App developers receive bulk messages and emails every day with requests for quotes. When you read about a company that offers great app design services, the next question that comes to mind is the cost. Should you request a quote immediately and then think of its functionality later? Our advice, prepare a list with the following 9 items before contacting mobile app developers in Kenya. You can negotiate a good deal when you know what will work for your business
1. Overall goal or objective
Why do need an app for your business? Are you simply keeping up with the latest trend or have a specific goal you intend to achieve? Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals applies to mobile app development. For instance, do you want to create a social network for your clients?
Competent app designers in Kenya will ask you for the overall goal or objective. Setting clear goals will help you prepare the other items on this list. In addition, you will compare your results after launching the app with your goals to measure its effectiveness.
2. Core features
What should the app do? Every app developer will expect a straight answer to this question. Well, a good app should help users accomplish most of the tasks that relate to your core business. For instance, they can chat with your support team, order products, access your business website, and rate your services among other functions. If you need a utility app or an innovative solution, the final product should have all the basic features for that function.
Do not give vague answers about the functionality. Otherwise, you will get a generic app with basic features. If you need an effective communication channel, define the communication features or functionalities needed. What kind of content can users share with the app?
3. Preferred platform
What mobile platform are you targeting with the app? Will it run on Android or iOS? The development process varies with the target platform. You may need to conduct a bit of research to determine the platform that your clients use.
If your target market is in Kenya, check the survey results of the most popular platforms in the country. You can pick the leading platform for your app to reach the majority of your target users and then develop for other platforms after the launch.
4. Online and offline functionality
One downside of mobile apps is that they consume large amounts of mobile data. The target users will not always be online. Can the user access some functions while offline? The best mobile app developers in Kenya will advise you to build an app that is functional offline.
The app can notify the user when the internet connection is interrupted or when trying to reconnect. Users can also queue tasks that the app will automatically complete when the device is reconnected to the internet
5. Integration
Integrating the app with your website or internal system should not come as an afterthought. While comparing different developers, prioritize those that offer reliable integration services as well. Integration goes beyond other platforms such as your website or bulk SMS services. Muva Technologies offers payments integration in Kenya including Mpesa and Paypal integration. The advantage of integrating your app from the start is that users can complete a transaction or process directly from the app.
6. Timeline
When do you want to launch the app? Developers queue tasks based on their urgency. If you want the app completed as fast as possible, you may be required to pay more. You may be looking for the best deal but you do not want to wait in line forever. If the mobile apps development company in Kenya has enough internal developers, your app will be complete within your given deadline.
Communicate your expectations with the developer in terms of when you will review the app. The app should be completed before the launch date so that you can review and recommend any changes. The developer will need time to fix any issues with its functionality or add missing features.
7. Budget
How much do you want to spend on the app? You may want an app with multiple features within a short period but your budget is limited. The items on this list will help any developer estimate the cost of building your app. App developers work around your budget to build the best app possible.
Do not be discouraged if the developer proposes that you eliminate some functions because of cost constraints. Remember that you can redesign and improve the functionality of the app after launching. Our recommendation is that you develop version 1 of the app with all major functions and version 2 with additional features in the future.
8. Personal design
Mobile app developers in Kenya prefer to build apps and websites from scratch. However, if your budget is tight, you can develop a design internally and give it to the developer. You may get a reduced budget if the right tools are used to create the design. This works for companies with internal developers with basic app development skills. Feel free to ask if the developer can improve your current design and give you a better look.
One caution when using this approach is to avoid insisting on a design that does not work for the developer. While you have the final say on your app, your preferred design may be outdated. Choose trusted developers who are interested in the success of your business and not just the paycheck.
9. Required services after launching
You can easily agree on all services and processes that lead to a functional app. What do you do after the developer hands over the app to your team? Will you need further support or services? How will you update the content and features?
Most clients focus on getting a good app and ignore the processes after launching the app. You will need the help of the developer in the future to integrate new services or features as new mobile app trends emerge. In addition, effective marketing strategies are required after the launch to inform your target users about the new app. App developers may not be part of your marketing team but can offer a useful guide on how to launch and market the app after development.
It is okay to approach a developer with a basic idea of the app you need if you have little information on how mobile apps work. At Muva, you will get a list of questions with these and other factors that contribute to the cost estimate. However, developing your own list beforehand saves time and boosts your confidence when negotiating with different developers.
