Did you know the average American checks their phone 80 times a day? Chances are, you’ve seen that firsthand. Tapping into the mobile app market is a great chance for any business with an online presence to reach more users easily.However, you still need a partner to take you every step of the way. Here’s how to find the best one for your needs.

Get an idea of what the project will involve.

Consider what you need to get your app off the ground. Are you looking for native development or a hybrid approach? Does it need integrations or special features? What services will you require besides just app development? Do you also need UI/UX design, QA testing, maintenance, and marketing?Also, think about what you want the app to look like at the end of this project. Do you want to invest in a fully-loaded mobile app? Or do you want to start with an MVP that you then iterate on and upgrade over time?All these factors will help you determine the kind of vendor you should hire. Tip: we recommend choosing one team that will work with you throughout most of the project. Not only will you get a more even quality of work, but you’ll also gain access to a wide range of resources with different areas of expertise. That will save you time by not having to onboard new people at every step.

Consider your budget and timeline.

Some vendors only take clients at a certain price point, or they only have openings 3–5 years from now. And even if they can accommodate your project now, you’re going to feel like a small client compared to their other projects. Find a partner that not only will work within your budget and timeline, but that also will take ownership of your project like it’s their own. You should feel like a star customer, not a second or third priority.Tip: Take the time to have a call with every vendor you’re seriously considering. Shop around for the best prices, but make sure that that price will cover what you’re asking for. If you find a quote that sounds too good to be true, it very likely is.

Dive into their portfolio

Look at the type of work your vendor-to-be has done in the past. Have they worked in your industry before? Have they developed apps similar to what you’re looking for?Most vendors feature their clients’ work on their websites. However, many may also use a third-party business resource like Dribbble for freelancers and Visual Objects for B2B companies.

Tip: An image-heavy portfolio will help you visualize what your own app could look like. Choose vendors whose aesthetics match what you’re looking for in your project.

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Check what their clients have to say

Don’t just read testimonials. Call up your vendor-to-be’s clients. Ask them how the project went and if they’d work with that team again. Read online reviews on impartial websites like Clutch, where you can check out honest, case-study-like reviews from clients complete with summaries and ratings. It’ll give you a more thorough picture of a project at a quick glance.

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If you’re looking to compare vendors, their directories rank the leading companies in each category using methodologies informed by business expertise. For example, CodigoDelSur is the number one mobile app developer in Uruguay according to Clutch’s rankings.

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Tip: Compare and contrast different lists that feature leading companies. You’ll find that while rankings change between sites, the names will very likely remain the same.Overall, there are a lot of factors to consider when you’re looking for a partner on a mobile app development project. Not sure where to get started? Contact us today to see what our team of experts can do for you.

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