Five Questions You Must Ask Before Selecting Your Software or Mobile App Development Company

Mobile applications are a great method to promote your business or brand to potential customers. For instance, if you have an online store, you may want to create a mobile app that enables users to purchase products directly from their smartphones. Alternatively, if you own a restaurant, you may want to develop a food delivery service app to boost business sales.

Regardless of the specific purpose, all businesses require technical expertise to create and develop mobile apps.

In this article, we will discuss five crucial questions that you should ask when selecting a mobile app development company. By doing so, you can ensure that you receive a high-quality product without wasting time or money.

1. What is your development methodology?

When evaluating a potential development team, it is important to inquire about their development methodology.

Development methodology refers to the approach that a company utilizes while building an app or custom software application system. The main objective should be to ensure that the app has an effective design, functional features, and meets the business objectives of both the company and the User base.

Regarding “Users”, there are two key types of users. These include:

➤ End Users: These are the individuals who use the software or mobile app for their personal or professional needs. They interact with the app's features and functionalities to achieve goals.

➤ Administrators: These are the individuals who manage and maintain the software or mobile app, ensuring it runs smoothly and meets the needs of end-users. Administrators may be responsible for tasks such as creating user accounts, configuring settings, and troubleshooting issues.

There are various methodologies that can be utilized for mobile application development, such as Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid (or a combination of both).

Agile software development is the most popular methodology in use today. It emphasizes iterative improvement through regular feedback loops with stakeholders during the project's lifecycle. Additionally, it heavily employs automated testing tools, which enable developers to quickly identify bugs in their code as soon as they are introduced.

2. Do you understand my business, and do you have experience working in my industry?

It's important to know a mobile app development company's prior work and experience before hiring them, even if they have a lot of experience. This can help ensure that they understand your industry and can communicate effectively with your customers and employees.

If you're a startup or small business owner, it's especially important to hire a mobile app development company with experience creating apps for businesses similar to yours.

You can determine a company's level of experience by asking the following questions:

• Does your company have the necessary experience for my project?
• Are there any aspects of my industry or business that could pose challenges for your development company, or worse, prevent the project from being completed?
• How long has your development company been in business, and what is its track record with projects like mine? What types of businesses do you typically work with?

Additionally, we always recommend asking for the names and phone numbers of at least three companies that you can pick up the phone and call for reference. We’re not talking about reading fake reviews on-line, or fake reference letters (we hear this all the time). We’re talking about having a 15-30-minute conversation with a business owner who has used the development company you are talking to about their experience with their project. These calls allow you to dig deeper into the fabric of the development company you are talking too.  

3. How will we communicate during the app development process?

Maintaining open communication between you and the development team throughout the development process is essential. This is because changes may arise during the development process, and you should be aware of them. If there is an issue with your app, the development team should be able to inform you quickly and resolve the problem promptly.

Effective communication is crucial when developing custom software. The key communication goals during the software development process are:

1. Understanding the client's needs

Clear communication between the client and the development team is essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page about the project requirements and objectives.

2. Regular updates and progress reports

The development team should provide regular updates and progress reports to the client to keep them informed about the project's status. This helps the client to monitor the project's progress and identify any potential issues early on.

3. Addressing issues and concerns promptly

The development team should be responsive to the client's questions and concerns and address them as quickly as possible. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and delays in the project timeline.

4. Collaborating effectively

The development team and the client should work together closely to ensure that the final product meets the client's requirements. Effective collaboration includes listening to the client's feedback, responding to their concerns, and incorporating their ideas into the software design.

5. Providing documentation

The development team should provide documentation that explains the software's functionality and features to the client. This helps the client understand how the software works and how to use it effectively.

The development team should also keep you informed of any changes that could affect development, such as adding new features or adjusting deadlines. This ensures that any potential issues can be addressed before they escalate into significant problems later in the development cycle.

4. How do you handle changing requirements during the app development process?

How will your partner handle changes? If changes are made ad hoc, this can cause massive delays and cost overruns. Therefore, you should know if there's a formal process for making changes and how long it takes to implement them into the app or website.

Ask the company:

• What is the process for making changes to an app?
• How will the changes be implemented?
• How long will the change take, and what are the costs associated with making changes?

5. Can you show an app you built that has a similar build concept to the one you are considering?

It's crucial to avoid spending a significant amount of money on an app that doesn't function as intended. Therefore, before hiring a mobile app development company, it's advisable to review their portfolio and reviews. You can access this information online by visiting their website and reviewing the testimonials they have listed there but be wary of online reviews from social media sites. We have heard countless stories about companies who use family and friends to create fake reviews that mean nothing. At Skytech, we have dozens of written, signed and verified reviews, and we’ll happily provide you with phone numbers and email addresses of current and past clients who are happy to provide honest feedback about our company.

Final Thoughts

There are literally millions of mobile app developers and hundreds of thousands of companies that claim to be qualified to build mobile apps and application systems. That said, it can be daunting to find the one that is right for you. We hope these five questions will help streamline that process and make your search easier. Further, if you just want to run a few questions past us, we’re happy to help. We are a consultative company, not a sales company. We’ve been in business for twenty years, so most of our business comes from a steady stream of referrals.

About Skytech

Skytech, a division of Data Titan and Sofvue, LLC, has been designing and developing mobile and web-based application systems since 2004. To date, we have designed and developed over $22MM (213 projects as of this article date) in solutions for companies coast-to-coast, and across numerous business segments, and we have 80,000+ wireframes to back up the statement. Give us a call to learn more about our recently completed projects, read dozens of letters of recommendation, and discuss how we can serve both your project and your company goals in the future.

You may also like to read: Four Breaking Trends Happening with Mobile App Development in 2023

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