App dev agency: Guide, questions, and answers
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According to data.ai, the average user spends 4-5 hours daily on mobile apps.
And despite over 5 million mobile apps available for download on iOS and Android, businesses still have room to capitalize.
For example, you can quickly help your target market access your products and services by building an app with an app dev agency. An app can also improve customer experience with faster load times and offline accessibility.
From a business perspective, app features like personalized notifications and wishlists can also improve customer retention and drive extra revenue for your business.
But with so many mobile app development companies, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
It’s not a trivial decision. Choosing the wrong app dev agency could cost you thousands of dollars. A poorly implemented app could even scare customers away.
So in this post, we’ll help you consider the key factors when choosing a mobile app development agency to work with.
Types of app developer
There are four primary types of mobile app development services, and each has their own area of expertise. These types include enterprise-level companies, boutique companies, freelancers, and outsourced enterprise companies.
Enterprise (in-house)
These are large mobile app development companies that handle all aspects of app development, from design to building, testing, and publishing. Their teams primarily consist of designers and coders.
While these large companies typically require higher budgets, they offer the most robust and efficient mobile app development services.
Enterprise (outsource)
In contrast to in-house enterprise companies, outsourcing solutions employ freelancers to work on your project.
Outsourcing like this provides greater flexibility, letting you seek assistance with specific aspects. Moreover, app development costs are generally lower when working with these companies.
Boutique companies
Boutiques often work in smaller teams. They handle fewer projects but prioritize delivering highly polished results. These studios also specialize in specific types of apps or industry verticals, offering expertise in their respective areas.
Freelancers
Freelancers can handle all aspects of app development, including design, coding, testing, and publishing.
However, finding freelancers proficient in these areas can take time and effort. While building an app with freelancers is possible, it may require additional effort and involve some uncertainty.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered. At Gun.io, we help companies large and small – from Fortune 500s to startups – hire talented freelance developers for full-time and part-time positions. 70% 70% of our currently engaged developers have 10+ years of software experience, and our average time to hire is 13 days.
What is an app dev agency?
An app dev agency specializes in creating mobile apps for different platforms and devices. These include mobile devices, smart devices, wearable technologies, tablets, smart TVs, and more.
Their expertise encompasses various tasks such as design, programming, database creation, API development, testing, product launch, and maintenance.
So an app dev agency can bring your brand’s vision to life and help you stand out from your competitors.
What do mobile app dev agencies do?
A mobile app development agency works with clients to design, code, and program fully functional apps. Here are their responsibilities:
Focus on user experience
Research conducted by top app dev agencies helps determine the desired features and qualities consumers seek in an app. They can then create an easy-to-navigate platform that delivers a simple and enjoyable user experience.
Prioritizing user experience ensures app usage and contributes to business growth.
Create an attractive user interface
An app dev agency combines coding expertise and visual creativity to design appealing apps that engage users.
This process involves wireframing, prototyping, developing style guides, creating scalable designs, adjusting elements for different screen sizes, selecting color schemes and fonts, creating flexible layouts, and building user-friendly buttons.
Perform quality assurance testing
An app dev agency conducts rigorous quality assurance (QA) testing to make sure all app features work correctly. App prototypes undergo comprehensive testing to identify errors, bugs, and usability problems.
Mobile app development agencies also perform QA testing before releasing new features within an existing app.
Provide technical support
Ongoing maintenance, support, and iteration are crucial for optimizing, updating, and ensuring the smooth operation of an app. Leading companies conduct diagnostics on launched apps to maintain peak performance.
In addition to coding, app developers interact with clients to define project requirements, use project management tools, and stay up to date with app development trends.
In summary, mobile app developers possess a range of skills beyond coding, allowing them to create exceptional apps while prioritizing user experience, visual appeal, quality assurance, and ongoing technical support.
How much do app dev agencies charge for their services?
App dev agencies generally charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $200.
Factors like the complexity of your app, the desired features, and the number of platforms it will support determine the cost per hour. The size of the agency you’re working with can also influence the rates.
Some agencies offer alternative billing options, such as per-project invoicing. In such cases, the cost may vary as follows:
- For a low complexity app: $1,500 – $5,000
- For a moderately complex app: $10,000 – $50,000
- For a complex app: $50,000 – $250,000+
As you can see, providing a single monetary amount is impossible, as building a mobile app depends on the scope and budget. Request a project estimation from an app dev agency to get a cost estimate.
For instance, if you require both iOS and Android apps, cross-platform development will involve a single team of specialists handling both platforms. On the other hand, native development needs two teams of mobile app developers, which tends to be more expensive.
At Gun.io, we don’t have standard prices. Instead, we offer flexible retainers based on your needs, the project, and the developers’ salary expectations. These retainers start at $5,000 per month, which includes Gun.io’s fee, and you’ll see the total price upfront on developers’ profiles. There are no extra fees.
How to select an app dev agency
When selecting a mobile app development agency, you must consider several essential factors. Here are some tips to help you choose the best app developer for your business:
1. Think about your requirements
Clearly define the features and functionalities you want your app to have. Understanding your requirements will help the app development team transform your concept into a fully functional product.
2. Learn if app development companies can adapt to your brand
Look for app dev agencies with experience assimilating development processes, trends, and design elements to unique brands. A consistent brand across all channels improves recognition, user experience, and long-term business growth.
3. Ask to see previous samples
Review the portfolios of app development companies or ask them to show you samples of their previous work. Test their apps to see how they perform and whether they deliver fully functional apps with an outstanding user experience.
4. Read their reviews
Take the time to read reviews from previous customers to understand the reliability and quality of work the app development agency provides. Reviews can provide insights into their strengths, weaknesses, company values, and the type of partnership you can expect.
5. Learn what security processes they have
Mobile app security is crucial. Ask about the security measures and processes the app dev agency implements to ensure they can deliver a highly secure product. Given the increasing number of fraudulent transactions via mobile apps, it’s essential to prioritize security.
6. Consider the location
App developers can work from anywhere in the world. Consider your preferences and decide whether to work with a local or offshore development company. If you choose a partner located far away, consider the potential impact of time differences and language barriers on your project.
7. Understand who will be working on your project
Before hiring an app development agency, familiarize yourself with their team members. Learn about their work experience, successful projects, and design aesthetics. Understand each team member’s expertise and dedication to your project to ensure the best results.
8. Determine if they can offer transparency and partnership
Look for app development companies prioritizing strong organization, clear communication, and detailed timelines. A company that shares its overall process, team structure, and tools demonstrates confidence in their methods and trusts its clients.
Considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when selecting an app development agency that aligns with your business goals and requirements.
How long does it take to develop a mobile app?
Developing a moderately complex mobile app generally takes between 1,000 to 2,000 hours. However, the duration of an app’s development can vary on two key factors: the expertise of the app dev agency and the scope of your app.
Once you’ve found the right app developer or agency, established a strong working relationship, and effectively communicated your requirements, the timeline for your mobile application development can be estimated as follows:
Simplest apps
For apps with minimal wireframes, no backend or integrations, and a straightforward user interface, the development process typically takes around 3-4 months. This timeline assumes you have all the necessary information and content prepared beforehand.
Moderately complex apps
For apps with more sophisticated wireframes and UI, a simple backend, and a few integrations, the development timeline extends to around 4-6 months.
High-end apps
Complex and feature-rich apps require more time and effort, with development periods ranging from 6 to 12 months.
However, it’s important to note that developing a mobile app is an ongoing process. Apps should continuously evolve based on user feedback and changing OS requirements and scale with a growing user base.
Therefore, you should seek an app development company with whom you can establish a long-term relationship. This long-term view ensures that you have a reliable partner to support the app’s evolution and future updates.
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