Coding Bootcamps in Kenya: Tips to Learn Programming Faster

Setting life goals is great. However, the most important thing is to work daily toward achieving those goals. Many people dream of becoming world-class but never take the first step. You cannot become a developer without taking the right lessons.

Coding bootcamps in Kenya offer aspiring developers a chance to gain coding skills first. However, you may need the basics of coding before considering joining a coding bootcamp. The internet has enough tutorials with introductory lessons to coding.

As you learn from the tutorials, consider the following as well:

1. Avoid shortcuts

Bootcamps are helpful if you have taken the basic lessons in development lessons. However, if you are a newbie, you need to go join one of the coding schools in Kenya. You can then attend bootcamps regularly to sharpen your skills further.

Most coding schools hold occasional bootcamps for different categories of developers. You may be lucky to find free coding bootcamps in your area. Make the right decision between a full school program and bootcamp depending on your level of skills.

2. Do your homework

Whether you join a college or bootcamp, you have a great responsibility to make the best out of the learning experience. Your tutors will introduce you to programming and explain the concepts. However, the secret lies in applying the concepts in real projects.

Go past completing assignments to playing with codes at homes. Start with sample codes before trying to write codes from scratch. You can search for samples online as well. Simply do not sit back and rely on the class lessons alone.

3. Keep the balance 

Programming schools in Kenya have different programs. However, the demands of programming do not change. The truth is, you will spend hours on your computer when you start coding. Even the best developers are sometimes stuck at the desk all day or night.

The tough days will come but you must learn to take breaks. Do not wait until you are worn out to take a break. Schedule your breaks and keep the rhythm. Create time to catch up with friends or do your hobbies. Coding cannot be your only hobby!

4. Get help

Coding is fun until you come across a bug that you cannot understand or debug. Some coding concepts might also prove hard to understand with the first mention. Do not shy away from asking for help when you hit a dead end.

Be willing to acknowledge your weaknesses. Ask as many questions as you need to until you understand a concept. If you have been all night staring at the same code, that’s a good sign that you need help. You do not need to wait that long to ask for help.

Here is our final tip. Have fun with it! Enjoy every bit of the learning experience including the hard stuff. Every problem or challenge sharpens your skills and teaches you something new.

4 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need Apps

When software development companies in Kenya market their services, they target companies of all sizes. However, many times small business owners exempt themselves from developing apps. Most assume that social media and conventional marketing plans are enough to grow their businesses.

Think about it. Why spend money on an app while you can invest it in equipment or pay off some bills? We understand the financial constraints that business face at the start. However, market forces apply whether businesses have enough money or not.

Here are the reasons why new entrepreneurs must consider mobile apps:

1. Competition

Competitors do not wait for business to grow. In fact, they hope to keep new entrants out of the market. Today, mobile app developers in Kenya are busy creating solutions for businesses that understand the trends.

If small businesses wait to grow big, competitors will have gained the largest market share. It will be hard to catch up with competitors who invested in apps right from the time they were introduced.

2. Consumer engagement

App owners hope to solve all kinds of problems with mobile apps. The reality is that they are achieving this goal and earning from it. The popularity of apps has penetrated to the business world.

Consumers are enjoying the convenience of interacting with companies via apps. Internet services are now affordable unlike before when data charges were a concern. If there is a functional app, consumers will prefer it to chats on a website.

3. Feedback

It is easy for consumers to give feedback about products or interactions with support staff when using an app. Both positive and negative feedback informs the product strategy to grow a business.  With the best software development companies in Kenya onboard, app users should give feedback within seconds.

4. Quick sales

Everyone is worried about the declining human interactions that come with technology. We must face reality. Many customers prefer to buy with minimal interactions with sales agents. They do not wait to interruptions when making decisions.

Buying via an app is easy and fast, especially for returning customers. The buyers already trust the brand and are comfortable with the price. In addition, e-commerce has taken over most industries. Operating without an app in such an environment is a disadvantage to business owners.

4 Essential Things To Consider When Developing A New App

Are you thinking of tapping into the profits in the mobile apps market? Software developers in Kenya will encourage you to do so before someone takes over your app idea. Individuals and companies alike are working day and night to identify gaps in the market.

Your approach to this niche will determine if you make profits or not. Here are some factors to consider before contacting a developer:

1. Needs in the market

Can you identify any needs in your preferred niche? Recycling an app idea does not make much sense unless if your solution will make a difference. What are your competitors doing or not doing that can attract phone users to your app?

Sometimes entrepreneurs approach app developers in Kenya with one idea and end up doing something different. A good developer will not simply implement your idea but also advice you on its profitability.

The consideration is equally important when developing an app for your business. The app must stand out from your competitors even if you are offering similar products or services.

2. Right Platform

The decision here is between developing a native app or a cross-platform app. The performance of native apps is incomparable to that of cross-platform apps. However, the latter is preferred if you are on a tight budget.

When choosing a platform for your app, think about your target audience. For instance, Android is still popular around the world. You can build a native app here, test its performance, and then expand to other popular platforms like iOS.

3. Third-party services

Will you need to link third-party services to your app? The answer depends on the features on the app. What can users do on the app? If the features include payments, you may need links to third-party services.

The same applies to some business apps when customers may need to link to other services to use an app. For instance, for instant loan apps in Kenya, customers need to access their mobile money accounts to access borrowed funds.

The same link is required when repaying the borrowed funds. Hence, if you pursue this niche, you will need to integrate the third-party service into your app.

4. Fast Database

The choice of a database will determine the speed of your app. You do not need to guess the outcome of a slow app. The losses are huge in a fast digital world where users have several options to choose from in every niche.

Choose a fast database with a large capacity to handle the processes in the app. Think about the type of data that users will upload or download on the app.

For instance, images and videos require a good database. Hence, if you want users to share such files fast, be keen with the database. Remember users are cautious about time and data usage.

Consult mobile application developers in Kenya if you are unsure about the right database to use. Professional help saves you from mistakes that may lead to failure or poor performance of your new app.

Essential Tips for Improving Web Design in Kenya

Web design in Kenya is still a lucrative field despite the introduction of mobile apps. Many young people are reluctant to pursue a career in web design. The main reason is that the market is flooded with cheap web design services.

Another line of thought is that businesses are now turning to apps in place of websites. The reality is that web design is still relevant despite the digital disruption in the business world. The trick is to staying relevant in a world where we have an app for everything.

How can website designers in Kenya improve their services and stay relevant?

1.  Be open to change

The digital transformation in the world today has led to new expectations among internet users. When visitors click on a website link, they expect fast loading speed. Buyers expect to complete transactions fast without asking for help from customer care staff.

Web developers in Kenya must be open to change to meet their client’s expectations. Holding onto traditional UI designs and layout will not help. Today, website users are accustomed to chatbots and voice search. The trends are growing fast in Kenya and hence the need to adopt change fast.

2. Think mobile

Mobile apps have not replaced websites. However, they have transformed how users consume the internet. Every phone owners want to search the web on their devices. They need the convenience of moving from an app to a website without changing devices.

Buyers want to shop online on the go without using a laptop. Website developers in Kenya must think about such users. Given the competition from mobile apps, every business now needs a mobile responsive website.

3. Improve visual content

Do you get tired of seeing the same stock images on all websites? Using the same stock images repeatedly shows a lack of creativity on the part of designers. It is time to upgrade to real photos on websites. Designers can either take photos or hire a photographer occasionally.

Professional photographs have a price to them but they create trust with clients. If stock images must be used, designers should be willing to pay for the best. It is difficult to stand out with stock images that have been recycled for ages.

4. Improve the SEO strategy

Here is the part that many designers. They create amazing websites and leave their clients to work to attract visitors. Any designer that wants to remain relevant must think beyond the launch. Offering SEO strategies is one of the ways of improving web design in Kenya.

Many clients seeking web design services have little time to think about, let alone implement SEO. The SEO strategy should be part of the web design plan from the beginning. It should not be treated as a secondary item.

Any design company or developer that can combine the best tools in website design with workable SEO strategies will stand the test of time. Going the extra mile to differentiate a service always yield results. Such web developers will not only have satisfied clients but referrals that keep their businesses running.

Advantages of e-commerce Apps

Most entrepreneurs understand the advantages of online selling. E-commerce platforms became popular as internet connectivity improved across the globe. Today, if a business does not own an online store, its products are available on an e-commerce platform.

After the e-commerce platforms came e-commerce mobile apps. Top companies understand the importance of running both an e-commerce platform and an app. However, many business owners are unsure. Some assume that running the two does not make financial sense.

Is creating an e-commerce app too expensive for nothing? What is the return on investment? The questions are important to entrepreneurs. The reality is that every business has a different experience with mobile apps.

The ROI largely depends on the choice of app developers, who in turn determine the functionality and design of the app. However, beyond choosing developers, entrepreneurs must consider the potential benefits of e-commerce apps.

Here is a summary of the main benefits:

1. A business can reach a wider market when using both an online shop and a mobile app
2. It is easy, convenient, and fast to build relationships with clients via mobile apps.
3. Most customers use their phones to search the internet. Hence, an app is an easier way of comparing products or services and eventually ordering.
4. Mobile apps offer a cheaper way of marketing on social media through referrals. Users can share their experience on their social media platforms
5. By creating apps, businesses maintain their loyal clients who want to transition from e-commerce platform to mobile app purchase.

One more thing, it is possible to train in-house staff on software development if they have a background in computer science. If a business cannot afford to hire a developer or intends to develop different solutions, professional training is recommended.

Every business owner with a successful e-commerce platform should start working on a mobile app. It is advisable to maintain the same design and give clients the same experience on both platforms.