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How many times have you looked at your smartphone screen today? We’ll bet it was at least three times—and we’d even put money on the idea that at least two of those times weren’t to check the time.

And if you behave like that, it’s not just “your thing”. Humanity is connected 24/7 on an iPhone or Android packed with apps—either to make life easier or for leisure.

When we talk about a scenario that includes billions and billions of people, it’s very likely that your customers are in that group. In other words, your digital actions need to be on point if you want to consolidate your brand’s participation in your market.

Do I really need to build an app?

The best way to know whether your company would be an app your customer would download is to ask whether it would actually be used by the end consumer.

An app is an expensive project, and it deserves study—from the need to create it to the possibilities of return on investment. So, if you have, for example, a small clothing shop in your neighborhood, an app might not be the best idea, since you can use existing tools (like WhatsApp) to communicate with your customers.

But if you have a much larger fashion business, like FARM or C&A, then different interactions with your customers via apps can—and should—be considered.

So, first of all, ask yourself if you really need an app. If you think you don’t, move on. If you think you do, there is an easy, fast, and economical way to build what you need: an app development factory.

Why hire an app factory to develop your app?

An app factory is also known as a software factory. It is an outsourced company with the technical and methodological capacity to develop complex products and services within IT—which is the case for apps.

With this option you can hire not just one professional, but a whole group of people to absorb your idea and turn it into an attractive, usable app.

At this point you might be thinking: “why hire an app factory if I can hire a freelancer? My idea is so simple…”

Before this story ends, here’s a spoiler alert: no matter how simple your app idea is, it demands a complex development structure, with multiple areas (programming, design, content, sales) working together.

That’s exactly why hiring a freelancer is not a good idea. Building an app involves interdisciplinary strategic planning, a holistic view of the company’s unique characteristics and goals, and it’s very hard for a single person to handle all of that.

It’s not just “build it and done”. Without careful study of each stage, you will spend money and see little to no return.

What to consider when hiring an app factory

First, look at the market relevance of the company you want to hire. Check its portfolio and the apps it has already built. What has already been done is the best way to avoid falling for sales talk.

Also, even before signing a contract, be very clear about your goals for the app and what the ideal timelines are for it to work for your business. An event-specific app, for example, has an expiration date to be launched and later taken offline.

When negotiating the price, keep in mind that quality work will not be the cheapest in the market. What matters is the potential return you will get, not how much it costs to be available in an app store.

Finally, be an active part of the development process: follow each step, ask for specialists’ opinions, bet on an MVP (minimum viable product), and listen to your first users’ feedback when your MVP is live. Being part of the project—not just paying for it—makes a huge difference in the quality of the delivery.

Want to talk to an app factory that knows what it’s doing? Talk to X-Apps!