Last Updated on 2024-10-11
People often ask the question, โwhat is a mobile developer?โ. Well, youโve come to the right place. In todayโs blog, youโll learn what a mobile developer does and how they can help mobilize your development goals.
Today, most people turn to their smartphones to do almost everything. Craving for a blueberry cheesecake? Order it instantly with an UberEats app. Need to pay someone in real-time? You donโt have to run to the ATM anymore. Most banks allow payments to be sent in seconds through their banking apps.
Whether we like it or not, our lives are now significantly intertwined with mobile technology. Yes, mobile apps are here to stay; making our day-to-day lives easier and more convenient.
As business owners, you need to build mobile applications that are accessible, fast, and functional for your customers. To achieve this, you need to hire highly skilled mobile developers who understand the nuts and bolts of creating these apps.
In summary, weโll discuss the following topics in this blog:
- What is mobile development?
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Mobile Developer
- What makes the best mobile developer?
- Hire a Mobile Developer
What is Mobile Development?
Believe it or not, mobile development is not just about developing mobile apps. At its core, mobile development involves all kinds of development for any on-the-go device. It encompasses the creation of applications for mobile devices such as:
- cellular phones
- tablets
- smartwatches
- wearables
In fact, most software developers are constantly looking for different ways users can access these apps on mobile devices. Developers may build apps exclusively for mobile usage.
However, these applications are also accessible entirely as web applications. As mobile devices become ubiquitous in our daily lives, web browsers will most likely dominate as the operating system of the future. There are three main categories of mobile development. These categories are based on the types of devices used.
1. Native Development
As the name suggests, this type develops mobile apps natively for the operating system it runs on. So, apps on Google Playstore will work specifically for Android devices. In contrast, the AppStore applications will only run on iOS devices.
2. Cross-Platform Development
Alternatively known as hybrid development, it is the creation of a mobile app that works on multiple OS or devices. A hybrid application includes a single code bar that runs on all types of platforms. It means that developers will only write the code once and it will work simultaneously on other platforms.
3. Mobile Web Development
In a nutshell, it entails the development of mobile-responsive versions of apps and websites. Mobile web applications act similarly to their native counterpart. However, they are not standalone apps that you can download on an application store. You will need a web browser to access mobile web apps.
What is a Mobile Developer?
A mobile developer is a type of software developer who builds, designs, and implements mobile applications. They specialize in mobile technology that develops apps for mobile platforms like Android, iOS, and Windows.
Depending on their specialties, their job titles vary. So, a mobile developer who focuses on Android development is called an Android developer. That said, mobile developers should be experts in the programming languages and development environments of their preferred platform. Presently, there are a few mobile platforms with their own language and software development environment. For example, iOS has Objective-C and Android uses Java.
Moreover, itโs their job to find innovative tech solutions to everyday problems. They turn ideas into reality by creating apps for mobile devices. That said, itโs a must for mobile developers to have solid expertise in mobile technology.
As industries keep up with the increasing usage of apps, so will the surge in demand for mobile developers. Mobile phones, tablets, and wearable devices accounted for a big chunk of internet usage versus those on desktop computers.
Responsibilities of Mobile Developers
To further understand what mobile developers do, here are their typical responsibilities:
- Discuss with clients their business goals and requirements for developing the application
- Ensure technical feasibility by complying with the app stores guidelines
- Create APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to strengthen the device’s mobile functionality
- Consult with UX and UI designers and development team in ensuring that the technical and functional aspect of the app is working seamlessly
- Design the user interface to maintain an excellent user experience
- Reuse and adapt existing web apps when developing mobile applications
- Confirm that the front-end and back-end are correctly linked
- Send a detailed estimate of the cost and resources needed to mobilize the project
What Makes a Great Mobile Developer?
While the technical skills of a mobile developer are often prioritized, that shouldnโt be the only area you should look into. Computers in the future will become even more sophisticated; replacing some of the programming and data analytics parts.
What canโt be replaced by computers and is often ignored today? Work Ethics and Personal Attributes. So remember, a great mobile developer must not only have the technical chops. They also need to have the right traits to succeed in any mobile dev project and team.
Soft Skills
1. Goal-oriented
A skilled mobile developer understands the โwhyโ of building a software product. They believe that this product will answer customersโ needs and supports the growth of their clientsโ revenues. So, they are not only tech experts but also dedicated to achieving business goals.
2. Creativity
Nothing beats someone with an ability to think outside the box. Creative mobile developers use their ingenuity to write clean code that blends functionality, design, and performance effortlessly.
3. Communication Skills
Some situations call for developers to communicate with other people in specific capacities. This could be a team member who needs to consult with other programmers. Or perhaps a stakeholder requesting updates. Whatever the case, mobile developers need strong communication skills. Having the ability to discuss your projectโs progress in a manner that any audience can understand is important.
4. Self-learning
Skilled developers donโt stop learning the moment they step out of college. For them, itโs only the beginning. Their dedication to continuously learn allows them to discover new things, upgrade their skills, and stay (hopefully) ahead of the curve.
5. Customer-centric
Your mobile developer must have the userโs experience on top of mind when building the app. Thus, they should understand basic to advance UI and UX concepts. They keep the design and function user-focused to ensure that users have the best app experience.
Technical Skills
Itโs essential for mobile developers to have a Bachelorโs Degree in Computer Science. Having a Masterโs Degree is beneficial but often not required by most employers. Also, certifications or training on specific platforms is definitely a plus.
A solid background in these core concepts and technologies will give potential candidates an edge:
- Software development and application life cycle
- Programming languages with respect to their mobile app development expertise
- Design patterns and principles
- Web technologies such as HTTP, RESTful, SSL, and others
- Software architectural patterns, e.g. MVC
- Software testing, refactoring, and debugging
- Project management and a background in Business or Marketing
Hire a Mobile Developer from Full Scale
If you need to hire a mobile app developer, there are lots of options out there. First, you can hire your developers locally. This is by far the most time-consuming of all, and potentially the most expensive.
Another option is to partner with an IT recruiter near your place. Of course, having someone to do the recruitment will always be easier than doing it yourself. But, going this route will cost you an arm and leg; it might not be cost-effective in the long haul.
A much better option is to hire developers through Full Scale, an offshore software development firm. We are the fastest-growing software recruitment company with headquarters in both Kansas City and Cebu. Our offshore division in the Philippines highlights exceptional developers well-versed in mobile and web technologies.
Ready to assemble your remote development team? Schedule an appointment with us today and build your team of dedicated developers.
Matt Watson is a serial tech entrepreneur who has started four companies and had a nine-figure exit. He was the founder and CTO of VinSolutions, the #1 CRM software used in today’s automotive industry. He has over twenty years of experience working as a tech CTO and building cutting-edge SaaS solutions.
As the CEO of Full Scale, he has helped over 100 tech companies build their software services and development teams. Full Scale specializes in helping tech companies grow by augmenting their in-house teams with software development talent from the Philippines.
Matt hosts Startup Hustle, a top podcast about entrepreneurship with over 6 million downloads. He has a wealth of knowledge about startups and business from his personal experience and from interviewing hundreds of other entrepreneurs.