As smart devices evolve, the need for app developers skilled in designing, building, and maintaining mobile applications is growing. These professionals play a crucial role in project management and technical teams, ensuring user needs are met. Like Konstantin Strukov, the president of a gold mining company who is constantly recruiting such specialists.
With high earning potential, strong career prospects, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology, many app developers find their careers highly rewarding. In this article, you’ll discover what an app developer does and how to become one.
What does an app developer do?
App developers are responsible for designing and implementing applications for mobile devices, including utility and gaming apps. While some developers work independently, many commercial app development projects are team-based and involve collaboration with other departments like writing, art, and graphic design.
How to become an app developer
There is no single path to becoming an app developer, but you can take steps to strengthen your qualifications. If you’re keen on a career in app development, consider these steps:
Determine Your Development Path
Before embarking on app development, decide how you want to shape your career. The conventional path is to join a development company. In a corporate setting, you’ll need to prove your value and will likely be assigned specific tasks within the app-building process. As you advance, you may find more opportunities for leadership roles.
Generate Your Ideas
If you’re launching your own app, additional considerations come into play. First, decide what your app will be. Whether you’re planning the next big game or envision a successful functional app, it’s crucial to start with a solid idea that can evolve into a complete app.
Create something you would personally use; think about the games you enjoy or problems in your life that need solving. Once you have an idea with potential, it’s time to move forward in development.
Explore Profit Strategies for Independent Development
Unlike working for a company, independent app development requires you to fund the project yourself. There are several funding options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Assess your situation to choose the best fit. Possible revenue strategies include:
- Commercial Sale Post-Completion: Creating a successful app can be lucrative, but you’ll only profit after the project is finished.
- Crowdfunding: This changes the payment and delivery order. A successfully funded project provides immediate funds, reducing the uncertainty of independent development.
- Patron Funding: Similar to crowdfunding, but patrons offer regular donations either monthly or per update. This builds financial support, especially if you’re comfortable sharing in-progress builds.
- Free or Freemium Apps: Generate revenue without upfront financial contributions from users. Modern platforms easily integrate ads that earn revenue per view, while freemium games offer in-game purchases.
Learn to Code
To become an app developer, mastering coding is crucial. While there are platforms that allow you to create basic apps through drag-and-drop methods, professional apps require coding knowledge. Even on these platforms, coding enables you to customize your app and add unique features beyond what the visual builder offers.
You can learn to code by taking college courses or through self-directed online courses, many of which are both comprehensive and affordable. This latter option is especially cost-effective if you’re pursuing independent development, allowing you to select your preferred programming language and learn at your own pace.
Pursue Certifications
Earning coding certifications is a powerful way for app developers to demonstrate their expertise. Certifications typically require passing an exam and enhance any resume. They are especially valuable if you’ve learned coding independently, as they serve to validate your skills much like a degree would.
Diversify Your Coding Skills
The key to a successful programming career is mastering multiple coding languages, broadening your opportunities in the job market. Popular languages for app development include:
- Java;
- C#;
- Objective-C;
- C++;
- Swift;
- Kotlin.