Are your games gathering dust because you have no one to make them? Have you been burnt by rogue app development companies? Is your app development turning into an app nightmare?

Here is the best way I have found to find and hire great app development companies.

Welcome to the Haystack Method.

The Haystack Method is my tried and tested way to find Rockstar Developers. By using this method you will maximise your chances to find developers who are:

HONEST: In my experience 90%+ of developers on the big outsourcing sites will try to take advantage of your inexperience. They will charge you too much.

FAST: Spending 6 painful months begging your developer to finish your game is not fun.

GOOD TECHNICAL SKILLS: Hiring a programmer who can’t do his/her job will make you cry.

The Haystack method for finding great app development companies

Post a job on a freelancing site looking for app development companies. Eg. “iOS developer wanted for exciting games project/photo app/utility app.” Keep it short and vague.

Write out a list of Ad companies you want to use in this app (RevMob, Chartboost, Playhaven, Airpush, etc) and any other pieces of extra code you want use – like multiplayer, Nextpeer, Flurry, appirater, etc.

Search in freelancing sites for the names on this list and invite those developers to your job. If they have SDKs listed in their profile there is a higher chance they can integrate them.

24 hours later, log on and review all applicants. Refuse all Skype requests.

Delete any applicants who do not have 0 stars or 5 stars. If they have 1-4 stars someone already had problems with them and you do not want them. 0 or 5 star contractors have no documented issues – yet.

Email shortlists contractors with one question ‘How long does it take to integrate Chartboost?”

Delete any that do not reply in 12 hours. Delete any contractors that say over 1 hour. This work takes max 30 minutes. If they all say over 1 hour, delete all contractors. Start again at step 1.

Next steps

Follow the Haystack Method until you have a shortlist of 3 or more Rockstar Developers. These developers have a much higher than average chance of being honest, fast to respond, and skilled in their job.

Now is the time to get a little more specific. Do you want to make the world’s best photo app? Or a new racing game? Get your potential contractors to sign an NDA and then you can start to investigate more into their specific skills to see if they match what you want. Compare their best prices and how fast they can do this work. If they look and sound great, then hire then for a small job (under $150) first. See how well and how fast they do it.

DO NOT SKIP THIS TEST OR YOU MAY LOSE MONEY!

If they prove themselves to be a ROCKSTAR, then if you are happy you can hire then for your bigger job.

Have you used the Haystack Method to find great app development companies? Let me know in the comments.

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