Luckily, the market is not short of mobile app developers. There are many developers out there coming at different price points. However, before you splash your money on the cheapest developer you find, you’ll need to consider the following factors:
1. Knowledge And Experience
App development requires excellent knowledge in coding and UI design. You need a specialized developer with vast experience in the two fields to get a reliable application with great user experience. Depending on your needs, you may have to focus your search on developers who specialize in specific operating systems. This is vital if you are trying to optimize your application for a particular audience, e.g., android or ios users. Hiring someone with vast knowledge reduces the risk of bugs and other issues once the application is launched. This reduces the risk of downtimes that could affect your business operations and revenue.
2. Portfolio
You should only hire a developer once you’ve seen and are satisfied with their past work. Ask for their portfolio, then download the apps and try them out. If you are happy with the performance and overall design, go ahead and shortlist them. Ideally, you should request samples that are similar to the app you want. These will give you a clearer picture of what you can expect from the developer.
3. References
References will tell you how reliable and credible a company or freelancer is. An experienced app developer should have no problem giving you the contact information of their previous clients. Reach out to the clients and ask them for a review of the developer. Not only can referees tell you about the app’s performance, but they’ll also give you valuable insights into how it is like working with the developer on a daily basis. This is crucial because the app development process can take a long time, and it requires great cooperation between both parties.
4. Online Reviews
In addition to the referees provided by the developer, seek additional reviews from online platforms. You can use forums like Google My Business, Reddit, and Clutch for honest testimonials. Compare the reviews you’ll see online to what the referees said before making your decision.
5. Timeline
Don’t sign off on the project without getting a reliable timeline. However, as a client, you should also have reasonable expectations. Don’t pressure developers to complete a 10-week long project in under four weeks. They may get the job done, but you’ll probably end up with a bugged application that will require even more time to fix. Work with your developers to come up with a realistic timeline on when the app will be ready. After getting this time frame, it’s advisable to adjust your expectations by a week or two. If they say, it’ll be ready in 6 weeks, account for a one-week delay in your planning. This saves you from last-minute frustrations.
6. Availability And Communication
Find a developer that’s available and easy to work with. The app development process can take months or years, depending on your needs. In some cases, you’ll have to work with the company long-term to handle maintenances and upgrades. You don’t want to lock yourself with an unprofessional developer. You also don’t need the inconvenience of having to find a new developer. Therefore, make sure there is a clear line of communication between you and the development team. They should be able to interpret what you expect from your product accurately. Similarly, you should understand the suggestions they are making.
7. Price
Creating an app can be quite expensive. Besides the initial cost of development, you will also incur expenses in testing, deployment, bug fixes, and maintenance. In some cases, this process starts by making app prototypes which can be costly as well. So, what should you do? Develop a realistic budget that can get you the application you need without sacrificing performance and overall quality. In other words, you are free to shop around for the best deal but don’t compromise quality. You also need to consider the cost of hiring a freelancer versus an app development company. Which of the two is more affordable to you, and do they have the expertise to create the correct product? Don’t sign off on a project without doing your due diligence. Ensure the developer ticks all the boxes because their work will directly affect your business.
