17 Nov 2011

How To Hire A Developer

hiring a software developer

Article written by Brett Miller

Hiring a software developer (or development company) is a challenging, but a critical endeavor to the success of any business.  The tasks that the newly hired web developer handles will have a strong impact on your project and your business as a whole.  Unfortunately there isn’t a set of interview questions that can guarantee you will select the best developer.  The best approach is to have a well thought out plan well before the interview occurs.

First, document the features that you will need in your software application.  Next Research and discuss generalities about the Developer’s Services.  Finally discuss your project in detail with a few of the best candidates available.  Let’s look at this in more detail:

Hiring a Developer Step 1: Document What You Need First

  • List all the features that must be incorporated in your software application.
  • Offer a full scope of potential ideas about how to present those ideas.
  • On your wish list be cognizant of which items can become optional if costs are too high.
  • Define flexibility up front; i.e., cost, delivery date, staff time, specific functionality, etc. (before hiring)
  • Determine what level of input/expertise your staff might be able to offer
  • On completion … what is your intended ROI and how will you measure that?

Hiring a Developer Step 2: Researching Potential Developers

  • Review potential software developers websites, resumes and portfolios.
  • Explore their written material.  Is it easy to follow, informative, thorough, clear, and compelling?
  • Do they offer solid examples of their development experience?
  • Do they offer an address and phone number … or just an e-mail link?

Hiring a Developer Step 3: Discussing Service Offerings

  • What are their application development rates?
  • Does their availability match your needs? Some developers aren’t available for several weeks (or longer).
  • Is your project larger then their minimum project size? Some developers don’t take projects less than a few months.
  • Are references available?
  • What are their standard contract terms? (Fixed Bid / Time & Material)
  • Are any guarantees offered?
Select a few of these developers to interview.  First execute a Non Disclosure Agreement with the developer so that you can share confidential project details.  Then you can feel free to discuss detailed project information to determine if they are the most appropriate candidate to hire.

Hiring a Developer Step 4: Evaluate the Interview

  • How well do they understand and incorporate your objectives?
  • Do they offer insights or suggestions about how to achieve you goals economically?
  • Do they discuss potential project risks and/or related costs?
  • Are you comfortable with the developer’s approach?
  • Do they display a level of enthusiasm for your project?
  • Are they able to define deliverables and pinpoint completion dates?

In the end, clarity of communication and immediate access (to the developer you are considering hiring) is incredibly important.  There must be a meeting of the minds and you need to establish a rapport before you make any commitment to a contract.

Following these steps closely and you will be well on the way to hiring a developer and successfully completing your software project.

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15 Nov 2011

Selecting a Mobile App Development Company

Article written by Brett Miller

 

So you’ve determined that this is the right time to expand into the genre of the mobile app.  Obviously, a mobile app is going to have an impact on how your business appears to the public.  This first exposure needs to leave a lasting impression; it needs to be memorable, attractive, and engaging!  This is true whether you are going to build an iPhone or an Android App (or a website).  So how do you find an app developer that can share your level of enthusiasm and effectively communicate all the unique attributes that your company brings to the marketplace?

Mobile App Planning and Preparation:

  • Carefully detail what makes your products and services unique.
  • Offer a full scope of potential ideas about how to present those ideas within a Mobile App.
  • List all the things that must be incorporated in the Mobile App and what things you want to avoid.
  • On your wish list be cognizant of which items can become optional if costs are too high.
  • Define flexibility up front; i.e., cost, delivery date, staff time, specific functionality, etc.
  • Determine what level of input/expertise your staff might be able to offer
  • On completion … what is your intended ROI and how will you measure that?

Researching Mobile App Development Companies

  • Review potential Mobile App vendor websites for aspects of presentation that compliment your requirements.
  • Explore their written material.  Is it easy to follow, informative, thorough, clear, and compelling?
  • Do they offer solid examples of their mobile apps portfolio?
  • Are referrals available?
  • What are their mobile app developer rates?
  • Do they offer an address and phone number … or just an e-mail link?
  • Do they highlight the idea of long term relationships with clients?

Mobile App Project Evaluation

  • How well did they understand and incorporate your goals?
  • Did they offer insights or suggestions about how to achieve you goals economically?
  • Were they able to define deliverables and pinpoint completion dates?
  • Did they discuss potential project risks and/or related costs?
  • Can you define your feelings about the vendor’s business ethics?
  • What, if any, guarantees are offered?
  • Do they display a solid level of enthusiasm for your Mobile App Project?

Now that you have all that in place it’s time to mention one critical aspect of the process which begs the question, “Who is my project leader/contact?”  Clarity of communication and immediate access to that individual is incredibly important.  There must be a meeting of the minds and you need to establish a rapport before you make any commitment to a contract.

Following these steps closely and you will be well on the way to selecting a mobile development company and successfully completing your mobile app project.
 
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15 Nov 2011

iPhone App Development Costs

Article written by Brett Miller

I am often asked “What Does iPhone App Development Cost?”.

Developers for iPhone apps basically come in three tiers arranged by the minimum project size they will consider.  Pricing models from these reputable vendors group these tiers as follows …

  • $3 – 10k (lowest level):  iPhone development hourly rates usually between $40-70/hr.  There are qualified vendors out there who operate within these lower price points, but you should also be aware that there is a greater risk of problems occurring from sub-standard practices and/or limited levels of expertise.  If you are operating with restrictive budgetary constraints and find yourself at this level be prepared to take on more of the onus for success.  Diligent vendor pre-qualification, detailed specifications and ongoing project involvement are a must.
  • $10 – 35k (moderate level):  Vendors with iPhone development hourly rates in the range of $70-110/hr.  This is the level where you will find most vendors.  Typically this level engenders qualified personnel, solid project experience, reasonable iPhone development costs, and the ability to help you structure and manage your project.
  • $35k and up (elite vendors):   Hourly Rates around $100-180 per hour for iPhone development services.  Elite spectrum vendors will typically deliver more visually enticing apps, with all the bells and whistles, and typically with the least amount of programming time.  These vendors have the best qualified programmers and graphic designers, plus they have proven corporate record and extensive experience.  You will pay a premium for that experience and expertise … but depending on project imperatives this may be your best path to success.

iPhone App Development Costs – Fixed Bid or Hourly Rates

Typically iPhone development projects are done on a fixed bid basis because these applications have fewer user capabilities and back-end integration requirements then their computer based counterparts.  Therefore vendors can be more accurate in their estimates.  But be aware that in a fixed bid the vendor must pad their price in order to protect themselves from unforeseen costs.  Inversely, the structure where vendors simply provide an estimate based on their hourly rate will be lower because the cost of overruns (if any) is passed through to the client.

Low End Freelancers, Offshore vendors, and Online Bidding

This model is not for the faint of heart.  Failure rates are estimated to be near 75% and sub standard results are the norm.  If the price seems to good to be true, it probably is.  I would avoid this model under all reasonable/normal circumstances.

Do It Yourself iPhone Development Tools

There are many online tools that are free or inexpensive.  These can obviously be used to attempt to control most app development costs.  The problem in this model is twofold; success depends on understand the myriad of options that might be available and having the technical acumen to get them to work.  Learning the limitations and appropriate applications can be daunting.   The do-it-yourself concept is akin to learning to do the maintenance and repairs on your car; probably not the best idea.

Your Project’s App Development Costs

Get qualified vendors via referral.  Make sure the referring party has actually worked with that vendor in the past and even then … check that vendor’s track record as a further assurance that they will be able to deliver on your project objectives.  Have this resource (or resources) put together a detailed quote on your project and then you will have your answers.

I would be happy to provide referrals to qualified companies (that I know are talented and affordable) based on your budget and project requirements.  Please fill out my contact us page (or email me at dev@cspreston.com) if you would be interested in such an introduction.

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11 Nov 2011

Costs to Build An Android App

Article written by Brett Miller

If you’ve been researching the costs for developing an Android App you already know that the estimates can be all over the place.  There are three reasons for this.   One, it is difficult to be precise without knowing application specifics and/or other potential software interactions/implications.  Two, the variety, purpose, and user device dramatically affect the cost of the finished product.  And finally, App developers prefer to be more confidential about their pricing.

A few questions to ask… How the App will benefit your business?  How will you evaluate those benefits against the development costs? … and…  hat is your marketing plan for your app?  Cost evaluation is not a stand-alone consideration.  Measured against expected benefits, development costs, by themselves, are only part of the complete formula for success…  Make darn sure your App development idea is worthy of the required development costs and effort!

Type of Android Apps

Data Driven App:  Cost $4,000 to $40,000. Basically for data retrieval and manipulation (like email or customer data).

Games:  Cost $7,000 to $100,000 (and beyond). From simple to complex player participation venues.  This includes simple card games all the way to graphic intensive 3D first person games.

Functional Need based App: Cost $6,000 to $40,000.  App designed to provide a solution to a specific need or problem (like locating store or making a purchase).

Android Design Principles

User enthusiasm is paramount. Their increasing usage patterns and positive word of mouth determine whether your App is a success or a flash in the pan.  They want functionality but they also want it to be easy to use.  They want an attractive presentation but they also want it to be engaging and insightful.

Android Development Costs Factors

Scale of the project:  Larger, more complicated projects require more development time and more graphic design work.

Devices types:  Designing Android Apps requires additional production time to ensure app works with different versions of the Operating System (and different Phones).  Limiting the testing of your Android App to the latest version could help reduce costs but also increase the chance that some users will see bugs.

Hourly rate vs. Fixed Bid:  Hourly vs. fixed bid switches the risk from the client to the developer.  Since the developer must cover any unforeseen costs, these costs are always added to the bid even if they prove unneeded.

App exclusivity:  Some developers will copy a design and use it over and over to save their client’s money (usually called templates).  While there may be some advantages to exclusivity, keep in mind that there are no guarantees that someone else won’t copy your design and reproduce it anyway.

Graphics and Source Codes:  Some developers will include graphics and source codes and some will tell you they cost extra.  Without the source codes you are stuck going back to a single developer no matter what your experience has been with the App … and what if they go out of business?  Always get the graphics and source codes.

Warranty and Maintenance:  Apps are rarely perfect in their first version.  The development company should bear the entire cost of rectifying any bugs that result from their coding.  You should expect to bear the costs of any changes or updates as the media itself changes

Android Development Cost Projections

A rough guide outlining Android App Development Costs:

Simple Static Content Apps:  $3,000 to $10,000
Data Driven Apps:  $4,000 to $40,000
Games:  $7,000 to $100,000+
Functional Based Apps:  $6,000 to $40,000

Final Notes on App Development Costs 

Beware of the app developers with prices that are too good to be true.  It usually means they are less experienced or will produce less than ideal results.  Highly qualified developers use experienced personnel who are capable of completing the work in less time, so cheaper hourly rates don’t necessarily save you money either.

Most importantly, before you ever get started, make sure you have a solid marketing plan. This will allow you to be confident that you can recover the investment you’ve made in your app.

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