Different Types of App Developers 

When you want to create any mobile application, probably a question comes in your mind "which type of app developer I need?" To solve your query here is an explanation about which type of app developer you require based on your mobile app requirements.

There are mainly three types of app developers are available in the market.

1.      Native App Developer

2.      Web App Developer

3.      Cross-platform App Developer

Native App Developer:

A native app is a type of software application that is developed for use on a particular platform or device. It should be developed in a particular programming dialect, for example, Objective C for iOS and Java for Android.

So when you want to build an app for a particular platform say iOS or Android, you need to hire a native app developer. Now the question is which type of qualities native app developer should possess?

Native App Developer Skills:

Analytical Skills: Native app developers have to analyze user needs in order to create applications that users will want to use. The ability to analyze the way people use their mobile devices is therefore critical for a successful native app developer.

Communication: Native app developer needs to be able to communicate both orally and in writing. They might have to give instructions to team members or employees. They also might need to explain an application to non-technical team members. This requires the ability to explain technical concepts in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Creativity: Native app developers have to creatively write clean code to create applications that are user-friendly. Developers think creatively about how users incorporate their mobile devices into their lives, and then create applications that help them complete various tasks. This job involves not only tech skills, but also an open mind.

Problem Solving: The important factor of native app development will be to troubleshoot issues with applications on Android or iOS platforms.  Developer should be able to recognize various technical problems and understand how to resolve them.

Programming Languages: Knowledge of programming languages is necessary for a native app developer. Apple iOS developers generally use Objective-C, and Android developers typically use Java.

Web App Developer:

A Web app is the type of software application that is stored on a remote server and delivered over the Internet through a browser interface.

Web applications can be designed for a wide variety of uses and can be used by anyone from an organization to an individual for numerous reasons. Commonly used Web applications can include webmail, online calculators, or e-commerce shops. Some Web apps can be only accessed by a specific browser; however, most are available no matter the browser.

Web App Developer Skills:

The basics of UX Design: The importance of great User Experience (UX) Design is at an all-time high. The fact is, modern applications must be functional and intuitive. As a result, the need for basic UX skills becomes a necessity for the modern web app developer.

The ability to create device-agnostic applications: Web app developer must build applications that work everywhere. It’s not easy. You’ll have to answer questions like: Where will the buttons go on a smartphone? How will you format your data tables on a smaller screen? What happens when the device switches from portrait to landscape mode? In short, web app developers must understand design methodologies that let web applications adapt to varying screen sizes.

Knowledge of front-end languages: There is one aspect of an application that applies to every developer that is the front-end. Front-end development requires a very specific set of skills: Javascript, HTML, and CSS. Regardless of their programming language of choice, every modern web app developer must understand these front-end languages.

Cross-platform App Developer:

Cross-platform mobile development is the creation of software applications that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems. It was often easier to build native applications for each mobile operating system (OS). The problem was that the code built for one operating system could not be repurposed for another OS. To overcome this issue, you should approach to cross-platform mobile development.

Newer approaches to cross-platform development include:

Hybrid App Development: A hybrid application (hybrid app) is one that combines elements of both native and Web applications. A hybrid app is one that is written with the same technology used for websites and mobile web implementations, and that is hosted or run inside a native container on a mobile device. Hybrid app development service provider must be proficient in various hybrid technologies like Xamarin, PhoneGap, Ionic, etc.

Rapid Mobile App Development (RMAD): Developers use code-free programming tools. RMAD offers business users the ability to quickly build and manage internal apps to address specific business issues.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): PWAs are websites that look and behave as if they are mobile apps. PWAs are built to take advantage of native mobile device features, without requiring the end-user to visit an app store, make a purchase and download application locally.

Cross-platform App Developer Skills:

Framework & Tools: To successfully deploy the cross-platform application, a developer should be familiar with various cross-platform app development tools and technologies like React Native, Flutter, Apache Cordova, Adobe PhoneGap, Ionic Framework, NativeScript, Xamarin, etc.

App Attractiveness: The look of your app can affect its function. An attractive app will make users more engaged. The look of your app helps to strengthen your brand’s identity and will help your app stand out from the many other similar apps that are on the market. So cross-platform app developer should be able to give an attractive look to your application.

Platform-Independent Technique: Even when building a cross-platform app, many developers fall into the trap of focusing on specific platforms, such as iOS or Android. They will end up testing the app on the platform that they use most frequently. However, this can result in the app functioning great on one platform while not as well on the other. Instead, build your app in the same way that you would build a web service. By using a platform-independent approach, cross-platform app developers will be more inclined to focus on the performance results for every platform.

Why develop a cross-platform mobile app?

Cross-platform development provides businesses with some significant advantages such as:

Reusable Code: Developers can write code once and then export the app to many platforms without having to create a dedicated application for every single platform.

Cost Savings: Developing a cross-platform mobile app means that you’ll be saving the cost of having multiple development teams working on different versions of your app. All you need is one team which can accelerate its work with tools that are most often free to use.

Maintainability: Modifying your mobile application is easy because developers will need to update only one codebase. All the introduced changes will be synchronized and reflected in all the apps working on different platforms.

Greater Market Reach: By publishing your app on multiple platforms, you’ll boost your chances of building a more extensive user base and generating a higher ROI on your app.