The three most important questions to ask an Android developer

For the most part, our clients either come to us with great ideas for mobile apps, or simply need an app to improve their own pre-existing business venture, but they rarely possess the requisite coding skills required to develop their own app.  Of course, it’s certainly possible to download the Android software development kit and try your hand at creating your own app, but unless you have significant IT experience, the job is better left to professionals with the skills and experience to provide you with a quality app that will meet your needs.  Trying to find a developer on your own can be a daunting process, but should you choose to go that route, here are three essential questions you’ll need to put to anyone you’re considering hiring for the job:

• What apps have you already developed and sold?  If the answer is “none”, hang up the phone as soon as it’s polite to do so.  You’ll want to see what the developer has already put in the Android Market, so you can make sure that his or her products have the same look and feel as the app you want to develop.  We don’t mean to suggest that untried developers are universally untalented, of course, only that you shouldn’t be the one paying for the training.
• How much will it cost to develop my app?  If you read our recent post about Android app development costs, you’ll know that the price will vary depending on what you want your app to do.  Once you’ve explained your app idea to your prospective developer, he should be able to provide you with a quote for a flat rate.  We strenuously recommend that you not hire developers who are paid by the hour, nor should you pay any developer who insists on the full fee up front; half up front, half upon completion is a useful rule to live by.  More complex projects may have multiple milestones, with multiple payments.
• Do you have any references?  Like any other professional, app developers are proud of their work and should be more than willing to put you in touch with clients with whom they’ve worked before.  If not, well, you might ask yourself what he has to hide.

Putting clients together with professional developers is what we do, of course, so if you’re in the market for one, drop us an e-mail.