How to Choose the Right App Development Company
Developing your own custom app can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done it before. There are so many factors to consider and so many things that can go wrong, it’s no wonder that many small businesses and companies turn to app development companies instead of developing their own apps in-house. While there are plenty of great app development companies out there, making the right choice can make all the difference between an app that successfully meets its business goals and one that falls flat.
What is an app?
An app is a software program designed for use on mobile devices, such as a smartphone or tablet. Apps generally make your device easier to use and add new features that aren’t available by using only a web browser. Some apps are free while others can cost money. Most of today’s apps are found in Apple’s app store (for iPhones) and Google Play (for Android devices). Other platforms include Blackberry, Windows and Amazon phones. These smartphones allow you to download apps directly onto your phone as well as via an app-store website using your computer’s web browser.
Many companies offer both iOS and Android versions of their apps so they reach more potential customers. While all mobile devices run some version of an operating system, most have different options for users, so it’s important to do some research first before choosing which platform to develop your app on. Take a look at each site’s statistics before making your decision. The number one thing to keep in mind when choosing which platform(s) is where your audience will be most likely to spend time.
The 4 most important criteria for choosing a mobile app development company
Quality, Cost, Speed, and Loyalty are all extremely important. The real question is, what is most important? What should you weigh more than others? We’ve found it depends on your business needs. For instance, if speed is your top priority—or if your business needs change often—you’ll want to choose a developer that can quickly deliver new versions of your app as needed. If the cost or quality of the product is the top priority, you may need to spend some time shopping around before finding a match that works for you. In any case, picking an app development company with experience in your industry will help ensure a better outcome for you and your customers.
To find such a company, start by asking questions like: Is the company located near me? How long have they been in business? How many apps have they developed already? Who do they work with to get their products out into stores (like Apple’s iTunes store)? Are there clients I can talk to about their experiences working with them? How does their timeline compare to similar projects of theirs/competitors’? Researching these four criteria should make choosing a mobile app development company much easier.
Good luck!… One thing to consider in addition to those things above is how closely involved you want to be in creating your app from idea to launch. Do you want someone who can handle everything from coding it to getting it accepted into marketplaces? Or would you rather code yourself but still need design services or just design? Whatever your preference, we hope our recommendations here make your search easier!
Two questions you must ask when looking for a mobile app development company
How do they code? Do they create cross-platform apps? If they only write native apps, then you’re going to be limited in your options and will have a harder time appealing to customers. As of last year, CIO reported that nearly 80% of consumers used their phones as an intermediary device for their tablets or PCs.
That means most businesses don’t just want a great phone app; they want one that works well on their tablet and computer, too. While different mobile app development companies may offer these additional services, look for one with experience in both native and cross-platform application development before you hire them.
My best advice when hiring any development company: get everything in writing! The old adage if it seems too good to be true, it probably holds especially true here. When you are contracting out work to developers overseas, who are often times underbidding each other by 25%-40%, things get messy quickly when you come back for revisions.
The longer you delay sign-off on milestones and deliverables, keeping budgets low because you’ll fix it later, inevitably leads to regretting not getting something from every stage signed off upon completion and approved by all parties involved.
What are you getting from your investment in a mobile app?
Mobile applications are an important part of a company’s success these days, and choosing a mobile app development partner is not easy. You want something high quality at an affordable price – and you want it now. With so many business leaders telling their stories about gotchas with app companies, it can be hard to know who you can trust.
Fortunately, there are three things you should look for when vetting potential partners: personality fit, brand fit, and core competencies. By keeping each of these considerations in mind during your search, you’ll increase your chances of finding a great partner that will give your project all the support it needs.
Before making any decisions, consider everything that goes into creating and marketing an app: There are lots of moving parts involved in creating a successful mobile application, from design to testing to marketing.
Your designer may have only five years of experience under his belt; meanwhile, your developer might work best alone – but you need someone who works well as part of a team. The point is, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to app building; every client’s needs are different.
Who will be involved in developing your mobile app?
Deciding who will be involved in your mobile app development can make or break your project. You’ll have to keep in mind what your budget is, but remember quality matters over quantity. Try and find a team of developers that works together well and meets all of your needs.
If you are unsure about what language or framework you want to use for developing your app, get an idea by asking questions like What languages do you use?, Have you worked with any frameworks before?, Do you have any recommendations on frameworks? This way, when it comes time for development, there won’t be any surprises! Who will manage my app?: Managing your mobile application also requires its own set of skills.
Make sure to ask if anyone on their development team has experience as a project manager; a positive answer doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will be good at managing your application specifically, so try and gather more information about how they manage projects generally. Project management isn’t only limited to overseeing how long things take — it’s also making sure you’re happy with how things are coming along during those times.
It’s not just schedules and budgets; good management means paying attention to problems before they escalate into major issues, being available when questions arise, listening closely enough to understand (and maybe even predict) problems in advance–it’s often much easier than fixing something after it happens.
How do you know if an app development company can develop what you need?
There are quite a few questions that you should ask an app development company. You should check out their portfolio, see if they work with companies similar to yours, and do a bit of due diligence on their references.
Here are some questions you can ask:
1) How long have you been in business?
2) What kind of apps have you developed for other clients?
3) Are these apps available on app stores like Apple’s App Store or Google Play?
Why are some companies much moreConclusion expensive than others?
The price of an app can vary significantly between companies and while it’s tempting to go with a company that seems like they have cheaper prices, you should always be cautious when dealing with app development. You get what you pay for, so you should make sure that any apps developed by a low-cost company meet your expectations.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in need of a mobile app, SaaS solution, or web development services, it’s important to understand how to choose an app development company that best fits your project. With so many different types of companies out there, it can be tough to know where to start. Use these tips and resources as a starting point for hire app developer who can help you create an application that best fits your needs and budget.
