I'm a freelance web developer with four years of experience primarily using React and Next.js. Recently, a client reached out asking if I could develop a companion mobile app for their web platform, offering a budget of $8,000. While I really need the work, I've successfully avoided mobile development so far. I tried learning React Native last year, but I got stuck with the environment setup—Xcode takes up way too much space on my 256GB MacBook, and Android Studio had its own challenges, so I gave up after a couple of frustrating days.
Now, I'm contemplating my options. I could outsource the project, but I've received a quote for $12k and eight weeks of work, which would leave me very little profit while just project managing. Learning React Native properly seems like the right choice, but realistically it would take me weeks to get up to speed, and my client wants this done by the end of the year.
Alternatively, I've tried some AI app builders like Cursor and Bolt but faced issues with the interfaces. I did manage to get a working prototype with VibeCode and hired someone for app store submission for $2k max, which could yield a profit of around $6k for me. However, I worry about the limitations of these tools—will they suffice for my client's needs, or will I hit a wall later? The client is fine with the prototype created, but it feels strange to take money for something I'm not fully qualified to deliver. What have other web developers done when faced with similar mobile app requests? Are they learning Swift, diving into React Native, or finding other workarounds? I really need advice on how to respond to this client soon.
2 Answers
Be cautious about relying heavily on AI tools for technologies you aren't familiar with. It could lead to a messy codebase that you'll struggle to fix later. While it's tempting to use these tools, integrating them without understanding the underlying code can backfire.
It's important to realize that launching a native app means you’ll have ongoing maintenance, especially since both iOS and Android update their requirements regularly. If your client needs a native app, using Ionic or Capacitor could be beneficial to leverage your web development skills. Just keep in mind to set up an hourly billing contract for ongoing maintenance rather than a lump sum, as the requirements can change quickly and you want to ensure you're covered for that time you’ll invest.
Totally! That kind of situation usually leads to headaches down the road.