Mobile app development is one of the hottest IT jobs and the trend is here to stay. With over six billion smartphone users globally, businesses around the world are creating mobile apps to promote their products and services. Hence, it’s no surprise that there’s a strong demand for mobile app developers.
If you’re considering a career in this field, here are some of the basics you should know about how to become a web app developer.
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A Day in the Life of a Mobile App Developer
Let’s start with what you could expect on a day-to-day basis as a mobile app developer.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average mobile app developer salary in the U.S is $101,899 per year. This means that as a mobile app developer, you could earn around $49 per hour.
So what would you be doing in the office or while working from home as an app developer?
- Attending client briefings and brainstorming sessions. As client projects come in, you will be involved in discussions about the app concept, design, and back-end. This also means you will be working with a number of other experts such as project managers, designers, and marketing personnel.
- App development. Once you have a full project scope, you can get to work on developing the app. Be prepared to accept feedback, both positive and negative, and implement the necessary changes. Major changes may even be required once app testing begins.
- Bug checking. Bugs affect the user experience, which is why you will be involved in identifying and fixing any problems before the app goes live.
- Maintenance. Lastly, you will more than likely be involved in the maintenance of the app. This includes making sure it’s working correctly and fixing issues as they arise.
How to Become a Mobile App Developer: The Skills
Mobile app developers need to develop several skills to be successful in their careers. Here are a few of the skills you may want to consider delving into:
- Concepts and Brainstorming. Much of mobile app development is about solving puzzles and coming up with design and functionality ideas. So over and above the technical skills, you should also be able to envision how an app will look and what functionality users would find most useful.
- User Interface Design. The user interface is one of the essential elements of every mobile app. After all, creating a high-quality UI is what causes users prefer one app over another.
- JavaScript. If you’re an aspiring front-end mobile app developer, start by dusting off (or picking up) your JavaScript skills.
- Cross-Platform App Development. As an app developer, it also helps to know how to handle multiple operating platforms like iOS, Android, or Windows.
So what about programming skills?
Overall, you don’t need to become a pro backend developer, but be familiar with the basics like database management systems, collaboration services, and popular languages and frameworks.
Here’s a list of suggested software skills for mobile app developers:
- Java
- Python
- iOS
- Linux
- Swift
- ORACLE
- Apache
- HTML
- Ruby on Rails
Mobile App Development Software
As a mobile app developer, you’ll be working with software that makes your job easier. There are plenty of versatile options out there, even for developers with little technical skills.
Here’s a short overview of some of the top software options:
Appy Pie
Appy Pie is deemed to be one of the best mobile app development software options. It requires no coding skills, and it’s the fastest way to build your very first app. It takes around five minutes to create a basic app using Appy Pie.
Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is one of the most flexible app development platforms for mobile devices. It’s excellent for creating apps that help businesses automate tasks such as sales management, logistics, and recruitment tracking
MobiLoud
MobiLoud is the best platform for turning a blog, store, or news site into a mobile app. The software is compatible with all CMS platforms, making it easy to sync your existing website content with an app.
BuildFire
BuildFire is the place to be to develop highly customizable apps – it’s also great for beginner app developers. It includes a combination of drag-and-drop builders and developer-friendly tools for enhanced customization options.
Start Learning – The Best App Development Courses
Now that you have a better idea of what it takes to become a mobile app developer, you can start honing your skills, and there are a number of highly-rated online courses available.
Online courses give you the ability to create your own learning schedule and study mobile app development from the comfort of your home.
Ready to find a course that’s right for you? Browse the Coursary website here.