With over 21% of millennials using mobile applications more than 50 times a day, and 84% of baby boomers doing the same at least daily, the mobile app industry seems like a lucrative business. It surely is, as in 2018, the mobile app revenue is expected to exceed $92 billion.
Applications are built by software developers, but companies who create them (and make a profit) don’t need a software heritage. All you need to invent a mobile app bestseller is a stellar idea that solves a common problem that so far has remained unresolved.
Technology plays an important role as well. Currently, React Native continues to gain traction as the most widely-used framework for mobile app development.
Creating a Successful Mobile Application with React Native
React Native allows faster and more affordable development, it is compatible across various platforms, offers instant updates, and remains incredibly popular among programmers. Most importantly, it provides the ultimate user experience, which is the most critical success indicator for any software product.
Even if you’re not sure yet if React Native development company is the way to go for your app, you want to consider firms that demonstrate at least some experience with the framework. Why? Because it proves they are up to speed with the latest mobile development technologies. Let’s see then how to look for top React Native developers to support your mobile app project!
Why Not Google It?
Yes, you could just run a quick Google search for software houses specializing in cross-platform mobile development, trying to compare the first few hundred results. However, this wouldn’t be the most time-efficient nor optimal way to approach the task.
Here’s a more disciplined and cost-efficient method of finding high-quality software development agency that will support your application and hack it for success:
1. Understand the Software Development Process
First things first. Before you even cast your net, make sure you understand how software development works. Why is this crucial?
You don’t have to know how to code, but you should understand each step of the software development lifecycle to ensure that you and your software team are on the same page, heading in the same direction. Most contemporary software development methodologies are relatively lightweight and consist of several stages. Getting familiar with them is a low-effort exercise that will turn into a positive outcome once you start working with your developers.
Understanding software development cycle will let you streamline communication in the project and speed up its execution, thus reducing time to market for your app and allowing you to keep more dollars in your pocket.
2. Explore Clutch.co
Instead of heading to browsers in search for software development support, try out websites that are more suitable for attaining your goal, such as Clutch.co, Wadline, or CrunchBase. They feature verified profiles of hundreds of software development companies, together with company descriptions, ranks, business matrices, and unbiased reviews to provide a transparent, objective company listing.
On most of these sites, you can tailor search criteria to find an exact match. Thanks to advanced filters and viewing options, you may, for example, refine the search to display companies with a given hourly rate, minimum project size or area of specialization.
You can also use developer catalogues like IT-Suppliers or Appfutura, but these are more suited for liaising with freelancers.
3. Narrow Down Your Choice to Agile Specialists
Confine your choice to Agile companies. Those software houses work in iterative stages, continuously delivering pieces of code and incorporating your feedback and comments on the fly with each iteration. They can rapidly adapt to change and respond to your requests with a high level of immediacy, thus continuously optimizing and updating your app.
Agile development, when executed right, translates into quicker delivery, greater project dynamics, and enhanced user experience. Those are benefits that you can’t manage to ignore when developing a mobile app.
4. Evaluate Company Case Studies
By now, you should have reduced the number of React Native development companies to a manageable size (let’s say 6-8). It’s time for some severe trim down.
Check your candidates’ case studies to see whether they are a right fit for your project. Don’t fall for the quantity. Instead, assess how versatile and applicable the studies are to your use case. See if a company’s customer portfolio matches your profile. Have they worked with a competitor of yours? Yes, this may ring alarm bells in your mind for confidentiality and data protection, but on the other hand, this software house may demonstrate precisely the competencies required to innovate your product.
Check if the executed projects involve the skills you are looking for and verify the toolkit used. You should be able to see a clear progression case by case; the later the project, the more technologically advanced a case study.
The About page may provide you with some valuable information, too, as it showcases a company’s background and values. Remember that you may be in for some long-term relationship, so it’s essential that your future partners stand for similar causes. Are they traditional, self-assured, and formal or modernistic, perky, and geeky? Remember that the company’s character may reflect upon your app, its design, and flow.
5. Hit the Social Media Button
Going through a company’s Facebook wall may not seem like an obvious step in validating their business. However, but by doing this, you can see how involved they are in the software development space. Do they champion ideas in software development and agile methodologies, do they share thoughts with the community on Medium or provide help to peers on Quora? How about their contribution to trade shows and industry conferences?
A few minutes of detailed social media research will allow you to identify thought leaders in mobile application development who will take your product to the next level.
Final Thoughts
Mobile app development is not a one-off project. If your product succeeds (as we hope it does!), you will need ongoing support from your development team. Look carefully for an agile software development agency that will add value from day one and commit to long-term cooperation. Finding a perfect line-up of React Native developers is a multi-step process, but it’s possible with the above checklist.
However, if you’re weary of headhunting and prefer to invest your time in other activities, you can start building your React Native project right now. Just contact us and we will be happy to provide you with the right team of mobile app experts who fulfill all of the above requirements. Long-term commitment included.