Freelance App Developers: Benefits and Risks of Hiring One ?

We have discussed app development outsourcing already several times on our blog. We’ve also talked about the reasons why you should hire freelance app developers, whether you have a mobile application in mind or you work in an app development company and need to lighten your workload. In any case, there are always numerous advantages that encourage outsourcing, but we can also run into some risks that we might just not always be willing to take to develop our mobile application.

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Pros of hiring freelance app developers

The advantages of outsourcing app development depend on where you stand regarding apps. If you have no experience in application development, no related training and you don’t even make your living out of it –i.e., if you’ve just had an idea to create an app and want to carry it out– outsourcing to freelance app developers, is the best option. Remember that the kind of development team or a freelance programmer you need to hire will depend on the workload required to make your app. However, both cases share common advantages:

Specialisation

Compared to other options available in the market, the first advantage is that you will get to choose professionals with an absolute specialisation in your project’s characteristics. This will be evident in the final result. Freelance app developers specialised in developing apps for Android will always deliver a better result than a developer on your company’s payroll who is knowledgeable about several platforms but is neither an Android nor an iOS developer. Through this process, you will obtain an application that fits your idea closely and that is tailored to your requirements as well as to those of the end-user. You will additionally obtain feedback and advice from industry experts who are used to dealing with these products on a daily basis.

Product quality

Another advantage is the final product’s quality, which will stand out in the mobile application. This is a great way of positioning your product naturally in the market. A quality product is way easier to sell. A native application and a web app are not the same. In addition to this, you will be able to make your app easily distinguishable from those of other competitors.

Cost reduction

Another of the clearest advantages of hiring professionals for developing a mobile application is the immediate reduction of recruitment costs. Incorporating professionals into your company’s staff will be more expensive than opting for outsourcing, whether it comes to hiring freelance app developers or a whole app development team.

Greater time saving

Regarding time-saving, you will avoid having to arrange meetings and weekly checks on the activity of your company’s dedicated team. With outsourcing you will just have to check from time to time, allowing you to invest your time in other aspects of your business that may require your attention. You will have a director or project coordinator who will take care of it. This will save you time as you will only have to validate the milestones put forth at the beginning of the collaboration and go over the correctness of the work delivered to release the payments –always through Escrow.

More activities were assumed by your company means the efforts of your personnel will scatter further. Opting to outsource to freelance app developments will help to lighten the workload of your company’s staff members. It will also allow you to focus your efforts on your company’s main activity, thus being more efficient and productive.

Risks involved in outsourcing app develop

In any company or business, there are risks that must be taken, and this is the case when outsourcing the development of a mobile application –as when outsourcing any other kind of service– to hired freelance app developers.

Lack of communication

The lack of a communication structure, since talking ‘face-to-face’ is not always possible, and the lack of closeness and a personal relationship may have an adverse effect. When outsourcing services, contact may not be as regular as needed and communication errors may happen. For example, the app developer might not understand entirely what the company wants and may make mistakes that will end up delaying the app project.

Setbacks and a lack of reliability regarding delivery deadlines

Sometimes, when we choose to outsource services (also in app development) we face a lack of certainty regarding what will happen after establishing the deadlines. How can we be one hundred per cent sure that the company or professional that we have hired will meet the deadline?

This lack of reliability associated with this external agent is another risk. Setbacks can always happen, but the deadline can be met through good communication and collaboration on both sides to resolve them properly.

Online payment security

One of the thorniest issues when conducting business online is to be sure that our money reaches the recipient properly and safely. We do not want our bank details exposed. One of the risks of hiring freelance app developers is precisely this. Although there are well-known payment gateways that are currently very safe, one has to be careful and be aware of what kind of payment is accepted by the company or professional we have hired for outsourcing the app’s development. In addition, we also need assurance that the service for which we are paying for is being carried out.

How do I protect my idea?

The fear that an original and innovative idea might get copied means many customers do not fully trust this process. One of the app outsourcer’s biggest fears is that their idea gets copied when sharing it. However, if you are considering developing a mobile app and want to protect your idea, you must be clear when describing your application project. A lack of clear communication will only get you unrealistic budgets that will ultimately not convince you and you will not be able to pick a good freelance programmer. One possible solution for protecting your idea is to get a non-disclosure agreement signed.

How does Yeeply solve these risks?

As experts in outsourcing the development of mobile projects and applications, we are very familiar with the advantages and disadvantages that come with this way of getting the work done. We work every day to minimize the risks that you face when outsourcing this service. Our aim is to minimize the risks associated to project outsourcing and to offer you support throughout the process so you can benefit from its advantages to the maximum extent and develop the mobile application you have in mind.

For example, Yeeply is familiar with the developers you hire and knows that they meet the deadlines. Therefore, our platform works as a mediator to review the work, check that milestones are being met and oversee that deliveries are handled on time. It also assures freelance developers that their customers are not going to back out and that they will get paid for their work.

Similarly, Yeeply seeks –during all phases of the project– fluid communication and focuses on both parties understanding each other. Furthermore, the customer must clearly explain the app they have in mind and the developer must clearly explain their proposal for carrying it out, as sometimes the industry’s specialised jargon prevents the customer from grasping what the freelance developer is saying. Our marketplace works as a communication channel to avoid these errors.

As for security in online payments, we offer a secure payment method through Escrow. This method involves Yeeply withholding the customer’s payment, which will be delivered to the developer when the customer is satisfied with the results. On the other hand, the freelance developer can start developing the mobile project confidently and without worrying about whether the customer has paid or whether he will receive his payment when the service is delivered. With our platform, we cancel out this risk and uncertainty by, as mentioned, offering a secure payment method through Escrow.

Finally, at Yeeply we work with accomplished application developers who will be closely involved with you in your project. However, for further assurance, you can choose to sign a non-disclosure agreement with us and with any freelance developer or development team wanting to take part in your project. This way your idea will be legally protected.

And above all, we can give you advice on all your needs. Shall we publish your mobile app idea?