Mobile app development is in high demand. There are nearly two million apps available in the Apple App Store and over 3.5 million in the Google Play Store. If you’re currently a freelancer or considering freelance mobile development, there are plenty of opportunities to put your expertise to use.  

While the development process is something best left to experts like yourself, pricing and pitching your services is another skill altogether. 

Before you set out to secure your next mobile app development project, here’s how to figure out your services, determine your pricing, and put together a proposal. 

What is Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development is the process of creating or updating software for a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. App development typically takes place on an operating system like iOS or Android. Mobile app developers use programming languages such as Java, Python, Swift, C++, and more, depending on the mobile app type. 

How to Become a Freelance Mobile App Developer

Freelance mobile app developers work with clients on an independent basis. Companies of all sizes and industries will hire freelance mobile app developers when they want to create a mobile app or revamp an existing one. 

As an independent app developer, you’re responsible for supporting the strategy, leading the build, and ensuring everything’s working before handing it over to your client. To do all of this effectively as a freelancer, there are a few things you need to do.

Hone your skills 

If you’re reading this, then you’re either a mobile developer or want to be. Whether you go the full-time route or the freelance route, you need to make sure your development skills are sharp. 

Mobile developers and full-stack developers need to be proficient in programming languages like JavaScript, Java, Python, C++, Objective-C, and Ruby as well as open-source software programs like React Native, MongoDB, and Express.js. 

Choose your platform 

Most mobile developers specialize in either iOS or Android. Niching down into one of these areas not only helps you become a go-to expert and reach the right clients, but it also helps you create a more focused scope of work. 

However, you can also choose to be a cross-platform developer. This means you have the knowledge and skills to develop a mobile app on either operating system, no matter which one the client prefers. 

Create a portfolio 

Similar to how a resume is what you use to land a full-time job, your portfolio is how you land freelance work. Your freelance portfolio should represent your best projects to attract potential clients and show them what you do. 

As you start to develop more mobile apps, add the projects that best reflect not only your style and expertise, but also the type of projects you want to secure more of. 

Once you’re confident in your skills, your platform choice, and your portfolio of work, the next step is to figure out how to price and pitch your services. Let’s dive into how to create a mobile app development scope of work. 

How to Create a Mobile App Scope of Work

Ready to create a proposal for your next mobile development project? Follow these steps to build a mobile app scope of work that successfully helps you secure bigger development projects, communicate your value to clients, and get paid faster. 

Determine the timeline 

If you already have a few mobile app development projects under your sleeve, then you should have a sense of how long the process takes you to complete. Factor in your personal timeline when creating your scope of work. Your timeline should be based on how many hours the full development takes you and what the project’s ideal timeline is. 

Make sure your client’s expected mobile app development timeline aligns with your own. If it doesn’t, let them know what your standard timeline is to set expectations. Sometimes, if clients haven’t worked with freelancers before, they may need to be informed about what’s realistic and what’s not and it’s your job to advise them. 

Outline your services 

It’s common for freelancers to list their services in their proposals as a single line item. For example, “design and develop a mobile app.” While this is the high-level version of what you’re doing for your client, your scope of work or proposal should outline every step of the process — from onboarding to handoff and everything in between. Some common mobile app development services may include:

• Defining and planning app requirements 

• Building mobile sitemap 

• Designing mockups 

• Developing the backend 

• Testing end-to-end 

Breaking down your services in this way is beneficial for a couple of reasons. For starters, it helps you think about everything that goes into a project, no matter how small it seems. If you typically conduct competitor research or market analysis before diving into wireframes and sitemaps, that should be included as a line item in your scope. If you conduct beta testing for an app before handing it off to the client, outline that in your proposal. This breakdown also helps clients better understand the value you provide beyond the finished product. 

To see how other developer freelancers outline their services, check out our Mobile App Development Scope of Work template. 

Figure out your pricing 

Figuring out your rate is one of the most challenging aspects of freelancing, no matter which service area you’re in. When you’re just getting started as a freelancer, it’s easy to base your freelance rate on what you were making at your previous job or by using an hourly rate. While that’s a good starting point, you’ll quickly realize that there’s more that factors into freelance pricing than the hours you spend on a project.

The best way to price your freelance services as a mobile developer is by using value-based pricing. Value-based pricing takes the price tag off of your time and takes into account your expertise, the client’s industry and goals, and the full scope of work beyond the completed app. 

Not sure how much you should charge? Check out our App Development Scope of Work template to see how other freelancers price their development services.

As mobile apps continue to be a necessary part of our digital experiences, companies will turn to freelance app developers to help them strategize, build, and launch comprehensive apps. Be ready for every client project or development opportunity that comes your way by using our Mobile App Development Scope of Work template.