Exploring the Benefits and Hurdles of Hiring iOS App Developers
In today’s digital world, mobile apps have become a critical component for businesses looking to establish an online presence and engage with customers. With over 1 billion iPhone users worldwide, iOS app development is more important than ever for reaching this massive audience. However, hiring skilled iOS developers can be both highly beneficial and challenging at the same time.
In this blog, we will dive into the key advantages and obstacles involved in recruiting iOS app developers. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions when expanding your in-house development capabilities.
Benefits of Hiring iOS App Developers
Hiring developers who specialize in iOS brings a multitude of advantages over relying on general app developers or outsourcing iOS work. Let’s look at some of the top reasons to recruit iPhone app experts.
Expertise in iOS Ecosystem
The biggest argument for hiring native iOS talent is the unparalleled expertise they offer in Apple’s platforms. iOS developers use Swift and Objective-C programming languages specifically geared for building iPhone and iPad apps.
They possess in-depth knowledge of Xcode, Cocoa Touch, and other proprietary Apple frameworks. These developers stay up-to-date on the latest iOS features and design principles. Such specialization is difficult to match for developers versed in cross-platform tools.
High-Quality App Development
Given their focused experience in iOS programming, developers who work exclusively on Apple’s operating systems can deliver exceptionally high-quality apps. They are intimately familiar with App Store guidelines and can ensure your app meets Apple’s standards.
iOS developers also optimize apps to take full advantage of the underlying hardware and capabilities. This results in super smooth performance, fluid animations, and innovative features tailored specifically for iPhones and iPads.
Access to Advanced Features
Apple constantly adds advanced and exclusive functionality to its devices, like Face ID, ProMotion displays, Ultra Wideband chips, LiDAR scanners, and more.
iOS developers can leverage these cutting-edge features to build apps with innovative interfaces, immersive AR experiences, ML-powered imaging, and other differentiators difficult to replicate on other platforms. Having in-house iOS experts gives you front-row access to Apple’s latest innovations.
Security and Privacy
Data security and user privacy are fundamental pillars of Apple’s ecosystem. iOS developers are well-versed in hardened app security protocols like code signing, app transport security, and data encryption.
They also stay updated on privacy-preserving APIs like differential privacy and on-device processing. With increasing emphasis on data protection, having specialized iOS talent helps ensure your apps meet rigorous security standards.
App Store Exposure
The iOS App Store gives developers access to an audience of over 600 million weekly visitors. Skilled iOS developers know how to optimize App Store listings for discoverability.
They are familiar with the review process and can advise on App Store Optimization best practices like crafting compelling titles, preview videos, screenshots, and descriptions. This can result in more downloads and revenue.
Better Monetization Opportunities
Statistics consistently show that iOS users spend more on apps and in-app purchases compared to other platforms. iOS developers can help maximize this monetization potential by implementing proven marketing tactics, offering premium features, and optimizing the purchasing process.
Their expertise in technologies like StoreKit and in-app subscriptions is key to driving profitable user acquisition.
Hurdles of Hiring iOS App Developers
While hiring dedicated iOS experts has tangible upsides, it also comes with certain challenges that companies should be aware of. Let’s examine some of the notable challenges of hiring iOS developers:
High Development Costs
One of the biggest hurdles is the higher cost involved in iOS development compared to alternatives like Android or cross-platform tools. Salaries for specialized iOS programmers are usually higher than average.
You also need the latest Mac hardware and paid Apple developer accounts. Effective iOS testing requires an assortment of iPhones and iPads. These costs quickly add up, so plan budgets accordingly.
Limited Market Share
The iPhone has a smaller overall market share compared to Android devices. This means iOS-only apps miss out on a significant mobile audience. One solution is to eventually build Android versions, but native apps on both platforms can get expensive. Cross-platform tools are an option, but may sacrifice quality.
Apple’s Strict Guidelines
Apple has a stringent app review process and extensive guidelines that govern iOS software. While this raises quality standards, it poses challenges for developers regarding app approval. Factors like stable functionality, content, UI design, and use of certain APIs can delay or block an app’s release if issues are found. Navigating Apple’s policies requires experience.
Device Fragmentation
Supporting the wide variety of iOS device models poses engineering and design challenges. Screen sizes, display resolutions, memory capacity, and processors vary across iPhones and iPads. Custom layouts and performance tuning are needed so your app runs smoothly across Apple’s hardware lineup. This fragmentation complicates development and QA testing.
Longer Approval Process
Whereas Android apps can be instantly released, the App Store review process often takes days or weeks before approval. Any changes or fixes also go through reviews, delaying updates. iOS developers experienced with the submission flow can optimize turnaround times as much as possible, but delays remain an unavoidable nuisance.
How to Hire the Right iOS App Developers
Hiring qualified iOS developers takes an understanding of essential skills and careful evaluation. Here are some tips on finding and assessing candidates:
Define Your Project Requirements
Start with clear project requirements and app specifications so developers can determine if they’re a good fit. Details like target devices, iOS versions, integrations, design, features, and timelines help set expectations upfront. Well-defined needs make it easier to judge a developer’s suitability.
Look for Experience and Skills
At a minimum, developers should have 2-3 years of specialized iOS experience. Look for expertise in Swift, Objective-C, Xcode, Apple SDKs, App Store submission, API integration, and modern frameworks like SwiftUI. Also assess experience with app patterns like MVC, MVVM, and reactive programming.
Portfolio and References
Thoroughly examine a developer’s app portfolio to judge skills and code quality. Reach out to past clients for references to validate capabilities and work ethic. Pay attention to ratings on freelancing sites. Links to GitHub repositories also provide code samples to evaluate.
Technical Assessment
Consider conducting timed coding tests to have developers demonstrate applied skills beyond what resumes and interviews show. Assess problem-solving abilities and familiarity with iOS topics like Core Data, animations, Auto Layout, notifications, etc. This provides an objective measure of competency.
Communication and Collaboration
Effective communication is vital for articulating needs, providing feedback, and coordinating app development. Look for developers willing to collaborate and open to constructive discussions. Ensure they understand Agile methodologies and tooling like Jira and Git. Shared workflows and transparency lead to better outcomes.
Conclusion
Hiring dedicated iOS developers brings many advantages but also poses notable challenges. Their specialized expertise in Apple’s ecosystem enables high-quality, full-featured apps that leverage exclusive iOS capabilities.
However, the costs involved are higher, and catering exclusively to the iOS audience poses some constraints. Carefully weighing the pros and cons against your specific needs is important. Defining project requirements, thoroughly evaluating candidates, and establishing shared workflows can help attract and retain the right iOS talent.
With some diligence, you can assemble an accomplished iOS team to build cutting-edge iPhone and iPad experiences.
