The Best Mobile Application Developers of 2021

What Is Mobile App Development?

Mobile apps are the various computer programs that run on our mobile phones, tablets and watches. Unlike the software that we run on our computer, these apps are meant to run on the portable operating systems that have become a part of our lives, and upon which we rely to help us improve our productivity, track our activities, keep ourselves entertained, and so much more. Mobile app development is the process by which these programs are developed. It requires a thorough knowledge of the various screens, hardware specifications and constraints, outlines for design and languages that are used on each type of mobile device.

Though the most basic skill that a mobile app development firm needs is the ability to translate a client’s business needs into the technical configurations imposed by each mobile platform, the success of mobile app development rests on the user interface. This describes the way that a user is able to interact with the application: how it looks, ease of use, level of enjoyment, and its ability to use cues delivered by the mobile device itself regarding location and activity to enhance the application’s usefulness.

Skillful mobile app developers are able to incorporate the client’s branding, mission and messaging into the application in order to create a sense of seamlessness between the various platforms that the client makes use of. As consumers rely more and more on mobile devices for the bulk of their online activity, the sophistication and appeal of an organization’s app has become critical to success.

Benefits of Using A Mobile App Developer

If you have a mobile phone in your pocket or handbag, then you probably already have an intuitive understanding of the value of mobile apps. You use them on a daily basis, even if it’s just to get messages to and from your loved ones or to add appointments onto your calendar. The truth is that you have probably come to rely on apps for far more than that. Do you download audiobooks or check your bank account? Count your steps or your calories? Check your credit rating? On the surface, consumers think of each of these functions in terms of their convenience, but they are actually essential tools that build brand loyalty and increase revenues, and they can do the same for your business. Here are some of the top benefits of working with a mobile app developer to create (or improve) an app for your organization:

• Apps provide information and complete transactions faster than websites. These mobile versions of your site are always available to provide consumers with information or access to your site so that they can place orders or engage. They are a great way to deliver your business faster and at a higher level of satisfaction.
• Apps deliver a personal experience. When your customer downloads your mobile app and establishes a sign on and personal preferences, those settings remain live every time that they open the app. The software remembers their delivery address, size, weight, or whatever functionality your app provides, making them feel a personal connection to your business.
• Depending upon your industry, a mobile app can utilize native features to enhance your offerings. If you run a hair salon you can include a function where clients can use their mobile phone’s camera to take a selfie and then view how a hairstyle or color will look on them. The camera can also be used to scan barcodes or QR codes to find prices or special sales, while the device’s built-in gyro meter can facilitate providing directions or gauging distance walked, run, or biked. Fingerprint technology is being used to enhance security for individual apps, and facial recognition is on the horizon.
• Push notifications can enhance sales or improve customer satisfaction. A push notification is an instant message that keeps your customers in the loop. It may be a reminder that it is time for them to reorder a medication, or an alert that a package is arriving today. Credit card companies can alert their customers to suspicious activities or impending due dates for payments, and retail outlets can reward customers with coupons and alert them to special sales.

Where consumers who want to visit your website (or physical business) have to expend effort to do so, once a mobile app is downloaded on their device it resides there and is in their sights on a regular basis. It is a critical branding tool that improves revenue and allows you to engage with consumers in a much more enjoyable, user-friendly way.

What to Look For In A Mobile App Developer

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in a mobile app, the next step is choosing the right firm. This is no small endeavor. Googling mobile app development companies delivers nearly 1.5 billion listings, which is nearly enough to make you give up before you get started.

The good news is that there are a few key elements that are an absolute must for the success of your mobile app, and if you narrow your search based on these factors, you’ll be sure to find a firm that’s a good fit for you.

One of the top things you want to look for in a mobile app developer is a company that is able to deliver multiple service lines. This refers to their ability to create a mobile app and website design, in addition to focusing on user interface and experience. Depending upon your industry, you may want your developer to have skills in blockchain, wearables, virtual reality, or augmented reality. The more that they can do, the less need there will be for you to work with more than one service provider.

Another consideration is the size of the firm that you choose. This is often a reflection of your own organization: If you are a relatively small business you are likely to be happy with an equally small firm that has a few employees with whom you will interact. By contrast, Enterprise level businesses will prefer developer firms that have hundreds of employees who specialize in different areas of engineering and design and who can work interchangeably, and often around the clock, on their project.

Finally, perhaps the most important consideration of all is the development company’s familiarity with your industry. The more that a developer understands your business and how you engage with your customers, the better they will be able to meet your needs and deliver a user experience that will be highly enjoyable for your clients.

The Cost of Mobile App Development

Estimating the cost of your mobile app development is like asking how much it costs to open a business. The answer depends upon many different factors. Where one business can start with virtually no investment at all, another can require millions.

To understand the cost of mobile app development, the first thing you need to understand is that you are paying for the expertise of the developers that you are hiring and the amount of time that they are going to invest in your project in order to deliver what you need. Outsourcing will save you from having to hire a programmer, and will save you money in the long run, and using a company that relies on offshore employees will likely cost you far less than working with U.S.-based developers. Most enterprise-level organizations spend between $100,000 and $500,000 to develop their mobile apps, while apps created by smaller app developers that employ only a few staff members are likely to charge significantly less, usually between $50,000 and $100,000.

The key to understanding what your app will cost lies in knowing what you are asking it to do. The more elaborate and multi-layered the functions, the more expensive it will be. By contrast, apps that are basic and that rely largely on functions that are already built into the mobile device may only cost $2,000-$3,000.

The high cost of app development is attributable to the considerable investment of time required for coding, design, security, architecture, and testing. When you combine that with the shortage of qualified developers, it is no wonder that the costs can climb quickly. To keep your prices low, make sure that you have a clear sense of what you want your app to do and write it down in a comprehensive plan before meeting with a developer. The more detail you can provide, the more accurate a price they will be able to provide.