OPTASY: Drupal Web Development Agency Toronto
(416) 243-2431Drupal SupportRequest A QuoteQuote

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Design
    • Web Development
      • Drupal
      • WordPress
      • Magento
      • Laravel
      • Shopify
      • Sharepoint
      • Contentful
      • Gatsby
      • Next.js
      • Node.js
      • React
      • AngularJS
    • Mobile & App
      • IOS
      • Android
      • Augmented Reality
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Virtual Reality
    • Maintenance & Support
      • Drupal Maintenance
      • Wordpress Maintenance
    • Staff Augmentation
  • Portfolio
    • Web
    • Mobile
    • Ar
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Values
    • Events
    • Awards
    • News
    • Careers
    • Partners
      • Acquia
      • Google
      • Pantheon
      • Shopify
      • Wordpress
  • Blog
    • Drupal
    • Drupal 8
    • HTML
    • CSS
    • Javascript
    • PHP
    • Microsoft
    • Web Design
    • Design
    • Tips
    • News
  • Contact
(416) 243-2431 Drupal Support Request A QuoteQuote

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic - OPTASY would like to offer DRUPAL website support for any Healthcare, Government, Education and Non-Profit Organization(s) with critical crisis communication websites or organizations directly providing relief. Stay Safe and Stay Well.

Mobile App Development Services: 9 Key Questions to Ask Your Potential Provider
Tips

Mobile App Development Services: 9 Key Questions to Ask Your Potential Provider

by Adriana Cacoveanu on Mar 10 2018

Price, level of expertise and estimated time! These are the 3 main criteria that any organization planning to have a mobile app built use to evaluate potential mobile app development services providers, right?

And yet, the cost of development sure isn't just about the money. Take time factor and commitment, for instance! They, too, get reflected in your bill. A suspiciously short time estimate might be a signal for you that they'll be skipping a crucial step or two from your app's development process.

Also, a “large” team might be a numerous team of enthusiastic and hard-working... junior developers only. 

So, how do you properly evaluate your potential mobile app development partner? How do you know for sure whether their services and level of expertise are enough to help them deliver you a mobile app that meets your requirements entirely?

Gaining in-depth knowledge about their team members and collecting reviews from former clients are just some of the key steps to take during your “investigation”. 

And since no other “evaluation method” could beat an open face-to-face talk, here are 9 essential questions to ask your potential provider:

 

1. "What's Your Specific Workflow?"

In other words: how do they usually approach their mobile app projects?

What's their work strategy? What key phases does it include (or exclude)?

Everyone's “boasting” with their adoption of the agile development these days, right? Make sure you go beyond the standard talk about the agile approach and ask them to name the specific phases included in their process flow. 

A good workflow would need to include at least these 5 crucial steps:

 

  1. preliminary research on the type of app to be built, along with all its particularities and specific functionalities to be implemented (analyzing the target audience here included)
  2. a feasibility study
  3. the prototyping phase
  4. the UI optimization phase
  5. the MVP building phase

     

Do dare raise an eyebrow if your potential “partner in crime” strives to convince you to go straight to MVP.

It's an alarming sign that they're not the professionals that you might want to handle your brilliant app idea.

 

2. "What Technologies Does Your Team Have a Deep Expertise In?"

Another crucial question to dare asking your potential app development services provider whether:

 

  1. you've already started working on your app and you're now just outsourcing some aspects of your project; it's vital that this team should be proficient in that particular technology that you're currently using in your project

     
  2. you haven't yet started your project and you haven't yet chosen the mobile app development technology(s) that will be powering it either; it's crucial to know then how easily this team of mobile app developers can adapt to a new technology along the way

     

3. "How Many “X Technology” Developers Are On Your Team? Juniors or Seniors?"

Expertise, hard to quantify, but crucial for ensuring that the resulting app will live up to your standards!

Therefore, once you've dug through their never-ending list of technologies that they have a hands-on experience of, go deeper with your “investigations”. Identify just how many developers are familiar with your required technology.

Are they mostly junior or experienced developers?

And, most of all, do dare to ask for some sort of proof of their seniority levels. Some “blind” CVs or even samples of older code would be perfect.

 

4. "What Would Be Your Time Estimation on My Project?"

And time sure is money!

Do keep in mind that the average time invested in a mobile app development process is of 4-6 months.

Compare the time estimate that this potential mobile app development services provider gives you with this “average time” for developing an... average mobile app.

Next, ponder on their estimate a bit:

 

  • if they commit themselves to delivering you your app faster than their competition, then you might want to put their offer on top of your list
  • if their shorter development time is counterbalanced by a higher price, don't rush to take them off your list!

     

A higher price might as well be a proof of the seniority level in their team. As well as of an efficiency-boosting workflow that they may be leveraging within the company.

 

5. "Does Your Portfolio Include Any App Development Projects Similar to Mine?"

And by “similar” I definitely do not mean “identical”. Are they familiar with your industry?

Have they implemented the same functionalities in some of their previous app development projects? Such as integrating a particular payment gateway, for instance?

Have they been working mostly with start-ups or enterprises? 

 

6. "Any Former Clients' References for Your Mobile App Development Services?"

Why should your “research” be any different than that of a potential customer? Someone looking to make a purchase, who usually conducts a multi-leveled research: forums, customer reviews etc.

Therefore, one of the key criteria when evaluating your mobile app development services provider is their former clients' references.

Dare to ask for such recommendations and read client reviews on research company sites, such as Clutch.co, for instance. They do a wonderful job combining multiple evaluative metrics for identifying the leading companies in various industries (interviewing former clients being their no.1 research technique)

 Ask questions about some of their past projects: the challenges they faced, solutions that they've come up with, time invested in those projects etc.

 

7. "How Much Will My Project Cost? And What Does The Price Tag Cover?"

For putting a price tag on is equally important as knowing from the very beginning precisely what services your “bill” would include.

Speaking of which, here are some of the fixed aspects that you should make sure that will get included in that price estimate:

 

  • research & preliminary consultancy
  • UX prototypes, mockups
  • design
  • mobile app development
  • project management
  • all infrastructure costs
  • guarantee
  • licenses

     

Also, a key parameter to use when you're “weighting” their cost estimate is the seniority level of the developers that will be assigned to your project. 

Since their proven experience and expertise would automatically influence the price.

If the given price is suspiciously low, you might want to question those developers' overall level of expertise. Which, in the end, might lead to longer development times.

So “cheaper” might turn out to be... more expensive actually.

 

8. "What Files Will I Be Given Access to During the Project?"

Transparency is a strong indicator that this might just be the mobile app development company that you want to partner with.

Don't hesitate to ask about the files that you can access during the project. Wanting to know what's going on, at every stage of your future app's development process, is only legitimate.

And speaking of the files that you should be entitled to have easy access to, let me mention just a few:

 

  • time reports
  • weekly updated staging and production environment
  • source code
  • test environments/demos
  • the project management's dashboard itself (whether it's Jira, Taiga or maybe Trello that they're using)

     

The more involved you'll be in the process, the quicker you'll detect issues that you dislike or simply specifications that you'd like to create. And the more chances will be for the final product to meet your requirements entirely!

 

9. "How Do You Communicate With Your Clients Throughout The Projects?"

And probably this is precisely the question that you should be starting your “interview” with.

Knowing what:

 

  1. communication tools they'll be using (Slack, Rocket)
  2. what project management boards
  3. what time you can contact them at, their overall availability and response times
  4. the calls' frequency' how often you'll be getting in touch with the team working on your project

… is vital. Zero or poor communication and timeliness risks to turn all expertise, efficiency-enhancing workflow, conveniently low price and short development times into... nothing but “details”.

What if you want to make some recommendations? Or to inform the team about some late scope changes?

What if the team itself needs further clarifications from you?

Now it's the perfect time to express your expectations when it comes to this part of your future collaboration: communication.

And also, to have your doubts if the potential app development services provider doesn't seem too open to implementing your suggestions. To committing itself to frequent calls and so on.

 

The END! These are the 9 crucial questions to ask or the 9 things to look for in a new mobile app developers company that you consider collaborating with.

Would you have added a few more? If so, what other questions?

What is your own criteria when you're evaluating potential development teams in order to assess if they're the right fit for your app project? 

Share the article

Development

We do Web development

Go to our Web development page!

Visit page!

Do you want a website

or app developed?

 

Get a Free Quote

and let's make it work!

Get a Quote

Recommended Stories

Tips
Website Security Best Practices

Website Security Best Practices

  Website security is an important consideration for any business or organization with an online presence. With the ever-increasing threats posed by cybercriminals, it is essential to ensure that your website is secure and protected from malicious attacks. Implementing best practices in website security can help protect your website from hackers, malware, and other malicious activities and security issues. This article will discuss some of the best practices for website security and how you can stay away from cybercriminals and improve your security posture.    "Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and it boils down to this: in cybersecurity, the more systems we secure, the more secure we all are." - Jeh Johnson Overview of Cybersecurity in 2023 The cybersecurity landscape heads towards a privacy-first approach to information security in 2023. Also, aligning regulations globally will allow businesses to gain more security and data protection.  There are growing voices that give their positive vote to passwordless authentication, which will presumably eliminate the risk of password breaches and amplify organizational security.  However, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices will likely increase security risks for organizations and expose more security vulnerabilities.  So how can websites cope and become more agile and accessible in this uncertain cyber landscape?   Best Website Security Practices in 2023 At the moment, the best website security practices involve a combination of proactive measures and reactive responses. Proactive measures include implementing strong authentication methods, encrypting data, and regularly patching software. Reactive responses include monitoring suspicious activity and responding quickly to identified security threats or security breaches. Strong Authentication Multi-factor authentication is one of the most important best practices for website security. It involves using two or more factors to verify a user’s identity, such as strong login credentials, and a biometric factor like a fingerprint or facial recognition. This ensures that only authorized users can access the website and its data, protecting it from unauthorized access. Additionally, strong authentication can help protect against phishing attacks, which are attempts to gain access to sensitive information by posing as a legitimate website. Encryption Encrypting data is another significant best practice for website security. Encryption scrambles data so that it can only be read by the intended recipient, making it more difficult for hackers to access sensitive information. It also helps protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, which occur when a hacker intercepts data as it is being transmitted between two parties. Software Patching Software updates are another important best practice for website security. Regularly patching software helps protect against vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. It also ensures that the latest security features are in place, making it more difficult for attackers to access sensitive information. Monitoring and Response Reactive responses like monitoring suspicious activities or responding quickly to identified threats are two valuable tools for website security. Monitoring for suspicious activity can help identify potential threats before they become a problem. Responding quickly to identified threats can help minimize the damage caused by malicious code. Conclusion Keeping websites secure in 2023 involves a combination of proactive measures and reactive responses. These best practices are just some measures you can take to protect your digital assets. If you want to go more in-depth and opt for complex ways to secure your website, don't hesitate to contact Optasy.    Photo credit: Pixabay.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 25'2023
DrupalTips
Top Drupal Debugging Techniques

Top Drupal Debugging Techniques

  Debugging is an essential part of developing any website, and Drupal is no exception. Debugging in Drupal can be a complex process due to the complexity of the system and its many components. However, with the right techniques, it is possible to identify and resolve issues quickly. In this article, we will discuss some of the top debugging techniques for Drupal that can help you troubleshoot your website more efficiently. We will cover topics such as using the Devel module, using Xdebug, and other helpful tips and tricks. With these techniques in hand, you'll be able to recognize and repair any problems on your Drupal site quickly.     Using the Devel Module for Debugging The Devel module is a powerful tool for debugging Drupal websites. It provides a suite of tools to help you quickly identify and resolve issues. The Devel module includes features such as the ability to view database queries, generate dummy content, and debug PHP code. It also has an API that allows developers to create custom debugging tools. Using the Devel module can be helpful when trying to identify the source of an issue. It can also be used to generate dummy content for testing purposes.     Utilizing Xdebug for Troubleshooting Xdebug is a powerful debugging tool that can be used to troubleshoot issues on Drupal websites. It provides detailed information about the code execution, including stack traces and variable values. This can help developers quickly identify the source of an issue and resolve it more efficiently. Xdebug also has features such as breakpoints, which allow developers to pause the execution of code at certain points to inspect the application's state. This can be helpful when trying to identify and fix complex issues.     Leveraging Drupal's Logging System Drupal's logging system is a powerful tool for debugging websites. It provides detailed information about the events that occur on the website, including errors and warnings. This can be helpful when trying to identify the source of an issue. The logging system also allows developers to set up custom log levels, which can be used to filter out unnecessary information and focus on specific types of events. This can help developers quickly identify and resolve issues.   Using the Drupal Console for Debugging The Drupal Console is a command-line interface that can be used to debug Drupal websites. It provides commands for inspecting the database, generating dummy content, and running tests. This can be helpful when trying to identify and fix issues quickly. The Drupal Console also has an API that allows developers to create custom commands for debugging purposes.   Have You Completed Your Drupal 10 Migration? The release of Drupal 10 marks a major milestone for the platform, and it is important to ensure that your website is up-to-date with the latest version. Migrating to Drupal 10 can be a complex process, but it is essential for ensuring that your website remains secure and performs optimally. When migrating to Drupal 10, it is important to test the website thoroughly and use debugging techniques to identify and resolve any issues. The Devel module, Xdebug, and Drupal's logging system can all be used to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during the migration process. Don't forget to ensure that all of the modules and themes used on the website are compatible with Drupal 10. It is recommended to use the Update Status module to check for any available updates and apply them before migrating to Drupal 10. Additionally, it is a good idea to create a backup of your website before beginning the migration process in case something goes wrong. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your website is properly migrated and running smoothly on Drupal 10.     Conclusion Debugging in Drupal can be a complex process, but with the right techniques, it is possible to debug your website faster and easier. If you need more advice on your next web development project or on your Drupal 10 migration, our team of experts is here to help you. Contact us for more details.   Photo credit: Unpslash.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 16'2023
DrupalTips
Troubleshoot Your Website in 8 Easy Steps

Troubleshoot Your Website in 8 Easy Steps

  Having a website that runs smoothly is essential for any business. Unfortunately, website issues can arise from time to time and can be difficult to troubleshoot. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to identify and resolve common website problems. In this article, we'll discuss eight easy steps you can take to troubleshoot your website quickly and efficiently. With these tips, you'll be able to get your website back up and running in no time. 1. Check Your Server Status. The first step in troubleshooting your website is to check the status of your server. If your server is down or experiencing issues, it could be the cause of any problems you're having with your website. You can check the status of your server by accessing the control panel for your hosting provider. This will give you an overview of any issues that may be affecting your server and allow you to take the necessary steps to resolve them. 2. Review Your Website Logs. After checking your server status, your next step is to review your website logs. Logs are a great way to identify any errors or issues that may be occurring on your website. Reviewing the log files lets you pinpoint the exact source of the problem and take steps to resolve it quickly. Logs can also provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with your website, which can help you optimize your website for better performance. 3. Test Your Website Performance. The third step in troubleshooting your website is to test its performance. This can be done by using a tool such as Google PageSpeed Insights or WebPageTest. These tools will analyze your website and provide you with detailed information about its loading speed, page size, and other performance metrics. This will allow you to identify any areas of improvement that could help improve the overall performance of your website. 4. Inspect Your Code for Errors. If you've tested your website performance, your next step is to inspect your code for errors. This can be done by using a tool such as Firebug or Chrome DevTools. These tools will allow you to view your website's HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code and identify any errors that may be causing issues. Once you have identified the errors, you can take steps to fix them and ensure that your website is running smoothly. 5. Check for Broken Links. The fifth step in troubleshooting your website is to check for broken links. Broken links can cause a variety of issues, such as slow loading times and poor user experience. Various tools can help you identify any broken links on your website, such as Screaming Frog or Xenu Link Sleuth. Once you have identified the broken links, you can take steps to fix them and ensure that your website is running smoothly on all platforms, including mobile devices. 6. Ensure You Have the Latest Updates Installed. Ensuring that you have the latest updates installed is imperative if you want a highly performant website. Outdated software can cause a variety of issues, such as security vulnerabilities and compatibility problems. It's important to keep your website up-to-date with the latest versions of any software or plugins you may be using. You can check for updates by accessing the control panel for your hosting provider or by using a tool such as WP Updates Notifier. 7. Analyze Traffic Patterns to Identify Issues. You should also analyze traffic patterns to identify any issues that may be causing your website to perform poorly. Analyzing traffic patterns can help you identify any areas of your website that may be causing problems, such as slow loading times or high bounce rates. You can use tools such as Google Analytics or Hotjar to track and analyze user behavior on your website. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and take steps to resolve them. 8. Monitor Your Website Regularly. Finally, remember to monitor your website regularly, as it will allow you to identify any potential issues before they become serious problems. You can use tools such as Uptime Robot or Pingdom to monitor your website's uptime and performance. In this way, you can ensure that your website is running smoothly and that any potential issues are identified quickly so that they can be addressed promptly.   Drupal 10 for High Website Performance Drupal 10, launched last month, is the latest version of one of the most powerful content management systems that can help you achieve high website performance. Drupal 10 offers a range of features designed to improve the speed and efficiency of your website, such as caching, minification, and optimization.  Among the best features we can find: Symfony 6 compatibility. Site owners and module developers will benefit from as much Symfony 6 compatibility as possible, and Symfony 4 deprecations in Drupal 9 for Symfony 5 will be resolved. Supported solutions for rebuilding jQuery UI functionality by using either vanilla JavaScript or frameworks like React. jQuery UI components used by Drupal core will be removed. Best practices for deprecating modules. Users will be able to use a proper mechanism for naming, versioning, deprecating wrappers, etc. A 'lifecycle' - property can be used in info.yml files for themes and modules. Better decoupled developer and site builder experiences, especially for menu and URL handling. Introduction of CKEditor 5 with better authoring experience and more modern editing (replacing CKEditor 4). PHP 8.1 compatibility for Drupal 9 and Drupal 10. Theme Starterkit tools for bespoke theme creation. You can learn more about how Drupal 10 can take your website to the next level in this article. Drupal 10 Migration If you're considering migrating to Drupal 10, we can help. Optasy's team of highly skilled developers can help you migrate your website to Drupal 10 quickly and efficiently. We can also provide ongoing support and maintenance for your website, ensuring it runs smoothly and optimally. Contact us today to learn more about our Drupal 10 migration services.   Photo credit: Pixabay.... Read more
Raluca Olariu / Jan 11'2023

Browse cities

×

Toronto

WordPress Development Services in Toronto
iOS App Development Services in Toronto
Drupal Development Services in Toronto
Magento Development Services in Toronto
Laravel Development Services in Toronto

Montreal

WordPress Development Services in Montreal
iOS App Development Services in Montreal
Laravel Development Services in Montreal
Drupal Development Services in Montreal
Magento Development Services in Montreal

Vancouver

Magento Development Services in Vancouver
iOS App Development Services in Vancouver
Drupal Development Services in Vancouver
WordPress Development Services in Vancouver
Laravel Development Services in Vancouver

New York

WordPress Development Services in New York
Laravel Development Services in New York
iOS App Development Services in New York
Drupal Development Services in New York
Magento Development Services in New York

Need a new Project?

Dare us to shape and boost your idea(s)!

Start a Project

(416) 243-2431

Contact

(416) 243-2431

contact@optasy.com

Toronto Downtown

First Canadian Place,
100 King St. W. Suite 5700, Toronto

Toronto West

2275 Upper Middle
Rd. E, Suite 101
Toronto

New York

1177 Avenue of the
Americas, 5th Floor,
New York

Newsletter

Get the latest OPTASY news, tips and how-to’s on the go, right in your inbox!
OPTASY
clutch
Pantheon Premier Partner
  • Drupal 8
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • Partners

  • Drupal
  • Google
  • Magento
  • Shopify
  • Wordpress
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Drupal
  • Cities
  • Support

© 2023 All Rights Reserved. Built with Drupal