7 Questions to ask before developing a mobile app
Smartphones have taken our world by storm and now, you will hardly find anyone without one. Apps are at present, considered to be the lifeline of smartphones and tablets as without them, they are just communication devices like their predecessors. Apps have taken over our daily life in a big way. You want to get the latest news, updates on weather, find location of your favorite restaurant, keep track of your official meetings…. these latest apps are going to handle these tasks for you with flawless accuracy.
Mobile app development is one of the most rewarding jobs of contemporary era. Companies and franchises are looking for Mobile apps that would bring them even closer to their customers. Similarly, professionals want mobile apps that help them in making their professional life easier. An app developer’s job is not easy; he has to looks into various matters before he could really start his work on a new mobile app. Here, we are going to discuss 7 crucial questions that an app developer should get the client to answer.
- Why Does The Client Need This App? What are His Expectations?
This is an obvious yet very crucial question to ask the client as it will be the foundation of app being developed. The client should be very clear about what he wants and what his expectations are. Maybe, the client is not very clear in describing the app and what kind of app he wants. All you have to do here is to ask him different questions about the important aspects of app and at the end of day, what output he is expecting. Once you have a clear idea, you can easily plan your next move.
- Who Is Your Target Audience?
What kind of people are going to use your app? What kind of solutions are you expecting to offer to your users with this mobile app? Is the mobile app really necessary to solve their issues or just a mobile responsive website can prove just as beneficial? These questions should have very clear response from your client so that you know what kind of App you are going to develop for your client and what sort of features you are going to design in order to cater to all these queries.
- What’s The Deadline?
It is not too early to ask this important question. Clients mostly come well before they really want to launch their new mobile app, as nowadays; there is much awareness about the technical complexities of such projects. Besides, time management is a pertinent component of any project and it can only be done once you know the deadline. Either client gives you the deadline or in more flexible cases, the deadline is decided mutually after deliberations from both sides. This way you can allocate time to each step of the project.
- What’s The Budget?
Deciding on the budget for this kind of project can be tricky for both sides. There cannot be a fixed budget for a mobile app development. More likely solution for this problem is to decide upon the range. Most of all, the price is decided keeping in mind the following factors:
- complexity of the project
- Interface of the App
- research work
- main functions of the app that will make the user love it
- Rivals’ position in the market
- push notification services you are offering
- Back end systems management with the growth of user base
While discussing the budget, all these factors should be considered and conveyed to the client accordingly.
- Consult after each step; Am I on the Right Path?
After completing every step, it is better to consult your client to see if you are on the right track; if the features that you are adding, are the ones client is looking for. This way, at the completion of the project, you may avoid unwanted surprise that the client didn’t ask for this kind of app or wasn’t interested in certain features you have added.
- What Kind Of Competition is there against This App in the Market?
Common response to such question is, ‘We don’t have a competition; this is first of its kind’. Don’t fall for this statement for, more often than not, it is not true. There is always an app out there developed for the same purpose. If you propose same features, with nothing new to offer to the customers, you app is heading for a failure for sure. By knowing your rival and their app, you can improve yours by adding features that make your app unique.
- What will the method of payment be?
This is an important part of the whole process. Payments for the app can be made through credit cards or biometric system. Depending on the mode of imbursement, you have to consider the secure payment mechanism and encryptions to make it possible.
AUTHOR’S BIO: Henry Kinnaird is a pro web developer, online instructor and a blogger. He occasionally writes for Write My Assignment. He has been in web-developing industry for the last 10 years.