So your business is looking to build an app — great news! Apps are an excellent way of communicating with your target audience and advertising the fact that your company is engaged and forward-thinking.
You’ll likely be working closely with a mobile app development company to bring your vision to life. But with so many companies out there, how do you know you’ve made the right choice?
Read on to discover top tips for hiring a mobile app development team.
There’s no denying the fact that mobile app development can be done remotely. However, depending on the size and scope of the project, remote work is not always the best option.
By opting for a local company, you are guaranteeing that their work hours will be the same as yours. This is important — there’s nothing worse than receiving important messages from your development team at 2 am because they are located on the other side of the world.
You will also be supporting local businesses, which is always a good approach to take.
Do your research
Once you have found a few local development companies you might be interested in doing business with, it’s time to do your research.
Start by checking out their online presence. If the company is in the business of digital development, it should have an engaging and up-to-date website, which reflects its current service offerings.
Look for online reviews, which can provide valuable insight into the quality of work and the manner in which the company treats its clients.
Finally, make sure the business has a physical location. You will most likely be investing a lot of time and money into your app and so you deserve the opportunity to meet with your developers in person to discuss your goals and concerns.
Not all developers have the same skillset. Some prefer to work on Android app development while others feel more at home with an Apple device in their hands.
Before partnering with a development company, be sure that you understand their area of expertise. At this stage of the process, it is quite important that you are able to articulate your vision, from a visual and technical perspective. It will also help to have some basic tech knowledge, so you understand the types of questions to ask prospective developers.
Check their portfolio
The best way to get a feel for a development company is by looking at its portfolio of past projects. Most tech companies will have this kind of information proudly displayed on their website. However, it’s well worth you also taking the time to download the apps they have built and having a little play around.
Check how user-friendly these apps are and if there are any alarming bugs that leap out at you. Read the reviews on the Apple or Google Play store to understand how users feel about the software and whether the developers have addressed any concerns or ideas for improvement.
Consider your budget
Android and iOS app development can be an expensive business. However, as is the case with any outsourcing, you get what you pay for, for a site like Fiverr.
Before approaching a development company, make sure you have a solid idea of your budget. You may discover that you have nowhere near enough funds needed to complete your project. On the other hand, you might find out that your budget is such that you are able to shop around a little and meet with a number of developers before settling on the right company.
Either way, understanding how much money you have to spend will make negotiating your contract far easier and less stressful.
Make sure that the development company is transparent about costs and when they expect to receive payment. These may seem like nitty-gritty details, but being up-front and honest about them can save a lot of stress in the long run.
Developing an app is a multi-step process. From the initial planning stages right through to deployment, the entire journey can take a considerable amount of time.
Do not work with an app development company unless they are realistic about their proposed schedule, and better still, understand that there may be bumps along the way. This is where you will certainly benefit from working with an experienced team that has encountered every potential problem and knows how to come up with solutions in a timely manner.
Ask for references
It’s one thing to look for reviews online and another entirely to speak personally with companies that have worked with your potential app developer in the past.
Before signing a contract, ask the developer for references. Check with the references regarding their entire experience working with the development company. This includes the quality of the product itself, as well as the level of communication and how the company dealt with problems encountered along the way.
Look towards the future
Finally, make sure that the development company offers ongoing maintenance. Technology is constantly changing and your app will likely require maintenance to ensure that any bugs are quickly dealt with and the software remains functional for years to come.
You will have to pay for maintenance but don’t let that put you off, and definitely avoid any company that doesn’t offer some form of a maintenance plan.
Johnny Thompson is a senior reporter for Generator Research in Los Angeles, reporting on technology, business, finances, and more. He previously worked as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and got his start at newspapers in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
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