When you’re looking to hire an iOS app development company, it’s important to ask the right questions, since you want to make sure you get the best service possible at a fair price. Here are 10 key questions to ask before hiring an iOS app development company.
1) What kind of apps do you build?
With more than 1.5 million apps available in Apple’s App Store, it can be difficult for consumers and businesses alike to know what exactly they’re looking for. The first question you should ask any potential app developer is, What kind of apps do you build? Your potential developer should be able to provide a list of successful apps that other companies have used as a part of their marketing efforts.
2) Do you have any current clients I can talk to?
This is a basic question that will let you know how successful and reputable your potential developer is. Don’t just go by their references; talk to clients yourself and make sure they’re getting what they paid for. If you can’t find current clients, that should be a red flag as well.
3) How many apps have you built, and how long does it take?
iphone application development companies are always looking for developers who can get things done quickly. If you’ve had some apps built in-house and don’t have a lot of experience, I would be hesitant to share details about them. An experienced team will know how long it takes for each phase of the project and can even estimate their internal costs, so be careful here. Be very careful when asking what sort of applications they’ve built in-house.
4) How much does your team cost per hour?
To determine how much it will cost you to hire a team, calculate your current total cost per hour (for yourself and any employees you currently have) and multiply that by their expected hourly rate. That should be a good ballpark figure for what it will cost you to work with a team. Remember: hourly costs are only one part of the equation—you also need to take into account your additional expenses, like equipment, and ongoing, monthly expenses such as hosting fees.
5) Will you accept my budget?
If you want your project done by any particular date, for instance, or with a particular level of quality, make sure that you get it in writing. And don’t be afraid to negotiate—you may end up saving money and time in the long run. Not sure how much you should spend? Asking good questions will help you get a clearer picture of costs. If you’re shopping around for contractors, what is your budget?
6) Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of?
When it comes to budgeting for your iphone application development company, one of your biggest concerns should be hidden costs. Hidden costs are charges that appear unexpectedly because of a certain condition in your business contract. This can lead to unexpected changes in pricing that might cause you some major stress. If you want an iphone application development company that will give you clarity and transparency in all business transactions, make sure they let you know about hidden fees beforehand so there won’t be any surprises later on.
7) Will you provide me with weekly updates on my project status?
One of the big advantages of working with a professional software development company is getting updates on your project. If you’re not going to be able to make it into their office every week, you’ll want a commitment from them that they will provide you with weekly progress reports. This way, you’ll feel confident in their ability to follow through on their commitments and can rest assured that everything is running smoothly.
8) Can we set milestones and dates upfront?
It’s always a good idea to set milestones and dates upfront for all major steps in the app development process, such as project management, design, development, and testing. This allows both you and your developer have a clear timeline of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by.
9) Do you use Git/Mercurial/Subversion/GitHub as version control software?
Version control software is a very important piece of your application development process. It allows multiple people to work on different sections of code at once, and tracks which changes were made when, allowing for rollbacks and easy tracking. You should always choose version control software that is designed specifically for applications (such as Mercurial or Git), rather than general use version control software like Subversion. Your developers should be using one of these systems if they are using GitHub or similar services.
10) Who will be working on my project, and who will I be able to reach at any time if something comes up?
It’s a good idea to know exactly who you’ll be working with and who you can contact if something comes up. Make sure you have their name, email address, phone number, and Skype username so that they’re accessible at any time. If there is not a specific person handling your project, then make sure you know which department will be handling it. Will you be dealing with marketing? Support? Account management?