Did you know that according to the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans own a smartphone? This is a large reason why so many companies are moving towards developing their own apps.

Since the vast majority of your customers probably own a cellphone, this means that they’ll have easy access to your products or services at any time.

A well-designed app can help build customer loyalty, retain customers, and attract new leads. However, you need to be able to find mobile app developers with top-tier software development expertise in order for your app to be effective.  

What Are Your Project Needs? 

Before you even begin looking for app developers in Austin, you need to be 100 percent clear on all of your project needs. This will help you determine your app development budget, the platforms for apps that make the most sense for your audience, and more.

If you’re not clear about your project needs and scope, this could mean longer turnaround times, a higher cost than you expected, and an app that in the end doesn’t serve your business’s needs. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself that will help you define your project: 

• Will my application require a login? Will people use their email or social media profiles? 
• Will clients need to make profiles on the app? 
• What kind of security does my app need? 
• What is the purpose of my app–transactional, navigational, or information? 
• Do I also need my application to be designed? 

Answering these questions probably creates new ones that will help jumpstart your project ideas. The more specific you are about your needs, the easier it is for developers to work with you as well as to provide an accurate quote and turnaround time. 

You may also want to choose a monetization model for your app at this stage as well. 

Hiring an iOS App Developer Tips

Once you’re clear on the specifics of your project, it’s time to find an app developer that’s able to design a beautiful and high-quality app for your business. Instead of going with the most affordable app developer you can find, you’ll want to also focus on their qualifications, experience, and their ability to translate your needs into a workable app.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Can They Build a Custom App? 

If you’ve completed the project defining stage, you already know how much development your app needs. For instance, if your business is looking to create a hub for loyal customers to log-in and receive updates and incentives, then you need an app that’s custom made for your company.

Companies that offer affordable prices may not be able to offer a custom-made app. This is because they rely on templates in order to provide high volume, low-cost work. However, this doesn’t work for all apps and may end up costing you more money in the long run if you need it to be constantly remade.

These template apps may even be rejected by the Apple Store.

Are They Part of a Company? 

Freelancers are a great option for smaller projects that need a fast turnaround time. However, if you own a mid to large business and need a custom app that includes both frontend and backend development, a freelancer may not be the best option.

This is because they may not be working with a team. If they’re a talented coder but aren’t as experienced with UI or UX design, your app will suffer in the long run. You may also experience extended turnaround times as the freelancer struggles with their schedule.

Lastly, while companies often offer post-launch support to work on bugs and other technical issues, a freelancer may not offer this as part of their service. 

How Experienced Are They?

Even if you’re considering an app development company, it’s important that you determine the company’s experience. For instance, apps in verticals such as healthcare, education, or government have far different requirements than apps for the hospitality industry or retail. It’s important to check whether they’ve developed apps for other companies in your sector. 

Next, you’ll want to see a portfolio of their work in order to see whether you even like their work. Make sure that they provide the name of the company, the ability to download the company’s app, as well as a short description of the scope of the work.

This will give you a clear idea of what the work involved for the app was like, as downloading an app and using it for a little doesn’t give you this information, especially if you don’t have programming knowledge. 

Reputable companies will even offer case studies on their previous projects, providing insight into: 

• How long the app took to develop
• Struggles along the way
• The app’s purpose
• What the company learned after developing the app

If you struggle to find a company’s portfolio and insight into their development process, this may be a red flag. 

Are They Easy to Work With? 

Since app development can take months to a year, it’s important that you choose a company that’s experienced and also easy to work with. Struggling to communicate with app developers who don’t get back to you in a timely manner or are unprofessional can lead to longer turnaround times and a frustrating process. 

You can usually get a sense of the company’s ability to communicate through their website. You’ll want to see whether they provide a clear description of their processes and what you can expect from them as a client. 

When you contact them either through email or phone, do they get back to you in a timely manner? Are they professional and willing to answer all of your questions? The way a company interacts with you initially is a good indication of what you can expect later on! 

Do They Have References? 

An app development company’s portfolio is also a good way to find references. You have the ability to reach out to the owners of the apps and ask them about their experiences working with the company. Here are a few questions to ask: 

• Did they complete the app on time? 
• Did they go over budget? 
• Did they offer any great insights that improved the app? 
• What were some of your dislikes working with them? 

The app development companies you’re looking at may also have client reviews. If you find that the company has an overwhelming number of negative reviews, this is a good indication to look elsewhere.

Can They Work With Your Budget? 

Although it’s important not to go with the cheapest app developer you can find, it’s also important that you find an app developer that’s able to work with your budget. Once you’ve done the work of defining your project and being as clear as possible about what you expect, you need to request a quote from the app developers you’re considering.

Here are a few more things to include in order to ensure you’re receiving the most accurate quote: 

• The overall goal of your app
• How many pages your app will have
• The key functionalities of your app that need to be included
• Whether the app needs to work offline
• Wireframe of your app
• Timeline of when your app needs to launch
• Post-launch help that you expect

All of these factors go into how much it will cost to create your app. If you have a tight budget, it’s important to remember to choose a few items that you can be flexible on in order to reduce the costs.

For instance, you may need to focus more on the goal of your app if you find that the number of pages is driving the cost up. 

Hiring an Expert App Developer in Austin

If you take the time to find and hire an iOS app developer with experience, you’ll find that your app development journey will be far smoother.

Experienced app developers will guide you through the entire process so that you know what to expect at each stage. They also ensure that communication is regular so that you know the status of the development process at all times. 

At Jackrabbit, we’ve been empowering businesses through custom digital solutions since 2012. Our team is dedicated to bringing your ideas to life with our core values of accessible technology, community, and communication. Contact us for a consultation today!