Things to Consider Before Hiring an App Developer

February 23, 2017
Things to Consider Before Hiring an App Developer

Staying competitive in the contemporary modern landscape is getting tougher by the day. With the advent of internet marketing, businesses now have to compete at a global level. However, there are also many opportunities to be harnessed from internet technology especially due to the big market.  

Leveraging Mobile Internet Traffic

To stay ahead of the pack in your niche, you need to leverage the mobile internet users. Already, Google says mobile internet traffic has already surpassed desktop traffic and your business must have a solid strategy and one place to start is by developing a mobile app. Over 80% of Smartphone users say they spend most of their time on mobile apps.

The time spent on mobiles has increased by 575% over the last three years according to a study by CyberGear again highlighting the prominence of these devices in internet access. There are many reasons more brands are building mobile apps and they include:

  • Enhancing brand visibility
  • Increasing and easing accessibility
  • Increased exposure across multiple internet devices
  • Augmenting online sales
  • Building a direct marketing channel
  • Reinforcing your brand
  • Enhanced engagement

With a mobile app for your brand, you are able to quickly connect with your target customers. A mobile app places your brand in front of a customer’s eye, making it more likely for them to convert.

What to Consider When Hiring an App Developer

It is important to hire an app developer who is well versed in cross-platforms or android apps development to ensure you leverage the increasing numbers of mobile internet users. Whether you are developing an Android, Windows or iOS app, you should rely on a developer who understands the guidelines on each of these platforms. These experts also help make improvements over time.

With so many unscrupulous mobile app developers out there, you must be cautious to avoid burning your fingers. Below is a guide to help you find the best mobile app service and guarantee a high ROI:

  • Understand Your Target Audiences

Before hiring the mobile app developer, you should have an idea of the people who will be using your app. This information will help in the development stages and the developer expects you to have an idea of the same. To know your audience, create personas about them and then identify their demographics, preferences, shopping habits among other traits. With such a profile, it becomes easier to tell the developer what type of mobile app you need.

  • The Mobile Developer’s Portfolio  

There are many individuals who advertise their services as expert developers but they have no portfolio to prove themselves. As such, take time to understand the type of developer you are working with by asking for references. Look at the apps they have built for other clients especially those in your niche and evaluate their quality and functionality. Ask which operating system they are well versed in and their UI/UX skills to determine whether they can efficiently work on the mobile app you want.

  • The Total Cost

Before hiring a mobile app developer, it is always advisable to get a several quotes before finally choosing one. You should ask for the type of billing, which can be for the total project or in hourly basis. The contract should delineate very cost involved including cost of revision after launch, customization costs, security and upgrade costs, maintenance costs, agreement cancelation costs and any other costs that are expected. This helps you budget in advance.

  • Working Relationship

The person you hire to develop your app should be easy to work with. They should easily bond with your in-house team and easily communicate the strategies they are going to use. A strong working relationship means ideas are shared openly and through brainstorming, it becomes easier to come up with a better mobile app. When there is trust between both parties, there is more productivity during the project.

  • Consider A Long Term Vision

The internet market is volatile and there are rapid changes emerging every day. As such, you have to develop an app that can easily accommodate more changes and the developer is in a position to help with this. More importantly, ask your mobile developer about the possibility of upgrading and tweaking the design if need be and the cost involved in such a project.

Conclusion

Well, there are other factors to consider before hiring a mobile apps development company including their flexibility, innovative capacity, ability to monetize, type of testing the developer proposes, post-development services and user experience. All these factors help you to hire the right person for the job and you should make sure to get a clarification on each in order to find the best expert.  

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Tech Savvy. Content Writer. Growth Hacker.

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