The Greater Boston Area has tons of awesome talent in the mobile space, but one question we get asked all-too-often is, “Do you know any good iPhone developers or where to find one?” Well, the simple response is yes. But if you’re serious about finding someone to help you build an app, here’s the more thought-out answer and list of resources:

Whether you’re with a company looking to expand their mobile presence or an individual with a novel idea, there are ways to get in touch with the right people to help you make your app a reality.

However, before reaching out to anyone about your project or idea or requesting a quote, it’s best to do some preliminary work and understand what your needs really are. (Asking someone how much a mobile app costs to develop is like asking how much a house costs to build. The answer is always, “It depends.”)

Are you looking for just an iPhone developer or one who knows Android and other platforms as well? Also, do you also need someone to help you with the design, strategy, and marketing of the app? Not all developers can help you with all of these so it’s important to do your homework before knowing exactly what you need. 

Decide What You Need:

You work on the idea, let others worry about the software developers kits available to build it

First, research the competition. The various mobile app stores are already loaded with hundreds of thousands of apps, so there’s a good chance that there are apps similar to what you’re planning already out there. It’s important to have at least a high-level business strategy and know what will set you apart from the rest. Next, consider your budget. Getting custom apps developed by experienced professionals can cost anywhere from $10K-$150K, depending on the functionality you wish to include and overall project complexity. You may also be able to get your app built on the cheap by searching classifieds or posting your project online for developers to bid on, but, of course, you often get what you pay for. Finally, get a little creative. Even if you’re not a wiz at Adobe Photoshop, get some of your ideas down in a visual format. Wireframes and sketches are not only great for helping you better define your app scope, but they’re also the easiest way to share your ideas with developers and others.

Okay, so once you’ve got some of the basics taken care of and you’re ready to take your idea to begin development, it’s good to know that there are many ways to get in touch with the right people. Here are some suggestions…

Attend Mobile Monday, and other Meetups & Events:

One of the best ways to connect with local developers is by meeting them directly at some of the area’s regularly scheduled Meetups and events. Boston’s got one of the largest and most active mobile communities in the world, and there are typically at least a few great events, Meetups, or conferences scheduled each month to choose from. Find a topic that interests you and register in less than a minute online. Most are more casual than you might expect (Beers are often available.) and give people an opportunity to network, discuss ideas, and announce any job openings or projects. The best developers are typically found via referrals, so even if you don’t find someone to build your application, you’ll definitely talk to people who can give you suggestions or perhaps even connect you with the right people.

• Mobile Monday Boston — Organized by our friend Matt Gross, Mobile Monday is a global organization whose mission is to increase the size and innovation of the local mobile industry by facilitating connections between companies and people. Mobile Monday Boston hosts regular events and works daily to unify the scene.
• Meetup.com — There are tons of Meetups to choose from each month covering a variety of mobile topics and interests. From the iPhone Developers Roundtable and the MassMobile Software Developers’ Meetup in Boston (with hundreds of members each) to the NSHappyHour Monthly Meetup in the North Shore, you can easily find one in your area.
• Eventbrite.com — Eventbrite’s a great online resource to discover local mobile events, conferences, and classes. Simply search for a topic such as “mobile” or “iPhone” in your area to discover upcoming events by a variety of great organizations.

Search Online Job Postings, Social Networks & More:

There’s nothing wrong with going the more traditional route by posting a project description online and seeing what kinds of responses you get, but there are, of course, pros and cons depending on which site(s) you use. If you know what your app’s development entails and whom you might need to hire, or even if you don’t and are just exploring your options, here are a few good online resources to consider:

• mobiledevjobs.com – This is a simple & great job postings site targeted specifically at mobile developers, designers,  and professionals. Whether you’re looking for a freelancer or someone to fill a part-time or full-time position, this is a free and easy way to find people covering the full range of mobile platforms.
• theymakeapps.com – This is a beautifully designed online resource where you can find both individual talent and full-blown design & development shops in Boston and around the world.
• iPhone Developers Roundtable Message Board – Check out the Job Openings message board for one of the largest local Meetup communities of mobile enthusiasts and developers. A job posted here will be seen by some of the best and brightest around.
• Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn – Tap your friends, family, and colleagues on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other networks for people they may know. Again, the best talent is usually discovered via referrals, so don’t forget to explore your online social circles for any suggestions.
• Craigslist.org – Okay, so Craigslist is definitely hit-or-miss, but it’s also the world’s largest classifieds service with constantly-updated content and millions of users. You can post your project or idea and request proposals or even browse through listings of local developers and designers of all flavors. (Search “mobile developer”, for example, under “services offered.”)
• Others – Many classifieds and job postings can be found online via a simple Google search, but some other options to explore geared specifically to finding developers include Guru.com, odesk.com, and newappidea.com.

Regardless of where you are in the process of defining your app design, scope, and budget, there are many routes you can take to find the right talent. Whether you’re looking to get some development help on the side or a full array of services, you should be able to find a developer perfect for your situation through one of the options above. And although you’re free to explore options in other cities and even abroad, we’d obviously suggest going local and further fueling the thriving Boston mobile ecosystem.

A special thanks to Greg Raiz, Scott Janousek, Dan Katcher, Giuseppe Taibi, and Edward Beuchert for content & suggestions.

Tags: Lists

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 5:44 pm and is filed under Mobile. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.