THE GUIDE
The guide most founders wish they’d read first
A practical, unbiased walkthrough of how mobile development actually works. How to hire well. How to avoid costly mistakes. How to protect your investment. Free download.
Written by Scott Brower — Former VP of Global IT Applications at Activision Blizzard. 15+ years building iOS apps, 150+ clients, apps used by tens of millions.
WHAT'S INSIDE
What you'll learn.
01
Choosing your platform
iOS, Android, and the native-vs-cross-platform decision most founders get wrong.
03
Realistic timelines
Why most founders underestimate by 3x, and what actually determines timing.
05
Contract types and costs
Fixed bid vs. hourly, and why one almost always beats the other.
07
Red flags when hiring
Hard disqualifiers and pattern-matches that tell you to walk away.
02
AI in mobile development
What AI actually can and can't do, and how it's quietly derailing projects.
04
How to evaluate a freelancer
A three-layer framework that filters out the wrong fit before you hire.
06
App Store approval
The risk most clients don't see coming, and what gets apps rejected.
08
Essential project tools
Repositories, cloud services, and why you must own all of them.
WHY I WROTE IT
The market is confusing. The advice shouldn't be.
The freelance space is full of talented people. It's also full of rushed work, overpromised timelines, code you can't maintain, and apps that look finished but can't actually ship. Most clients don't learn the difference until after they've paid for it.
This guide is written to change that. It won't turn you into an engineer, but it will give you enough understanding of how mobile development actually works, and how the freelance market around it actually operates, that you can hire well, spot trouble early, and protect your investment.