Choosing the right service provider for your app development needs is not an easy task. There are so many companies out there and each one has different capabilities and skillsets.
In this article, we will help you make the right choice by giving you tips on how to choose the right app development company. Let’s begin!
Which company is best for app development in 2022?
Finding the right company is all a matter of your preference and requirements. An app development company that works for someone doesn’t necessarily have to work for you. Budget, location, expertise, specialization, team size, communication preferences, and so on – there are simply too many factors to decide the best company.
In 2022, it’s better to be equipped with the information you need to find the most suitable app development company for you than it is to go around looking for the best or top ones in a region.
In that spirit, let’s talk about what should your plan of action be like.
Know what you are looking for
Before you start looking for a company, you must know exactly what you need from them. This will help you narrow down your options and save time in the process. For example, if you need a full-stack developer who can build both frontend and backend applications then it’s going to be difficult to find that particular skill set in one place. However, if all that you need is some frontend work done then it becomes easier for you to choose between different companies as well as their rates per hour or project basis.
Knowing what exactly do you want from them will also help you communicate better with them and make sure that they understand what exactly is required of them so that there is no room for any kind of confusion or miscommunication later on during the project phase itself which would increase costs unnecessarily.
Know what your app will need
Wants are needs are two different things. Once you have accurately determined what you are looking for and what would be best for your app (your wants), you need to have a closer look at what your app will need.
This will help you:
- Cut costs,
- Have a working prototype or MVP (minimum viable product) developed much sooner,
- Expedite testing and market perception,
- Begin marketing,
- Hype up more complex, upcoming features through different advertising techniques such as feature reveals and launch videos to countdown social media posts and email subscriptions.
All in all, having a set of the bare minimum features or requirements of your app helps you considerably.
Project length
The foreseeable length of the project also influences your decision. Ask yourself if this is going to be a long-term relationship or just a one-off project. If it’s the latter, then you might want to look at other options that might not be the most experienced of the lot but if they have a low charge, faster turnaround time, and a good team.
For longer projects, however, you should only pick a company that specializes in the type of app you wish to make or has worked extensively in the relevant industry because they would have already gone through many common pain points, mistakes, and obstacles that generally face an app like yours to make the process smoother.
Make sure the company has been around for a while and that they have built up a good reputation in the industry. It’s easy to find information about whether or not an individual developer has worked on any high-profile projects before or if they have any certifications or degrees in technology-related fields like computer science or engineering.
What to look out for when choosing from companies that develop apps?
A lot of factors can help you determine whether or not a company is right for you. Of course, the first few factors are always going to be the location (if you are looking for personally briefing or meeting with the development team) and your budget.
What else should be in your consideration? As it turns out, there are a few key points that you have to pay attention to when choosing among companies that develop apps.
Here are some of those factors:
Experience and reputation
Before hiring any service provider, it’s important to check their experience and reputation. Look at the kind of work they have done in the past and how long they have been in operation. You can also ask for previous clients’ references or testimonials so that you can get an idea about their quality of service.
Make sure that they have experience in your field.
Track record
It’s important to know whether your chosen app development company has worked with similar projects before or not. If they have worked on similar projects, then it will be easier for them to understand what exactly you expect from them and deliver accordingly.
Process and methodology
Processes and methodologies count in dozens when it comes to app development. Sure, your requirements, features, and type of app you wish to build narrow things down a bit. But overall, a company should specialize in a number of processes and development methodologies.
Ask them about what processes they typically use and which methodologies they prefer to work in. This will give you much-needed insight into how they will work on your app. This is probably as far as you can get to know their internal workings without actually seeing them work on your app.
Portfolio and social proof
The best way to see if a company is right for you is by checking out their portfolio of past projects. Look at their most recent work and see if it matches your business needs and goals. If not, then maybe another company would be better suited for your project.
Social proofs are a little different and much easier to find. Look for reviews and recommendations from previous customers on sites like Yelp, Google Review, and Facebook Business Page.
References can also help you ascertain their social proof better.
Asking the right questions
It is important to ask the right question. With a little bit of research, you can understand most terminology that applies to app development and publishing. The same goes for marketing, popular features, and competitor apps. As for the pricing, process, etc. you can find a lot of information on the company’s profile.
So, when you finally get a chance to speak to a supervisor or project manager from the company, limit your questions to specific ones which will provide you with actionable insight.
Not sure what questions to ask? Here’s a generalized mix. Not all questions are particularly specific because in some cases where information is scarce you will need to discuss with the project manager directly.
- What kind of projects does the company specialize in?
- Does it have experience with similar projects?
- What kind of apps have they built?
- Are there examples available on their website or portfolio?
- What kind of tools do they use?
- If you want specific features in your app, is the provider familiar with them?
- Do they suggest other tools or platforms that may be better suited for your needs?
- What are their approach to software engineering and design?
- How much time and effort will it take to get from concept to completion?
- Will the provider work with you throughout the process or just provide a final product at the end of each phase?
- Will they be able to provide regular updates during development so that changes can be incorporated into future versions?
- How much do they charge per hour or day, and how do they bill for overtime?
- How long do they estimate each phase will take?
How much will it cost to hire a top app development company?
One of the most common questions we get from our clients is how much an app development project will cost. The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including what kind of app you want and the platform you want it for, as well as the size and complexity of your business.
If you’re looking for a ballpark figure for your project, here are some ranges for app development costs:
- Basic mobile application — $10,000 to $50,000
- Mid-range mobile application (iPhone) — $30,000 to $100,000
- High-end mobile application (iPhone) — $50,000 to $500,000
The average cost of an app varies by the number of features and the complexity level required. The average cost of developing a simple app is around $5,000 while the average cost of developing a complex app is around $50,000. Of course, your specific needs will determine how much it costs to hire an app development company.
Realistically speaking, the actual range of costs you can incur is significantly wider. If you want to build a successful mobile app, you’ll need to hire a good development team. The cost of building an app can range from $10,000 to $300,000, but it’s important to remember that the price tag doesn’t reflect the quality of the final product.
Largely, the cost of an app will depend on these factors:
The size of your project
The bigger your project is, the higher your overall cost will be. If you require the development of an application for multiple platforms (iOS and Android), it is likely that you will need to hire a team of developers who are skilled in each platform in order to complete this task successfully.
The more platforms involved in your project, the more time it will take to develop and test the application. This can increase costs considerably if you do not have enough funds available to pay for all aspects of development upfront.
Software used during development
Many developers use open-source software during app development. Open-source software is free to use and modify but can also come with restrictions on how it’s used commercially by other companies or individuals.
For example, if you want to release an application that uses Google Maps within your app then this may require a license fee from Google in order for them to grant permission for this use.
The number of features and their respective complexity
This one goes without saying. The more features and functionalities you require built into the app, the more it will cost. And more complex features will cost more than comparatively simpler ones.
The cost of developing an app varies based on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of your project and the type of app you want to create.
A small, simple app can cost as little as $1,000. But if you’re looking for a more complex app that includes a database and other bells and whistles, expect to pay closer to $100,000 or more.
If you want a high-quality custom app that meets all your needs and requirements, expect to pay at least $10,000 but possibly much more.
The platform
The most popular platforms are Android, iOS, and Windows Phone (with Android accounting for more than 80% of all mobile devices). Each platform has its own development environment with unique requirements and toolsets. A native Android developer is going to be more expensive than an HTML5 developer who can work on multiple platforms.
If your target users use multiple platforms or if you need to develop for multiple platforms at once, there will be additional costs associated with each platform.
For example, if you want an iPhone/iPad app developed using HTML5 instead of native code (which gives developers more flexibility), it will cost more than developing natively as well as take longer because of compatibility issues between HTML5 and iOS versioning changes over time).
The scope of work
The scope of work should define exactly what features your app needs and how they should behave. This will help determine whether it’s better to develop an MVP (minimum viable product) or wait until more features are added before launching it on the market. A simple MVP would cost less than a fully functional version with extra features.
How long it will take to complete the project?
It’s important to specify this from the beginning so that both parties know what they’re getting into and when they can expect results. A tentative timeframe is critical and helps you determine what costs you are looking at.
How much do app development companies charge for business apps?
A business app is an application that provides a service or function for a business. These types of apps are designed to help businesses increase their productivity and efficiency by streamlining processes and automating repetitive tasks.
The cost of building a business app depends on several factors, including the features and functionality you want, the platform you choose, and your own budget.
What are some of the most common features in a business app?
Business apps can include all sorts of features that make them useful for customers and employees alike. Three of the most common features are a dashboard, inbox, and a calendar.
- Dashboard: This is a summary page where users can see key performance indicators (KPIs) from all areas of your business. It’s like an overview page for your company’s data and analytics.
- Inbox: You can also use a business app to send or receive messages between users within your company or with external contacts. This feature is especially useful if you have multiple locations or subsidiaries around the world that need to connect regularly.
- Calendar: Users can keep track of upcoming appointments using this feature, which allows them to create new events or invite other people to join them at an event they’ve scheduled. If they miss an appointment, they can add notes about why they weren’t able to show up so their colleagues know what happened.
Business apps can cost anywhere from $100 to tens of thousands of dollars or more. Low-cost business apps are often delivered in weeks, while higher-end applications may take months to complete.
The average price for a simple mobile app (without much functionality) is $5,000, according to Statista. But that’s not what most people are looking for when they’re trying to build an app for their business. If you’re looking to create something that offers significant value or solves a problem for your customers, expect your app development costs to be much higher.
Wrapping up
Doing your due diligence and your research on the most suitable app development companies will most likely land you a good deal. Just be on the lookout for any red flags. The app development process can extend for months. As such, if there are any problems such as a communication gap, or that the company doesn’t treat its clients with priority, etc. – issues can arise over a long-term project.
Ultimately, instead of looking at the best app development companies, it helps to first pin down your requirements and search among companies from that information.
