Did you know that in 2014 mobile commerce made up 32.3% of all US online sales? 52.1% of online shopping traffic happened on a mobile device. According to IBM, this is the first year that mobile traffic outpaced online browsing. More than half of all mobile searches lead to a purchase. That’s huge! The iOS v. Android breakdown is no surprise – iOS users continue to outpace Android users in mobile spending, accounting for 34.2% of all online traffic. Android only accounts for 15% of online traffic. Android users are also outspent by iOS users by 24.3%.

2014 was a great year for anyone in the mobile app industry, especially those in the internet of Things, the connected home, mobile commerce and wearable tech spaces. As the industry evolves, app developers and designers are evolving the way we build new apps, too.

Solid app developers are in high demand. No news there. With so much competition to attract top developers, companies are offering attractive compensation packages to anyone who can speak Objective C or Java.

As more companies see the value mobile brings to the enterprise, professionals who can design and build applications for tablets and smartphones will see increased employment opportunities across the country. According to Robert Half Technology and the Creative Group, experienced mobile app developers can expect to see the largest increase (10.2 percent) in starting compensation of any tech position listed in the Salary Guide, earning between $107,500 and $161,500, on average. That’s pretty impressive!

According to the same survey, hiring managers can’t get attract enough good UX design talent either. Making sure that user experience is seamless across channels and aligns with business strategy and brand identity is critical to the success of any customer-facing brand. Those who realize this are investing in the right creative leadership for their companies. Experienced designers will command anywhere from $80,500 to $126,500, with directors pulling in anything ranging from $110,000 to $178,000. Hmmmm….. maybe I should have been a mobile designer!

What should app developers look for in 2015?

In another IBM Study, 94% of CMOs plan on incorporating native apps in their mobile strategies over the next three to five years. The same study also found out that CMOs and CIOs who work hand in hand drive 76% more revenue and profitability.

Developers who focus their efforts on the enterprise will continue to maintain relevancy, but to do that, they are going to have to cultivate a certain business acumen many don’t currently possess. While actual app programming might stay the same from industry to industry, getting into the mindset of a CPG company or an appliance manufacturer or a food distribution company will help a developer better understand and address the needs of their clients. Only seven percent of leaders consider their companies to be mobile innovators – and only one-third of employees report having access to mobile tools. Developing enterprise apps is completely greenfield for developers looking to get into the game in 2015.