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Software Developer Richmond: Why Partner With A Professional App Developer?

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Are you searching for a professional app developer for your next project? The perfect software developer is not only a reality but may be closer than you think. NS804 is an established award-winning studio that has completed over a hundred apps and has its headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

But why partner with a professional app developer when you could hire a freelancer or even handle development in-house? While it may seem cheaper to hire a freelancer, you have no guarantees that this individual can complete your project according to spec or on time. Furthermore, you never know if you’re dealing with an honest individual or someone who will disappear after they take your money. 

If you rely on an in-house team, they can complete your project. However, that will depend if they have the relevant skills, know-how, and development tools to handle your project. If your project has unique functionality, requires specialist skills, or needs to scale — your in-house team will face many challenges.

Consider the additional risk you’re adding to your project if your in-house team lacks familiarity with the relevant development tools and methodologies to complete your app. If you’re dealing with such a scenario — isn’t it better to work with a professional studio? A software developer in Richmond studio like NS804 can handle projects of all categories, specifications, and scopes.

Avoid the risk associated with a potential failure by partnering with the right studio for your next project. Below, we outline in detail several of the aspects you should look at when considering a software developer in Richmond. 

Working With A Specialist In Native Mobile App Development

The two main ways to build mobile apps are cross-platform and native app development methods. But what are the differences between the two methods? Cross-platform development is a process that allows developers to target both iOS and Android using a singular codebase and toolchain. Also, it’s possible to target platforms like the desktop, web, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices with cross-platform tools.  

As you can figure out, cross-platform development lowers costs if you target more than one platform. So, why not make all your apps this way since it’s faster and cheaper? The main drawback of cross-platform development is that your apps will have inferior performance, platform features, and user experience to native apps.

A professional app developer like NS804 focuses on native development. There’s a good reason for this, as we want to develop the highest quality custom apps for our clients that comply with the guidelines and best practices set by both Apple and Google. When we create separate versions for each operating system (OS), such as iOS and Android, we can optimize apps for both platforms and use their latest features.

Ultimately, iOS and Android users benefit from this, as they will enjoy the unique features of their chosen platform. Several platform-specific features may take advantage of both the OS and the hardware. Thus, this will impact how we implement push notifications, the user interface (UI), and hardware features. All this leads to satisfied users, boosting downloads, app retention, and in-app purchases. 

The Advantages Of Native Development Tooling

How does NS804 develop phenomenal mobile apps for its clients? We start by looking at an app design brief of the client’s project. If the client doesn’t have a brief, we’ll hold a meeting to discuss all their goals and requirements for the project and assist with the planning process.

Depending on what the client wants for their app, we’ll pick the most appropriate development tools and methodologies to complete their project.

In most cases, we’ll choose Apple’s Xcode integrated development environment (IDE) with Objective-C or the Swift programming language (usually the latter) for the iOS version. For the Android version, we’ll go with the Android Studio IDE with Java or Kotlin (again, we’ll pick the latter since it’s a more modern language).   

Both Xcode and Android Studio are terrific because they offer comprehensive tooling for building, debugging, and testing apps. If a client wants to develop an augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or gaming application, we will use additional tools. These tools may include the likes of Unity or Unreal Engine, as they’re the premier 3D AR/VR and game development engines available today.

We also integrate various backend technologies that will work best with an app, such as Kumulos (now Optimove), MySQL, or Node.js. However, we’re always on the lookout for cutting-edge tools that aid the development process and improve app functionality. 

Partnering With A Studio With Completed Apps Across Multiple Segments

A good reason to partner with a professional app developer like NS804 is our comprehensive portfolio. But what makes our portfolio so notable? Since 2012, we have completed over 100 apps in multiple segments. These segments include branding, business, communication, entertainment, productivity, and web design.

That means we can develop apps in multiple categories, which isn’t often the case with many smaller or newer developers and freelancers. Several of our apps have made a positive impact in a specific segment, as follows:

  • Béné: An innovative cashless tipping app that allows hotel customers to tip staff via QR codes without requiring them to download an app.
  • CFO Sidekick: A powerful tool to help small business owners keep track of all their finances, and it reads QuickBooks data.
  • Mamava: We developed an app using smart technology and GPS navigation to let mothers locate the nearest Mamava lactation pod or room in their area.
  • Prevue: This is a unique dating app that utilizes short-form videos to let users build meaningful relationships with potential suitors.
  • Referral Buddy: Our client wanted an app that allows users to keep track of all their referrals to businesses and to receive compensation.
  • Trivia Monsters: A fun trivia-based game built with the Java and Swift programming languages and the Kumulos backend services.

A Partner In Richmond To Help With Mobile App Monetization

Mobile app monetization is challenging, especially if you’re new to this process. However, if you partner with the top software developer in Richmond, we can help you with monetization and implementing the right strategies. NS804 can help you with the following types of mobile app monetization methods:

  • In-App Advertising: Adding ads in your app to earn revenue based on impressions or clicks.
  • In-App Purchases: Sell digital goods, additional content, or new features in your app.
  • Freemium Models: You can launch your app with the freemium model to offer basic or limited features for free and ask users to pay to access the premium version of your app.
  • Subscriptions: Offer your users access to premium content or features for a recurring fee.
  • Sponsorships: Consider partnering with brands to feature their products or services within your app in exchange for money.
  • Crowdfunding: Incentivize your users to fund your app’s development costs with rewards or exclusive perks.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Consider integrating products or services from third-party vendors to earn commissions on clicks, leads, or sales.
  • Email Marketing: Build a subscriber list and email subscribers with offers and promotions they’ll find appealing.
  • Data Monetization: Leverage your user’s data for targeted marketing, analytics, or research purposes while complying with privacy regulations in your region. 

Work With A Professional App Developer To Future Proof Your App

Future-proofing your mobile app is essential so that it stays relevant as technology and market trends change. Several strategies to future-proof your mobile app are as follows:

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensure your apps run fluidly across the most popular platforms to reach the widest audience possible.
  • Scalability: Plan your app with scalability in mind, allowing it to handle increasing loads and new features without introducing new bottlenecks during this process.
  • Flexibility: Keep your app’s architecture and code flexible so that it’s easier to adapt to forthcoming changes and updates.
  • Regular Updates: Stick to a regular update cadence for your app to fix bugs, enhance performance, and introduce new features. Ensure your app remains fully compatible with the latest OS versions and hardware introduced by Apple and Android device manufacturers.  
  • Data Security and Privacy: Prioritize data security and user privacy in your app to align with current and future privacy regulations. Implement robust security measures and stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices.
  • Emerging Technologies Integration: AR, VR, and AI integrations will enhance your app’s functionality and make it more appealing to your users.

The Right Partner To Help You Identify New Opportunities For Your App

Many companies release their apps on the App Store and Google Play and think these are the only avenues available for releasing apps. However, this is not necessarily the case, as there are many alternative app stores in the market now. Due to new EU regulations, alternative iOS app stores are now becoming a reality in territories outside the US.

On the Android front, this isn’t much of an issue, as well-known alternative app stores for the platform are common. This means that you don’t need to rely solely on the App Store and Google Play to distribute your app. Instead, you should partner with a reputable studio to help you identify additional app stores to increase your app’s reach.

The partner will also advise you on which app stores to put your app on and which to avoid. That’s because only a handful of third-party app stores have a large enough user base to make them worthwhile. It’s also best to avoid app stores that don’t have a proper vetting process, as apps with malware from dubious sources end up in these stores.

Furthermore, your partner will identify overseas markets where your app can find an audience. There are many third-party Android app stores in China and other Asian markets that are worth pursuing. But it’s necessary to localize your app to appeal to users in these markets.

The Bottom Line

Partnering with a a professional app developer could be one of the best business decisions you could make. We’ll ensure that your app meets your highest standards and that of your users. Contact NS804 today to learn how we’ll help you create phenomenal apps for iOS and Android.

iOS Developer in Richmond: What Factors Should You Consider When Picking A Developer?

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Finding an iOS developer in Richmond can be tricky when you do not know how to separate the good from the best. While most developers may claim to have the basic skills to weave together a functional app, there are more nuances that enable the best developers to fork out world-class iOS app implementations. At NS804, we have a long documented history of completing elite projects for clients in Richmond.

In this piece, we highlight qualities that make Richmond’s best iOS app developers stand out. If you are seeking a development partner for your next iOS app, this checklist should help you make an objective decision. We will also discuss why working with a Richmond-based app developer may be better than an offshore developer.

Mastery of the iOS Software Development Kit

The iOS Software Development Kit provides a set of protocols, classes, data types, and an overall framework for iOS app development. A firm understanding of the framework is necessary for the proper implementation of various app functionalities such as sourcing and filtering, resource management, text management, and date and time calculations.

Apple provides the SDK for free, which enables developers to build and test apps with ease.  The best developers keep up with updates to the SDK as well as how best to leverage such changes to improve the products they are building. The best way to evaluate a developer’s proficiency would be to consider products they have built in the past. They should have evidence of building feature-rich, secure, and smoothly functioning apps.

Proficiency in Xcode

Apple’s integrated development environment, Xcode, allows for faster app building in MacOS. The IDE allows developers to interactively preview the features they are building while also offering enhanced code completion. Xcode is free and it’s user interface is user-friendly unlike other IDEs that can look complicated and intimidating. Nonetheless, it has a rich set of tools for simulating all Apple devices, easy version control, and extensions for customizing the development process.

Xcode is the only official IDE for building Apple Developers and any expert iOS app developer ought to be well-conversant with it.

Adaptability

iOS developers must possess the ability to respond to evolutions in the industry. Each year, there are new tools and frameworks meant to enrich app features or ease the development process. The best development companies have a firm dedication to embracing such changes. When picking an iOS app developer in Richmond, you ought to inquire about their stance on app development technologies. Inquire whether they have adopted emerging best practices in the iOS app space. There are developers who have managed to carve out space for themselves as thought-leaders on emerging technologies. At NS804, we are certainly part of the conversation and are keen on keeping up to speed with the evolution.

Adaptability extends to being able to customize projects to specific client demands. During the project scoping phase, it is important to lay out every deliverable and explain how exactly to build it.

Team Collaboration

Building an iOS business app often requires a collaborative effort. It is highly unlikely that a single developer is able to deliver the app on when there is a tight time constraint. A team of developers allows a development project to be broken down into parallel deliverables with preset milestones. A team setting also allows for specialization within the team whereby one or more developers works on the UI while others build and test the backend functionalities.

Working with a team also helps in ensuring project continuity whereby even when one person leaves the team, an equally capable replacement can be sought. A team setting is also more likely to lead to greater creativity and problem solving ability. The team can compare and choose between several approaches to a design problem, leading to richer output.

Project Management Skills

One of the biggest challenges in iOS app development projects is failure to adhere to agreed-upon project specifications. During an initial meeting with a potential app development partner, it is important to get a sense of their project management approach. Are they keen on fine project details and dates? Do they have a framework for reporting project progress? What tools do they use to report to clients? How do they handle projects that have extended beyond set deadlines?

These questions are important because improper management can result in project cost overruns. Running out of funds can cripple and otherwise well-built project. As such, it is important to map out exactly how the project will be managed and where necessary outsource the management to a third party.

Performance Optimization

The best app developers must adhere to best practices for performance optimization. A well-optimized app runs smoothly across all devices a user may be using.  It is important to keep the code base clean by avoiding unnecessary lines of code. All images used in the app should be compressed and in the right formats for faster page loads. Good development practices insist on efficient memory management to minimize leaks.

When it comes to UI implementation, there are certain animations that could slow down the app. The team ought to pick light transitions and animations that add value to the user experience.

Part of optimization involves reducing an app’s drain on the device battery. By using lower accuracy modes on location tracking, it is possible to reduce battery drain without sacrificing app performance. Minimizing an app’s background processing when not necessary is another way to reduce battery drain.

Proper Security Architecture Design

A great development team must understand how to best incorporate Apple’s security features into the apps they are building. They must understand the security threats that an app is likely to face based on the features it has and expected user behavior. For instance, certain apps should not allow screen recording because sensitive details such as banking app login could be compromised.

All code should be assessed for vulnerabilities such as hard-coded sensitive information that hackers can exploit. The libraries and frameworks used in building the app should also be trustworthy. They should have a big enough community of users and proper documentation to inspire confidence.

All data transfers between the app and the server must be through a secure protocol to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Adding two-factor authentication for the most sensitive apps adds another layer of security to the app.

Developer must make use of Apple’s security features such as FaceID for secure access to their apps. Regular security updates are important for fixing vulnerabilities that may be realized in the app’s lifetime.

When choosing an iOS development team, you must consider all this. Due diligence is paramount to establish whether proposed app security measures can are sufficient given the nature of your proposed app.

Quality Assurance Testing

The right iOS development team must be able to write and carry out tests for app functionalities as well as robustness and security. There is a wide range of frameworks for app testing, including XCTest and Test Navigator. The goal is to always write reliable and maintainable code without bugs.

While planning the app development process, there has to be a conversation about sufficient testing. The team should have a clear methodology of testing their code.

Flaws that end up in the production phase pose a significant threat to a brand. A bug can quickly tarnish a brand’s reputation for excellence especially when it takes too long to be flagged and fixed. Sufficient security testing also serves to protect a business from potential liability in case of a data breach.

App testing is also important because Apple has very strict guidelines for approving apps for the App Store.

World-Class Design Principles

Your app development partner should have a firm understanding of UI/UX design principles that enable creation of visually appealing and easy-to-use iOS applications. With a myriad of tools available for the design phase, the development team should have a formidable front-end development team.

Apple does provide Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) which, if followed, allow for the creation of intuitive and user-friendly apps. One such guideline states that the app’s elements should defer to the content being displayed. As such, the app itself should not distract users from the primary purpose of using the app.

The HIGs also propose a model for choosing controls to integrate into an app’s UI. A switch is best used to pick between two options while a slider is better implemented for a range. A Bluetooth on or off toggle is an example of a switch. Adjusting screen brightness on the UI happens through a range slider.

Customer Focus

Before settling on a developer to work on your iOS app, you need to consider their overall customer focus rating. How well do they meet their customers’ expectations? While this may sound like a broad question, there are specific indicators of commitment to user satisfaction.

First, there has to be a commitment to understand the business objectives that the app is meant to help fulfill. Whether it is a HR management app or an e-commerce channel, the app is linked to the bottom line. The development team has to link the building process with end goals such as improving productivity, customer engagement, information access, or any other specific goal.

Other indicators of this commitment are clear and effective communication channels. Every organization has its own culture, even when the stakeholders therein are not aware. There needs to be transparency with customers about project progress and challenges.

Proactiveness

The best iOS developers can anticipate challenges in the development cycle and take proactive action. This often comes from past project experience, but it is also made possible by keeping open communication lines amongst team members and with the client. Your initial meetings with a potential developer may reveal how well they are able to adjust when unexpected problems emerge during a project.

Choosing a Developer in Richmond

Businesses in Richmond may benefit from working with an iOS developer team that has worked with local businesses. First, by working with a local developer, you may have an easier time managing the project compared to having a developer from a different time zone. Where there are urgent issues to address, a developer in Richmond may be easier to access and perhaps even set up face-to-face meetings with.

It is also important to consider the legal and regulatory compliance standards that your app must meet. Failure to adhere to data protection laws for instance could result in reputational, legal, and financial jeopardy. As such, your app’s architecture must be set up in a compliant manner. A developer in Richmond is more likely to understand the local regulatory landscape.

You may also find it easier to verify the reported customer experiences of a developer based in Richmond. You could perhaps reach out to clients listed on their portfolio for answers to questions you may have about the technical or customer service credentials of a developer before working with them.

Working with NS804

At NS804, we take great pride in the projects we have delivered for clients in Richmond. All projects are unique and require taking time to understand client needs, the business objectives of the app, and the technical requirements of the proposed solution. Each project has a clear scope of deliverables, milestones, reporting requirements, and communication channels.

The NS804 team is rich in iOS app development talent and customer service. The team is constantly learning to incorporate newer technologies and best practices into our app development process. At the same time, we are working with clients in multiple industries and documenting learnings along the way. We continue working with clients long after the first iteration of their app by providing any technical support required and newer versions of apps.

Reach out to NS804 for a discussion on your next iOS application. A member of our team will be in touch quickly. Our focus is on delivering an iOS app that meets your business needs and exceeds your expectations.

IOS Development Richmond, VA

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IOS development is a critical step of any mobile app development process. That’s because there were more than 1.2 billion iPhone users globally at the start of 2022. And this number is expected to grow soon. The APP Store gives users from every part of the world the opportunity to discover and download apps that meet the highest levels of security, quality, and performance.

This is exactly why developing an IOS mobile app with quality in mind is critical. App Store prioritizes and gives preferences to seamless, smooth, and quality apps that answer the most pressing of customers’ questions. So, if you’re a mobile developer or running an enterprise that ultimately needs one, you’re in the right place.

This article will explore some benefits of IOS mobile app development and give you tips on how to approach mobile app development – of course from an expert. In addition, if you need some mobile app development services in Richmond, worry no more because we already have you covered.

Why IOS Mobile App Development Richmond?

1. Elegant user interface

The first impression of an app is critical in its adoption and overall usability. That’s why it’s the responsibility of every mobile app development company to provide a superior user interface that’s appealing and satisfying.

A smooth user interface works proportionally for the customer. The smoother and more appealing, the stronger the relationship between the business and its target customers. Therefore, if you’re looking for IOS mobile development, in Richmond, ensure that the development project delivers an elegant user interface.

2. Tech-savviness

The iPhone has clearly distinguished itself as a tech-savvy device for like-minded users. That means that the typical iPhone user is a tech-savvy consumer who’s attracted to and impressed by innovative products.

So, if you’re developing an IOS app, think of developing a product with robust features. iPhone lovers are highly receptive to innovative and equally evolving products and apps. Your goal in developing a mobile application is to produce a product that will cause turbulence in the market and keep your head afloat from the competition.

3. Strong security

One of the primary advantages of IOS development is the high-end security protection provided by IOS. There’s no denying that every app developer must consider the security safeguards that protect data against theft, duplication, and encryption.

The primary purpose is to protect customers against phishing and hacking attempts, thus preserving their data, privacy, and security. So, it’s the responsibility of every app developer – customers, developers, and companies – to prioritize security in the IOS mobile app development.

4. Capital returns

Did you know that IOS app users are more likely to pay for an app than Android app users? So, developing an IOS app gives you better monetization opportunities than Android. However, it’s always advisable to consider a cross-functional app that can function in Android and IOS.

In addition, every app in the App Store must meet stringent criteria of security, usability, and experience. This means that every app in the App Store is worthwhile and helpful. Investing in an IOS development project will not only give you returns on investment, but will help you retain a large chunk of your clients.

5. Superior user experience

50% of customers uninstall their apps a week after installing them because of usability issues. Fortunately, this is not the case with IOS mobile app development. Apple has built a superior product for its customers because of fantastic software, superb customer service, and faultless hardware.

In addition, the contentment that Apple users derive by using such a superior product cannot be downplayed when considering whether to invest in Android or IOS development. Investing in IOS development fits into Apple’s overall culture of quality, functionality, and superiority.

Mobile App Development Services, Richmond

Richmond is a thriving capital that boasts hundreds of small, medium-sized, and large businesses. As an independent city with slightly over three hundred thousand people, Richmond Virginia is the fourth most populous city, and thus a business hub in the region.

Running a business in Richmond demands thrust, creativity, and innovation. This is because Richmond is home to one of the world’s leading brands – Walmart, Amazon, Infosys, Deloitte, and many more.

Luckily, mobile app development services will ensure that your business gets both a digital and physical presence. Mobile app development has been lauded as one of the most creative elements of modern-age businesses.

This means that leveraging mobile app development services will enable you to succeed in your digital marketing efforts by capturing an upstream of online customers.

Some of the benefits of IOS mobile app development in Richmond include:

  • Target customers. IOS mobile app development enables you to zero down on high-value customers. That’s because Apple users are tech-savvy and highly receptive to innovation and evolving technologies.
  • Returns on investment. It has already been established that iPhone users pay more for apps than Android users. That automatically means that your IOS app stands in a better monetary position than a typical Android app.
  • Quality. IOS mobile app development process is complicated and requires the latest software version. However, the results of IOS mobile app development are superior and superb, giving you better functionality and app control than a typical Android app.
  • User experience. Did you know that on average IOS apps are better and more impressive than Android apps? Investing in IOS development gives your app an edge, especially in a highly competitive and ever-changing landscape.
  • Faster development process. Unlike Android app development, IOS app development is faster, easier, and less expensive. However, all credit goes to Apple’s excellent programming languages that make app development a rewarding experience.

It’s critical to note that IOS development remains the best mobile app development for new and upcoming owners who want to remain ahead of the pack.

NS804 – Trusted IOS Development, Richmond

NS804 is a seasoned developer of superior mobile app solutions for Android and IOS. However, our years of designing and experimenting with IOS apps enable us to prefer IOS apps to Android apps because of speed, functionality, reliability, and security of IOS.

So, if you’re starting or simply looking to reinvent an existing mobile app, you’re in the right place. NS804 works with talented software developers and project managers who can design your app from concept to completion.

In addition, we provide a minimum viable product allowing our customers to experiment with a prototype of the app before going full-flung. Part of our provision is a mobile app calculator that lets you determine how much you will pay for a specific type of app.

So, whether you’re starting or improving on an existing project, NS804 will support all your IOS development efforts with precision and expertise.

Contact NS804 for superior IOS mobile app development solutions.