Learning IOS/Andriod Development for Contracting work
is it a lucrative endeavor to learn IOS/andriod app development to then offer services to people who are looking to make there own app? or is that market basically not worth competing for due to overseas development companies/teams offering these services?
I personally would pick a normal salary job over contracting. If you do want the freedom of contract work, maybe work on building your business on the side until you’re making enough to sustain yourself. Then consider making it your main job. The type of contracting you’re describing is very unstable and probably not worth it for most people.
I would keep my current job, my current work while technically is no way related to app dev. This would be an orthogonal thing.
I came up on this many years ago. It’s much more saturated than it used to be, but it’s still possible. If you have no network, you’ll be making like $50/hr working your ads off for terrible clients. You’d be better off spending your time finding good clients than frontloading the engineering skills. Even to the extent that if you find a great contract (rich idiot who is passive on features, non micromanaging) you can just oversee the work and make more than any of the engineers
So in this situation I would need to get contacts overseas, specifically engineering.
I’ve been doing apps on the side for 4-6 years total. The most I’ve made off my apps is $100 per month. For the amount of time spent, it’s not worth it. I’ve tried to get jobs in iOS or Android development but I’m competing with people who do it full time.
Another data point. I know someone who contracts full time as an iOS dev for SF startups. He charges $190/hr and constantly turns down work due to bandwidth. But, he has established himself as an expert in iOS development and knows more about iOS than most developers. Contracting pays a lot once your knowledge and experience grows beyond a certain point.
How does he generate his funnel of business? Word of Mouth? Does he post on certain sites?
It’s all referral and word of mouth.
In the mobile space its hard to find good work unless you have some established connections. Sometimes the clients can be super annoying and not worth it.
It isn’t lucrative. Folks with deep pockets don’t hire part-time solo junior coders. Cheap folks do, but are high maintenance, don’t pay well or on time, and won’t be around for repeat work.
Try flutter. App development time for both platform is reduced significantly.
Right but I’m more curious on if it’s a lucrative market currently. My assumption is no as it’s probably saturated by overseas companies offering cheaper rates or more for less price then what you could do as a individual doing this.
Its saturated enough and very cheap now to develop app. I thought you need learn for some side hustle. I dont think it's very easy to get freelance job in this field.