Developing Apps: When is it Time to Outsource?

Research shows that the Apple app store will surge to a whopping 5 million apps by 2020. No doubt developing apps requires a strong blend of creativity, talent, and downright discipline.

Even the most successful developers aren’t usually a one-person shop. Instead, they work with a team of professionals who specialize in developing apps.

Are you thinking about if outsourcing is appropriate for you? Are you trying to figure out which parts of development are best for outsourcing? Let’s get to it.

Why Develop an App?

Do you run a small business? An app can take your marketing to the next level, and it’s becoming more of a necessity for companies around the world.

Apps provide visibility to all your customers. They provide direct marketing funnels with all appropriate contact information, promotions and sales, and relevant tips about your business. This information offers value to your customers, which can retain their loyalty.

Finally, it’s a great way to improve customer engagement. People need a way to reach you. If they can do it through your app, it’ll provide a convenient and enjoyable experience for everyone.

That said, apps aren’t only for small business owners. If you have a creative spirit, an app can be a great way to express a unique idea to the entire world. When harnessed correctly, you can also generate some serious income from this project.

Finally? It can be fun to make an app. If you’re up for the challenge and like to learn, this can be a great way to expand your skillset. 

How Do You Start Developing Apps?

First, you need to identify your target goal. What do you want your app to do? Who do you want downloading it? What problems will it solve for your consumers?

Then, you’re going to want to spend some time drafting. This may include sketches or rough drafts of your app’s interface. Don’t worry if you aren’t an artist–these are just the blueprints.

You’re also going to want to engage in appropriate market research. Is anyone else doing the same thing? What’s the current competition look like?

Then, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to take the DIY approach (developing it by yourself) or the outsourcing approach. Regardless of what you choose, you need to feel comfortable asking friends, family, and colleagues for honest feedback of the final project. 

Why Should You Consider Outsourcing?

First, it’s incredibly common. Most successful “household name” companies outsource their development–instead of using in-house members. These companies want efficiency and professionalism without wasting their internal resources.

While some businesses may have internal expertise, most don’t. Even if you have an excellent guy who “knows IT,” that doesn’t mean he knows the nuances of app development.

Furthermore, even if you have an in-house team, it doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate to add an extra project to their workload. 

Although outsourcing costs money, many entrepreneurs find that they end up saving money when they take this approach. That’s because it’s usually cheaper to hire independent contractors rather than take on new employees.

From software testing to app launching, outsourced professionals can also save you time. That’s because you won’t need to worry about training yourself (or your current team) to learn a new protocol. This frees up time to focus on what matters.

What Should You Look For?

Like with most business choices, finding the right person for the job requires patience and diligence. The cheapest developer you can find is the cheapest developer for a reason. 

You should start by examining potential developers’ portfolios. You want someone who has work that you admire. The quality of the work should speak for itself.

Healthy communication is another essential component. Who will be in charge of your project? How will you two correspond? Is the developer prompt and concise when responding to your questions?

You should get a ‘positive feel’ that the company wants to work for you. This means they don’t hesitate to follow deadlines, and they’re happy to provide you with reasonable expectations.

They should be proactive and engaged with your process. Developing a successful app requires collaboration, and you should feel excited and motivated to collaborate with your team.

Finally, you should feel comfortable asking questions to your team. Will they need any specific tools? What licenses will you need?

What If You Already Developed Your App?

Just because you have an app on the market doesn’t mean you’re off-the-hook completely. After all, how well is your app actually doing? Are you making the money you want to make?

Remember that organizations continue to compete with emerging technology. Just like you need a seamless, user-friendly website, you also need a dynamic app that people will want to use.

It can take several months to develop an app. However, most apps require routine maintenance and fine-tuning to ensure a quality user experience. We all know how frustrating it is when our favorite apps glitch–you don’t want to give that problem to your target audience!

Furthermore, if you want to update a basic app into something more exciting, outsourcing may be the perfect answer. You’ll get to cut costs, save time, and receive the app that you want.

Final Thoughts 

Developing apps is exciting! However, it also takes time and dedication to transform your million-dollar idea into an app that people want to download.

Want to learn more about taking your award-winning app idea to the next level? Consider running your plan through an expert consultant. Check out this article today!