To improve your company’s efficiency, you should have a new mobile app. In any case, you need to be sure you know exactly why you need it and what specifications it must meet in order to help you achieve your goals. The next step is to plan the mobile app’s development cycle, including how long it should be, what kinds of activities will be required, and where to locate a qualified developer. That’s why it’s important to be ready for your interview with a prospective developer by writing out a list of questions you want answered.
The Importance of, and Steps in, a Mobile App’s Development Process
Mobile apps designed for tablets and smartphones must take into account their unique functionalities. The primary requirement is that the software should work on mobile gadgets with limited display space. On the other hand, such a program should function similarly to the desktop and online apps you’re currently familiar with.
Because a new app should take use of elements that have already been built for the mobile platform—for example, an iPhone’s accelerometer for gaming—the development process is considerably different.
The program should work with the native settings and functions of both Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems. Apple’s iOS makes use of a full-fledged web browser and the Apple App Store, whereas Android’s Google Play is where new app releases may be found.
Top Concerns You Should Have Before Hiring a Mobile App Developer
You may have already come to the conclusion that a mobile app for your company is essential. The next thing to do is to locate a reliable development firm to take on this venture. To determine whether a developer or business can provide the services you want, it is a good idea to get in contact with them and get as much information as possible. Before beginning conversation with a prospective developer, you should have a list of important questions prepared.
This section contains some recommendations.
Which Mobile App Is Better: Android or iOS?
Pick whether you want to build an app for iOS or Android initially. Determine how many people you want to reach on each platform, how frequently they use their mobile devices, and how complicated of a project you can afford. Confer with professionals and salespeople for advice if you’re stuck. The experts at the software firm may be of great assistance to you, especially if you continue working with them since then they will undoubtedly understand your needs.
Educate yourself thoroughly on the App Stores of both iOS and Android. It’s important to understand how well they can market the app to end customers.
How Much Does It Typically Cost to Create a Mobile App?
Each and every buyer must be aware of the cost of the construction. You need to have this discussion with the programmer you’re thinking about hiring. The problem is that there is no such thing as a set price since so many variables go into determining it. There are many factors to consider when developing an app, such as the number of features it offers, the size of its database, the reliability of its servers, the effectiveness of its customer support team, the domain name provider it uses, and whether or not it offers automatic updates.
To what extent, then, does it cost to create a mobile app? It’s possible to spend between $50,000 and $100,000 for a basic app, but $200,000 and $1,500,000 is more typical for complex marketplace and E-commerce applications with advanced features.
Developer specialization and methodology have a role in setting costs.
There will be a price difference between building an in-house team and hiring an outside one. It is possible that the costs of apps will vary depending on whether they were designed for iOS or Android. A developer’s website should provide a cost estimate you may use to see whether the company’s services are affordable within your budget range. You may also talk to the administration about the price quotation directly.
In addition to pre-production testing and post-production maintenance, the cost of these services may be included in the estimate. It’s crucial to think about this since you’ll need help with this for at least two months after the app is finished.
Explain the advantages of working with your company
It’s important to learn as much as you can about any possible development business. The first step in carrying out this plan is to consult a representative about the advantages of working with their organization. In your conversation, this may be one of the opening or closing questions. You should give some thought to what kind of benefit you would want to obtain before you apply. You may want exclusive deals, detailed explanations of each step, or a review of completed projects.
Additionally, you may inquire about their impressions of your bespoke mobile app development process. In any case, their responses will play a role in shaping your decision.
Questions concerning the creators’ knowledge, experience, and creativity may also be considered. Don’t be shy about asking them questions.
Can You Tell Me About Some of Your Successful Past Projects?
Connected to the prior inquiry is this one. Knowing the level of skill and experience a development firm may bring to your project is important. So, inquire about their most successful past initiatives. As an alternative, you might check out their website for this data. Check out the recognition they’ve received, where they’re listed, and what others are saying about them. You know you’ve found the proper location if you notice awards like the Wirehive 100, US App, DADI, or Webby.
During the first conversation, you may also bring up any honors and accomplishments that they may have won. Trust this developer completely if their bosses are willing to demonstrate previous successes.
To what extent does one’s schedule need to be cleared to make room for the creation of a mobile app?
For every business, the answer to the question “How long does it take to design a mobile app?” is crucial. There is no use in waiting around for your job to be completed if it takes months or even years. Remember that between three and nine months should be allocated to create a mobile app. What you want your app to do and how complicated it is will determine this. Do not work with the firm if the management says the project will be finished in a few weeks or a month; you will not be happy with the outcomes.
If the agent can break down how long each step will take, that’s ideal. For instance, it may take 1-2 weeks to draft a project brief with a budget estimate, delivery date estimate, objectives and metrics definition, NDA, and RFP.
It might take another 5-6 weeks to discuss research ideas, create a prototype, finish user stories, and get MVP (minimal viable product).
Designing mockups and prototyping (six to twelve weeks); app development and coding (six to twelve weeks); delivery and launch at app stores (more than 2 weeks).
Essential information like your company’s contact information is required before you can obtain information on the app’s capabilities, including images, thorough descriptions of each component, presentations of app icons, and videos demonstrating the app in action. They will aid in your app’s visibility and accessibility in app stores like the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Bugs, enhancements, and adjustments to the software should all be tested during the first two months of use. For this reason, you’ll also need to find out the solution to a second question.
Do You Run Tests on Your Own Apps?
As such, you must guarantee that your program runs without hiccups. Therefore, pre-launch testing is essential. Find out the specifics of the testing procedure, including how much testing is done at various stages of development, how prototypes, designs, and wireframes are tested, and what is done about this at the pre-launch period.
It’s possible you’re curious in the results of the testing process, how reliable they seem to users, and how effectively the developer responds to comments and suggestions made by testers. Modifications to the app’s features should take into account your commercial strategy, the nature of your organization, client behavior, and other marketing-related elements.
The developer might be questioned about the difficulties that may arise throughout the project’s development and how they were resolved. You should inquire as to whether or not these modifications would incur any additional fees.
How Do You Coordinate the Creation of an App?
It’s also crucial to consider how the app development project will be handled. A thorough understanding of the app development process and its potential outcomes is useful prior to the launch of the final product.
Therefore, at each step of development, you must consider how this process will be managed by the company’s representatives. You may be particularly interested in the management phases include creating a project brief, creating the design, enhancing the app, and continuing maintenance.
Inquire as to whether the organization employs an Agile or Waterfall approach to managing projects. Keep in mind that although the Waterfall management style requires more specific duties for each team member, the Agile approach does not entail too much time and work for making any modifications.
What Should I Do to Get My App Into the App Store?
Predicting the precise name and description of your app, its category, keywords for good ranking, images of all features, designing icons, and ratings is essential prior to releasing your app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
The organization doing the producing need to be ready to provide you with all of these details. If you want higher search engine results and more attention from users, you may be encouraged to purchase App Store Optimization (ASO). A developer will be able to provide you a clearer view of these factors.
Is there going to be an update for my brand new app?
Even if your mobile app is really popular and has a lot of users, you still need to keep it updated. Perform this action about once every three to four weeks. The strategy for development must account for an automatic updating schedule. You should also inquire as to the developer’s plan for implementing new features in response to user input.
Fixing bugs and updating technology should also be part of the plan.
How Can I Tell If My App Is Popular?
Ask your prospective developer whether they plan to include this. Providing extra opportunities for conversions and investments is something that will stand out immediately. So, lay out the end objective and ask your developer how quickly it can be accomplished.
Consider the unique KPIs and measurements of things like customer engagement, customer activity, results, and retention. Verify that you will be able to evaluate the app’s success. Think about when and where your consumers are using the app the most. All of these nuances and any new functionality added to the app for this reason should be easily explained by your developer.
Conclusions
Therefore, we think that this list of questions to ask a mobile app development business before signing a contract with them will be very helpful to you. The primary goal is to leave you feeling confident that you will achieve the desired outcome. Keeping a note of the developer’s responses to your inquiries is a good idea so that you may go back to them in the event of any confusion or problems.
Your developer should become more than just a vendor; they should be an integral member of your team. For this reason, it’s crucial to proceed with extreme caution and precision at the beginning phases of the partnership. If you find that anything is unclear or goes wrong, you are free to ask the same questions again later. If you want to be on the safe side when developing your mobile app, you should address these topics early on.