Today, mobile phones have become as important as wallets in everyday life so that developments in this field are moving faster. If you can focus and know what you want to do, you can easily become a mobile app developer. This article contains a quick guide that will show you how to demonstrate your credibility as an app developer.
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Part 1 of 3: Gaining Experience and Education
Step 1. Get a college degree in computer science
Even if you didn't actually major in computer science, it can provide you with basic information on the area of application development. Also, many companies will be more interested if you have (at least) a degree in computer science when those companies want to hire you as an application developer.
- If you can, try to specialize in mobile app coding while you're still in college.
- You could also take courses in other relevant fields, such as software development. In fact, some universities offer a choice of courses that specifically address mobile application development.
Step 2. Choose one of the major mobile application platforms available
The main platforms for mobile applications are Android, Apple (iOS), Windows, Symbian, and RIM (Blackberry). You can learn to code all of these platforms, but you may need to pick one when you're just starting out in mobile app development.
Today, Android is the dominant platform in the market, although Apple also seems to be pursuing its success. One of these platforms can be the right choice to start a career in the field of mobile application development
Step 3. Use an application development program on the internet
For example, Apple has an iOS Dev Center site. There, you can see tutorials and videos that will help you learn how to code your application. Meanwhile, Android also has a similar site with the name Android Developers Training. However, you don't need to rely on these official sites alone. Many websites on the internet offer free coding classes and tutorials, although you can also look for paid classes if you want to learn more complex coding.
- One site that allows you to learn coding is W3Schools, a well-known website for learning coding. The site has a special section on Jquery Mobile that can be used to create mobile applications. The coding system is based on CSS3 and HTML5.
- You can also visit sites that offer free internet classes in various fields, such as edX or Coursera.
Step 4. Try taking a marketing class or course
You can take marketing classes or courses while studying at university. If you live in the United States, you can take a marketing class at a community college to get an education at a lower cost. You can even take classes on some internet sites, such as Coursera, to develop your marketing skills. If you want to become an app developer, you must be able to market the game or app you've developed to the public; otherwise, people won't know about your app.
Step 5. Take a business class
As with marketing skills, business skills are also important for successful application development. The business classes that follow help you learn how to make money properly from the apps you develop, as well as create an incentive for other people to spend more money on your apps.
Part 2 of 3: Training Skills
Step 1. Develop your own application
If you want to be hired by a particular company, a good practice right now is developing your own app. It doesn't matter what kind of app you develop, as long as you can create apps that are useful or fun. This way, when you are looking for a job, you have “proof” to show the company.
Having experience in this field, even if you only have experience in developing applications, can make you a more advanced candidate compared to other candidates
Step 2. Look for ideas for applications that can be made
Most of the applications in circulation are, of course, game applications. Games can make people pass the time, without getting bored. However, you can take the needs of users or the community as an initial idea to create or develop applications. Therefore, the first step to follow is to determine the existing needs. Pay attention to your own life and the lives of friends, and think about the problems (both in yours and theirs) that could be solved using the app. Once you have an idea, start mapping out the app.
- For example, applications like DocScan and Scannable were developed because people needed a way to scan and save documents when they couldn't use a computer. The developers saw the need for it and tried to fulfill it with the application.
- Other apps, such as recipe apps, make it easier for people to find and use recipes because it's easier to read recipes from a tablet or phone than from a computer.
Step 3. Focus on the usability of the app
First and foremost, the developed application should be easy for users to use. Therefore, the main application page must be able to guide users in using the application through clear buttons, contrasting colors, and simple navigation.
- One trick is to make sure you take as much space on the screen as possible. However, this doesn't mean that you have to cover every available space with buttons or controls because you'll still need some free space around tools or buttons to be easily visible or legible. As much as possible, balance the use of free space with the appearance of large buttons. In addition, you also need to make sure that the existing controllers and buttons are displayed as simply as possible.
- Make the application easy to understand. This means that users don't have to refer to other pages to find out how to use the app you've created. The user should be able to guess and know how to use it by looking at the controllers or buttons displayed.
Step 4. Get help if you need it
Even if you have coding skills, you may not have the necessary design skills. If you need help in a particular area, try hiring someone else or collaborating with someone else who agrees to get a portion of your income as a fee. Make sure you include his name, according to his contribution (eg include A's name as the application graphic designer if he designs the application interface), whenever you present your developed application.
If you don't know where you can hire someone from, you can visit freelance job sites like UpWork. There, you can hire people from different fields
Step 5. Don't forget to test the app for possible errors
New apps always have bugs so you need to test them. Have your friends test it to find out where the error is so you can fix it. The tests also help you figure out what counts as successful and what fails in your application.
- In other words, ask friends to download the app to their phones. Let them use it to find out if they are having an error with the app.
- It is important that you get feedback on the performance of the app and its controls. Ask your friends questions, for example, “Are you having problems with app controls?” and “What problems did you experience using the app?”
Step 6. Switch to another platform
Now that you've learned how to build apps on one platform, it's time for you to switch to another. You will lose customers if you don't offer apps for platforms that everyone uses.
- For each platform, you need to think about different issues. For example, when switching from iOS to Android, you need to consider different screen sizes. On iOS, the number of screen sizes offered is more limited, while Android has a wider selection of screen sizes. Also, your app will look a little different on each different platform.
- Another important thing is to keep the interface of the application simple. The more complex it looks, the harder it will be to convert it to another platform and make it look presentable on different screen sizes.
Step 7. Follow the apprenticeship program
Another way to gain experience (even while you're still in college or school) is to take an apprenticeship program. Usually, you can get information on apprenticeship programs through schools or universities because companies will visit schools to find students who want to take an apprenticeship. From the apprenticeship program that you participate in, you can even earn money to pay tuition fees or fulfill certain credits.
- An apprenticeship program can be a memorable experience. However, don't immediately expect that you can code the program. It is also possible that you will have to do “light” work (eg preparing coffee) during the apprenticeship program.
- Many major technology companies offer apprenticeship programs for local university students, so it's a good idea to check the official websites of these companies as well.
Part 3 of 3: Working in the Field
Step 1. Prepare to move
Some areas or cities are becoming a “trending” place for the application development market. In the United States, for example, Silicon Valley in California is a great choice of area to work in technology (in this case, application development). However, other areas that may be “unexpected”, such as Washington, D. C., Alabama, Virginia, Utah, and Montana, show as much as 45% technological progress. In Indonesia itself, companies engaged in technology are based in Jakarta. However, other cities such as Bandung, Depok, and Bekasi can also be a good choice of place to find a job in the technology sector.
While some companies allow you to work over the internet, often these companies want you to work in their offices. Many technology companies value group creativity which, of course, will be easier to encourage and develop when employees work in an office environment
Step 2. Apply for the desired position
If you are planning to work for a technology company, start applying for the position you want. You can find job openings on websites like Upwork, Jobstreet, or Yahoo. However, you can also search the official websites of major mobile app development companies to find job vacancies. Think of an app you like, and find out about the developer company. These companies are the places you should go to apply for a job because you already have an interest in what the company does.
The type of company you choose to apply to for the position will depend on what you expect. If you work for a start-up company, you're likely to be struggling more directly with the application being developed (and possibly, having more control over the development). However, you don't know whether the company will achieve success or fail in its early stages. Meanwhile, for more advanced companies, you will likely be working on small things for a few applications, and not have much control. On the other hand, you can feel more confident that the company will not fail
Step 3. Use the experience you have
If you have a relevant degree and experience, use both to get a job. For example, if you've ever designed an app yourself, you have a way of showing how good your coding or design is. If you have attended an apprenticeship program at a company, you already have work experience that other candidates or applicants may not have. Use what you have to stand out from other candidates.
Make sure you mark work experience in your cover letter. For example, if you have been in an apprenticeship program, you might write, “I can be a great asset to your company because I already have experience working in coding at a technology company similar to yours. I participated in an apprenticeship program at (name of company providing apprenticeship program) during (duration of apprenticeship) in (year of apprenticeship)."
Step 4. Always keep an eye on new developments
When working in the tech industry, you should always be aware of the latest developments or technologies. One way to find out is to read technology magazines because they usually focus on the latest technologies. As new coding platforms and technologies appear on the market, it is your responsibility to learn them so you don't get left behind.
Step 5. Market and profit from the created application
If you want to do business for yourself, you'll have to do things yourself for the app. Determine the best way to profit from your app, then sell your app through various social media.
- Some companies offer apps that you can download for free, but will charge you for certain products to make the game progress faster or be more exciting, such as coin or star packs. Customers may already find such incentives in the games they play, but the additional packages on sale can speed up the progress of the game for players who can't wait to finish the game, especially if you deliberately play the game continuously so that there is a lot of progress. which can be obtained in one day without having to rely entirely on coins or money earned from the gameplay.
- Look for the right keywords. When naming an app and writing a description, think about what customers are looking for. What words can be used to search for the application? You should include the word as part of your name, description, or keyword, if possible.
- Use the sharing system within the app. One way to get app users to share information about your app is to provide ways for users to help each other in the game, such as the ability to share additional “lives” with other users. If users can share information about your app on major social media platforms, such as Facebook, it can certainly benefit you in promoting your app.
- Don't forget to pay. You can upload your built app to Facebook or the mobile platform, but if you're reluctant to pay advertising fees, you might find it difficult to build a customer base, especially if you rely solely on your friends to promote your app.
