For anyone wondering how to become a mobile app developer in 2021, this blog post is for you. In this article, we will explore some important steps to take in order to achieve your goal.
Mobile app developers are in high demand right now, and they will be even more sought after in 2021.
So, it’s no wonder that so many people are interested in this career path.
Let’s take a look at what you need to succeed.
Steps to Becoming a Mobile App Developer in 2021
There are various routes you can take to become a mobile app developer. The good news however is that it’s not necessary to have a computer science degree or other advanced degrees to be considered.
To become a mobile app developer in 2021, follow these steps:
Step 1: Decide what kind of platform you want to build for
To get started, you need to decide what kind of platform you want to build for. The popular mobile platforms are Android and iOS and picking either one, to begin with, will give you the best chance of success.
Step 2: Learn the relevant coding languages
Once you have your platform in mind, it’s time to learn the relevant coding languages. For Android development, you’ll usually work with Java and Kotlin while for iOS you’ll use Objective-C or Swift.
Google’s Android Developer Library is a great source for learning more about Android development. For iOS development, you can check out Apple’s Developer Library.
A bit on the basic side would be YouTube, Udemy, and CodeAcademy, however, you can find more advanced courses on sites like Pluralsight.
Which programming language should you learn first?
- iOS: We recommend starting with Swift if you’re new to iOS development. Why? It’s easier than Objective-C and more similar to other popular languages like Java.
- Android: When starting out with Android development, we recommend starting with Java as it’s the most common language used for this platform
Step 3: Get some hands-on experience
Now that you have the coding languages down, it’s time to get your hands dirty. You can do this by building your own app or working on someone else’s project.
In addition to practicing your coding skills, you can also make money in the process by working on projects for clients.
Here are key skills you should develop:
Mobile app design and user experience (UX)
This is the cornerstone of mobile apps. This skill set includes everything from creating wireframes to designing the user interface.
Mobile backend development
This is the ability to build server APIs for mobile apps and web services as well as any other back-end functionality.
Mobile testing
The best apps are properly tested to avoid bugs and ensure that they meet certain quality standards.
Version control
This is the ability to manage development projects in a way that allows you to track all changes and roll back when necessary using version control software like GIT.
Communication and Collaboration
Mobile app development is a team effort and communication is key. Being good at communicating will help you work with different teams, resolve problems more quickly and get results faster.
App Store Optimization (ASO)
Practices that help to increase an app’s visibility on app stores and improve its ranking. The easier it is for people to find your app, the better. App naming, description, screenshots, and keywords can all be optimized – examples of an integral part of app store optimization.
Marketing
An app’s success is dependent on how many downloads it gets and marketing can help increase this number. There are various marketing strategies that can be implemented including promotional campaigns, user acquisition, and mobile growth hacking.
Feedback Gathering and App Improvement
After launching an app, user feedback is very important. Gathering and implementing this data can help improve your product and make it more successful in the long run.
Step 4: Expand your skills
While Android and iOS are the two most popular mobile platforms, it’s important to point out that Google and Apple aren’t your only options. You could even consider going cross-platform and building an app that works on both platforms at the same time, which would give you a better chance of getting noticed.
As you develop more and experience, there are a few other areas that can become key to your success as an app developer:
Database design and management
This is the ability to create databases for apps using either SQL or NoSQL. You can also optimize these designs.
Analytics
The ability to gather and analyze data is important for app developers. This can help determine what features should be added or improved upon.
Cloud computing
The ability to use cloud services like AWS is key for many app developers. This can help provide more storage and processing power.
Software Development Kit (SDK)
An SDK is a set of tools that help to simplify the development process. It contains code snippets, templates, and libraries that can be used to speed up development.
Bonus Step: How to Get Hired
Finding good app development talent is tough. That’s why a number of companies have created a marketplace to connect businesses with qualified app developers.
These developers are vetted and pre-screened, then hired remotely or brought into the office, making it easier for companies to hire, and providing freelancers with consistent work from great clients.
Of course there’s a catch:
The best companies are always looking for employees who can do special things. And often, those special things require special skills.
If you want to be employed by the best app development companies like Bilue, it is a given you work hard to build an arsenal of skills that top companies can’t turn down – in the least be very good at what you do.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? If becoming a mobile app developer sounds like the career path for you then start putting in some serious time to develop these skills.
