Top Skills to Look for When Hiring a Mobile App Development Company
As more companies continue shifting toward Android and iOS mobile applications, the demand for skilled mobile app developers has consistently increased. This trend, already evident in 2017, continues to accelerate as businesses rely more heavily on mobile-first experiences to engage customers, streamline operations, and stay competitive.
With this growing demand, mobile app development has become an attractive career path for many professionals. However, the responsibility of ensuring quality, reliability, and long-term success ultimately lies with the party paying for development services—the client. For this reason, it is critical to adopt a structured and methodical vetting process when selecting a mobile app development company.
Below are the top skills and attributes that should be carefully discussed, assessed, and validated before choosing an app development partner for your next mobile application.
1. Strong Work Ethics
Strong work ethics are non-negotiable in software development.
It is not acceptable for a developer to send updates sporadically or go silent for days. From day one, clients should clearly define expectations regarding communication, reporting, and availability. Regular progress updates—daily or weekly—should be part of the development contract.
A professional app developer or agency should demonstrate strict adherence to software engineering best practices. Core work-ethic attributes include:
Timeliness and respect for deadlines
Proactive follow-ups
Availability and responsiveness during agreed working hours
Adherence to the project plan
Proper code versioning and backups
Asking intelligent, clarifying questions
Documenting decisions and changes
These qualities are not “extra”; they are fundamental responsibilities of a professional developer. If repeated feedback does not improve a developer’s behavior, it may be time to consider a more reliable app development agency.
At The Right Software, we continuously refine our development standards and improve internal processes to ensure consistent communication, accountability, and delivery.
2. A Reputable and Established App Development Company
Before hiring, thoroughly research the app development company’s background. Review their portfolio, case studies, and—if possible—speak directly with existing or past clients. Reputable companies are generally open to providing references and discussing prior projects.
Also look for formal accreditations and recognitions, such as:
ISO certifications
CMMI compliance
Industry awards or recognitions
Established agencies typically follow structured engineering processes, quality assurance protocols, and project governance models. While freelancers may be suitable for small or experimental projects, a professional app development agency is usually a safer choice for business-critical or long-term applications—especially if your budget allows.
3. Eagerness for Feedback and Approval
High-quality developers take pride in their work. They are eager to showcase progress, seek feedback, and iterate based on client input.
Programming is not just logic—it is craftsmanship. Clean architecture, readable code, modular design, and thoughtful implementation all reflect a developer’s mindset and professionalism. Well-written code should “speak for itself” through structure, consistency, and maintainability.
A good development partner actively requests approvals at defined milestones, ensuring alignment before moving forward.
4. Hunger for Knowledge and Continuous Learning
Technology evolves rapidly, especially in mobile development. A skilled app developer should have a strong appetite for learning—not just programming languages, but also adjacent areas such as:
Web and mobile security
APIs and backend integrations
Servers, hosting, and networking basics
Performance optimization and bandwidth constraints
JavaScript ecosystems and frameworks
Emerging development trends and tools
While it is unrealistic for a single developer to master everything, top agencies balance responsibilities across developers, project managers, and product owners. This allows developers to focus on core implementation while gradually expanding their expertise.
Leading app development companies actively train their teams, conduct internal knowledge-sharing sessions, and stay updated on the latest mobile app development trends.
5. A Practical Cross-Platform Strategy
Time to market (TTM) is often critical. Many software ideas have a limited window of relevance, and delays can mean missing key social, political, or economic opportunities.
To accelerate delivery, some companies opt for cross-platform or hybrid development approaches using technologies such as:
Xamarin
Ionic
PhoneGap
While these solutions can reduce initial development time, they often compromise on performance, user experience, and long-term scalability.
For products intended as long-term investments, native app development—Android and iOS built specifically for their platforms—remains the best option. A capable mobile app development company should clearly explain the trade-offs and recommend the right approach based on your business goals.
6. Agile Readiness and Process Maturity
Modern app development rarely allows for rigid six-month planning cycles. Requirements evolve quickly, and flexibility is essential.
Your development partner should be comfortable working within Agile methodologies, including:
Sprint-based development
Kanban boards
Backlog grooming and estimation
Daily or regular stand-ups
Incremental releases
A strong Agile process requires close collaboration between the client and the project manager. Clear timelines, agreed deliverables, and timely feedback help developers plan efficiently and reduce rework.
Clients are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Agile basics to maximize collaboration and outcomes.
7. Strong UI/UX Design Capabilities
Mobile UI/UX design differs significantly from web design. Screen space is limited, performance constraints are tighter, and user attention spans are shorter.
Your app development company should be well-versed in:
Android Material Design guidelines
iOS Human Interface Guidelines
Mobile-first and responsive design principles
Performance metrics such as time to first byte
Flat and minimalist design approaches
Professional agencies typically begin with wireframing using tools such as Balsamiq, Moqups, or Sketch. Wireframes help visualize workflows, validate assumptions early, and provide a clear reference point throughout development.
The more comprehensive the wireframing phase, the smoother the development and review process will be.
Final Thoughts
Hiring the right mobile app development company is not just about technical skills—it is about discipline, communication, process maturity, and long-term thinking.
By carefully evaluating these key areas upfront, you significantly reduce risk and increase the likelihood of delivering a successful, scalable, and high-quality mobile application.
At The Right Software, we actively practice all of the above principles—and continue to refine them as technologies and client expectations evolve.
We welcome your thoughts.
What additional skills or qualities do you believe are essential when selecting a mobile app development partner?
