How to Spot a Mobile App Developer That Will Truly Bring Your Vision to Life
You have a great idea for a mobile app, but bringing it to reality requires finding the right mobile app development partner. With so many options out there, how do you spot a mobile app developer that will truly understand your vision and bring it to life? Here are some tips:
Look for Strong Design Skills
A mobile app’s user interface and overall design are critical to its success. You want to find a developer that employs strong designers who can craft intuitive, aesthetically-pleasing, and easy-to-use interfaces. Look at their design portfolio and past apps to get a feel for their skills. Great app design marries both form and function.
Seek Out Developer Expertise in Your Industry
Experience developing apps in your specific industry, whether it be finance, healthcare, real estate, etc. can be invaluable. They will understand your customers and design with their needs in mind. Subject matter expertise also helps them translate complex industry-specific processes into easy-to-use app features. Don’t just look for generic app developers – find ones tailored to your niche.
Value Empathy and Communication Skills
Your app developer should make sincere efforts to truly understand your vision, goals, and target audience. They should ask probing questions, listen attentively, and not make too many assumptions. Clear and responsive communication is key throughout the design process. Look for patient, empathetic developers willing to understand you and iterate.
Ask About Their Ideation and Design Process
There are many philosophies regarding the app design and development process. Look for a well-thought-out approach that resonates with you. Agile app development with quick iterations and continuous user testing is often a good bet. However, also listen to each developer’s unique take. Ensure they will invest time upfront fully grasping your vision before jumping into the build.
Review Their Portfolio of Launched Apps
Don’t just look at a developer’s past client list – dig into their live apps available in the app stores. Download them, explore the interfaces and feature sets. Get a hands-on feel for the quality and complexity of apps they have shipped. High ratings and glowing reviews are always good signs. Quality delivered work is the top indicator of future success.
Gauge Their Technical Expertise
Of course, you want developers with mastery over the technical skills needed to expertly build your app. Look for knowledge of core languages like Swift or Java as well as experience with any frameworks, libraries, or technologies key to your project like React Native or Flutter. Don’t be afraid to probe their technical know-how to assess fit.
Consider Their Experience Scaling Apps
If your app gains traction, it will need to scale up to handle increased traffic and usage. Look for developers with expertise not just launching new apps but also optimizing live apps for scale. Key skills like application performance monitoring, usage analytics, infrastructure provisioning, and continuous deployment are big pluses.
Review Ratings and Reviews
Peruse online reviews and ratings of the developer across Google, Facebook, Clutch, LinkedIn, and any other sources you can find. Strong scores and happy client testimonials are reassuring. However, do read the details as sometimes less experienced firms “game” ratings through fake reviews.
Confirm Their Communication Platform
To realize your vision, you will need continuous, open communication with your developer. Ensure they have a streamlined platform and process for regular status updates, questions, and feedback. Slack, Trello, and weekly standups are positive signs. Red flags are developers with poor communication practices.
Ask About Their Testing and QA Process
Any good mobile developer should have a rigorous testing and quality assurance process before launch. Ask specifics about the types of testing they conduct and who performs them. Also, inquire about their process for fixing bugs and regression testing. A solid testing approach is crucial for an issue-free launch.
Align on Intellectual Property Ownership
Before partnering with any developer, make sure you have an agreement in place regarding who owns the intellectual property of the app design and code. Don’t let your vision get stolen. Your contract should clearly state IP ownership and protections.
Get References From Their Recent Clients
Responsible developers will be happy to connect you with current clients who can serve as references. Speaking with others they have worked with recently is a great way to gauge satisfaction. Prepare a list of questions to ask each reference about their experience partnering with the developer.
Check for Ongoing Training and Development
Given how fast mobile technology changes, you want App Developer who invest substantially in continuing education and training. Do they attend conferences? Participate in hackathons? Keep up with the latest tech innovations? Continuous learning is a must in this field.
Meet Their Team In-Person If Possible
Don’t just talk to account managers – try to interact directly with the designers, developers, project managers, and QA testers who will work on your app. The vibe and chemistry you have with the team matters a lot when embarking on such a partnership. If possible, visit their office.
Ensurealignment on Vision and Values
Beyond just skills and expertise, you want to partner with developers whose personal values and philosophy align with yours. Discuss their motivations, passions, and what matters to them. The intangibles will influence how well you gel together when collaborating closely on realizing your app vision.
There are many talented mobile developers out there. But finding the right one for your particular app requires going beyond basic credentials and skills. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate mobile app development partners through in-depth conversations, probing questions, and reviewing past work will pay dividends. With diligence and patience during the selection process, you can spot developers that will mesh well with you and truly bring your vision masterfully to life.