Steps To Start A Small Business: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Updated on February 17, 2025 by Tim Donahue
Hiring an app developer can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not tech-savvy.
However, learning how to hire an app developer is crucial for turning your idea into a functional product. Whether you’re building a mobile app or web application, choosing the right developer sets the foundation for success.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hiring an app developer, from evaluating candidates to managing the project effectively.
Upwork or Fiverr Are Good Places To Locate A Developer
There are other places where you can find developers but those are good places to start.
Do a search to locate the kind of developer you want (mobile apps, web apps, front end, back end, etc) and look closely at their portfolios to see:
- how much work they’ve done
- whether they have high ratings from past clients
- where they are located
- whether their past work looks good
- then contact them with a brief description of your project and gauge their timeliness and ability to communicate clearly
If you find a developer you like, set up a call to discuss your project in depth and learn all you can about their work process and how to prefer to communicate, questions they have, etc.
You’ll be working witih this person a lot so you need to find a person whom you can establish a good rapport.
1. Determining If a Programmer Is the Right Fit
When figuring out how to hire an app developer, it’s essential to assess their skills, experience, and compatibility with your vision.
Start by reviewing their portfolio—look for apps similar to what you want to build. Ask for references and speak to past clients to gauge reliability. Additionally, consider whether they align with your communication style and work ethic. Understanding different development methodologies like Agile or Waterfall can also help you determine how to hire an app developer who fits your project needs.
2. Navigating Overseas Developers
Hiring overseas developers can be cost-effective but comes with unique challenges. When deciding how to hire an app developer internationally, prioritize clear communication.
Use tools like Slack or Zoom to stay connected across time zones. Ensure contracts are written in plain language and include clauses for intellectual property rights. Learning basic tech terminology will also make it easier to discuss project details with non-local developers.
3. Protecting Yourself from Being Ripped Off
To avoid scams while hiring an app developer, strongly consider starting with a small test project to evaluate their capabilities.
Structure payments around milestones rather than paying everything upfront.
For example, pay 20% at the start, 30% after design approval, 30% after beta testing, and 20% upon final delivery. This approach ensures that both parties remain motivated throughout the process. Including exit clauses in your contract is another way to safeguard yourself when determining how to hire an app developer.
4. Handling Conflict or Disagreements
Conflicts may arise during app development, so knowing how to hire an app developer who communicates well is vital.
If disagreements occur, address them calmly and document all interactions.
Keep your own backups of your project files and maintain access to the source code repository (e.g., GitHub). These precautions allow you to bring in another developer if necessary without losing progress.
You’ll have to maintain control of the server access as well. This means you maintain the ability to lock your developer out of your server if need be, and that the hired developer can’t do this to you. Ask your hosting company how to do that if you need to, they are used to this question.
5. Defining Your Project Scope Clearly
Ambiguity leads to scope creep, which can derail your project. Before hiring an app developer, create a detailed project brief outlining features, functionality, and goals.
Prioritize must-have versus nice-to-have elements to keep the focus on essentials. By clearly defining your requirements, you’ll streamline the process of how to hire an app developer who delivers results within budget and timeline.
6. Testing Before Launch
Thorough testing is critical before launching your app.
Make sure the developer is responsible for fixing bugs discovered during user acceptance testing (UAT) and quality assurance (QA).
Automated testing frameworks and manual testers can simulate real-world scenarios to identify issues early.
Skipping this step risks releasing a subpar product, undermining the effort you put into how to hire an developer for your app.
7. Post-Launch Maintenance Agreements
Apps require ongoing updates and bug fixes after launch.
Retaining the original developer for a few months ensures continuity and faster resolutions.
After you launch your app, expect that you’ll decide you want to make changes or fix bugs you didn’t see earlier. It always happens! You’re going to need that developer to help out – so discuss this phase beforehand.
When negotiating with your app developer before beginning, include terms for post-launch support. Define the scope of maintenance, such as monthly hours or specific tasks, and agree on rates for additional work beyond the agreed-upon scope.
8. Budgeting Realistically
Hidden costs like hosting fees, domain registration, and third-party integrations can add up quickly. Research average rates for developers based on location and skill level to set a realistic budget.
Establish a formal process for handling feature requests and changes mid-project to prevent scope creep. Proper financial planning is key to a successful project when you’re planning to hire an app developer without overspending.
9. Building a Long-Term Relationship
Fostering trust with your developer benefits future projects. Pay fairly, show appreciation, and involve them in decision-making where appropriate.
Having a reliable developer on hand simplifies updates and new initiatives. Knowing how to hire an app developer who becomes a long-term partner adds immense value to your business.
Hiring An App Developer Conclusion
Hiring an app developer doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these steps—starting small, paying in milestones, thoroughly testing, and planning for ongoing maintenance—you can confidently navigate how to hire an app developer.
Remember, this is a partnership, not just a transaction. Choose wisely, communicate openly, and set yourself up for long-term success with your developer.
