It’s no secret that Android apps are leading the market. In 2019, the total global mobile app revenue was $462 billion and by 2023, Statista reports that Android will have an 87.4% share of this. If you want your app to be a success, it makes sense for it to be Android.
But that doesn’t mean your Android app will be an automatic triumph. The market is saturated with apps, many of them too expensive. Studies show that 9 out of 10 apps fail. Making sure you hire a specialized Android app developer will ensure your project is outstanding. Here is what you need to know.
What Skills Should an Android App Developer Have?
Java and Kotlin programming languages- two of the most popular choices. Developers need to be confident with syntax, frameworks, multithreading, concurrency, generics, and functional programming.
Android SDK- this Software Development Kit is a pre-packed set of code that enables faster app development process, including when you want to integrate elements (like Facebook) into your app.
Android Studio- an essential Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which offers support to many Android SDKs.
APIs- these are necessary to connect with third-party services or apps. If you wanted to include maps in your app, you would need Google APIs.
Material Design- a new release from Google, this set of design guidelines is fundamental for UI/ UX design.
Knowledge of business process and SDL- in order for a developer to create an app that meets your business requirements and support you fully, they need to have an understanding of business processes and the decisions you make.
Choosing the Right Tech-Stack for Your Android App
A tech-stack is a set of requirements, specifics, and technologies that enable the development of an app that stands out from the rest. Choosing a tech-stack is a challenge but the following points will help:
- Decide what type of app- (native, hybrid, cross-platform), the data usage, and hardware access.
- Know the point of your app- Is it a business tool? Does it solve a certain problem? Are there subscription plans or will your income come from advertising?
- Who will collaborate on your project- do you have a team of in-house developers or will you need to outsource or hire freelancers?
- Consider the security of the app- if there are any forms of personal information, you will need the best security measures.
- Highlight integration and compatibility- it is very likely that you will need third-party integration and you might even have a website that you want to be included.
Java or Kotlin for Android Development
There is no right or wrong answer. Java has the advantage of maturity and it is extensively used around the world. On the other hand, Kotlin is officially supported by Google and preferred by many larger companies. You only need to look at apps like Uber and Pinterest to see its capabilities.
Java Pros and Cons
Pros:
- There is a massive pool of developers
- It is simple to learn, write, create, and debug
- There are so many available resources
- Access to thousands of frameworks and libraries
- It’s extremely portable
- It’s platform-independent
Cons:
- The language is type-heavy
- There are some issues with non-nullable variables
- There have been reports of performance problems
Kotlin Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The syntax is both concise and intuitive
- Faster development time
- Fewer code lines
- It’s a Java-interoperable programming language
- It’s easy to maintain and it’s reliable
- It supports Android Studio
Cons:
- The compilation speed isn’t as fast
- The resources are rather limited
- As it’s relatively young, there is a large talent gap
How to Hire the Perfect Android App Developer
By this point, you will probably have your project completely outlined, with a full description of the technical requirements.
Make sure your hiring process includes a combination of soft skills assessments and technical screening, check portfolios and reviews of their previous work so that you get a complete overview of the candidates. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you will be able to offer a developer the position. When you are preparing the contract, be sure to include an NDA, and cover security concerns.
In Conclusion
There is so much potential for the right Android app. Once you have a clear plan for your projects and a skilled Android developer that is onboard with your plan, there will be no limits to what you can achieve.
