A data shared by Google reveals that 51% of smartphone users are likely to make their purchases from the company’s application. This statistic clearly depicts that having a mobile app for your business is essential for reaching a wider audience.
Considering this high potential and projected growth of the Australian app market by 7.7%, if you have a brilliant app idea for your company, then transforming it into reality certainly requires the expertise of skilled developers.
As we know, Australia, with its vibrant tech ecosystem, offers a plethora of options for mobile application development. And with these many options, choosing the right team is overwhelming.
Therefore, we have come up with this detailed guide that will help you navigate the Aussie digital landscape and select the perfect app development partner to build a successful mobile app for your organisation and assist in bringing your vision to life.
Here, we’ll walk you through the essential factors and provide expert tips to manoeuvre your selection process.
Start with the Pre-Work!
Before you search for an app development agency, laying the groundwork by doing some initial homework is essential.
This pre-work will smoothen your search, ensure you find the right fit, and prevent potential dilemmas. Here are the key steps to take before diving into your search:
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Define Your Project Requirements
Before beginning the search for your app development agency in Australia, start solidifying your app idea. Try to figure out the answer to these critical questions about your app: What problem does it solve? Who is your target audience?
Once you know the answers, you can clearly outline the goals and objectives of your mobile app. Work on defining the value proposition, target group, identifying the core features and functionalities you want in your app. -
Set a Realistic Budget
Estimate cost by doing some research to get a rough idea of development price for apps similar to yours. Accordingly, establish a cost range for your app development project and set a realistic budget based on complexity, features and desired platforms (iOS, Android, cross-platform).
To get a precise understanding of the potential cost, you can read about the steps involved in the mobile app development process. This is one way of having an idea about the potential pricing and estimated budget. -
Market Research
Next is doing a thorough competitor analysis. Identify your direct and indirect competitors. Understand every aspect of their business, for example, strengths and weaknesses and how your app will differentiate itself.
Also, stay updated on relevant industry and market trends and the latest technologies to ensure your app is competitive and innovative. You must also do realistic research on your ideal user’s demographics, behaviour, needs, and pain points to ensure the success of your app. -
Prepare Questions for Developers
Determine your ideal agency size, experience level, and industry expertise and prioritise what matters most to you (communication, specific skills, portfolio projects, etc.).
Based on these criteria, prepare a list of questions to ask potential app development agencies to assess their understanding, process, and suitability for your project. Include inquiries about their experience, process, communication, and post-launch support.
Begin Your Mobile App Developer Search: Tips to Ease this Phase
Once you finish the pre-work, it is time to head towards selecting an expert app developer for your project. The entire exercise requires careful consideration of several vital factors. So let’s discuss about these important factors to consider before choosing mobile app agency for your project below:
1. Location of Your Mobile App Developer
Finding app developers in your vicinity offers several advantages. Time zone alignment facilitates smoother communication, and you might benefit from their understanding of the local market and user preferences.
| Tip: The same time zone saves you from the trouble of keeping meetings at odd hours. And, since the developers will be from your region, you will not face any language barriers and can discuss your project seamlessly. |
2. Evaluate Experience and Expertise
The app developers are expected to have a sound understanding of various app development platforms. They must hold expertise in native as well as cross-platform apps.
If they specialise in hybrid app development, they must know frameworks like React, React Native, Ionic, PhoneGap, etc.
A sound knowledge of Java, Eclipse, or Android Studio is expected if they specialise in Android apps. Similarly, knowledge of Objective C, Swift, and Xcode is essential if they specialise in iPhone applications.
Apart from this, look out for the following points to check their technical proficiency:
- They must have a good know-how of the emerging trends and technologies in the app development domain, like PWA, AMP, Blockchain, and IoT.
- They must have proved themselves as thought leaders by sharing their knowledge and expertise with other industry experts and clients through ebooks, brochures, and blogs.
| Tip: An experienced developer will bring valuable insights and best practices. Therefore, shortlist the developers based on their relevant experience and proven track record in the type of app you want to build. Check their portfolio and inquire about the technologies they specialise in. You can also ask for case studies to understand their process deeply. |
3. Perform Background Check
Once you have reached here, it is time for a thorough background check.
While gauging the reputation of an app development company, it is necessary to go through the following checkpoints to choose the right app developers in Australia:
- Check Out their Launched Apps – Ask for a detailed portfolio to understand the versatility and industry experience of the shortlisted developers. Check the projects they worked on and request links to their published apps in the app stores.
- Check their Visibility – To check the company’s credibility, ensure it is easily found on Google and has positive client reviews available. Mark it as a “Red flag” to the agencies with poor reviews and unsatisfied client lists.
- Must Have a Physical Presence – Ensure the company has a physical presence on the map. A professional app development agency should have an office where the clients can meet up for workshops and chat about the scope of their project.
| Tip: Researching the reputation of a mobile app developer is crucial. Look for client reviews and testimonials to gain insights into their work ethic, communication skills, and the overall satisfaction of their previous clients. |
4. Enquire About Project Development Teams & Timelines
- Team – One of the benefits of hiring a company over freelancers is that they provide you with full-fledged and dedicated teams. A good team is capable of supporting your project from design to launch.
An ideal development team comprises designers, developers, testers, and project managers. Having multiple team members, each with his own specialisation, will also reduce the app development time. - Timeline – The development time depends on the project type. So, ask the developers about the timeframe of their delivery.
To give you some idea of the development timelines, here is a rough estimate of the number of hours that it generally takes to complete an app development project:Simple app- About 400 hours
Medium app- About 700 hours
Complex app- About 1,000 hoursTip: Depending upon your requirements, check how much time suits you. In how much time are you expecting to launch your app? If the app developers commit to delivering on your deadlines, take it as a green light.
5. Consider the Cost and Budget Aspect
While cost is an essential factor, it shouldn’t be the sole determinant.
Understand the pricing structure of potential developers and ensure that it aligns with your budget. Look for developers who provide transparent pricing models and detailed estimates to avoid any surprises later in the project.
Therefore, go through the below-mentioned points before shortlisting the development agencies based on their pricing structure and your budget :
- Are they Flexible?
The app developers must be able to scale up or scale down the app budget based on your chalked-out requirements. They should not be rigid about costing a fixed amount for services you do not require. - Are they Transparent?
The app development cost quoted by them should not come with hidden fees. There should be complete transparency in what and why they are charging. - What is their Payment Model?
The payment model can either be hourly, based on milestones completed or complete payment. This depends on your choice of which payment model suits you the best. Discuss whatever best fits your needs with the developers beforehand.Tip: It is necessary to find developers that are within your budget. However, remember that low-priced developers can cost you dearly if they fail to deliver as expected.
6. Analyse Workflow Efficiency
Professional app developers have a well-established workflow according to which they carry out their development process. A typical flow for any app usually looks like this:
Again, the workflow depends on the project.
Ask the developers about the kind of methodology they use for their development. The latest and the best method developed to date is Agile.
According to an Agile Report, about 94% of organisations follow some form of Agile in their processes. It is pivoted on four principles according to the Agile Manifesto.
[If you want to know more about these principals, read: A Comprehensive Guide to Agile Development Methodology]
Also, ask the developers what kind of UX/UI features they will deploy, their take on testing, and how they plan to execute that.
| Tip: The best app makers will be able to explain all these details to you articulately, failing which, you should not think of going ahead with them. |
7. Communication Channels to Keep You in the Loop
How well your mobile app turns out will depend on how well you convey your vision to your development company.
Enquire about the communication and task management tools they use to interact with clients. These tools might include Trello, Jira, Quip, Slack, Skype and Dropbox.
| Tip: The app developers must promptly respond to your queries and work quickly to resolve your issue. Ask them how many hours they take after a query is raised. Ideally, the initial response time should not exceed more than 24 hours. |
8. Support and Maintenance Plan
Often, the app maintenance factor is overlooked by people, and they fail to understand that it contributes to the app’s profitability. Note that once the app is developed, it needs regular monitoring, engagement and maintenance.
| Tip: Ensure your app developers don’t vanish as the project is completed. Ask them about their maintenance policies and how they plan to assist once the app is up and running. |
A Must-Have Details: Legal Contracts and Documentations of Mobile App Development in Australia
There is much more to development of a mobile app than the core development part. One of the most critical aspects of development is taking care of legal issues.
A mobile app faces various threats post-development, such as stealing the app idea, not getting what you had asked for, not getting maintenance and support services after the app has been developed, and many more.
Here are three crucial agreements that you and your developers should be aware of:
1. Source Code Ownership
“Source code is the fundamental sequence of computer instructions that create an app or software.”
Without source code ownership, you can’t modify or update your app under your own accord. Look for the app developers who agree to hand you the source code and assign you the ownership and copyright. You will need the app source code to involve other app developers in changes, improvements, and updates.
Under the Australian Copyright Act, a computer program falls under the purview of literary work, which means the creator owns the Copyright to it unless assigned to someone else.
2. Non-Disclosure Agreement
An NDA or a Non-Disclosure Agreement for mobile app developers is an agreement signed between two parties to protect the app idea.
It states that the parties that have signed the agreement will preserve the confidentiality of the information, and under no circumstances will the data be disclosed to anyone.
In the case of a mobile app project, the confidential information includes the algorithms and the design of the mobile app. The NDA can be predefined or even made per your specifications. A typical Australian NDA and Confidentiality Agreement per se complies with Australian laws.
3. Privacy Policy
Ensure the developers are well aware of the privacy policies of a mobile application. The privacy policies for an app regulate the type of personal data collected by the app and its usage. Here are the three most essential privacy policies for mobile applications:
- Mobile Privacy Policy
- Mobile Privacy Policy (Ad-sponsored Apps)
- Mobile Privacy Policy (Geolocated Apps)
| Tip: Good developers are well-versed with these policies and can save you from facing app-related legal issues in the future. You can also make an App Developer Contract to ensure you get what you have paid for. Here is a checklist of details you need to include in the contract:
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Conclusion
It is important to understand that picking the app makers in Australia doesn’t just depend on time, money and quality; instead, it is a balanced combination of all the points mentioned above.
Following these vital tips and factors, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the Australian app development landscape and find the perfect mobile app development partner to turn your app idea into a thriving reality.
| Bonus Tip: Remember, the success of your app hinges not just on development but also on marketing and ongoing support. Choose a developer who can offer guidance and support beyond the initial build. |
So, what are you waiting for? Start your search, unleash your creativity, and get ready to conquer the Aussie app market!
