One of the most essential aspects for several service-oriented businesses after running a successful platform is to launch their mobile application. While it may seem like a great idea to have an in-house team of developers who oversee this project, a lot of companies would find it a better idea to hire a third-party mobile application development partner for the same.
Since outsourcing technological help has its own benefits, we are here to show you the ways to choose one correctly. In this blog, we will define the most streamlined roadmap to identify the best mobile application development partner for your organization.
Basic Questions To Answer While Finding the Right App Development Partner
- What are your requirements for this app, its budget, and the preferred platform?
- How can your potential partner help you build the best mobile app?
- What features are you looking for in an application developer?
Know Your Organization’s Needs
It’s essential to have some fundamental information before scoping for application developers regarding the project. Try to define clearly the details of the app you want to develop and why:
- What is the aim to be achieved this app?
- Who will be your app serving?
The two questions asked above are crucial not only to develop the app but also to market it.
You’ll also need to think about a comfortable budget range and the platform you’re developing the application for.
How to Interview Your Potential Mobile App Development Partner
Asking important questions will assist you in the selection of a developer that matches your workflow, strategy, and idealogy.
Understanding a developer’s experience in creating apps similar to the one you want to build is crucial. You will get a better feel of their understanding of product development, their process and the way they conduct testing and app maintenance.
If you don’t know where to start, here are 8 questions to start with during an interview with your development partner candidates.
1. What is your experience in app development? Have you worked on any projects similar to what we require?
Go through the developer’s portfolio to check for their experience in the relevant industry or in the kind of mobile app you’re looking to develop. Make sure that they have the prerequisite knowledge and expertise that will help you get the best results? One way to gain a better feel of their work is to check past projects and client feedback.
2. What does your process look like? What kind of support or information do you need from your client?
Ask the candidate how they formulate a process that provides transparency and involves their clients throughout the workflow.
The developer needs to have a defined process that is streamlined and methodical to hold space for client input regularly.
3. What is your experience in product development guidance and consultancy?
Is the developer the kind to provide helpful suggestions for the best development practices or will simply follow orders? A development team with good exposure to the market and projects will be able to provide their suggestions so that your app development strategy gets the most out of their services.
4. Do you offer any type of ongoing maintenance after the app launch?
Most applications require updates and bug fixes after they are deployed. They also need to be monitored mainly for any security threats that may occur.
A development partner that actively monitors the systems for potential problems and is available to mitigate any such issues in time is a mandatory prerequisite.
5. What is included in the documentation that you provide?
To run the application successfully post-launch, it is necessary for the developer to provide their clients with all the development documentation regarding the app as well as the instructions for use cases.
This is particularly crucial if you hire a developer that does not provide post-launch app maintenance.
6. What is your approach towards testing?
What are the testing methods employed for client applications? Are there any special recommendations for your app?
User testing will ensure that your application provides the best user experience and is intuitive enough to be engaged. It also runs diagnostics to check if everything works the way it is supposed to. Testing mitigates the issues before the app is made live, preventing roadblocks.
7. How do you keep the clients up-to-speed regarding the progress of the project?
Keeping clients updated regarding the progress of their projects is an integral aspect of the development process. Seasoned developers know this and try to actively inculcate an environment of transparency. Hiring a developer who is consistent in communication and keeps you in the loop is a very important factor.
8. Is submitting the application to app stores and marketplaces a part of your services?
It can be cumbersome to submit your app to app stores and marketplaces if you’re inexperienced. Albeit it is not difficult to get the job done, it will be helpful and a plus if your app partner can handle the submission smoothly vehicle also providing guidance regarding how to get it done? In case the submission is not a part of the bundle, it is imperative that they agree to provide guidance to your internal team since a job half done can increase complexities.
Traits That Make A Great Mobile App Development Partner
Once you have the gist of the questions to ask your candidates, you can narrow down your choices to a select few with the following desirable traits in a mobile application developer.
Technological Expertise
An app development partner’s capabilities must match your demands; take into account the platform to be used since the technology required depends on it.
Statistics say that 75% of businesses use iOS while 61% use Android for their apps.
It’s an app developer’s job to possess a thorough knowledge of security protocols since mobile apps pose a risk of cyber threats. Your candidate should be able to detect and proactively implement security measures before the app launch while implementing patch-ups post-deployment.
Business Knowledge
Having a keen understanding of marketing and monetization plans apart from their technical competencies helps developers their respective clients as per the industry standards. It helps them to bring creative suggestions to the table with their experience in bringing in revenue from app users by optimizing strategies as per your monetization goals.
Interest in Your Business
Make sure to pick a mobile app development partner who has a genuine interest in your industry and business. The difference in the quality of the job and work done shows when a developer has an understanding or a flair for your business since they add a personal touch to it which helps provide the desired user experience.
Sound Development Practices and Strategic Planning
It is highly crucial for your project to have clear communication and transparency between the development partners and the organization. Every step of the process must be recorded in the documentation process while the accepted coding standards and framework for development need to be followed.
This will help multiple team members work together seamlessly without conflicts and see the big picture in strategic terms.
Choose the Best Development Partner by Refining Your Process
Choosing and creating a successful partnership with a mobile app development partner needs an understanding of your project demands and the skill sets needed from the professionals too.
With this blog, you can ensure that your technology partners have reliable technical expertise in and business capabilities to create an application that does its job well. If your services and products are more niche-based, you can modify this roadmap to help identify the apt development partner so that they match your standards, have the required experience, and are willing to go beyond expectations to deliver the project on time.