Thinking of an app idea is one thing, but building it into an actual useable product takes more than just a light bulb moment. Developing an app requires a precise set of tools and skills that not all aspiring entrepreneurs have. And while learning it all from scratch is an option, it often takes a great deal of time and mental energy to build the skills and knowledge base to masterfully execute a mobile application project.
Fortunately, a DIY project isn’t the only option you have. You can hire an app development company to build and maintain your app for you, allowing you to break your echo chamber and focus on other equally important aspects of the business, such as marketing and cash flow.
If it’s your first-time window shopping for potential app development firms, here are five things to consider that can help you select the best possible partner for your mobile app project:
1.Check Their Portfolio
Most, if not all, app development companies proudly showcase their work through a curated portfolio of projects on their website. These projects are actual applications that are live and being downloaded and used by real people. The company’s portfolio can give you a good idea of what type of app projects they excel in, i.e. native apps built for healthcare facilities or hybrid apps designed for eCommerce stores. It also gives you a good idea of the caliber of clients they’ve worked with within the past, such as local mom & pop shops, starting entrepreneurs, or large corporations.
2.Read their Reviews and Testimonials
A trustworthy app development company will also be eager to show you the reviews and testimonials from their past clientele. You can find reviews prominently posted on the company’s website, but these tend to lean only towards five-star ratings and positive reviews. For an unbiased dataset, you can peruse third-party websites that review app development companies or go to social media and type in the name of the company that you’re planning on hiring. Most app development firms nowadays have a social media presence and a dedicated page for their brand.
3.Determine Your Budget
This may sound like a no-brainer or something that should’ve been placed at the top of the list of things to consider, but cost shouldn’t be your main priority when choosing a product or service provider of any sort but rather someone that can deliver quality results and can meet deadlines. That said, you should have a specific number or, at the very least, a range for your project budget before you start looking to hire an app development company. The average minimum app development project is reported to cost between $5,000 to $10,000, according to a 2017 report by Clutch Survey. More complex apps, however, can cost significantly higher.
4.Talk to Them About UX Design
User experience is one of the most important factors that determine the success of a mobile app or any software product for that matter. A company may be able to build you a solid app, but if it fails in the UX category, your app will fail to attract a steady customer base. You can evaluate the competence of an app development company when it comes to UX design by requesting a wireframe for at least one of the pages of your mobile app. You can also use an app they’ve designed in the past. Observe how seamless the experience is, how visually appealing their chosen background theme and color combinations are.
Final Verdict
Take the time to research your prospective app development companies. It’s better to spend more time and effort during the initial planning and comparison shopping phase rather than hastily pick a contractor and then watch your app project slowly unravel before you.