App development is a major industry in Canada, projected to generate over $5.77 billion in revenue this year.
Looking at how things are going at the moment, the number will keep increasing for years to come.
Toronto, as Canada’s largest city, plays a crucial role in the country’s tech scene.
In fact, it’s one of the biggest startup centers in Canada and North America with CA$3.7 billion investment in 2022.
But with a big market comes big competition, and the only way to stand out and win over the market is to create a custom mobile app.
Now, what happens when you don’t have a development team?
Hiring the right software engineers, app developers, and designers can take forever. Not to mention, paying full-time employees is expensive.
Considering these factors, your best bet is to hire a reputable app development agency in Toronto.
That being said, you have to be careful when weighing the options.
Partnering with the wrong developers can lead to problems during app production and increase the cost beyond your budget.
So how do you decide whether an app development agency is the right option? Read on to know the essential factors!
Identify Your Needs and Goals
Before looking for a potential mobile app development company in Toronto, you must already know exactly what you want and need.
With clear expectations for the app, choosing the right development agency can be easier.
For example, if you want to build a restaurant-booking app for Android users, you have to outsource a team of Android app developers with relevant experience.
Understanding these requirements will help you choose a developer with the right expertise:
Research and Evaluate Potential Developers
Now that you have a list of expectations for your upcoming app, it is time to look for the development team to build it.
Naturally, you want a mobile app development company that is expert in working on apps similar to yours.
Here are three ways to research and evaluate potential developers:
Check Portfolios and Case Studies
Portfolios are the main materials you should look at when evaluating potential app development partners.
A good portfolio includes the developers’ work experiences, notable clients, and employed technology.
Intelivita’s portfolio is a nice example. It lets you check past works based on clients’ industries, type of apps, and technology used.
Case studies are as important as portfolios since they elaborate the developers’ work experience.
While reading case studies, pay attention to the challenges developers found during the project, the solution they give, and how that solution makes an impact on their customer.
Check Intelivita’s case study on their B2B fashion ecommerce client as an example.
Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Need more proof of how good your potential development partner is? Find out what their customers say.
But do not rely on testimonials posted on developers’ websites alone. They only show clients’ satisfactions to promote positivity.
Instead, look for client reviews on websites like Clutch, Goodfirms, and G2. All three offer unbiased testimonials of tech companies and development agencies.
Here is an example from Clutch about Intelivita’s work:
Verify Credentials
Looking through portfolios, case studies, and customer reviews is enough to help you evaluate app development partners.
But if you want to be sure, checking the credentials of the individuals in the team is a feasible option.
Verify whether the developers you might work with hold relevant accreditations, such as Google Developers Certification and AWS Certified Developer.
Assess Technical Expertise and Specialization
By this point you already decide on the type of app (native/web/hybrid) you want to have and its platform.
Those factors determine the necessary technical expertise for your project, which helps you to narrow down the choice of development partner.
For instance, to make a web app, you should choose a mobile app development company that is proficient in web programming languages, such as HTML and JavaScript.
App developer company websites commonly feature the information regarding their tech stack. But if your candidate’s website does not, you can ask about it.
Partnering with an app development agency that has experience with various technologies is a great choice.
Furthermore, make sure that the developers you will work with are well-informed about the latest trends in app development
That way, they can help choose the best technologies to implement and improve the overall efficiency of the development.
Evaluate Communication and Collaboration
Credentials and accomplishments may be on top of the list when choosing the best mobile app development company.
However, the way your candidates communicate with you and among themselves can make a difference while working on your project.
Ideally, you should look for a development partner that prioritises open communication.
Such quality includes habits like giving regular updates, responding to your inquiries promptly, and receiving feedback in a positive manner.
Whether or not your potential choice has those habits is noticeable when you contact them. The examples include how quick they reply and the clarity of their information.
It is also important to check the collaboration process inside the development team.
Make sure that they use communication tools (like Microsoft Teams or Slack) and project management suites (like Jira or Asana) to ensure clear collaboration within the team.
Consider Budget and Timeline
Budget is another factor that comes to play when searching for the best mobile app development company.
App development cost in Canada depends on the following aspects:
However, as of this writing, the price starts from 9,000 or 10,000 CAD.
To find out the amount of budget required for your upcoming app, you have to consult with your choice of development partner.
Another question is whether you want a fixed or flexible production price. Most development agencies offer these pricing models.
Fixed pricing is best for when you want a simple app and already have clear project requirements.
For startups, this pricing model is the ideal choice since the goal is to create an MVP and quick development time is essential.
Meanwhile, flexible pricing is a more appropriate option for building complex apps that require more room for trial and error.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when looking for the best mobile app development company.
The essential aspects include the candidates’ accomplishments, reviews, technical expertise, and approach to collaboration.
Intelivita fulfills all of those criteria and makes an excellent partner to boost your startup with custom mobile apps.
Contact us today to turn your app idea into reality!
