Hiring the right app development agency is crucial if you want to create a small business app. This company will help design, develop, and implement your app. Here are seven steps you can take to hire an app developer.
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Create a budget
The first step is to create a budget, which will guide your decisions about the company you hire and the app development process. Consider your goals for making the app, the development platform and programming language you plan to use, and any other expenses. Your location can also significantly impact the costs.
Once you have an overall budget, break it down according to different phases in the app development process. For example, you’ll need to budget different amounts for the design, development, testing, and deployment phases.
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Determine what kind of app you need
Next, you’ll determine the type of app you want to create:
- Native: Native apps are designed specifically for one mobile operating system, like iOS or Android. That means you can’t use an iOS app on an Android phone or vice versa. Native apps tend to be faster and more reliable than other apps.
- Web: Web apps aren’t standalone apps that you download—they’re accessed through a web browser on your mobile device. Because they’re web-based, they’re less expensive to develop and have fewer maintenance costs.
- Hybrid: Hybrid apps are web apps that look and perform like native apps. They are the easiest to develop but lack the speed and power of native apps. Hybrid apps are a good option for making a minimum viable product to test your app idea.
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Compare different app development portfolios
Start by reaching out to your network for referrals for different app development companies. Once you’ve compiled a list of companies, compare their portfolios and experience. Consider the complexity of their portfolios and whether they’ve completed any projects similar to yours.
You can also ask if they have case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of any apps they’ve developed. For instance, do they have any data on the total downloads or revenue generated?
It’s important to gauge that company’s reputation and understand the experience other businesses have had working with them. Ask any companies you’re considering if you can speak to some of the previous clients.
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If you’re on the fence, you may want to hire one or two companies to complete a small initial project.
Watch out for common red flags
Developing an app is a significant investment, so you want to find the right agency to complete the project. The biggest thing to watch out for is developers with poor communication skills.
For instance, taking a long time to respond to your initial inquiries doesn’t bode well for how the project will go. You should also be wary of developers who struggle to provide a clear plan for how they’ll manage your project. And avoid companies with a limited portfolio or that don’t showcase projects similar to yours.
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Submit a request for proposal
Once you’ve researched and narrowed your list, it’s time to request proposals from two or three companies. A request for proposal (RFP) invites third-party vendors to submit a proposal for your project.
Once you receive responses, you can compare each company's proposed costs, timelines, and processes. If you have additional questions, you can contact that vendor for more information or to set up an additional meeting.
Narrow your selection to two or three companies you’re interested in hiring. From there, you can negotiate the price and select the company you want to work with.
If you’re on the fence, you may want to hire one or two companies to complete a small initial project. This will help you get a better sense of that company’s skills and whether you like working with the team.
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Outline the terms of the project
Next, you’ll put a contract in place outlining the terms of the agreement and the expectations for everyone involved. It should explain the purpose of the app, the project timeline, and any deliverables.
The contract will also include the payment terms and schedule, how both parties will handle disputes, and a termination clause. It’s a good idea to have a lawyer review the contract before signing anything.
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Plan the post-launch process
Launching your app is only the beginning—receiving post-launch support is crucial to your app’s long-term success. Once you’ve launched your app, you should start gathering user feedback so you can continue to make improvements.
Work with your developers to establish evaluation timelines and the different metrics you’ll look at. For example, you might want to track user engagement, retention, and conversion rates. You also want to evaluate what features are performing well and how you can optimize those features.
Finding the right app development company can take time, and you shouldn’t try to rush the process. Look for a vendor you like working with that can create a high-quality app that will meet your customers' needs.
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