The instruction, “Download our app” is a familiar one. We get it from companies we do business with, because downloading and using that app provides us with more convenience and a streamlined process for doing everything from paying our bills, to making purchases, and to communicate with a company when we have questions, issues, or problems.
We also download and/or purchase apps to do everything from playing games, accessing music, watching our favorite video series, communicating with friends via social media, etc.
When You Need App Development as a Non-Techie Founder
Many entrepreneurs are not techies. And yet, they may have some great ideas and/or needs for software/app development. Consider, for example, the founder of an e-commerce business who wants to develop a mobile app to increase brand awareness and allow users to convert and make purchases easily from those mobile devices. Consider, too, the entrepreneur with a great idea for an app that will solve a problem for his target audience and that he wishes to develop and publish.
So, how does a non-techie founder go about getting that app perfectly developed when he has no development skills himself?
The simple answer is this: he finds the right developer or development team that can bring that need or idea into a perfect product.
You Have Two Major Tasks Before You
There are two critical things that must be done. The first step will be finding the perfect developer or development firm/team to get the job done and get it done in a way that will thrill you.
This post, Part 1 of 2, will focus on how you find the developer or team you need.
Your Options for Finding the Right Development
Assess Your Need
If you are a founder who has a need for software/app development, you must first assess your needs. If you have a single need for an app or a piece of software, along with a tight budget, chances are you are not looking to employ a full-time developer with all of the costs involved in that employment. Instead, your better option is to outsource the development to an individual or firm.
If, on the other hand, this is just the beginning of your foray into app and/or software development, and your budget is comfortable, you may want to find a developer who can meet your needs over the long haul and, in fact, employ him/her.
Familiarize Yourself with Some Basics
While you do not need to understand coding (that the developer’s expertise), you will not be able to discuss your project without some basic understanding of apps, app development, and the options you have. Here are some terms you will want to understand:
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Types of Apps
In general, there are three types of apps:
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Native Apps: These are apps produced for a single type of device – iOS, Android, or Windows Phone. While these are more expensive, they will give you high performance and great user experience. A separate app will have to be developed for each platform/system.
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Hybrid Apps: Produced for all platforms altogether and are basically just a web app that works like natives. These are easier to develop, so you will get your app faster, and maintenance is low-cost. They do lack the performance of native apps, though, and they will not show up exactly the same on all devices.
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Web Apps: These are mobile-responsive versions of websites, usually pared down, and that will work on any mobile device. They are run on a browser, so users can connect as long as they have Internet. There will be a bad user experience if the web connection is not good. These are not generally popular with users.
You need to consider which type of app you want before you begin your search for a developer.
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Make sure you also know what category you want your app to go into – game, entertainment, lifestyle, business, utilities, education, travel, health & fitness, etc.
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MVP or Full App?
Many founders with a new app idea would be wise to check out the receptivity and popularity of their idea before they contract for full development. You can opt for an MVP (minimum viable product), throw it out there, do your marketing, and see if it is really viable. If so, then you can go back for full development.
Begin Your Search
You may know nothing about development, but you do understand good development, even if you don’t realize it. How many apps do you yourself use? Probably several. You understand “user experience.” If your experience in using those apps has been good, you know that this is the result of great development. And this is what you expect from any developer/firm you hire or use in the development of your product(s).
Narrow Your Search
Here’s the rub. As you look for a developer or an outsourcing firm, you may have to “kiss a lot of frogs” before you find the “prince.” There are a large number of these folks, and they range from horrible to amazing. Fortunately, you can narrow your search with the following strategies:
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Use your network to get recommendations
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Narrow your recruitment to only those who have developed software and/or apps in your niche/sector
Conduct Your Interviews
You may not be tech-savvy, but you do know what you want your software/app to do, and this is what you need to convey to any developer/firm during an interview. During this time, a good and enthusiastic developer will be an active listener and may even make some suggestions or recommendations. Ask each interviewee for an approximate time frame, the methods by which they will go about the development – waterfall or agile – and what they see your role to be in the process. (you will need to bone up on a bit of technology beforehand, but you don’t have to speak to highly technical stuff like coding).
Get Key Information from the Developer/Firm
A professional developer will be able to provide at least three recent references for development related to your need, as well as software/apps that they have developed. Your job is to check these out very carefully. If, for example, a developer has created an app, download it, look at the design, navigate through it, and make sure that your user experience was flawless.
The Hiring Step
You have now made a decision, and you are excited to move forward. This is the time for a contract that will spell out all of the responsibilities of both parties. Good developers will have a standard contract they use for their clients, and if you have chosen well, that contract will be straightforward with the “blanks,” such as individual or team that will complete the project, the lead contact person, the methods and points of communication, your role, a timeline, etc. Read through it carefully and discuss anything you do not understand with your new “partner.”
Now you are ready to roll. But how will you actually manage this developer or team you have chosen? Read “Essential Information for Non-Technical Founders: Part 2” to find out.