7 Traits of a Great Mobile App Development Company
If you want to push your company to the next level with a mobile app, then you are certainly not alone. A great app can set you apart from the competition and enable you to reach out to customers in new and exciting ways. However great your idea is, though, do you know how you’re going to develop it? A custom-made app is no simple endeavour; you’ll need a team of experienced developers to make sure it hits the mark. App development can be a huge strain on in-house resources, especially if your IT team is already struggling to juggle the many projects they have underway. Not to mention that great app development requires very specific skills. This is where mobile app development companies come into play.
A mobile app development company can take all the pressure away from your internal software development team. However, not all app development companies are created equal. You want to find a company that has technical expertise, in-depth knowledge and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. Ultimately, you’re looking for a partner, a company that feels like an extension of your internal team and that is invested in your business goals.
Finding the right app development company isn’t always simple. There are a huge amount of app developers in the marketplace, so it’s vital for you to be able to know the difference between an average one and one that is capable of helping your business thrive. To help you in your search, here are seven traits to look for in a great mobile app development company:
1. Extensive Mobile Phone App Development Experience
If you are creating a mobile app, you probably want it to have as big a reach as possible. Today there are multiple platforms, so you need to ensure that your developers are experienced in developing apps for iOS, Android, Windows, web and desktop. You should also look for cross platform experience to give you ultimate flexibility. In addition, consider the company’s experience in developing solutions; your app team needs to understand your user problem and the marketplace, and be able to guide you to the best option to give you the best return on investment.
2. Excellent Coding Standards in Multiple Programming Languages
As we’ve touched on, you may want to develop your app for multiple platforms. There are cross platform development frameworks that enable developers to use one language to create an app that will work across multiple platforms. However, there is no guarantee as to what will be best for your app until you’ve thrashed out the details with your development company. Ideally, you want to work with a company that has high coding skills and standards across several programming languages.
3. Transparent Mobile Application Development Process
If you’re investing a lot of money in a development company, you want to be clear about the process they’ll follow and the timeline for your project. The basics should include initial discovery meetings, mock-ups, approvals, developing, testing, quality assurance and deployment. There should be natural shared deliverables and checkpoints along the way so you can see progress and code in action. You’ll also want to ascertain what level of support you’ll receive once your app is deployed and make sure that you’ll be able to maintain your app to ensure its ongoing viability.
4. Clearly Defined Roles and Responsibilities
An app development team includes so much more than just a single developer. Great app development hinges on a highly productive, often cross-functional, team with a diverse skill set. You’ll want to ensure your app development team can identify who will provide UX design, QA testing, data integration and all the other aspects involved. And, more than that, you want to see that the team works well together. Clearly defined roles help with this, so everyone is clear as to what tasks they are responsible for, and you’ll want a project manager or lead developer to pull the whole thing together.
5. Standout Communication Skills and Ongoing Visibility
You’re going to be excited and extremely invested in your mobile app project, which means you’ll always want to be in the loop. If you hand over the reins to another company and can’t get regular updates, you’re going to be extremely frustrated and potentially disappointed with the output. Regular communication is vital to a project’s success. Make sure your app developers are easy to reach via several communication channels such as email, phone and video conferencing. That way, you’ll stay up to date and in touch with your project at all times. And remember that you shouldn’t have to chase for updates. New features should be demonstrated regularly.
6. Upfront Costs and Pricing Structure
App development isn’t cheap, so you need to have a clear idea of what it is going to cost you before committing to an app development company. Pricing structures should be clear with no hidden surprises along the way. Look for companies that have a tight scope of work, whether in terms of a flat rate or a time and materials billing structure; this makes it really clear what you’ll be paying for. It’s also important to remember that choosing based on price isn’t necessarily a wise idea. With development companies, you get what you pay for. Invest more to begin with, and you may well end up seeing a greater return on investment.
7. Dedication and Passion for Mobile App Development
A great mobile app development company will be extremely passionate about what they do. You should get a feel for this the moment you speak to them. You can tell when someone is just doing a job and when they actually enjoy what they do. What’s more, you want dedication. People who love developing apps will be hungry to always learn more and will be on top of all the new trends and technologies. Look for a company with an extensive back-catalogue of work; it shows they’ve worked hard to be the very best they can be at their craft. And don’t forget to ask for testimonials and feedback from previous clients. You don’t have to just read the ones on their website; you can ask to actually speak to someone they’re worked for. A reputable company that is confident in the quality of its work will be more than happy to put you in touch with someone.
If you’re looking for a mobile app development company, you want more than a service provider; you want a partner. A great mobile app development company will understand business as well as technology, be able to see the big picture and will be invested in helping you realise tangible business benefits. By looking out for the seven traits we’ve outlined, you’ll have a better chance of finding such a partner. Ultimately, if you spend time now looking for the best mobile app development company, you’ll save a considerable amount of time and money down the line.