It’s no surprise that over the years, mobile app development has become one of the fastest-growing industries around the world. Research suggests that by the year 2023, mobile apps are expected to generate a revenue of more than $935 billion.
To supplement this tremendous growth, Los Angeles has recently emerged as one of the USA’s prominent tech hubs. According to Los Angeles Business Journal, there was around a 15% increase in software development and engineering jobs over the last five years. Commonly called the ‘Silicon Beach,’ mobile app development in Los Angeles is, undoubtedly, expanding rapidly.
Moreover, tech giants like Snap Inc., Postmates, Hulu, PatientPop, and others have chosen LA to expand their businesses and encouraged many companies to establish themselves in the new tech hub. With more companies coming to LA, there is also a significant increase in companies offering mobile app development services.
That said, if your organization plans to launch an app for your organization, what should be the deciding factors while choosing an app development company? Is it appropriate to invest in an app development company because it is popular in the region? Or, do the type of projects play a vital role?
This blog answers questions you may face while hiring any company for mobile app development in Los Angeles. Additionally, it explores factors you need to consider before choosing the right team for your project:
#1. Company Portfolio
A portfolio will provide you with an insight into the app development projects undertaken by the company while focusing on the UI/UX design, tech stack, duration, and cost of the project. You can then compare different portfolios to choose the company that has delivered projects similar to yours with good performance throughout.
Bonus tip: Support a portfolio with app user reviews and ratings on Apple Store or Google Play Store. Clutch provides verified client reviews and a company’s standing in the field, along with a sample portfolio.
#2. App Development Guidance
Finding a company that guides during the development process is the next crucial step. Market research and wireframing are the irreplaceable stages of any development cycle. While your team puts together a basic mobile app architecture model, the development team you hire must provide inputs, expert tips on the tech stack, suggestions on features and functionality, and more.
The next crucial step is defining the goals and objectives that the app aims to achieve. Ensuring the development team has a clear knowledge and understanding of the business and the products or services the app will be showcasing is another vital aspect. The development team’s ultimate goal is to enhance and improve the app performance and make suggestions to achieve it whenever necessary.
#3. Client’s Involvement in Development Process
A mobile app development process can last for two to four months or more, depending on the app’s complexity. From UI design, coding to testing the app, it is essential that you receive updates about the development status.
For example, agile scrum methodology divides the app development project into sprints or smaller sections, and client reviews at the end of every sprint form an essential part. This method involves the clients making suggestions at every stage of the development process to avoid making significant changes at the end that may delay the launch. Moreover, with agile methodologies, it is also possible to determine if any additional time is required to be allotted for a particular task, and accordingly, the timeline can be adjusted. This practice ensures client satisfaction, better coordination between the teams, and superior app quality.
#4. Leverage Latest Mobile App Development Trends
The development trends keep changing, and with every new development, the features of a mobile app change. For this reason, the development company should have a complete understanding of the changing trends and include them in the app.
For instance, the Sirikit and Swift5 introduced by iOS enhance the overall functionality of the apps. Similarly, integrating Augmented Reality (AR) and IoT (Internet of Things) lend an edge to an app. Therefore, before you move ahead with an app development company, it is essential to discuss the tech stack and additional features that it intends to add to the app.
However, every app does not require including all the latest trends, and maintaining a simple UI is the need. In such cases, the development team should be quick to acknowledge it and create a simple interface. Finally, it is the development team’s responsibility to make the right decisions based on the necessity of app services.
#5. Post-Launch Support
The developers’ role is not limited to app development and market launch and extends beyond the development lifecycle. Discuss with the company if it provides post-launch support such as maintenance, updates, bug fixes, analytics, security, and more. For an app to maintain its steady performance, real-time product iterations are required, and it is the responsibility of the app developer to deliver it.
While development companies may charge you a nominal fee for the post-launch support, it is always a good idea to invest in it. Engaging the same company to handle development and support will ensure app performance is continuously monitored and improved.
Conclusion
Developing a mobile app is more than just coding and testing; it is about knowing what to include based on a thorough understanding of the business and its needs. Moreover, considering the user base is an equally important step for mobile app development. Thus, hiring a company that realizes this need is the best decision you can make for your company.
Written by Adam Eaton
