App development is an important milestone for every business. By exposing a business to a wider market reach and paving the way for additional revenue streams through monetization, a mobile application facilitates business growth.
A mobile app helps a small business to enhance customer experience and uplift the brand image. Therefore, mobile apps are the most demanded software products among businesses.
As per the latest data available, an article published in PR Newswire mentions that the popularity of mobile apps is increasing steadily, with 48% of SMBs already having a mobile app.
The same article mentions that 79% of businesses prefer to outsource mobile app development over hiring an in-house team. However, another report states that worldwide, around 44% of software projects fail due to poor planning.
Choosing the right app development partner is the only key to preventing project failure and launching a high-quality app successfully.
So, in this blog, let’s explore how a business can find a reliable development partner to ensure app success.
Table of Contents
How Does the Chosen App Partner Decide Your App’s Success?
Software products like mobile applications have 3 lifecycle phases:
- Pre-Development: Idea Validation, Requirement Gathering, User-Flow, UI/UX, and app architecture design, Scope of Work definition, and cost and timeline Estimation.
- Development: Writing the unique code for the app’s backend and front-end. Testing goes hand in hand with modern agile development.
- Post Development: Final testing for Quality Assurance (QA), App Store, and Play Store Launch, Regular app updates, support, and maintenance, and scaling the app.
Thus, an app has a continuous lifecycle without an endpoint. The right development team handles all 3 phases efficiently and leads to a successful execution and maintenance.
Understand the role of an application development partner in the app success as follows:
Right Idea Validation > Better Product Development Clarity
- The right app development team is product-minded.
- It focuses on converting a raw app idea into a well-thought-out product built for users, not just for business.
Product Development Clarity > Right Feature List Definition
- Product clarity helps derive the right set of app features and functions.
- Also, a reliable application development partner encourages building MVP apps for cost efficiency and faster time-to-market.
- The right team also plans MVP features and a clear rollout roadmap for the next phases.
Accurate Feature List > Well-Defined Scope of Work, Timeline, & Cost
- With an accurate feature list, the app development engineers clearly define the scope of work and the estimated timeline.
- Cost estimation also becomes easier with a clear work scope.
- This prevents timeline breaches, scope creeps, and cost inflation after the development begins – common problems an app owner fears.
Clear Scope of Work > Streamlined Mobile App Development
- When the development team gets clear development milestones and a timeline, they work in a more streamlined way.
- This makes each team member more responsible and accountable for the timeline and milestone achievement.
- Eventually, the development process becomes smooth and streamlined.
Strong Post-Development Support > Smooth App Maintenance
- A professional mobile application development team is also responsible for app maintenance, updates, and support post-development.
- When a business gets a dedicated team for app maintenance, it can focus on business growth without having to worry about technical failures.
Well-Maintained App > High App Performance > High User Retention > Higher Conversions
- A well-maintained and updated app ensures high app performance.
- Well-built apps with glitch-free user experience ensure high user retention and low drop-off rates.
- Eventually, great apps engage the users better and convert them from users to customers.
On the contrary, choosing a weak development partner can fail the app even before its development. An inefficient team can lead to-
- Unappealing product development
- Confusing feature list and unclear user flow
- Wrongly estimated timelines, and requesting extension time and again
- Delayed app delivery
- Low app development cost estimate in the beginning, then increasing budget later
- Poor app maintenance
Recently, the Economic Times featured a story by an iOS developer in which he explains how poor project management and rushed app launch led to the failure of a startup.
Absence of testing, starting tests, quality assurance, and rushed app launch. Right after the launch, problems with signup, login, random errors, and app crashes surfaced.
This is just one case, and various such cases happen worldwide. Therefore, finding reliable app developers becomes a necessity.
Before Connecting With An App Development Team – Here’s What You Need to Understand
Searching for a custom application development team for your unique app requirements must not begin with a Google search. Rather, before approaching a company, you must have a clear idea about your app.
So, before booking a consultation with an app development team, you must document the following and use it for discussion with the development team later:
- Define the Goal of Your App
- Clearly define the goal of your app.
- The goal may be – selling online (like an e-commerce app), engagement (like a social app), internal efficiency and communication for a business (like an HRMS app).
- Defining the goal will help you identify the right app category and choose an experienced development partner accordingly.
- Identify What Problem the App Solves for the Users
- Now figure out what pain points the app can solve.
- Why must users choose your app over other alternatives?
- When brainstorming, you must be confident about your answers.
- If you are not, rethink and refine the app’s concept.
- It will later help you and the chosen partner to define user flow, app features, and functions.
- Decide What Devices You Want to Launch Your App On
- Smartphones, Laptops, Desktops, Tablets, and iPads – get clarity on what devices you like to target.
- Different devices have different platforms or Operating Systems (OS) like iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
- This will help you choose between iOS, Android, and Cross-Platform app development services.
- Additionally, it also provides clarity for choosing the right tech stack.
- Based on the tech stack and platform clarity, you can look for a suitable development team with the required skills.
- List Down the Core App Features
- Do not fully depend upon the development partner for the user flow and the feature list.
- Instead, have your own ideation and look only for idea validation and enhancement from the development team.
- This way, you save a good amount of time.
- Understand How Would You Like to Earn From The App
- An app may be monetized in different ways, including direct selling, in-app purchases, in-app advertisements, and subscriptions.
- Choose your revenue model. It will later help you in the requirement gathering phase discussion with the team.
- Decide Whether You Need A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a Full-Scale Product
- Most importantly, have a well-planned execution strategy.
- Be clear whether you need an MVP app (a mobile app with only core features) that you would like to scale as the business grows.
- Or you need a full product.
- However, choosing the MVP model is the most recommended as it ensures low risk, faster launch, and guided refinement with real user feedback.
- Be Clear About Your Timeline & Budget
- Needless to mention, be specific about your timeline and budget expectations.
- However, the timeline and budget expectations must be realistic and practical.
- Remember, the timeline and cost depend upon the scope of work.
- Therefore, be flexible with the project timeline and budget expectations.
- Choose Between Freelancers, A Custom Mobile App Development Company, or an In-House Team
When looking for mobile app developers, you have 3 types of options with their own pros and cons. These include-
Freelance App Developers
You can hire freelance mobile app developers from different platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn.
Pros
- Quick start.
- Cost-effective.
- Anytime direct communication.
- High skills and specialization.
Cons
- Less credibility.
- Limited accountability.
- Inefficient project management.
- Lack of UI/UX development skills.
- Absence of NDA-Assurance
Custom Mobile App Development Companies
Outsourcing app development to a custom mobile app development company is a safer and recommended option than choosing a freelancer. The pros and cons include-
Pros
- High reliability, accountability, and credibility.
- On-Site meeting, more trust.
- Full-service IT companies like Ezulix have a complete team of app developers, UI/UX designers, testers, a project manager, and technical support engineers.
- So, the app owner finds all-in-one services and complete product lifecycle management.
- Idea confidentiality with NDA-Assurance
- Product-Minded Teams, Not Just Developers.
- Long-term product maintenance and support.
- Availability of digital marketing and App Store Optimisation services.
Cons
- Step-by-Step development process. Documentation may seem time-consuming.
- Slightly expensive.
Hiring In-House App Developers
Some businesses prefer in-house teams. Usually, renowned app-based startups like Uber, Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, etc. have chosen in-house teams for higher project control.
Pros
- More controlled project monitoring.
- Dependable teams. High answerability and accountability.
- No communication gaps.
- Enhanced project confidentiality.
- Thoroughly screened and interviewed employees. Higher reliability.
- Long-term app maintenance and support.
Cons
- Time-consuming hiring process.
- Very expensive for early-stage businesses and SMBs.
- Highly experienced and skilled senior developers, UI/UX designers, and IT recruiters are required for the screening procedure.
When you have clearly answered and documented these 8 questions, you are ready to start with your Google search for hiring a suitable mobile app development partner.
How to Find The Right App Development Partner?
Once a business is clear about its app requirements and timeline, budget, tech stack, features, functions, branding, and partner expectations, it is time to search for a suitable tech partner for app development.
Choosing the app development team must be a practical approach and not a random decision. So, start with clarity and practicality.
However, remembering each and every pointer mentioned in this blog might seem a difficult task. Therefore, we have prepared a crisp checklist in another blog. You may take a screenshot and keep the list handy during the discussions.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Tech Partner for App Development
Let’s now have a quick idea for searching for an application development partner with Google search.
#1 Check the Online Presence
- When you start with the Google search, check as many options as possible.
- Click on various website links and check the online presence for each of them.
- Online presence includes – company website, LinkedIn, social media platform, reviews on Google Business Profile, and reviews on business review platforms like Clutch, Design Rush, etc.
#2 Make A List of the Best 10-12 Options
- Choose 10-12 reliable options.
- These may include companies with a good website and 4-5 star business ratings.
- Additionally, you may pick options based on your location, time zone, and other personal and specific preferences.
#3 Connect Face-to-Face & Discuss Development Milestones
- Now, be ready with the checklist provided above and schedule online meetings with the chosen freelancers, companies, or job applicants.
- Discuss clear development milestones with these potential partners.
- Try to get a refined feature list, user flow, and, if possible wireframe as well. You may use these later on to compare and choose the best offer for your business.
- Discuss timeline and budget expectations. Take a clear scope of work, time, and cost estimation from them.
#4 Meet In Person (If Possible)
- Filter 3-4 best options based on the above 3 steps.
- Then, it is advisable to visit their location and meet in person.
- This will help you gain trust and check the credibility of the partner.
#5 Ask About Their Previous Work
- When you meet them in person, ask about the previous work done by their developers.
- See the portfolios of their designers.
- Connect with them and establish a good rapport.
- This will help you analyse their professionalism and get an idea of their skills and expertise.
#6 Connect With Previous Clients For Assurance
- Later on, you may also connect with their previous or existing clients on social platforms and get direct feedback about their quality of work, professionalism, and commitment.
- However, it is optional.
#7 Compare Available Options & Choose What Fits Your Requirements
- Now compare all the offers you have in your hand.
- Choose a partner that offers the best designs, a valid timeline, a futuristic development plan, and a reasonable price quote.
- Remember, never choose on the basis of timeline or price quote alone. Try to figure out who offers more value in a moderate timeline and budget.
5 Questions You Must Ask Every App Development Team Approached
Before closing the deal, you must ask 5 questions to the potential app partner. These questions include-
Will You Keep My Unique Idea Confidential?
If you are choosing custom mobile app development services for your business, then the professional partner is liable to maintain confidentiality. Remember that:
- An ideal development team must immediately respond with NDA-assurance when you raise this query.
- The NDA agreement binds all the associated team members legally to maintain the confidentiality of your project.
What Kinds of Apps Have You Worked on Previously?
If the potential partner has experience in building a mobile app similar to yours or at least relevant to your business industry, it further ensures smoother project delivery and fewer errors.
However, if your app idea is first-of-its-kind, then you simply need to pick a custom app development company with specialization in bespoke solutions.
Will You Hand Over The Source Code To Me? If Yes, Will It Cost Me Extra?
Source Code in simple terms, is the right to the code written for your app. Ideally, when choosing custom development, the source code must belong to the client.
However, you must confirm with the chosen partner if they charge extra for the source code. Taking source code from the partner helps you:
- Modify the code with a different tech partner anytime.
- Switch to a different tech partner for app maintenance without any vendor lock-in.
- Manage app hosting your way.
However, even if you do not buy the source code, the professional development company ensures that you get enough flexibility for the above.
Post-Development, Will I Get Technical Support?
Ask the chosen partner if they provide technical support and maintenance for the app. However, freelancers would hardly provide maintenance services.
But if you outsource app development to a professional app development agency, they always provide structured maintenance for long-term client engagement.
What Are The Post-Development Costs? Will You Provide An Estimate In The Proposal?
Post-development, a mobile app has maintenance and hosting charges. However, not very huge, but maintenance costs still exist. It is better to have a conversation with the chosen development partner about maintenance charges.
We, at Ezulix, provide the first 3 months of app hosting and maintenance free. From month 4 onwards, small maintenance and hosting charges occur.
How to Finalise the Right Tech Partner?
Let’s now sum up briefly how you can finalise the right app development partner for your project. The following tips will help you make the right decision:
- Do not make pricing or timeline the only key decision drivers. Rather, choose the company’s online reputation, experience, your interaction experience, and overall value that a provider seems to deliver as the key decision drivers.
- The clearer the development milestones with a practical timeline and explanation, the better the partner is. When a potential partner provides a clear phased development plan with a realistic timeline, it is a huge green flag. On the contrary, vague milestones and timelines like ‘4-5 months approx.’ are a huge red flag.
- Choose a tech partner with long-term vision. Avoid only development-focused teams. Rather, choose a partner who is interested in nurturing the business relationship with continued support and maintenance. You can check the clientele of the potential partners and connect with them to find out how long a business has been associated with them.
- Go with a team that is product-minded. When a potential partner takes an interest in your brand story, revenue model, feature enhancements, and encourages you to avoid extravagant features at an early stage, it is a reliable choice. However, if the potential partner seems more interested in just writing the code, it is not great to partner with.
- Finally, when you have completed all the research from your side, go with your gut feeling. Choose a mobile application development partner who appears the most reliable and suitable for you.
Concluding Remarks
The choice of an app development team directly affects the success or failure of your app. When you choose a trustworthy, experienced, and efficient partner, your app gets closer to success. On the other hand, if you do not choose the partner wisely, you suffer timeline breaches, cost inflation at later stages, and even poor-quality development. Therefore, always pick an app partner after robust research and brainstorming, and ensure that you build a user-friendly product, not just an application.
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