The landscape for first-time developers remains extremely high risk, with research showing that around 20-30% of small developers fail within their first year. This is often due to underestimated costs, financial gaps, not understanding the market or planning mishaps. The five mistakes to avoid as a first-time developer: Mistake 1 - Not preparing a business plan with maximum detail The more detail you jot down, the more likely it is you’ll be able to spot any flaws in the plan.