Android application development services can be in high demand as Android apps occupy a significant share of the global mobile application market.

According to statcounter data as of the beginning of 2021, around 74.34% of mobile devices operate on Android, while iOS holds approximately 25.29% of the market.

These figures confirm the immense popularity of Android worldwide and highlight the importance of developing mobile applications tailored for this operating system.

In general, there are several approaches to Android app development: outsourcing, staff augmentation, and in-house development. Today, we will focus on the first two approaches and discuss the advantages of outsourcing projects and staff augmentation of individual specialists involved in Android app development for businesses. We will elaborate on the benefits of developing Android apps for businesses and outline the essential skills of Android developers.



Let’s start by exploring the advantages that Android app development brings to businesses. 🙂

Benefits of Android App Development for Businesses

Let’s take a closer look at the general benefits of creating mobile applications, including those on the Android platform.

Why does a business need a mobile app?

✔️ Marketing Channel:

Mobile applications serve as powerful marketing channels targeted at specific audiences. The algorithms within the app analyze user actions and provide personalized offers and recommendations. This enhances conversion rates and increases company profits.

✔️ Customer Communication:

Apps provide constant access to customers and enable personalized push notifications to maintain contact with potential clients. When users receive notifications or reminders, they are more likely to return to the app and make purchases, thus boosting sales conversion rates and overall profits.

For example, Starbucks successfully utilizes push notifications to attract customers and increase conversion. They send notifications about new offers, deals, and the ability to pre-order drinks. This approach has led to a significant increase in repeat visits and purchases.

✔️ Analytics:

Mobile applications also provide valuable analytical data for continual business monitoring. Data collection on metrics such as Daily Active Users (DAU), Monthly Active Users (MAU), and Retention—based on user actions within the app—helps assess app popularity, user satisfaction, and identify areas requiring improvement.

✔️ User Interaction:

Engaging feedback channels and building user communities increase audience loyalty towards a company or product. Customers can exchange reviews and, through company actions, feel a sense of involvement. This cultivates loyal customers and increases the chances of them making purchases.

Let’s revisit the Starbucks example! 🙂

The company effectively utilizes its mobile app to foster a user community and increase brand loyalty.

How does it work?

1. Engaging feedback channels:

In the Starbucks mobile app, users can provide reviews, share their experiences, and offer recommendations. The company actively responds to user feedback, maintaining a dialogue and demonstrating that their opinions matter.

2. User Contributions:

The Starbucks mobile app includes functionality that allows users to suggest new ideas for service improvements or new products. Some of these ideas are even implemented, showcasing the significance of user input and reinforcing their loyalty to the brand.

Thanks to their mobile app and customer interaction, Starbucks has created a strong user community that feels connected to the brand and frequently returns for their drinks. This is an example of how leveraging feedback channels and building user communities within a mobile app can increase audience loyalty and drive repeat purchases.

✔️ Offline Access:

Mobile apps can also operate without an internet connection, providing offline functionality. This is particularly useful in areas with intermittent or no internet connectivity.

For instance, after purchasing a product on “Yandex.Music,” users can download the music and listen to it within the app even without an internet connection.

This capability is valuable for users frequently situated in areas with poor internet connections or for those who travel to places where online streaming may be limited. As a result, the number of paid subscriptions to “Yandex.Music” increases by targeting such an audience.

Offline access helps distinguish businesses from competitors. When users see that “Yandex.Music” addresses their needs and provides convenient features, they are more likely to remain customers and generate revenue for the business.

As a result, the company provides users with a convenient application, increases customer loyalty to the product, and boosts its profits.

✔️ Payment through Google Play:

Smartphones allow users to securely store payment data without worrying about the possibility of theft. Security is ensured through fingerprint sensors, codes, or graphical patterns on the device. Compared to losing a bank card, losing a phone becomes a more serious problem. Android applications enable users to make purchases with just one click without the need to enter card details. When the payment process is simplified in the app, users are more inclined to make purchases. A prominent case study is Amazon.

Amazon, one of the largest online retailers, was the first to implement the One-Click Purchase feature in its mobile app. The results showed that the streamlined payment process not only reduced the number of steps to complete a purchase but also significantly increased the number of transactions.

✔️ SEO indicators:

Another advantage of mobile applications is the enhancement of SEO indicators. Previously, search engines like Google only considered website indexing and didn’t factor in mobile app content. Now, mobile app indexing can be included, allowing users to access information about your app even if it’s not installed on their devices.

For example, when searching for information about affordable taxis, a user may come across details about your app along with a discount offer for a ride. This helps attract new customers and gives you the opportunity to surpass competitors.

Why Android?

⚪️ Audience Reach:

As mentioned earlier, Android is the most popular operating system in the global mobile device market. Developing mobile applications for Android allows businesses to reach a wide audience of users and expand their customer base.

Flexibility and Customization: The Android platform offers great flexibility and customization options, enabling developers to create applications with unique functionality and design that align with the brand’s needs and values.

⚪️ More Accessible Development Tools:

Android app development is based on open and free tools like Android Studio, making it more accessible for developers.

⚪️ Compatibility with a Variety of Devices:

The Android platform supports a wide range of devices with different performance levels and screen resolutions. This means that applications can work on various smartphones and tablets, leading to a larger audience reach.

⚪️ Monetization Opportunities:

Android app development provides various avenues for generating revenue, such as advertisements, paid features, or in-app purchases.

Next, let’s explore the hiring models for Android app development specialists in case a company lacks internal resources to create an app.

What is Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation of Android Developers?

Outsourcing and staff augmentation of Android developers involve hiring external specialists to carry out tasks related to algorithm development and modeling, enabling programs to “learn” and solve business problems based on available data.

Both approaches are similar and offer the same advantages. However, it is important to differentiate between outsourcing, staff augmentation, and outstaffing. Outsourcing involves fully delegating project development to a third-party company. On the other hand, both outstaffing and staff augmentation involve hiring individual specialists. Essentially, these models involve providing the necessary workers to the client company for a certain period while the external company takes care of the legal aspects of the employees.

IT staff augmentation allows companies to efficiently manage the software development process while reducing costs associated with maintaining an internal development team. The main difference between the staff augmentation and outsourcing of specialists and project outsourcing is that the company retains control over the projects.

Who Needs Android Developer Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation?

⚫️ Small and Medium-sized Companies:

Small and medium-sized enterprises may lack an internal IT department or qualified staff for Android app development. Outsourcing or staff augmentation of Android developers can provide these companies with access to experienced specialists without the need to hire and maintain a permanent team.

⚫️ Startups:

Startups often have limited funding and establishing an internal IT department can be challenging. Outsourcing or staff augmentation of Android developers allows startups to focus on their core activities rather than app development and avoid the substantial costs associated with hiring and maintaining technical staff.

⚫️ Large Companies:

Large organizations may require additional resources and expertise in Android app development. Outsourcing or staff augmentation of Android developers allows companies to temporarily expand their development team to successfully implement projects without disrupting established business processes.

⚫️ IT Agencies:

IT agencies may require additional assistance in working on projects that require specialized knowledge and Android development skills. Outsourcing or staff augmentation of Android developers allows IT agencies to expand their expertise and offer a full range of services to their clients.

If you require custom Android developers to create a mobile application or strengthen your internal IT team, please contact us.

Advantages of Android Project Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation/Outstaffing

🔴 Cost Reduction:

Staff augmentation of Android developers allows companies to reduce costs as clients only pay for completed work or the time spent on the project. Additionally, they do not incur additional expenses for maintaining a permanent in-house development team. In the case of short-term mobile app development projects, using Android app development services through staff augmentation is a plus for companies.

🔴 Flexibility and Scalability:

Companies can easily scale their developer team based on project needs. Android app development services through staff augmentation and outsourcing allow for quick project acceleration or, conversely, the client company can reduce the team size during periods of no tasks.

🔴 Time and Resource Savings:

When outsourcing Android developers or through staff augmentation, companies save time and effort associated with sourcing, hiring, and training their own development team. This is especially true when it comes to specialized expertise, such as Android app development services.

🔴 Objective Expertise:

Staff augmentation of Android developers and outsourcing the entire project allow companies to gain access to objective expertise and experience provided by an external company. They can leverage the expertise of specialists, enhancing the quality of IT product development.

In summary, outsourcing and staff augmentation of Android developers can be beneficial for businesses and other IT companies looking to reduce costs, gain access to experienced specialists, or simply expand their team for successful project implementation.

What Android Mobile App Developers Do

☑️ User Interface (UI) Design:

Android app development services include the creation and optimization of the application’s user interface. Developers focus on usability, visual design, and navigation within the app.

☑️ Functionality Development:

Specialists build the app’s logic, implementing functionality that meets the client’s requirements. This includes working with databases, data processing, server interaction, and more.

☑️ API Integration:

Android developers integrate the features and data of third-party services or APIs into their applications. This can include integration with social networks, payment systems, location services, push notifications, and other external functionalities provided through Android app development services.

☑️ Debugging:

Following testing by QA specialists, Android developers address and fix any errors or issues in the application, improving its performance.

☑️ Updates and Maintenance:

After the app is launched, developers can provide ongoing support, release updates, fix bugs, and add new features to enhance the user experience, based on the client’s preferences. During the process of developing Android mobile applications for businesses, developers often use programming languages such as Java or Kotlin, Android SDK, various frameworks, and development tools like Android Studio. There are two types of mobile applications: native and cross-platform. Native mobile applications are specifically developed for a particular operating system, such as iOS or Android. Cross-platform mobile applications are developed using a unified, universal codebase, allowing them to run on various platforms and operating systems. Developers of cross-platform applications use frameworks like React Native and Flutter to write a single codebase that functions on both iOS and Android. The choice between native and cross-platform applications determines the specialists involved in the development process:

🔘 Android Developer: An Android developer focuses on coding, programming, and building the app’s functionality according to the requirements and design. They use programming languages like Java or Kotlin, Android SDK, and other tools to create the application.

For cross-platform applications, iOS developers who use Swift or Objective-C for the iOS operating system are also involved.

🔘 Product Manager: This role involves defining and formulating application requirements based on analysis of client needs and market competition. They coordinate the development team’s work and ensure the application aligns with business goals and customer expectations.

🔘 UI Designer: The UI designer creates the user interface design and user experience (UI/UX). They develop layouts, icons, graphical elements, and visual aesthetics to ensure usability and attractiveness for the users. The designer needs to adhere to the guidelines of the Google Material Design system.

For cross-platform applications, designers also need to be familiar with the App Store guidelines to successfully pass review and publication.

🔘 Backend Developer: If the application involves server-side interaction, database operations, user management, and other external functionalities, the involvement of a backend developer may be required. They are responsible for developing the server-side components, APIs, and integration with relevant systems.

🔘 Testers: Testers are responsible for conducting app testing based on a predefined testing plan. They verify the functionality, performance, and stability of the application, identify any potential issues, and help ensure a high-quality end product.

The specific composition of the team may vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, as well as the client’s requirements.

Next, let’s take a look at the skills that Android developers for hire should possess.

Skills Required for Android Developers

For a hired Android developer, the main requirements typically include:- Knowledge of Kotlin, Java.

• Experience in developing UI interfaces following Material Design guidelines.
• Strong knowledge of Collections, Multithreading, IO, Networking.
• Experience working with GIT.
• Experience with MVVM architecture.
• Knowledge of SDK components: Activity, Fragment, Intent, etc.
• Familiarity with libraries such as Retrofit, Picasso, Room, Dagger, and others.
• Experience with integrated development environments (IDEs): the primary IDEs for Android app development are Android Studio and IntelliJ IDEA.

How to Choose Android Specialists for Staff Augmentation

Selecting Android developers for staff augmentation is a critical factor for the successful development of a mobile application. We suggest considering the following points to help client companies choose Android developers for successful IT projects and Android app development:

1. Evaluate the specialist’s work experience and portfolio, and verify their knowledge of relevant frameworks to ensure their competence and reliability for successful app development.
2. Ensure that the specialists have a strong command of Java or Kotlin programming languages for Android app development, as these languages are the foundation for creating Android applications.
3. The success of Android app development relies on a wide range of skills and knowledge. Creating a high-quality Android app involves working with Android SDK components, API integration, databases, and more.
4. Before reaching out for staff augmentation or outsourcing of Android developers, companies should review past projects and seek positive feedback from previous clients to gain an understanding of the developers’ work quality.
5. Consider the working schedule and the ability of the specialists to meet deadlines, allowing client companies to plan project execution and monitor the specialists’ progress.
6. Considering the cost of services and the cost-quality ratio among different specialists or companies in the staff augmentation market allows companies to find the optimal balance between price, quality, and professionalism.

Next, we invite you to explore case studies from our company regarding the provision of individual Android specialists for staff augmentation in the development of cross-platform applications.

Case Study 1:

Task:

A car-sharing company in Europe required Android app development services. The key task was to develop the application from scratch and add car booking functionality.

Solution:

Our team used the MVVM architectural pattern to separate the code into logical layers for improved readability, maintainability, and reusability. We also set up navigation and used APIs for map and geolocation functionality. With Retrofit, we provided a convenient and powerful mechanism for programming asynchronous operations. We streamlined image loading and caching from various sources (including the network), ensuring support for animations and efficient memory usage.

Result:

We developed an application for both iOS and Android operating systems, making it not only functional and user-friendly but also intuitive for users.

Case 2:

Task:

An IT company required Android developers for staff augmentation to create a cross-platform trading platform application with powerful tools. The application functionality needed to include market analysis and placing trading orders.

Solution:

Our company provided Android app development services and Senior-level developers to reduce code and support functional programming, data stream processing, code separation into logical components, and facilitate Android app development and testing.

Result:

The trading  station mobile application allowed traders to quickly and conveniently research, manage, and place orders on the go. It featured a user-friendly and intuitive interface. The application was launched on Google Play and App Store platforms. The client company’s team was strengthened, and the project was completed on time without compromising quality.

Our Android App Development Services for Staff Augmentation and Outsourcing

• We ensure inversion of control, enhancing code modularity and reusability.
• We handle asynchronous operations, track events, and respond to them, simplifying the development of reactive and responsive applications.
• We provide easy positioning and customization of UI elements using constraints.
• We employ convenient and efficient methods for sending and processing requests, ensuring support for various protocols and data formats.
• We implement multimedia playback, such as video and audio, in Android applications.
• We simplify screen navigation implementation and handle component lifecycle, increasing their efficiency and reliability.

Levels and Expertise of Android Developers in Our Team

Middle Android Developers:

• Our specialists are proficient in Kotlin and Java programming languages.
• They work with network requests and data serialization: Retrofit + Moshi.
• They place UI elements using Constraint Layout.
• They follow SOLID principles in object-oriented programming.
• They use MVP and/or MVVM architectural patterns.
• They have version control experience with Git.

Senior Android Developers possess all the skills of Middle-level developers and additionally know:

• Asynchronous programming with RxJava and Kotlin Coroutines.
• Dependency injection with Koin or Dagger.
• In-depth knowledge of MVP and MVVM architectural patterns.
• Profound understanding of SOLID principles and their implementation in projects.
• Advanced usage of Git for collaborative work in teams.

Lead Android Developers encompass all the skills of Senior-level developers and have the added expertise:

• Vast experience and expertise in all areas of Android app development.
• They focus on developing and implementing highly scalable and modular architecture in applications.

We provide Android app development services for staff augmentation and outsourcing. Our specialists are proficient in working with modern technologies and tools, adapt to project requirements, and ensure high quality in the final IT product. To request Android app development services, please reach out to us.

In conclusion…

Outsourcing and staff augmentation for Android developers allow businesses to expand their IT teams and choose developers ranging from Middle to Lead levels without the need for additional hiring and maintaining an internal IT workforce. Staff augmentation also helps reduce development time, as the outsourcing company specializing in Android app development already possesses the necessary skills and experience for fast and high-quality development. It also alleviates the burden on the client company’s internal resources and allows them to focus on core activities. Overall, outsourcing and staff augmentation for Android developers can be beneficial for various companies looking to reduce costs, gain access to experienced specialists, strengthen and/or expand their team for successful project implementation.

If your company needs Android app development services to strengthen IT projects or create a mobile application from scratch, please contact us through the most convenient communication method on our website.