7 Winning Tips for outsourcing mobile app development

The website is a thing of the past now — this is the mobile-first generation and interactive mobile apps are creating its niche. With over 2 million apps in the App Store and Play Store respectively, and billions of app downloads being done, there’s little debate on the necessity of maintaining a powerful mobile app for business. The question however that most businesses (especially bootstrapped start-ups) have in mind is: Whether to build an app in-house or outsource mobile app development?

Here’s a rundown on how to select a mobile app developer for your business and some relevant tips on outsourcing app development.

In research on global outsourcing by Deloitte (2016), it was reported that 59% of businesses consider outsourcing as a cost reduction tool. In addition to that, outsourcing has also helped organizations to mitigate risks, get the best talents to work together, bring in better capabilities and achieve more.

In addition to those benefits, in certain cases, mobile app agencies have also helped businesses identify investors, raise funds, provide consultancy and strategize the product launch plan.

So, once you are decided on outsourcing your app development to a mobile app development company, here are some suggestions and tips to help you leverage the situation:

1. Always outline the project requirement: This is a crucial step and often the differentiator between an ordinary and exceptional app. Sometimes, having a great product idea is not sufficient, unless it is backed with clarity on the features and functionalities that will support it.

A professional app development agency would ideally request for a project plan/outline (or create one if unavailable) to build your app from concept to release. Setting clear expectations would help to keep timelines in check and iterations to the minimal.

#Tip: When outlining the project requirements, brainstorm with your team, study competitors, read a market research report, and find answers to these questions:

2. Check if you need to build an app from scratch or upgrade an existing one: Before signing on an agency or freelancer to work on your project, determine the nature of the project. At times, building the app in-house would be a more suitable option.

Consider these situations:

Having clarity on the scale and scope of the app development project will help to save you time and money, and also simplify the search for an app developer.

#Tip: Your project scope will determine if you can get the app done in-house or outsource it.

As a general rule, if you have a full stack technology team in-house and hiring a person or two can get the job done, then plan the project for execution in-house. However, if there’s a lack of skilled personnel in-house, consider outsourcing the project.

For instance, if your app is already available in iOS then get an agency for building an Android version. Android app development is different from iOS, and an agency will have the entire team to look into its build, testing, and launch.

3. Identifying a Mobile App Development Agency: This decision is the deal — as the future of your app depends a lot on the people building it.

#Tip: There’s no set rule for hiring an iOS and Android app development company. Each agency will come with its own strengths and drawbacks. When evaluating, give weightage to both.

To begin with, look into the following:

4. Keeping communication simple: Keep communications regular, consistent and planned. Project hurdles and obstacles can effectively be avoided through timely communication.

#Tip: To keep communications effective, keep it scheduled (either weekly or on fortnights). Sudden meetings/calls should be held in case of emergencies only.

5. Having a clear app development process: The app development process can be as intricate or simple as one makes it. The more complex the app, the more important it is to have a simpler process.

With minor iterations, most businesses will have a similar development process — it begins with the ideation and project plan phase, continuing into design and development, testing and QA, and ending with launch and maintenance. What’s necessary is to be familiar with the process and the deliverables to be expected during each phase.

#Tip: When product development is being outsourced, it’s recommended to have two or three in-house people involved throughout the project. We do recommend having personnel from design, tech, and management involved from scratch.

This will help to keep in:

6. Following Timelines: When timelines are being breached it points to a single thing — bad planning.

If timelines are being missed successively, we recommend pausing the project and taking another look at the project plan. Were deadlines too optimistic? Was sufficient time allotted for each phase? Were the tasks broken-down right?

Finding answers to these questions will aid not only in getting back on track but also keeping the project budget in check.

#Tip: Ad hoc requests though common should not be frequent. When working with an agency, limit too many additional requests. An agency will ideally charge you for all the additional requests.

So, plan everything well and have all the details and expectations laid down in the project plan.

#Tip: We recommend a phased launch. Sometimes the feedback received from your first users are highly insightful and can lead to building an evolved V2.

Also, don’t forget to keep track of app reviews and ratings. Since a lot of search for apps happen on the App Store itself (especially for iOS), check with your agency for maintaining a healthy app rating and user review.

Plan, plan and plan especially the budget and timeline! Planning is the only way to ensure that execution goes as expected.

And that was a short (and hopefully helpful) brief on how to outsource mobile app development. It’s time to make your move and identify an app developer that will cater to your business requirements.

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