Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an App Development Company

Whether you want to create an internal project management tool or build a SaaS project for profit, having a mobile app can do wonders for your organisation.

But app development isn't exactly a simple process, as you need to create a business plan (to attract funding), calculate the cost, and think of ways to make your app unique.

Not to mention the technical aspects like designing and coding the software from scratch, as well as maintaining it to ensure peak performance.

Luckily, you can hire a mobile app development agency to do all the nitty gritty, so you can focus solely on the exciting part (like telling your friends to try your app).

But, how do you choose the right app development firm? Read on, as we go through several tips for app development partner selection.

5 Factors to Decide Whether an App Development Agency is a Good Fit

There are several ways to source app developers – you can ask your friends for a referral, browse through search engines like Google, or attend tech seminars.

Either way, once you've gathered several candidates, consider the following factors to determine the perfect match:

1. Track Record

Before shopping online, you probably look for user reviews first, right? By doing so, you don't have to spend your money on subpar goods.

The same approach applies when choosing an app development firm. To ensure your investment will turn into a quality end product, it's crucial to do your due diligence.

The easiest way is to enter the agency name on Google and add the term “reviews” at the end. See if you could find specific review articles about the firm.

You can also visit the agency's website and find a list of brands they've served. Then, reach out to those companies one by one and ask about their experience working with said developer.

Another trick is to dig deep into discussion sites like Reddit or developer forums like Stack Overflow. If you're lucky, you can find some honest opinions about the agency you want to work with.

2. Experience in Similar Projects

If you want to reduce development time and prevent costly mistakes, look for a development agency who has tackled similar projects to yours.

Why? Well, because the agency already understands the common pitfalls and challenges associated with that type of application.

As a result, they know what to expect and how to solve common issues, keeping the development process smooth.

More importantly, developers familiar with similar projects will have a strong understanding of design, development, and user experience (UX) best practices.

More often than not, this translates into a higher quality mobile app that meets your expectations.

3. App Development Cost

Calculating the app development cost upfront is important, so you can choose a service that aligns with your budget.

Typically, there are several types of app development pricing models:

• Fixed price: You agree on a fixed price for the entire project, covering all development costs like features, design, and testing. However, changes to the project scope after the agreement can be difficult and might incur additional costs.
• Hourly rate: You are charged an hourly rate for the developer's time spent working on your project. This can be a good option for smaller projects or projects with a constantly evolving scope.
• Time and material (T&M): Similar to the hourly rate model, except that you are also charged for the cost of materials like software licences, on top of the time spent by the developer.
• Retainer model: If your project requires ongoing maintenance, the retainer model is a great option. In this agreement, you pay the agency a monthly retainer fee in exchange for a set number of development hours.
• Pay-per-feature: You pay a predetermined price for each feature or functionality added to your app. It's suitable for projects with well-defined features and minimal anticipated changes.

Select an app development firm that offers payment flexibility based on your requirements and budget.

4. Project Management

Beyond expertise and cost, assessing the agency's ability to manage projects is just as important to ensure a timely delivery.

While there are various types of app development project management, we recommend choosing an agency that employs Agile methodologies.

In this setup, the project is broken down into smaller phases (sprints) for easier management and tracking.

This way, you'll have more flexibility to change requirements or adjust features based on user feedback throughout the development process.

5. Communication Style

In app development, delays often happen due to miscommunication and misalignment of expectations.

So, when you interview the agency for the first time, notice the style of their communication when explaining app ideas.

Are they professional, courteous, and easy to understand? Can they explain their initial development approach in a clear and concise way?

If you like their communication style, consider working on a small trial project. This gives you an opportunity to collaborate with the agency and evaluate the cultural fit without spending too much money.

Once everything goes well, you can then proceed to a larger-scale app development project.

Make sure to lay out your requirements, expected results, and penalties in case the end result doesn't match your vision.

Document all these pieces of information in a legally-binding contract, so your investment will be secure.

Ready to Bring Your App Idea to Life?

If you're looking for a mobile app development agency that ticks all the boxes, Intelivita is your answer.

We've been in this industry for 12+ years, handling a wide range of mobile apps for brands across the UK. Those include giants like Microsoft and startups like SN Lyft, UK Eats, and FormAssist.

Whether you want to create a ride-hailing app, project management tool, or peer-to-peer lending platform, we have the expertise and technology to turn your vision into reality.

Contact us today and let's build a fast, secure, and easy-to-use mobile app for your business!