How to Hire Dedicated Mobile Developers in 5 Easy Steps

“Hire dedicated mobile developers and get your own app asap!” How often have you heard this advice while planning to enhance your business with trending technologies? And what stops you from following it? Are you unaware of the peculiarities of this business model or is it doubts and fears about involving external specialists in your project that are the reason?

FAQs for Starters

Before we plunge into the intricacies of the dedicated development team model, let's give a shake to your memory and briefly revise some common yet notable facts on the topic.

#1. What Does a Mobile App Developer Do?

Simply put, professional mobile app developers are tech geniuses responsible for all on-demand digital miracles on your smartphone. By leveraging the right set of libraries, frameworks, and programming languages, the specialists may code from scratch a highly-responsive native iOS & Android app or a flexible cross-platform solution that will cater to all your personal and business needs.

#2. Are Mobile App Developers Still in Demand?

How many hours a day do you spend on your smartphone? How do you keep up with your friends, find the news, and order a taxi? How many gaming and education apps are installed on your precious device? Just answer these questions to realize the significance of mobile application developers in today's world.

And if your inquisitive mind craves cold statistics, here they are: by 2026, the demand for certified mobile app developers (especially iOS and Android developers) will only skyrocket by 26%.

#3. What Is a Dedicated Developer?

Let's say you've got a brilliant app idea for your business that you want to implement in close collaboration with knockout developers to keep track of all the processes. Or you've already been working on the mobile app development project and need to quickly find extra tech-savvy specialists with the relevant experience to help you out with native apps.

In both situations, hiring a dedicated mobile app development team may become a perfect solution. It allows you to enjoy the help of either freelance app developers or well-knit teams compiled by IT companies for just as long as you need.

#4. Is There Any Difference Between Outsourcing and the Dedicated Team Model?

Since both outsourcing and dedicated development serve the same purpose, many people mix the models up. But in reality, there is a difference between them.

When you fully delegate certain tasks to external service providers to reduce operational costs or take advantage of the best mobile app developers, you resort to outsourcing.

If you hire app developers to collaborate with your in-house team and stay completely or partially involved in the development process, we're witnessing the dedicated team model (a.k.a. the extended development team model or staff augmentation).

Dedicated Development Team Model: Myths vs. Reality

Now, that all the basics are revised, let's finally delve into the specifics.

The latest stats showcase that today, more businesses tend to rely on the extended development team model, and by 2025, the market is likely to reach $81.87 billion. Despite this, unfounded fears discourage many entrepreneurs from trying it, and they stand still, while their proactive competitors make it to the top.

Below, we demolish top 10 common myths about staff augmentation so that you can make better-informed decisions.

Myth#1: I Will Lose Control over the Project

This is probably the most common fear many undertakers face, especially at the dawn of their business journeys. And it's the inability to delegate even minor tasks to third parties that is often the reason.

If it sounds familiar to you, take a closer look at dedicated mobile app development services (instead of outsourcing). With this model, not only will you keep a close eye on the process, but also retain the final word on each matter.

Myth#2: My Team Will Have to Adjust the Work Schedule

When hiring mobile app developers from remote regions, keep in mind the time difference. Sure, if it's a matter of several hours, it's no big deal. But when the difference is tangible (like between New York and Canberra), it may put a spoke in your project's wheel.

From this perspective, staff augmentation is a real lifesaver, as it allows you to indicate in the contract the desired work time for the hired expert developers. Moreover, to reduce the inconvenience to a minimum, you may always hire a dedicated mobile app developer from a preferred time zone.

Myth#3: Communication Will Go Downhill

Seamless communication is the clue to success. That's why, when your own team works with external specialists, it's crucial that they stay on the same page.

Since today, most IT companies invest huge resources to enhance the spoken English skills of their employees, you have nothing to worry about. Furthermore, to ensure complete transparency, dedicated service providers employ various communication tools and project trackers (like Jira, Trello, Zoom, etc.).

Myth#4: Everyone Will Know I've Used Outside Help

First of all, it's nothing to be ashamed of, since delegating certain processes to third parties is a common practice. Even the tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon take advantage of external solutions. For instance, in 2018, the number of workers contracted by Google outreached their direct employees.

Still, if it's essential for you to keep it a secret for marketing purposes or any other reason, you may always conclude a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with your dedicated app developers and get all the sensitive data protected.

Myth#5: I Won't Be Able to Scale My Project Later

Modern mobile apps are feature-rich, highly functional, future-ready, and easily scalable. That's why, when you hire application developers, don't forget to set the right project requirements or ask for comprehensible IT consulting services.

In this way, you can scale your product up either by yourself or with the help of a service provider at any time you want.

Myth#6: My Source Code and Customer Data Will Go Public

Another popular concern related to dedicated development touches upon copyright issues and data protection. But in our opinion, it’s no use worrying about the source code, if you choose a trustworthy service provider and stipulate all the terms in the contract.

At the same time, with over 2000 cyberattacks happening daily, your data security fears may be quite fair. For this reason, to retain complete control over the customer data and minimize the risk of hacking attacks, scrutinize the tech stacks and cybersecurity tools of your dedicated partner.

Myth#7: Such an Experience Will Bring No Good to My In-House Team

This statement is absolute nonsense that has nothing to do with reality since dedicated developers are well-versed specialists with profound knowledge of the latest mobile technologies, who have already worked together on various projects.

That's why, when you hire dedicated mobile app developers, not only do you tap into a rich talent pool but also provide your own team with highly-skilled mentors and, therefore, enhance their competencies.

Myth#8: Hiring Dedicated Developers Is Pricey

The hiring process is sheer drudgery for any employer that often brings no result for weeks and months. Just think about it: not only does it require your precious time and attention but also steals huge financial resources.

On the contrary, the dedicated hiring model proves to be really cost-effective, since you leave all the dirty work to the service provider and get pre-vetted developers ready for smooth collaboration. Moreover, well-versed specialists will ensure the timely delivery of your product, which may reduce its development cost.

Myth#9: Dedicated Development Model Is Not Flexible

Let's say you've been working on some project and got stuck in the middle. Will you be able to hire dedicated mobile app developers for a short term or a couple of hours per day to get assistance? Sure, you will!

The versatile dedicated team approach is incredibly adaptable and provide a range of tailored hiring options to suit your specific business requirements. This means you have the flexibility to engage specialists either on an hourly basis or for fixed projects. Furthermore, you retain the possibility to personally select the developers and managers for your solution, ensuring its high level of customization.

Myth#10: If Anything Goes Wrong, I Won't Get the Money Back

We won't lie to you by stating that finding your perfect dedicated service provider is a piece of cake. Sometimes, proactive undertakers have to search for this very partner by trial and error. On the bright side, with a proper contract, you will hardly be screwed.

Thus, if you are not satisfied with the process or result but this scenario was stipulated in the contract, feel sure of getting most of your money back.

5 Signs You Need to Hire Dedicated Mobile App Developers

If you feel that your business is ready to go digital or something went wrong with the project you're currently working on, what indicates that it's dedicated development that you need right now? Here are the key red flags:

• You lack the resources to compile a well-knit team from scratch by yourself;
• Your team's experience with mobile platforms is irrelevant to the project;
• You don't have access to the required tools;
• You can't specify the project requirements;
• Your Android or iOS developers are already overloaded with other tasks.

What Are the Must Skills for a Dedicated Mobile App Developer?

If any of the above-mentioned issues do ring a bell to you, it's high time to find out what to look for in potential candidates.

Tech Stack

We won't break new ground by telling you that the technology stack is the dominant weapon of a mobile developer. That is why, a genuinely dedicated app developer is the one with a profound understanding of popular programming languages (Swift, Kotlin, Java, Dart, JavaScript) and cross-platform app development (Flutter, React Native, Xamarin). Experience with version-control systems and industry-specific knowledge will also be a competitive edge.

Soft Skills

Sure, versatility in programming is an unbeatable advantage. Still, when it comes to software development, social networking skills also do matter. Friendliness, respect, active listening, as well as the ability to cooperate with a project manager and be a good team player, are the things you should pay attention to, while handpicking each new team member.

How to Hire Dedicated Mobile App Developers?

Finally ready to extend your team with dedicated developers and don't know how to get started? Here is our simple guide to make this task easier for you. 

Step#1. Choose a Reliable Partner

The first and foremost task for you is to find a reliable dedicated team with an unmatched level of expertise in the relevant projects and all the required tech skills. At this point, the rating platforms like Clutch.co, CrowdReviews, or GoodFirms will come in handy.

While scrutinizing the potential candidates, pay attention to their client reviews and recent cases. Later, when handpicking dedicated developers, don't hesitate to ask them language-specific and tech-related questions to assess their skills.

Step#2. Get Professional Advice

Once the partner is chosen, it's high time to specify the project requirements and define the necessary specialists. If you can't do it by yourself, don't worry, and feel free to make use of the consulting services provided by the IT company of your choice.

In case it's not a from-scratch product, the dedicated service provider will also evaluate the state of your software and share with you possible development strategies.

Step#3. Select the Business Model

Now, that the scope of work is determined, you need to choose the hiring model that answers your requirements and capabilities. The most common business models are the following:

Step#4. Set Up the Contract

This stage is dedicated to purely legal matters and, therefore, is extremely important. As already mentioned, with a proper contract, not only will you specify the business terms but also protect your rights in all predefined scenarios. Therefore, try to find a good lawyer capable to help you correctly stipulate all the conditions.

Step#5. Extend Your Team

This is the moment you've been looking for, so congrats! The long-expected professionals are finally ready to put your project back on track. At this stage, your responsibility is to set up the onboarding, eliminate the communication silos, and make sure everyone works in a result-driving environment.

Some Thoughts to Go

Some experts keep saying, “If your business is not represented in the digital world, you don't have a business”. This statement highlights the significance of online marketing strategies, as well as customer-centric apps, and is quite true. Hence, if you want your business to evolve and win the hearts and minds of multiple customers, keep abreast with the latest technologies, and don't be afraid of making your first steps toward digital transformation.

Hunting for a reliable dedicated team, keen on crafting upscale mobile solutions? Get in touch with us, and we will bring your ideas to fruition.