Behind the scenes as an app developer

Today, we’re going to give you a sneak peek into what it’s like working in app development. This includes what goes on behind the scenes, the challenges you face, and the skills you need to do the job.

What skills do you need to become an app developer?

Clearly, you need an extensive understanding of software development and design to get involved in the app development world. These days, there are full university courses that give you these qualifications, or you can take classes online as well.

You’ll also need to know how to code and use different programming languages, preferably ones that are currently popular – like SQL and Java. If you’ve got experience working with typical development methods like Scrum or Agile, then this will also benefit you moving forwards. Lastly, it’s essential that you have a deep understanding of the entire app development process and lifecycle.

Along with all of this, it’s highly beneficial to have the following skills:

  • Problem-solving
  • Patience
  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Creativity

What key challenges will you face every day?

All jobs present different challenges but being an app developer is somewhat unique in that every day can bring a new problem. When you’ve been given a project to work on, there are some immediate challenges you must overcome. For example, the communication side of things is where a lot of problems stem from. As an app developer, you could have clients in different time zones, running multiple businesses, or being generally busy. Therefore, if you message them to ask a question, it could be hours before you hear back from them. It can make every day very unproductive, so the secret is getting as much information in the initial project brief.

Then, you have all the technical challenges as well. For example, developing an app on a platform you don’t always use. It can take a while before you fully get the hang of things, meaning you could make mistakes that need to be ironed out.

Furthermore, a significant aspect of app development is testing and re-testing. The very nature of this means that you will come across stumbling blocks where your app keeps crashing, certain things don’t work, and so on. It’s part of your job to embrace these challenges, come up with solutions, and keep testing until you find the perfect combination.

What does the typical app development process look like?

Next, we’ll look at what it takes to start a new project and develop an app for a client. Obviously, it all begins with the client. If you work for an agency, they may delegate clients to you, if you freelance, then you need to find them. A great idea is to develop your own apps so you can showcase your talents and draw in some new clients.

Let’s assume you have a client; the first stage is understanding their goals and aims. It’s imperative to schedule an initial meeting where you can discuss everything with them. It can be over Skype or in the flesh, just ask them about their app, what they want it to do, and so on.

When you’re both on the same page, it’s time to go away and begin a process called wireframing. Essentially, this is where you sketch the app to determine how it will function. It gives you a good plan to follow, and you can show it to the client to make sure you’re still following the same vision.

From here, it’s a case of developing a very basic prototype, so everyone gets a feel for the app. Then, you start designing it and developing the software. By the end, you’ll have a version of the app that you can test. Give it to the client, get their target audience to sample it, and receive feedback. This shows you any bugs and what people like/dislike. Now, you go away and right any wrongs, before testing it again.

Soon, you have a fully developed app that works exactly how you envisioned. Take it to the client and ensure they’re 100% happy with the final product. Then, you can submit it to the relevant app stores, wait for approval, and people can download it. Your client pays you, but you still must keep an eye on your app to monitor performance and feedback. It’ll need updating from time to time, so ensure you can handle this.

As you can see, app development is not for the faint-hearted! You’ll have daily struggles, and it can be mentally challenging. But, it’s such a booming industry with a positive outlook. So, if this is a career you like the sound of, then get in touch today!

Related Projects

Behind the scenes as an app developer

The life of an app developer is not as glamorous as you might think. People assume your days are spent working in funky offices and earning loads of cash. While this might be the reality for some people, most app developers have a much quieter life.

Related Services

You may also like:

Augmented Reality Technology

An Introduction to different Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and their uses in app development and daily life.

Multi-camera smartphones and why they're so popular

Recently, the new generations of smartphones have been placed a lot of focus on the camera quality, especially on the quantity of cameras. If 2 cameras are better than 1 then imagine a phone with 16!

Hiring a good developer

When hiring a company/individual for your project, you need to be able to trust that the can deliver an application that matches all your requirements in a time efficient and cost effective manner. There are a lot of scam companies out there that will leave you feeling exploited and disappointed. In this article we discuss the important factors to consider when choosing your developer in order to avoid this disappointment and get the app you paid for.

Does android / apple impact mobile app development

Android and Apple are regularly battling it out to see who can create the best smartphones. As someone who is interested in a career as an app developer, it’s important to keep an eye on what these two companies are doing.

Developing apps for wear OS

Wearable tech is rising in popularity year by year. A couple of years ago, you’d only find a handful of wearable options on the market. It’s certainly a rising trend, and this brings along all sorts of opportunities for app developers.

How to Start a Career as a Mobile App Developer

The demand for mobile apps continues to rise, which naturally results in the demand for mobile app developers rising as well! So, if you want to get started in this career, then there are a few vital things you need to consider.

How to satisfy the app store guidelines

We know how difficult it can be to tick every box that Apple needs to get an app approved to the app store. Creating successful apps is often a “labour of love”. It’s hard work but so rewarding when your app finally gets published.

How to measure the success of an app

At Atom Engine we strive to create successful apps every day. We know what is involved in taking an app from concept to launch and so we know how to work with our clients to find out what success looks like for each project. Here are our top tips as to how to actually measure the success of your app.



5 of the best android apps to improve productivity


App store optimisation: A beginner’s guide to ASO


Where to get app ideas to steamroll your competition


NEW free to use online tools developed for you


CollectionView Tutorial Swift


The Importance of a Prototype




Importance of offline compatible apps


How to make your next app idea a success


5 Reasons to invest in a mobile application


Waterfall vs Agile Development Processes


Social media and it's importance to your business


Analytics within mobile apps


Choosing a Mobile Development Platform for your App


User Interface Design in Mobile Apps


Machine Learning


Business Mobile Applications

How in-house mobile apps can give your business an efficiency boost.