The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Android App Development Company

Staying ahead of the curve and aligning your business with emerging technologies is important. But it is easier said than done and we understand how overwhelming everything can be. If you look and observe how companies are evolving with the times – it is understandable that your app development strategy should improve as well. 

A report by McKinsey on technology trends tells us that the 2020s will be defined by automation and reliance on AI more than anything else. And leadership at companies should acknowledge this fact, rethink, and adapt to the system. 

There is a growth in market size and several industries are being affected by it. In a good way. We would suggest you research and reflect before you move toward developing your next app. An Android app development company will always be there to deliver insights and help, but if you understand the workflow and how the final product should ideally look like – the collaboration will be much smoother. 

Keep reading as we help you delve deep into what it takes to find the perfect development partner. 

How different companies look like

In the technology ecosystem – there is no limitation when it comes to where a company is situated and the kind of clients they target. You are dealing with companies that have a global presence in most cases and are all over the place when it comes to the services they offer. 

Companies differ widely based on the expertise they bring, the kind of products they have worked on, and what they promise to deliver in the future. 

And companies are not specified to one specific field either. There are firms that specifically work on gaming apps and then there are others that are primarily on website design. Figure out what kind of category your app falls under and what you need to search for. 

There are numbers supporting how diverse the app development ecosystem is. Here are a few options to consider: 

• Native apps
• AR/VR apps
• Hybrid apps
• Digital transformation focused ones 

… and so much more. We looked at the tip of the iceberg with the mentioned points. Once you research and go into the details, there are lots of options out there. Every company is unique in its own way and will bring a different perspective to the app you are seeking to develop. 

And of course – the pricing models will differ as well. A native app might cost you less than a hybrid one. But again, it all depends on the complexity of your project and the amount of time it takes. We would suggest you communicate everything before collaboration. 

Ask yourself. Do you want to work with a specialized company? Or a general one? 

It is ok to not know the answer right away. You can always experiment and ask a company for a trial stage as well. We’ll explain. 

Go for a trial stage initially

So, before you sign any contract, it is important to evaluate whether a company is right or not for your project. A trial stage enables you to see how a firm is able to deal with a smaller project and how well they are at coming up with solutions. 

Observe the little details here. Look at how a company communicates and how they are with keeping up with promises. Do they deliver as expected? Did they take ownership? Do they understand your vision and mission? 

Look over all the questions before signing up with a company. Depending on how “big” your project is, there will be multiple stakeholders involved. You have the engineers, designers, business strategists, and then the whole marketing team, among many others. 

In terms of communication, a trial stage will help establish relationships prior to everything else. You will know whom you will deal with and what projections are required. 

What Your Checklist Should Be

You need to find the perfect partner that is not only acknowledged as the best by industry standards but is able to align well with your project and the business. Do not blindly go for the best-reviewed company. Find one that is compatible enough with your specific scenario. 

Trust us. Searching for a partner becomes easier once you shortlist all your requirements and know what the ideal partner should look like. Again, take a closer look at your budget, the features you wish to incorporate, the kind of tech stack required, and all other essential requirements. 

Here is a broader look: 

• Features and functions should align with business goals
• Technology stack should be cost-efficient and result-driven 
• The timeline of development should be realistic enough
• Priority is given to research and conceptualization 

We cannot emphasize more how important it is to conceptualize everything beforehand. You need to prepare a blueprint and understand market complexities. We are talking about competitor analysis, conducting surveys, being innovative, and ultimately releasing a product that resonates well with your audience. 

Once we reflect on the fact that the mobile app development market is currently evaluated at $206.7 million and is projected to grow in an exponential manner in the coming years, it makes sense why you should be collaborating with a company as well

Now, coming to the company, what you should be looking at before partnering up with them, we have an entire checklist ready for you. 

• Consider how big the company is 
• Look at what the firm specializes in 
• Observe their portfolio & look for specific details 
• Read client reviews on Clutch 
• Notice the tools & methodologies used 
• Figure out if the budget fits

And you should always look at how well the communication is throughout the project. From initial meetings, the development stage, to even the post-production phase. The ideal company would be willing to understand your problems and queries – addressing them almost instantly. 

Size of the company

And to expand more on the highlighted points, the size of a company helps you evaluate the promised timeline and the kind of work they will do. A small-sized company will deliver your project at a faster pace but the quality might not be the same. 

Again, it all depends on the company, there are exceptions. A startup-based company with a smaller unit might take more ownership of your project and deliver the right insights. There is no set rule you can count on. Be flexible while you search for a partner. 

Analyzing the portfolio

And while you observe their portfolio and look at previous projects, keep asking questions that consider your own project. Were you able to deliver as promised? Did the timeline go as per expectations? Was the final product market-friendly? How did users react to it? How many downloads does the app have right now? 

Be specific with your questions and overall, be better at questioning companies. You are more likely to get the right answers this way. A lot of times, no one fully understand the requirements, and there is a communication gap throughout the development cycle.

Reaching out to clients 

And while looking at the digital presence of a company, you may also reach out to previous clients directly and ask them questions. Cold emails work. Stats show us that the average open rate of cold emails is 44% and usually goes up. 

The chances of a client replying and helping you out is possible on a larger scale. Especially because the client would not want you to face the same setbacks or problems they had to deal with earlier. In the technology ecosystem, everyone is usually understanding and willing to help one another out. Expand your network while you talk as well. 

Evaluating the tools & methodologies embraced

Considering that you are looking for an Android-based development company, your priority should be towards collaborating with partners who understand specific app requirements and the final goals. 

With that said, the go-to languages for Android apps are Java and Kotlin, among others. And the best fact is that both Kotlin and Java are compatible with each other and when used together, you get the best product. With the right developers and the right tools, everything will streamline together. 

With Android Studio and other Android Software Development Kit (SDK) tools onboard, a company assures that they understand how an Android app should be developed. Whether it is a hybrid, native, or cross-platform app. 

Android Studio is part of Google and the IDE (interactive development environment) includes all the support a developer would need to develop an app. With such resources around, your app development journey will be easy, without any obstacles. 

And when it comes to Android, unlike iOS, there is creative liberty and the room is open to experiment around and see what works for users. With iOS, there are benefits of course but when compared with Android, there are more limitations. 

Point is – your approach should be to experiment the most and try out innovative ideas while collaborating with a game development company or any other specific firm. And yes, do consider all the security aspects around it. 

Final Thoughts

Now, time for a quick wrap-up. Look at the market and see how each company compares with one another. Communicate and settle for a trial run at first. And while going for a fully-fledged project, evaluate details such as the size of the company, the projects delivered, and the way they carry the workflow. 

Also, staying close to a company’s previous clients and trying to understand their perspectives and experiences will help you in better decision-making. The roadmap ahead is long but is surely worth all the time and effort from your end. 

Consumers are actively embracing more digital products and your app might be the next big thing. Good luck!