireframes, developers present a low fidelity structure, giving rough idea about usability of mobile app.
- Android UI Design: Once the client approves the wireframes, the next step is to present a working model of mobile app usability through prototyping. This gives a functional picture about UI and UX of the app.
ALSO READ: Benefits of Mobile App Prototyping
- Software Architecting: This process includes a set of techniques and patterns for building mobile apps, according to the industry standards. For example, adding features and functionalities according to smartphones and tablets.
- Front-End Coding: There are two types of front-end coding that’s possible with mobile apps. One, Native development, which makes use of Java and Kotlin for developing front-end of the app. Second, Hybrid development, which uses the web technologies like HTML, CSS, and Javascript to build front-end for the app. When an Android developer is hired for long run, you should check out their potential for both development models.
ALSO READ: 5 Technologies to Build Mobile App Front-End
- Back-End Integration and APIs: This phase of development hold the nuts and bolts of an app. This includes data handling, integration with third party systems, and more. To enable the server to communicate efficiently with the front-end of tools, various technologies are used like .NET, Java, LAMP, Python etc.
- Testing: Before rolling out the mobile app into the market, it is important to test it against a number of metrics. This may include interface testing, service testing, performance testing, low level resource testing, and more.
- Publishing and Distribution: Once the app is developed and tested, it’s the time to submit the app to Google Play Store for approval. Thankfully, Google takes it few hours to test the app and respond to the developers. Once you receive the approval, the app is ready to download and used by the targeted users.
Therefore, when you hire an Android app developer, make it a point to confirm that a team is available to work on all phases of development to offer the deliverable.