Starting from simple hygiene questions to critical ones and sometimes even the regular ones, we have many such questions being asked and answered every day.

So we thought to consolidate and compile some of the most important questions (asked by real people) and their answers in this post, hoping it helps anyone looking for app development services or Mobile App Development Companies. Here we go:-

Q. I’ve a mobile app idea, how do I get it developed?

Great, so you now have to share your idea with mobile app development companies and for that you may describe the mobile app as a third-person as much as you can, so that we gauge the scope of the work and give the client an estimation (commercial quote + timelines). If you have wireframes or mockups then it shall be more helpful, else we can develop those for you if you give inputs.

Q. What if you steal my mobile app idea, how do I ensure confidentiality?

We won’t, we can’t do this since we’re a pure play service provider company and wouldn’t want to compete with our potential customers, ever! Also, if we just sign an NDA (non disclosure agreement) you shall be safe in writing as well.

Q. How to obtain an accurate quote? Can I give you hand sketched screen flows I created, kind of click the sketches and share with you? What is the easiest way?

Yes, absolutely. Would be more kind of you if you also care to describe some things via text. The more you try to make me understand your project idea, more shall I be able to offer you best advice and quote.

So the best input is “wireframes or screen drawings + description and a Q&A session”, second best is “Description and Q&A session” and least is “either description or Q&A”, and below least is sharing a “reference app” (I call it below least because you can only see the front end of a reference app and not the backend and therefore any cost idea is based on assumptions that can swing your estimation by more than 50 % at times).

And, If you are technical, then you know what we need.

Q. Native or hybrid (cross platform using xamarin, or phonegap, or ionic etc)

Long story short: Go for hybrid only if

• there is a lot of business logic on the front-end
• if your app is already existing and has good user market (and no risk of first launch)
• if you have more easy access to cross platform developers than native ones

Else go for Native, always, since those apps are best performing, take most advantage of the OS and if you don’t have much logic on front end (which is usually the case) you’d not be paying more for native w.r.t cross platform. Contact me directly if you need more information on this.

Q. You showed me some portfolio Apps, how do I know you only create these? One can bluff also…

Your concern is valid, so we shall let you speak with the mobile app owners who can verify we’ve created these; also if we create these we are able to show you that project in our company’s development console (in a screen-sharing session); on an android studio for Android app or on Xcode an iPhone app.

Q. Well, how much does it cost to develop an App? An idea is fine…

It will be asked always, so the summary is an app development costs between $ 3 K to 15 K mostly (from a simple App to a good functional App and then more price to cover more platforms). For a more detailed idea on cost, read this earlier post of mine app development costs. And for an exact idea, refer point 3 and contact me.

Q. How shall I be able to see the progress of my app development?

Our mobile app development company shall give you complete work visibility by using a handy tool Trello where you can see what job cards are being worked upon, which ones are delivered and signed off, and which ones are in testing (and yes, we shall break the project into several job cards and move them from “parking” to “doing” to “done” to “sign off” and you’ll get to know what’s going on).

And then, we shall provide you a weekly interim release (Ie. an app in progress) every Friday with release notes, you’d be able to run it on your device, figure any bugs and report or just share your feedback and on Monday I fix anything you report and proceed with developing remainder of the cards.

Q. How shall you ensure your company’s app development quality?

That we do objectively like this

• we define “quality” by jointly creating an “acceptance and performance criteria” before jumping into development (basically parameters on which the app should pass before it is called accepted)
• The developers do the unit testing on every functionality they make and then adhere to the acceptance criteria and an internal QA validates the same before we release any interim build
• you do the user acceptance testing (UAT) along with our QA and jointly add any issues figured in “Jira” or may be in simple Excel, that is assigned to development team and they fix until all is fixed and then release

Q. Is there any warranty your company can provide?

Yes, if we leave any bugs we shall fix them for no fee even after 3 months of delivering.

Q. Do I need support and maintenance services? And what does this mean?

You don’t need specific support services at least for initial few months of launch (since you already have a warranty to fix bugs) unless you need more than just bug fixing, and that can be (but not limited to):

• Regular time sensitive troubleshooting
• New Feature upgrade
• Upgrading to make it compatible with new OS version, and to also leverage new features of OS for the app
• Language support or localization

And you better get a separate quote for support and maintenance (minus warranty time) by first agreeing on the scope of work. However, if your app gains traction the chances will be you’d be needing more feature development again and in that case, there won’t be much need for a separate support & maintenance unless it is really a big need.

Q. How do I pay your mobile app development company?

You pay us in milestones, which are usually 4 or 5 or as we mutually define. Starting from the kick off earnest money to first UI release to a dynamic app (functioning) to an “App + Admin” to store upload. 20 % each in case of 5 milestones.

Q. Do I own the source code?

Yes, you do. We’d sign with you this Mobile app development agreement which ensures you shall get all the source code.

Q. Is paying hourly good or fixed price?

Fixed-price is the right method if you can define your requirements beforehand (even in the most easiest way we’ve described above) and then you can always put forth “change orders” to be priced separately during the development.

Go for an hourly payment (or weekly fee) only if you need a mobile programmer or a dedicated app development team for regular evolving product development.

Go for hybrid if one part of the project is defined (for example the App) and needs not so regular development, while other part needs to be continuously upgraded (like the server part) to take best of both worlds.

Other relevant article:

• Agicent in news – Huffpost covers Pregmo App and Agicent
• Catering Mobile Users To The Fullest Is A Must For Startups In 2018
• Hiring App Development Companies? Read this FAQs for dummies

The post Hiring App Development Companies? Read this FAQs for dummies appeared first on Agicent.

Below are a few things that you must consider before outsourcing product development.

The Ideal Client-Developer Relationship

The developer you hire should have the required expertise to execute your idea. The developer should be able execute the idea and develop it without having lost your trust. The developer should possess complete knowledge about software and applications. He should be able to give you a brief about the process and report to you after every step keeping deadlines in consideration.

Communication

The most important thing while outsourcing your app development is communication. In the early phase you will need to communicate your ideas, needs, demands and expectations to the developer. It is important for you to consider this factor seriously. No project will fail if there is a proper communication. Also, the developer should be able to understand your needs and what your expectations are. He should be able to give you mock diagrams as to how the app will work in future. However, you will have to give them time for coding and executing. Coding takes the most time. During this time you should keep making queries about your project from the developer.

Resources

The next thing that you should keep in mind before hiring a Mobile App Development Company. You must check if they have enough and the required resources to support your development needs. They should have enough human resources and of course time to take your project. There have been cases where one of the app development companies did not have time to take a project. This will force you to find a replacement. To avoid this situation you must look for companies who have time and other resources for your project.

Skills

Skills are again one such important consideration. You certainly do not want to hire a company that does not have the required skills of executing your app. You will get to know this from the previous clients. Since they have had an experience, they will be able to guide you.

While looking for outsourcing your app development, you must keep the above points in mind.

You may consider the leading app development company, Agicent on their website: https://www.agicent.com/

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Initially, companies from all over the world started outsourcing their requirements, particularly IT related, software development and app development to other companies across the globe in hope for cheap labor. But gone are the days when price was the only reason why organizations opted to outsource app development. While it may be still a major concern, the price factor is now taken over by other crucial issues, such as expertise and time. Since outsourcing can offer more expertise and reduce the time in development of app, companies now opt for it more than ever.

Companies across the world are now globalizing. And therefore, it is no longer necessary for organizations to have all their employees working under the same roof and sometimes, even in the same district or the company. In fact, it is no longer a political issue as well, giving organizations around the world an opportunity to opt for outsourced services, save time and money, get expertise, professional design and development, innovative solutions and technological support from a relevant company located in the other corner of the world.

Today, relying on third-party contractors or companies for outsourcing app development isn’t really an issue. But still, companies may face the challenges of working with an outsourcing company and the partnership may seem tough. However, you can use simple strategies for managing an outsourced team of employees to work for the benefit of your company. Here is what you can do,

Align your interests

Your product value will make or break based on the Mobile App Development company you hire. So, the entire idea is to choose a third party contractor who has interests similar to yours. For instance, you shouldn’t be hiring a random company when you need an android app developing service specifically. Similarly, you shouldn’t be hiring companies that do not have similar interests as well. Structuring partnerships in this field requires you to find companies with talented professionals who can communicate with you and understand your interests or your long-term goals with the development, launch and marketing of an application.

Focus on getting support

Now, this is crucial. When you outsource services, particularly something like app development, you would need thorough support throughout the development, launch and life-cycle of the product. So, you can’t have a contractor who will simply prepare or develop an app. Rather, you need someone who can provide client support even after the app has been development. The company should also provide educational resources and even employee training to ensure that apps are used to perfection.

Enhance brand value

You don’t want a random company that will simply design and develop your product. Instead, you need a company that vigorously defend your brand, where you are not just a client, but a partner in the company growth. Therefore, choose companies that can take the responsibility of your brand and help in enhancing its value.

Agicent provides app development and outsourcing services for companies around the world. Get support and professional expertise from the company. Visit https://www.agicent.com/ for details.

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