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Mobile App Development Companies Buyer's Guide
Table of Contents
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What is mobile app development?
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What service do app development companies provide?
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Why you should outsource your mobile app development?
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How to choose the best mobile app development company?
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Everything you need to know about the options available for mobile application development for your business
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Where can you find the best mobile app development companies?
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Questions to ask before you hire a mobile application development company
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Factors on which you should shortlist mobile application development companies
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What is the average cost and time taken by a mobile application development service?
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What factors affect the cost of developing a mobile application?
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Things to consider before closing the deal:
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What to do after you hire a mobile application development company?
Whether your business is attempting to appeal to a wider range of audience or improve user experience by making your product more accessible, the mobile application has been the most sought out solution by both small-scale enterprises and large multinational companies. Choosing a mobile application development company is the most crucial decision your business has to make in this journey. With a diverse range of options available and a more extensive list of features to choose from, this process can be daunting. Hence, here is everything you need to know about choosing the best mobile application development company for your product.
» What is mobile app development?
The entire process of creating, designing, and launching software applications capable of running on mobile devices is called mobile application development. It involves creating installable software bundles like codes, implementing backend services, and debugging them. With the growing number of smartphones, tablets, and other devices, mobile applications have become the heart of today’s digital world. They tend to utilize the unique features and hardware of mobile devices, making them a popular medium of software creation. With the steadily growing dependency on smartphones, mobile applications are the key to better customer experience, higher engagement, and more efficient functioning for your business.
» What service do app development companies provide?
With a team of well-trained professionals, a mobile application development company aims to offer a complete suite of services, starting from ideation and concept to delivery and post-launch support. Advanced coding services, backend development, dynamic testing, native and cross-platform solutions along with UX/UI design are few of the hundreds of services provided by the companies. Moreover, they also specialize in particular market segments and hence provide expert end-to-end solutions to business organizations.
» Why you should outsource your mobile app development?
Mobile applications have become an integral part of the growth and expansion of any business. However, if you are still wondering whether the hassle of outsourcing your mobile application development is worth it, here are a few reasons why you should strongly consider doing so:
- Cost-saving and time-effective: Keep escalating budgets at bay by paying a pre-stipulated amount to a mobile development company whose expertise will ensure that you receive your app in time. IT workloads are off your shoulders and a professional mobile application is delivered to your doorstep saving precious time and money.
- Expertise: A mobile application development company has a dedicated team of experienced coders, designers, and other skilled professionals who have immense knowledge in key areas like design, usability, and cross-platform functionality. While your internal team may struggle to master the new tools, these professionals are pre-trained and are capable of creating a user-friendly platform to fulfil your requirements.
- Round the clock support: From developing the idea to providing post-launch services, app developers are 24*7 available to ensure seamless delivery of work. With outsourcing comes the benefit of never missing out on productive working hours due to technical malfunctions.
- Impeccable security: Along with the quality, clarity, and efficiency of an app comes to its security. Make security someone else’s headache with mobile app development companies that are trained to protect your app against cyberattacks. Robust security mechanisms and tight Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) ensure that your valuable data is never vulnerable to hacking.
» How to choose the best mobile app development company?
Once you have decided to build an app for your business, there is an ocean of mobile development companies waiting to lure you into accepting their services. However, before you dive into the short-listing process, you should do your homework to know what works for your business. Here are a few significant things to consider before short-listing mobile app development companies-
- Market research: The first and foremost task is to vet your app idea through extensive market research. A detailed market analysis report not only gives an insight into your target audience but also studies similar apps present in the market, helping you understand your competitor’s strategies as well as the probable dos and don’ts.
- Platform: Another crucial task is to select a definite platform to deploy your application, be it iOS, Android, or both. Additionally, a well-researched decision on the types of apps suitable for your industry and a study into their respective pros and cons will help the application developer guide you into creating a high-quality application
- Budget and time: A detailed estimation of budget, desired time of delivery, and a comprehensive list of available resources are necessary to ensure a smooth running of the process of app development.
- Monetization model: A clear picture of the money-making strategies from the app based on your business model will enable you to determine the core requirements in your applications. Who says no to profits anyways!
- Action plan: Since mobile application development is a complex process, it is essential to understand what exactly goes on in each stage and prepare an action plan accordingly. This will allow you to have a clear idea of what you are stepping into and ensures that you have reasonable expectations from the mobile development company.
» Everything you need to know about the options available for mobile application development for your business
Here is a quick snapshot of the basics of mobile application development that will help you make an informed choice.
Different mobile application development companies focus on different operating platforms. Three of the most popular ones are-
- iOS: This is Apple’s unique operating system that solely runs the company’s iPhone, Ipad, and iPod. Generally, an app developer uses Swift, objective-c, or Xamarin to design native and cross-platform apps. A recent survey revealed apple users download approximately 51 apps per minute.
- Android: Compared to Apple’s closed system, this platform is an open-source and free software stack owned by Google. The native application development platform for Android OS is Java. Based on the country of your target audience, android might be extremely to moderately fit for your requirement.
- Windows Mobile: This newcomer is based on the Windows CE 5.2 Kernel used in smartphones and mobile devices. It is increasingly seen as a major player in the operating platforms of the future and is thus chosen by companies looking to leave no stone unturned.
There is an uncountable number of apps in the market. However, they are all broadly categorized into the follows:
- Native apps: As the name suggests, these types of apps are native to one particular platform and do not operate on other operating systems. They are highly interactive and intuitive.
- Hybrid apps: These are an amalgamation of native and mobile web apps that use multi-platform app development frameworks and tools. These are faster and much cheaper to develop.
- Mobile web apps: These apps are run directly on web-hosted servers and not on the particular device. HTML, JAVA, and CSS are some technologies used by these apps. It offers greater convenience and a range of emerging features.
It is important to use your market research, dedicated budget and industry-knowledge from the earlier steps to have a fair idea of the kind of app you are looking for before you approach a mobile application development company. This will not only allow you to be in the driver’s seat in the process but also ensures that you make informed decisions during the development of your application.
» Where can you find the best mobile app development companies?
Though you may find an exhausting list of platforms to shortlist appropriate mobile app development companies for your business on the internet, it is crucial to note that these lists are meaningless without well-researched criteria and comprehensive data to back their claims. It is important to understand that top-rated companies might not always be your go-to solution as each business looking for mobile application development requires a different level of expertise. Considering these factors along with data analysis of hundreds of expert reviews and on-ground experience in mobile application development, the above list of best-situated mobile application development companies is created to ensure that you don’t have to spend your valuable time surfing through websites. The above list is formulated by experts based on both objective and subjective factors that affect your experience with a mobile application development company and thus provides a one-stop solution to your probing.
» Questions to ask before you hire a mobile application development company
Here is a list of questions that will help you understand the nature of a mobile application development company during the hiring process:
1. Could you share your complete app portfolio?
An application portfolio generally consists of a history of applications built by the company for its customers. Asking for an app portfolio gives you a detailed insight into the mobile development company’s expertise. Moreover, the previous level of complexity and type of applications handled enables you to analyze whether the company can meet your requirements or not.
2. Could you share your customer portfolio?
A quick look into the customer portfolio enables you to estimate how your experience with the company will be in the future. Customer reviews are precious means to judge the level of reliability that the company promises. After all, a company’s reputation among its clients states everything you must know about its functioning.
3. How does your pricing structure look like?
Transparency with the agency will ensure that you do not have to pay through the nose later. Make sure you understand the payment policies of the company and that they match with your pre-determined budget. Ask for the mode of payment, and its frequency to ensure that available resources match the cost of the project.
4. What are your security policies?
Sensitive data leaks and hacks are a stab in the back for your PR. Hence ensure that you are fully aware of the company’s security policies and app testing methods. Verify whether the company is up to date with its compliance measures and data security. Mobile applications are weapons that must revolutionize your business, not cracks that break it.
5. What is the expected time of delivery?
It is crucial to have a set plan and a launch date for your business’s app. Do not forget to ask for a tentative date and method of delivery along with a timeline for the project to prevent any unexpected delays.
6. What type of platform does your company develop apps for?
Find out whether your chosen platform is parallel to that of the company’s. Moreover, you should also consider asking whether the developer specializes in Cross-Platform App Development for when you might want to expand your revenue streams.
7. What are the types of tools used by your company for quality app design?
Design and other tools are the ultimate game-changer for your business apps as they boost customer engagement. Therefore, ask your app developer about the tools that will be used and ensure that it consists of a bundle of dynamic technologies that suit your business.
8. What are your communication channels?
Communication is the key to a smooth mobile application development experience. Find out how the company plans to communicate announcements, important decisions, updates, or delays. These are issues, if not communicated on time, can cause altercations, since your business is answerable to several stakeholders.
9. What are the potential disengagement options?
Your business should be competent enough to face any unforeseen situation like inadequate funds, idea failure, or unsatisfactory mobile application development services by the developer. Hence, your exit options must be clearly discussed with your app developer. Request for quick scrutiny of the company’s SLA that will reveal their disengagement options.
10. How the company plans to offer post-development support?
This is an important question that you should ask since the app development process does not come to an end immediately once the app is built. Find out whether the package supports the maintenance and post-deployment services. Discuss how the company plans to meet future needs like updating the app, inserting additional features, fixing bugs, and how extra charges will apply for the same.
More Questions to ask before hiring a mobile app development company
- Why should we choose you over the other local mobile app development agencies?
2. Would we be signing a service agreement?
3. How do you test the apps? Is there a dedicated mobile app testing team?
4. Do you adhere to the standard coding principles?
5. Would you provide me with a wireframe for free to finalize before going ahead with the project?
6. What about project documentation? Is it included in the plan?
7. Would you be maintaining the app at your end after it is launched in the market?
8. What is your quality assurance procedure?
9. What is the average organization size have you developed apps for so far?
10. What is your process for handling pipelines and projects?
11. What is your process for app development? How different is it from other companies or individual developers?
12. Do you also take up overseas projects?
13. How do you set priorities?
14. What is your team size? Is your team capable enough of handling multiple projects at a time?
15. Where does your company stand in terms of experience?
16. Can you develop cross-platform mobile apps?
17. Are there any particular methodologies do you practice for developing an app?
18. Which framework would you be using for my app’s development?
19. Would you offer your assistance in taking the application live on different app stores?
20. How do we go about any future changes and updates in the app after the app is live? Will there be any downtime during that process?
» Factors on which you should shortlist mobile application development companies
There are numerous factors that need to be considered before you shortlist the best mobile application development company-
- Portfolio: Go through the company’s online presence, past experiences, customer reviews, and its products to have a clear understanding of its experience and expertise. Choosing an experienced company means that your business can be rest assured of resolving any hiccups during the development process. Quality of service determined through customer reviews and feedback is a significant consideration when it comes to shortlisting companies.
- Designing and coding standards: Robust design and user experience are factors that make you stand out from the crowd. Hence, focus on your app developer’s application designing capabilities and ask for an app design mock-up. The agency’s level of proficiency in your desired platform for both native and hybrid apps are the basic building blocks for your app.
- Reliable testing and maintenance: Narrow down your choices by considering the type of app testing services that the companies provide. These are crucial since technical glitches are a common issue post app development. Ensure that the company has powerful maintenance services and the latest bug-fixing strategies.
- Pricing model: Budget failures can be a real nightmare. Hence, pricing models should be a crucial deciding factor. Clear pricing models and fixed product prices are common green flags that should scale down your choices.
- Project Timeline and submission: Submission of projects on time and the active in-hand projects of the company are compulsory considerations for a smooth and hassle-free experience. Look for app submission services in your developer’s portfolio to efficiently launch it in the app store.
- Security standards: Security is the most significant factor that dominates your choice process. Correct evaluation of how each company plans to safeguard the developed apps offers long term benefits for your business.
» What is the average cost and time taken by a mobile application development service?
The cost and time of developing an application depend on many features and cannot be ascertained by simple searches on Google. The cost and time depend on various factors and increase as more features and complex technologies are tailored to them. Keeping the difference in mind a recent survey revealed the following costs structure:
› Complexity - Simple (must-have core features, basic U1, 1 platform)
- Average cost - 50,000$ - $80,000
• Average time (in months) - 3-5 Months
› Complexity - Moderate (1 - 2 platforms, basic features and more, complex design)
- Average cost - $100,000+
• Average time (in months) - 3-5 Months
› Complexity - Complex (2 platforms, advanced features, dynamic design, maintenance)
- Average cost - $240,000+
• Average time (in months) - 9+ Months
It is important to note that all the above-mentioned data is a general hypothetical assessment keeping in mind just the basic features. The costs of application differ from one location to another as well-
› Company Location - USA
- Average rate per hour (simple application) - $50
• Average cost (simple application) - $15,000+
› Company Location - Great Britain
- Average rate per hour (simple application) - $70
• Average cost (simple application) - $21,000+
› Company Location - India
- Average rate per hour (simple application) - $20
• Average cost (simple application) - $6,000+
› Company Location - Ukraine
- Average rate per hour (simple application) - $30
• Average cost (simple application) - $9,000+
› Company Location - Italy
- Average rate per hour (simple application) - $80
• Average cost (simple application) - $24,000+
However, the best method to estimate cost and time for your application is to request for quotes and timelines from the shortlisted mobile app development companies. This will enable you to compare between different companies and make the final decision.
» What factors affect the cost of developing a mobile application?
A good app idea is followed by a very obvious question: How much will it cost? Every entrepreneur looks to grab the most robust application possible with the least budget allotment. However, there are various cost drivers influencing the development of these bundles of technologies. It is important to understand these factors in order to develop a fair budget for your requirement:
- Application platform: Different platform options come with different price quotations and are powerful cost drivers. For instance, the costs of building native apps for iOS are relatively higher than those for Android. The choice of the right platform forms the base of app creation and should enhance the organization’s present applications as well as future proposals.
- Design and functionalities: Without robust designs and functionalities, your application can never stand out in the crowd. It is quite obvious that the number and complexities of features are directly proportional to the cost of an application. User-centric interface and high-quality designs ensure exceptional app experience. However, they require a considerable investment in both time and effort that influences costs to a great extent.
- Security and hosting: Saying no to multi-layer security measures is not wise since data leaks and hacks are fatal to a business. Efficient security tools demand considerable investment and are critical for the app development process. Moreover, improper hosting puts an end to the application’s lifecycle and hence acts as an aggressive cost driver.
- Backend integration and testing: Starting from GPS to widgets, third party integrations improve user experience and are fundamental requirements. However, formulating advanced APIs involves inevitable additional costs. Moreover, powerful bug and other testing options are crucial before the app’s launch and acts as a figurative constituent in determining the cost of applications.
- Maintenance: The real story in application development begins right after the development process comes to an end, as frequent updates and backend support become part and parcel of the application’s lifecycle. Expenses stretch post-app-launch to meet the requirements of advanced technical assistance for its smooth functioning.
» Things to consider before closing the deal:
It is always better to look before you leap rather than finding yourself in a tight corner later. Here are a few final points that you should consider before you finalize the deal-
- Company must have a comprehensive understanding of your requirement: At the end of the day, you would want a dedicated team of developers who are heavily invested in your idea. Before ruling out all other mobile application development companies, ensure that the developer is in line with your organization’s goals, mission, target audience, and requirements.
- Efficient app testing methods before launching it: Technical glitches are harmless until they appear after the app’s launch. Deeply analyze the company’s method of fixing bugs and issues with features before you say yes to the developer.
- Handling onboarding process after launching the app: If you do not want to lose potential users on your app because it has confused them, make sure to give a final glance at the developer’s expertise in designing a user-centric application. It is important to ensure that the company understands and can simplify the process of installation, registration, and activation.
- Ownership of application: Before you sign the deal, carefully go through the “work made for hire” contract to ensure that you receive all authority of the application developed like source code, content, and design right after the delivery of the app.
- Method of communication throughout the development process: Focus on the channels and frequency of communication adopted by the companies because a communication gap between you and the developer directly affects the quality of the developed app
» What to do after you hire a mobile application development company?
Hiring a mobile application development company that understands your product, is skilled and within your budget is the first milestone in a series of milestones required for the successful launch of your application. Here is a list of a few simple things that can help you keep the process efficient:
- Set review dates and strictly follow them: Do not be afraid to constantly ask for updates on the process and ensure that the hired company knows exactly what is expected of them by the next review date. Be involved in the process and closely monitor the progress to avoid miscommunication.
- Document everything: From the initial development of the idea to the final stage of application launch, document everything. This will not only help you make better decisions in the future but will also see to it that your initial vision is visible in the final product.
- Pay on time: Following the payment timeline is a huge part of being a supportive customer. The mobile application development company will have to invest significant resources into your project. Thus, realizing the payment on-time will prevent any delays in delivery and help you maintain an amicable relationship.
- Welcome changes: If a particular feature or idea does not seem feasible during development, do not hesitate to look for better options that suit your requirement. Mobile application development companies have experts who are trained to guide you in such situations, so don’t forget to ask for their opinions.
- Be prepared: It is important to understand that irrespective of doing everything right, some glitch or some delay is inevitable. Have a flexible timeline to accommodate unexpected issues with the application and ensure that you have a working relationship with the development company post the launch so that any problem is taken care of immediately.