How to Choose the right app development company in Canada

Let's assume you've read some of the many articles out there on the benefits of a mobile strategy. You know you want to create an app that elevates the customer experience, delivers you rich consumer insights, and allows you to stand head-and-shoulders above the competition. 

But when it comes time to actually make the call, you pause. 

What qualities are you looking for in a Canadian app development company? What separates a serviceable app development partner from a great one? Should you place more emphasis on the ease of the client-developer process, or the quality of the end-product?  

It’s perfectly understandable to have questions – even basic questions like these. In this post, let’s break down how to choose the right app development companies in Canada by exploring key technical and cultural criteria. 

What to Look for in an App Developer – Skills, Culture and Values

While it’s important to find a development company with experience and “hard skills,” it’s equally essential to find one that values you – as a client, a business owner and a creative partner. 

Here are some criteria surrounding soft skills, culture and values to use as you search:

●      Partnership-focused: Some app development companies treat your business like a transaction – you don’t want that. You want a company with creative partnership built into their core values. They should be friendly to work with and amenable to your creative input, at a minimum. If in doubt, read reviews and client testimonials. 

●      Transparent and honest: “On-spec, on-budget, on-time” should be the mantra of any great development partner. What that means is that they are dedicated to providing you the product you asked for, in the agreed-upon timeframe, according to the agreed-upon budget. Nevertheless, deviations from the agreement may arise – in these cases, you should expect an app developer to be transparent. 

●      Small and tight-knit: Most businesses prefer working with smaller, “boutique” developers, rather than large, impersonal companies. 

Basically, you want to find a company that pays attention to your business goals, understands your common pain points and frustrations, and will work alongside you to develop solutions. 

What to Look for in an App Developer – Technical Skills and Experience

Of course, some “happy” client experiences result in a lacklustre product, which is why you can’t go on values alone to make your decision. An app development company needs to back up their customer-focused approach with a tangible track record of success and an arsenal of advanced tools and technical knowledge. 

Here are some criteria surrounding technical skills and experience you can consult as you weigh your options: 

●      Awards: Look for companies recognized in their field for excellence

●      Portfolio: You can generally measure an app development company’s experience by the size and diversity of its portfolio. Browse the "portfolio" section of a company's website to get a sense of whether they can take on your project. 

●      Innovations: Will the app development company create a bare-bones product for you, or do they have experience working with advanced technologies and outside-the-box solutions? The latter is preferable if you want to create a future-proof app that stands out among the competition. 

●      Emphasis on Scalability: You want your app to be able to grow with your business. Look for companies that create scalable, future-proof products to handle even your loftiest ambitions and business goals. 

Keep these criteria close at hand as you compare and contrast options for partnership. It is entirely possible to find a company in Canada that meets all the above criteria – you just need to be patient, inquisitive and exacting in your search.