What Stands Behind the App Development Process for Mobiles?
Do you need a new mobile app for your business? Do you know what you are going to use it for and what characteristics it should possess? You also have to decide how you are going to get your app and what the mobile app development process is going to be about. These are the main questions you should ask your potential app developer and receive consistent answers to them.
Mobile applications are meant to work with small wireless devices, such as tablets or smartphones. The development process is similar to that used for other applications for desktop and web. However, the process differs significantly because the app will be used on these devices, so it should take advantage of their features. For example, it has to make use of the iPhone accelerometer if it is developed for gaming.
The most prominent mobile platforms now are iOS for Apple devices and Android designed by Google. These platforms have the in-built features and applications. The future app design should take into account that iOS already has a full web browser and the Apple App Store, while Android gives access to the Google Play Store. All other apps that can be developed for these systems may use these preloaded features.
Essential Questions to Ask a Mobile App Development Company
When you have decided on the importance of your business app development for mobile devices, do some research to find the developing company for your project. You may want to communicate with the representative of several developers to decide which of them suits you better. So, here are some questions to ask them before you start the cooperation.
These are the questions to start with.
Can I View Your Previous Successful Projects?
First of all, you want to understand the expertise and experience of the software company you want to hire. That is why it is important to ask them about their previous successful projects. You can normally find all the information on their website. Look for their directories, awards, and referrals. Such types of awards as Wirehive 100, US App, DADI, and Webby will apparently show you that you can trust your project to these developers.
You can discuss other awards and the company's achievements with their manager during the preliminary talk. All in all, try to find out as much information as possible about the company to be on the safe side.
Why Should I Work With You Guys?
To continue your acquaintance process, you can ask the representative why you should choose them as your mobile app developer. It can be the final question in your talk before you make a decision. Think what you want to hear in response. Should it be another list of their achievements or would you prefer to listen to the professional explanation of how they see your individual mobile app development process. In any case, it is up to you to decide.
There are some other questions that can cast light on your potential developers and their skills. So, go ahead.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Mobile App?
The question of the development cost is very important for every customer. So, there won’t be a wonder if you ask this question to your potential developing company. Keep in mind that there is no fixed price because it depends on many factors. They are:
━ your app’s level of complexity that involves the users’ ability to create profiles, ways of communication with users, selling products, making payments via the app, and other features;
━ additional features and options, such as presence in social media, storing data in databases, availability of servers, customer support, domain hosting, and continuous updates.
So, how much does it cost to build a mobile app? The simple app may cost $50,000-$100,000, while marketplace and M-commerce apps can be $200,000-$1,500,000 depending on the number of additional features.
The price may also depend on whether the developer is an in-house or outsourcing team, and whether you need an app for iOS or Android. You can also use an online cost estimator if you do not want to contact the company directly for the quote.
The price can also involve the post-production testing and maintenance within the first two months after the app is delivered to you.
How Should My App Be Tested?
This question is also very important because you need to be sure that your app will work flawlessly. Remember that some tests are carried out during the development process. They can offer to test wireframe, prototypes, designs, or initial phases of launching.
You need to know what you want to obtain from the testing process. You may be interested in testing initial sketching, app validating with users, prototyping, and adapting changes on the basis of project design feedback. The latter is obtained from design sprints, and it should be based on the type of your business, commercial strategy, user behavior, and some other factors that can influence the app’s functionality.
You can ask your developer to define possible problems, explore main concepts, and find positive solutions to any issues that may appear in the development process. All these manipulations may cost your extra money.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Mobile App?
You can receive the answer to the question ‘How long does it take to build a mobile app’ from the developer you have chosen to do your project. The approximate time for it is 3-9 months depending on the complexity of the app. There are some other factors that may influence the length of the mobile app development process.
The most time-consuming steps of this process are writing a project brief that includes budget estimate, delivery date estimate, defining goals and metrics, as well as making a non-disclosure agreement and a request for proposal. These preliminary steps may take you 1-2 weeks to complete.
Then, you will be dealing with researching for ideas. The procedure involves developing the prototype, minimum viable product (MVP), and completion of user stories. The process may take you 5-6 weeks.
You will also need:
━ mockups and prototyping design (6-12 weeks);
━ developing and coding (6-12 weeks);
━ submitting and launching at app stores (more than 2 weeks).
To make your app perform successfully in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, make sure that you have provided such important details as your company and contact information, screenshots of app features, unique and detailed description of the app, app icons for presentation in the store listings, and video demonstration of the app.
Your mobile app will also need improvements during the first two months of exploitation, and the ongoing maintenance throughout its entire performance period. That’s why you will need the answer to one more question.
How Often Will I Need To Update My App?
If your mobile app is successful and has many active users, it should be updated about 4 times per month. The updating schedule should be included in the development plan designed by your developer. The strategy of introducing new features on the basis of users’ feedback may help a lot. So, you can discuss it with your software company.
Such things as bug fixing and continuous technical improvements should also be considered in the updating schedule.
Which Is Best - Android Mobile App or iOS App?
You should decide beforehand what system you want to develop your mobile app for - Android or iOS. Or you may want your app for both systems. Consider such aspects as the number of users from your target audiences, what devices they usually use, and how complicated this development will be. That is why you had better consult the experts from the software company you hire by asking this question to them.
In case of either iOS or Android, you may want to know in advance how your app will be performing on their stores. Your development company has to consider another important question.
How Will My App Launch On App Stores?
When you are going to launch your app on one of the online stores, either on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, you need to have the following things predicted and developed: the name and description of your app, the category of the app and keywords for successful ranking, screenshots of all the app features, its icons, and rating.
These pieces of information will differ depending on the project and the store your app will be submitted to. You will also need to invest in App Store Optimization (ASO) for better ranking. Discuss all these things with your developer to receive a more complete picture.
How Will The App Development Project Be Managed?
You may also want the answers to such a question as ‘How will the app development project be managed?’ The app development process consists of several stages, so you need to know what to expect before the final product is delivered to you.
You should consider the management of the project at such stages as doing research and creating the project brief, designing and developing the app, its staging and implementation, ongoing improvements, and further support and maintenance.
Ask your developer what type of project management methodology it uses. You need to know that there are two main types of methodologies - Agile and Waterfall. In Agile methodology, any changes do not take much time and effort to make, while the Waterfall layout means more detailed tasks for every member of the team to make the development more effective.
How Can I Measure My App’s Success?
It is the last but not least item from all the questions to ask a mobile app development company. You will need to know how successful your app is and whether it provides more conversions or investments. That is why you need to explain the final goal of your mobile app introduction to your developer.
You will also have to consider special metrics and KPIs, such as engagement, outcome, behavioral, and retention ones to see how effectively users employ your app and what other activities they can do due to it. You may also want to know the locations and times of the day when your potential customers use your app and the frequencies of this use. Your developer will explain all the details of your app and its specific features designed for these purposes.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, here is a list of the primary questions to ask a mobile app development company before you start the cooperation with it. You need to find out whether the developer can assure you with the exact results you are looking for. It is better to record the answers to these questions so that you can refer to them whenever you need.
Your developer is, in fact, your partner rather than a service provider. That is why you need to be very specific at the preliminary stages of development and ask your questions again if you feel that you do not understand some points or failed to record them. Your further success may depend on these simple tips concerning the new mobile application.
