You need a mobile app designed. How can you find the right team to make it happen?

the key question to ask is whether it has to be a mobile app or whether you can achieve the same objective with a PWA, a chatbot or even a simple website. Too many brands think that in order to exist they need to have their own app, but the statistics show that we all use regularly less than 5 apps. In emerging markets especially where storage space on the device is a problem, brands should look at alternative avenues before starting building a mobile app. So in a nutshell: don't build an app if you can find a better, simpler and cheaper alternative.

The first question you should always ask before going down the route of building a mobile app is “does this really need to be a mobile app”? Unless you have a definitive “yes because”… don’t build a mobile app! Just build a website!

If you are looking for engineering firms, there are many out there that blend strategy and design that are amazing. Let's assume, you don't know exactly what the app will look like / function. Trust me, you likely don't and that is OK. It's better than knowing exactly what you want and not being flexible to follow the data. Your dream engineering firm will be solid at UX Research. If they say, "they can do build what you need in design," take your business elsewhere. They are missing the steps to make your product fit users, their needs and desires. UX research is vision in the land of the blind.

Buisness analysts and Product owners should have the right long term vision to build a perfect fit of developers and testers. App should be light, most of the work should be done on the backend and use lazy loading. Code should be maintainable and well documented, so it is easy to onboard a new resource if needed.

First, the product need to have a very clear definition of what the product will solve, likes: - what is the problem? - why do I need an app for it? - is there any other possible solution? - what are similares product that already exist in the market? After that you will have more clarity, on what is the next step to solve the problem that you want.

I’ll search for a team who already have successfully built something similar to my app, and it should be live and successful, at that point only I’ll be confident it could happen. Other than that it always a risk.

Technical Proficiency: Assess the technical proficiency of the team. They should be up-to-date with the latest technologies, design trends, and have a strong understanding of the app development process. Timeline Expectations: Discuss the expected timeline for your project. Ensure that the team can meet your deadlines and is realistic about the time required for development. Legal Considerations: Clarify legal aspects such as ownership of the source code, confidentiality agreements, and any other contractual obligations. Ensure that you and the development team are on the same page regarding these matters.

Researching the mobile app development market is a crucial step. Utilize online platforms, directories, reviews, and portfolios to compare various companies. Seek referrals from your network, industry peers, or past clients. Prioritize a company with relevant experience, expertise, and a solid reputation in your niche. Check ratings, feedback, and testimonials to gauge their performance and delivery. This thorough evaluation ensures that you choose a mobile app development company that aligns with your specific needs and has a proven track record in delivering successful projects.

Set the right benchmark -- either via research or just starting with the close competitors. At this step, try to over-engineer and make sure you build something that meets the fundamental goal/need of the user. It's an app -- there are infinite releases to it :P

When searching for a mobile app development company, consider the following factors: - Portfolio - Expertise - Client Reviews - Communication Skills - Team Composition - Project Management - Cost and Contract Terms - Timeline - Scalability - Legal Considerations - Support and Maintenance - References

Present your idea to the team and assess their understanding and technical ability. Prioritize willingness over skill. Hire small too, at this point!

Interview: If possible, arrange a meeting or interview with the team. This can provide a better understanding of their work culture, team dynamics, and how well you can collaborate.

Communicate your app vision to the team and review their previous portfolio to assess their expertise. Assign a testing task to thoroughly evaluate the team's skills and capabilities. Upon successful completion of the test, conduct a final interview to gain a comprehensive understanding of the team and assess their compatibility with your app vision.

Share your concept with the team, evaluate their comprehension and technical proficiency, giving priority to enthusiasm rather than just skill. Consider recruiting on a smaller scale at this juncture!

The easiest way to measure is by seeing previous/existing work and ensuring that named individuals are retained on the project. There have been many instances where development organisations present their most capable staff as part of the bid, however once the work has been secured and underway, lesser skilled developers take over, as the senior staff are redeployed elsewhere.

OPTIONS over NUMBERS. Opt for a company that provides a clear, detailed quote, outlining all costs and deliverables, to ensure alignment with your financial and project goals. Budget discussions are crucial in selecting a mobile app development company. Ensure you have a realistic budget for all phases of your app's lifecycle. Transparency with potential developers about your financial limits is ke

Depending on the complexity of the app and what features you require, this will increase the cost of the build. It’s good to prepare by having a list of requirements/specifications and any additional information such as mockups to use when discussing with companies so you don’t get any nasty surprises from underestimation or wrong scoping. Shop around and talk to a few companies to see how much their services are, and you will get a decent idea of pricing in the current market. Also remember the budget you have and how much you agreed upon, expect it to be exceeded. Always prepare to spend more than your budget as certain issues typically pop up.

Important factor to consider when choosing a mobile app development company is your budget. You need to have a realistic and flexible budget that can cover the costs of design, development, testing, maintenance, and marketing of your app. You should also discuss your budget with the potential developers and see how they can work within your limits. You should look for a company that can offer you a transparent and detailed quote that breaks down the costs and deliverables of your project.

Detailed Proposals: Ask for a proposal or quote that outlines the scope of work, timelines, costs, and any terms and conditions. This will help you compare different teams on a like-for-like basis.

-Always discuss the budget and make a written proposal with time-bound milestones and their costs - Discuss the maintenance costs and responsiveness time after completion with developers - Get at least 2-3 proposals from your selected candidate's list - Don't opt the cheaper one based on cost only

Choosing the right mobile app development team requires clear, consistent communication to ensure your vision is understood. Seek a team that values collaboration, welcomes feedback, and is committed to working closely with you throughout the project. It’s crucial to find a team that understands your needs and can offer guidance and support, even after launch. This ensures the app remains relevant and performs optimally over time. A development team that engages in a genuine partnership with you is key to transforming your vision into a successful app, aligning closely with your business goals and user expectations.

Effectively communicating your vision is crucial for the success of any project. Here are steps to articulate your vision clearly - Define Your Vision - Create a Vision Statement - Understand Your Audience - Use Visual Aids (FigJam) - Provide Context - Use Plain Language - Tell a Story - Encourage Questions and Feedback - Repeat and Reinforce - Connect with Emotion - Be Open to Input - Use Multiple Channels

When working with a mobile app development company: Clear Communication: Maintain consistent communication channels throughout the project. Provide feedback and suggestions regularly. Understanding and Collaboration: Choose a company that comprehends your needs and can follow instructions. Emphasize effective collaboration for project success. Support and Guidance: Look for a company that offers ongoing support and guidance. Ensuring these aspects will help in developing a strong working relationship and achieving the desired outcomes for your app.

- Clearly write down your requirements in detail -Do at least 1 meeting before start to make sure you and the developer/agency/designer are on the same page - Use collaborative tools for daily updates and communications e.g. Figma for design, Slack for other tasks, etc.

In over a decade of consulting, I've learned the importance of clear communication between clients and developers. Both, as experts in their fields, need to partly understand each other's language for effective collaboration. Avoiding assumptions is key to preventing miscommunication. A good development team should not only facilitate open communication for questions but also enlighten the client about technical challenges and potential opportunities they might not have envisioned. Active listening and seeking clarification are essential in this process.

One thing you can consider is these great cross-platform solutions like Socket that allow for development of mobile apps with a single css/html/js-based codebase. This in theory massively reduces cost on developing & supporting native apps, which is important for indie developers.

If your mobile app deals with important info from regular users and not tech experts, you have to figure out how to keep that info safe. This includes deciding what info you need and how you'll use it. Making sure your app is secure is super important. The data from your actual users is like a treasure, so you must have good ways to gather, handle, and store that user data. Also, be ready to deal with any possible security problems.

Flexibility and Scalability: Consider the team's flexibility and scalability. They should be able to adapt to changes in the project scope and have the capacity to scale up if needed.

I’ve had the opportunity to develop mobile across a range of eras. From the Neomar on BB to iPhone. I’ve found the more baked out you are the less wasted time explaining what you mean. Or worse being told something can’t be done etc. I’ve discovered that various tools like ChatGPT allow me to entirely design the structure and use and back end component concepts and then scenario it and only the. hand it to developers to execute. Where possible I provide sample code and structures so there’s a starting point for debate. I’m a semi technical serial co founder and it’s like a low level CTO to noodle with.

Overall Fit: Choose a team that not only has the technical skills and experience but also aligns with your company’s culture and values. Trust and a good working relationship are essential for a successful project.