App development on Android: The step by step guide for beginners

Want to publish your app on the Google Play Store? Luckily you can easily achieve that dream, even if you do not have the hands-on skills required to build an app. Even no tech folks individuals can follow a series of steps to hire an experienced app development on Android expert who can make app on android in a professional manner. So assuming that you have already defined your target market, validated a problem and found a solution, what do you do next?

Here we shall discuss the necessary steps you need to follow right from the beginning to the end of your app development on android. We shall go on to deliberate on the best practices and tips that will ensure your app will not be a waste of resources.

What You Need to Know to Find an Excellent Android App Developer

The primary consideration is how to find the ideal expert, of course with your budget in mind.

The app development space is aflood with developers from all walks of life, some reliable and some mediocre. To find the best fit for you, follow the following steps:

Start with defining your precise requirements

The only way to run a successful project smoothly from start to end is to define your requirements. You can only find the ideal experts if you know what you are looking for. A good way to go about it is to ask yourself what you want the app to do. What do your customers expect?

Outline all fundamentals and features of the app so that the developer will understand you. If you are completely green and do not know how to define what you need for your app, you can hire a relatable business analyst to help you come up with detailed requirements.

What are the skills needed to complete the project?

After deliberating on your requirements, you can now define the skills that your ideal developer needs to possess. Some of the primary technical skills include:

  • An expert level understanding of the java language
  • A clear understanding of android SDK tools and their uses
  • Knowledge of APIs, including XML, SOAP, JSON, and REST

Other skills depend on the precise functionalities of your app as defined during the discovery process.  

Aside from the technical skills, there are soft skills that you developer needs to possess. These include:

  • Professional level communication skills
  • Cultural fitness in terms of values
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Collaborative efficiency and motivation
  • Problem solving abilities.
  • Time management

Now that you know exactly what to look for, its time to start the hiring process.

App development on Android: The Hiring Process

App development on android can be achieved by a freelancer, an in house or an outsourced team. Assuming that you don’t have the financial and physical capacity to hire an inhouse team, your best bet is hiring a freelancer. One advantage of going the freelance way is that you have the freedom to hire someone from any part of the world, and their charges tend to be significantly lower than the other options.

The next thing to think about is the level of expertise you want your ideal candidate to possess. Depending on the complexity of your project as per the requirements, you can choose either a junior android developer, a middle-level developer, or a senior android expert.

Developers are easily available on hiring platforms, such as Upwork and Fiverr. Based on your needs, profiles and customer reviews, select a few whom you can screen to determine the best fit for the job at hand. The next step is to ask for their portfolios so you can see if they really know how to make app for android and if they have ever worked on a project like yours. You can go ahead to download some of the apps to check their functionalities, design, and more.

Once you make your decision, you can hold video call sessions to discuss the project and see if you can establish a healthy client-seller relationship.

Keep in mind that a good candidate must have been in the game for a few years, have a full understanding of the entire app development cycle, and portray a host of other essential skills like communication efficiency.

Factors Influencing App Budget

The entire cost of an app development process is dependent on various factors from design, functionalities to integrations. Here are the main determinants of the cost of an app:

Design and functionalities

In simple terms, the more complex an application is in terms of design and functionalities the more expensive is. Also, a list-based app cannot be the same price as a real time service app. Similarly, an app that includes social media integrations has to cost more than one without.

Hosting and security protocols

Finding a hosting company which prioritizes data security is critically important. Your choice of hosting and security frameworks will have an impact on your overall budget, including after-project costs.

App development on Android: The app’s UI/GX

Depending on the type of business you are getting into, you might have to incur extra costs related to the user experience. Incorporating functionalities such as push notifications and customization options requires you to dig deeper in your pocket.

Other factors that influence your budget are:

  • Backend infrastructure requirements
  • Testing
  • Maintenance and updating costs
  • Location of the freelance developer- typically a dev in the US will charge more than their counterparts in Eastern countries.

All in all, the average price for a simple project could be around $5000-10000 while a moderate level could go all the way to $50,000. Extremely complex apps could see you pay upwards of $100,000.

What to Expect During the Development Process

Some of the things to expect from your developer throughout the process include:

Frequent and efficient communication

A freelancer who knows how to make app on android must value good communication. In fact, efficient communication from your developer is as important as their technical expertise. Based on your agreement, the developer must keep on updating you on their progress. Good communication ensures continuity of the project, added efficiency, and reduced time wastage.

Reinforcement of ideas and revisiting weak points

Some theoretically correct components might prove to be deficient from a practical side of things. It is the responsibility of the developer to identify such problems and recommend real time solutions. For instance, a certain graphical element might not be working in harmony with other elements. In such a case, the developer should contact you to discuss a plausible solution in the design.

Expect problems as the project progresses

Inaccurate assessment of the project requirements and inadequate understanding of target market can give birth to a series of hiccups. It helps to expect some disappointments during the process, so that you will be in a position to fix them sooner than later. Rectifying mistakes needs more research and revisiting the fundamental reason for the app development.

Tips on Designing an Excellent Android App

The following tips will contribute immensely to the success of your app.

App development on Android: Conduct deep initial research

Just like with any type of building, a stern foundation is paramount. The only way to come up with an excellent app is to understand the initial problem, and to capture what potential users could be looking for.

Build for different devices

Since you cannot test on all devices, there are innovations that your developer can use to ensure that the app will run seamlessly on different devices and screen sizes. These technologies include density independent pixels.

Don’t ignore the testing phase

Testing before launching is not debatable. It will let you detect bugs, inconsistencies and design failures before the public can notice them and give bad reviews. Multiple testing procedures go a long way towards facilitating a smooth final release.

App development on Android: Remain flexible

While sticking to the initial budget is in everyone’s interest, sometimes flexibility is needed. For instance, technologies and prices of various resources can fluctuate and impact your budget. The prudent thing to do is spare some room for such derailments, and be on high alert to recognize when they surface. Only then can you manage to review the budget and adjust where necessary. Also, keep in mind that going for the cheapest resources can be counterproductive.

How to Set Up on Play Store

Publishing starts with the creation of a Google developer account for a small fee of around $25, and adding a merchant account in the case of paid apps.

During publishing, you will be asked to add a title, description and graphic components like screenshots and video. Other details include product category, contact details, and a privacy policy for apps that deal with sensitive data. Once you fill out these areas, you can now upload your APK file and provide a content rating to avoid being flagged. At this juncture, the only thing that remains is to set up a pricing and publish your app.

Don’t forget that sufficient marketing campaigns can be the thin line between success and failure.

Outsourcing the development of your new idea can save you a lot of time and stress. The process can however be challenging if you are looking to work with a remote developer. But you can land the ideal developer who understands how to app development on android by reading reviews, asking the right questions, looking at portfolios, and testing for soft skills. The completeness of the discovery phase is a prime determinant of the success of a project. Regardless of your preparedness, you might encounter some difficulties along the way. As such, ensure that you are well prepared to tackle such challenges as they manifest. All in all, remember that mutual understanding between you and your developer goes a long way towards a successful app development project.

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