By the end of 2018, there were more than 2 million registered apps on Apple’s App Store. Estimates are that Android apps via Google Play Store numbered even more (approximately 2.7 million). And there are currently over five billion mobile users on the planet who access and download apps on a regular basis.
Developing apps has become a huge business, and every day new ideas pop into the heads of creative entrepreneurs for apps that could make it big.
But between the idea for an app and bringing it to market as an actual product requires a development process. And this means finding the right developer(s) and managing them well. And for founders with little-to-no experience getting a product to market, there is a bit to learn.
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The Hiring Process
This must be the main initial focus, whether you choose to employ or to outsource. Great development = a great app; and poor development = a flop, (or, at best, lots of remedial work and a much slower time to market).
If this is your first time entering into the world of app development, you really need to carefully screen and research any person or firm you are considering. There are a couple of things you can do:
Hiring a Full-Time Developer
This is one area in your budget that should not be lean. Good developers are expensive, so do not look for a bargain. Check the “going rate” on salaries through the Department of Labor or other recruitment/employment organizations.
Screen candidates via their portfolios, and check out apps they have already developed. Checking references goes without saying.
Look to colleagues within your network who have senior IT people, and ask for help during the interviews with the finalists you have selected.
Outsourcing
If you are at a point in your startup that hiring a full-time developer doesn’t make sense, then you will obviously contract out – either to a single person or to a firm that specializes in app development.
Begin with the portfolios as your initial vetting process. Download apps that they have created and check out design and user experience. And of course, ask for at least three recent references.
If during the course of vetting discussions about your idea, they listen actively and even provide some feedback or suggestions, this is a good sign. Put them on your shortlist.
Offshoring
Many founders do not think about offshoring, but it can be a viable option, as a mix of full-time staff employment and outsourcing. It involves establishing or moving a current operation to another country so that those people can collaborate with local expertise.
A founder might, for example, set up his IT staff, no matter how small, in another country, to work with a software development firm, taking advantage of their expertise and their training.
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The Brief
This is your responsibility, and it is a big one. You must provide your chosen developer/firm with the details. You should include mockups and detailed requirements of what you want your app to do and look like.
Hopefully, you have done this before you even hire a developer. It helps you clarify in your own mind what you want before you begin serious discussions.
Illustrate as much as you can, no matter how “rough” those illustrations may be.
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Managing Your Developer(s)
They are the experts, so keep this in mind. On the other hand, you know what you want your app to do, and they must keep that in mind. Here are your responsibilities in the management process.
- Require a detailed specification explanation/description of what will actually go into creating your app – the workflow process and the functionality, especially the testing that will be done to ensure there are no bottlenecks or bugs.
- If the development is outsourced, be certain that you have a single designated individual with whom you will communicate regularly. This does not mean that other members of that team will not be brought into discussions, but you need a lead contact person.
- As each stage of development is completed, you should expect to be informed and receive that segment, so that you can review it, be certain it is what you want, and give any feedback. Do not be shy here. It is your app and your money, and it needs to be exactly as you envisioned it.
- Do not micro-manage. While you should expect regular progress reports and deliveries, according to the timeline you and the developer(s) have agreed upon, “bugging” them daily is not productive. Be patient, follow the timeline, and be an active participant in reviewing and approving each stage as it is delivered.
- Once you have either the MVP or the full app, this is the point at which you go through the entire product for final approval. If communication has been clear, if you have been included at each stage, it should be just what you want.
Keep Yourself Occupied with Other Business Functions
It’s hard to wait while the development process moves forward. You want that app perfectly developed and ready to launch right now. But you have other important things on your menu, and focusing on those will make the time move faster.
What’s your marketing plan? If the development includes an MVP, how will you get it out there for review and comment before the rest of the development work is completed?
Develop and implement your plans for pre-launch, launch, and post-launch spread, via email lists, social media, influencer reviews, etc. Even the most perfect app is dead in the water if no one knows it exists. This is your most important job right now.
Look at Your Options
In the end, your goal is to achieve app development as efficiently, as quickly, and at the best cost possible. Check out outsourcing and offshoring possibilities. Many of these firms offer special packages and pricing for startups, and, if you find the right partner, you will have the expertise and the cost savings you want and need.