When you’re ready to start developing an iPhone application, choosing the right app development company can be difficult without knowing exactly what to look for in one. Questions like How much does it cost? or How long will it take? are easily answered, but here are 10 key questions that you should consider before you start working with a development company.
1) What is your budget?
The first thing you need to do is figure out how much money you’re willing to spend. Unless you already have a pile of cash burning a hole in your pocket, it’s wise not to give away all your capital at once. You don’t want your entire budget riding on one (expensive) gamble.
2) How much time do you have?
When it comes to making decisions regarding which iPhone application development company you’ll hire, timing is everything. Make sure that you start looking for a professional firm well in advance of your project’s completion date. The best way to do so is by asking yourself how much time you have until launch; a month? Two months? Three months? More than three months?
3) Who is your target audience?
Before you hire an iPhone app development company, you should identify your target audience. The age, gender and income of potential users will directly affect how your application is developed and what features it includes. It’s also important to consider whether or not your application is intended for use in a specific geographical area. By knowing who will be using your application, you can ensure that your developer is listening and building with their needs in mind.
4) How long do you want the project to take?
What kind of budget are you working with?: Are there any limitations on what your application can do?: Who will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining your project post-launch?: How would you like us to keep you informed about changes?: What would success look like for your project? Are there specific features that need to be in place by launch day? Do you have a list of potential users you’d like us to reach out to after launch?
5) What do you want us to do exactly?
The first thing to do when looking for an iOS app development company is clarify exactly what you want them to do. The more specific and detailed your request, the more helpful it will be for getting accurate bids. Don’t forget that a good developer can sometimes suggest new ideas you hadn’t thought of.
6) Will you be involved in the process?
No matter how much you trust your development team, it’s important to get your hands dirty and help manage as much of it as possible. After all, you know your business best and likely have a good idea what features you want in your application. By not being involved in every step of the process, you run risk of not getting exactly what you want out of a final product.
7) Do you want a prototype or just straight away full app build?
There are two distinct paths you can take when it comes to developing your idea: prototype or full app build. If you opt for a prototype, your software developer will likely deliver something that looks and functions like your finished product but without all of the bells and whistles. For example, a prototype may not include animations or integrate with third-party services like Twitter and Facebook.
8) Can we get in touch with any references?
These are companies that you have worked with and can vouch for. If your iphone application development company has previous experience developing iOS apps, you can check whether they’ve ever worked with these clients in particular. References will ensure that your iphone application development company is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and competent to work on your project. If they have any references available, don’t hesitate to contact them!
9) When can we expect feedback from you after each sprint (or other)?
Before you sign a contract, make sure you know how long it takes for feedback and approval. You don’t want to spend months or weeks working on something only to find out later that your partner doesn’t like what they see. Find out when you can expect feedback after each sprint (or other) so that you can adjust your timelines accordingly. Otherwise, it’s a big guessing game where things go wrong and projects get delayed unnecessarily.
10) How will we communicate during the process (weekly meetings, Skype calls etc.)?
Communication is one of the most important parts of a successful project, so you’ll want to choose a developer with whom you feel comfortable. Do they communicate effectively via email? Can they give clear answers when you have technical or design-related questions? Are they friendly and patient in their communication? Do they respond promptly? If you don’t get along with your developer—or even if it’s just a difficult relationship—the end result will suffer.
