The Complete Guide to Hiring a Mobile UI/UX Designing Company

After you have decided to develop a mobile app for your business, hiring the best mobile app design service provider tops the list. With numerous options available, selecting the right partner can be confusing. But, don’t worry, in this guide we’ll tell you everything you need to find and hire the perfect partner to design your mobile app.

We'll look at what makes for great mobile UX and UI, how to evaluate different companies, questions you should ask in your initial calls, and warning signs to watch out for. By the end, you'll be fully confident in finding a mobile UI/UX design firm that will bring your vision to life.

What Does a Mobile UI/UX Designing Company Do & Why Do You Need Them?

A mobile UI/UX designing company helps create the look and feel of your app. They make the user interface visually appealing and ensure an optimal user experience. Here are a few reasons why you need a mobile UI/UX designing company:

• They design user-friendly interfaces: Mobile UI/UX designers understand how people interact with apps and build interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate. This results in higher user engagement and satisfaction.
• They optimize the user experience: UI/UX designers evaluate how users flow through the app, minimize friction points, and optimize the overall experience. This leads to higher conversion rates and return users.
• They build your brand: A polished UI and UX help to build brand recognition and loyalty. Users come to associate your brand with a high-quality experience. Your app will look and function like other high-quality apps.
• They drive business results: An engaging UI and optimized UX directly impact key metrics like increased downloads, higher retention rates, more in-app purchases, and improved ROI.
• They keep up with trends: Mobile UI/UX designers stay on top of the latest design trends, technologies, and tools to build modern interfaces that match user expectations. 

How to Find and Evaluate the Best Mobile UI/UX Designing Company

To find the best mobile app design service provider follow these guidelines:

Start by checking their portfolio. When searching for potential partners, prioritize companies that have a track record of designing captivating and user-friendly apps that closely match your envisioned concept. 

Next, consider their experience and credibility. An established company that's been around for a while likely has refined processes and skilled designers. Read online reviews from their clients to get a sense of their work quality and reliability.

Look for companies with expertise in your industry or app type. A firm that primarily designs mobile games may not be the best fit for an enterprise app.

Consider location and time zone. While remote work is common, being in a similar time zone could make collaboration easier.

Ask about their design process. A solid process typically includes:

1. Requirements analysis: Learning about your goals, users, and business needs.
2. Wireframing: Developing initial designs and layouts. Get a feel for how well they incorporate feedback and new ideas.
3. Visual designs: Creating interactive prototypes with the look and feel of the final product.
4. Testing: Conducting usability tests to identify any issues with the UI or UX.
5. Iteration: Refining and optimizing the design based on feedback.

The best companies don't just deliver visual designs, they craft a great overall experience for your mobile app users. By collaborating with the appropriate partner, you will obtain a UI and UX that not only realizes your vision but also contributes to the success of your business.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Mobile UI/UX Designing Company

When looking to hire a mobile UI/UX designing company, you’ll want to ask the right questions about their mobile app design services to find the best partner for your needs. Consider these critical factors when making your decision:

What is their design process?

The design process refers to the sequence of steps the company follows to create your mobile app. Prioritize a company that follows a proven process, centered around comprehending your requirements, target users, and business objectives.

Key components of the design process include user research, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement. Ask to see samples of their work at each stage.

• Do they conduct user research and testing? The best apps are built around the needs of real people. Look for a company that researches your target users and tests designs and prototypes with them.
• Do they iterate on designs? Iteration means improving and refining designs based on user feedback. This leads to a better end product. Ask how many iterations of wireframes and prototypes they typically go through. More is better.

What is their experience?

An experienced company will have a proven track record of successful mobile app designs. Evaluate live apps they’ve designed, read reviews from their clients, and check how long they’ve been in business. 

Look for experience designing apps similar to yours. If they’re new, make sure the team members have experience from other companies.

What technologies do they use?

For mobile apps, the main options are native apps (built separately for iOS and Android) or responsive web apps (work across devices). Ask which approach they recommend for your needs and goals. 

Also ask about their experience with tools like Sketch, Figma, InVision, and Principle. The latest tools allow for more efficient and advanced designs.

• Native apps provide the best experience but are more expensive. Responsive web apps are cheaper but may lack some native functionality.
• Tools like Sketch, Figma, and InVision are especially useful for collaborative design work. Principle is best for interactive prototypes.

Using these questions will help you in identifying a mobile UI/UX design company equipped with the necessary expertise and abilities to create a premium mobile experience for your users. 

The Cost of Hiring a Mobile UI/UX Designing Company

The cost to hire a mobile UI/UX designing company can vary quite a bit depending on the scope of your project and features. Higher rates typically mean more experienced designers, higher quality work, and less hassle. 

If your app has basic features and functionality, it is possible to explore cost-effective options that fit within your budget.

Factors Affecting Cost

Several factors determine how much you'll pay for mobile app design services:

• Complexity: A simple app with 5-10 static screens will cost less than a complex app with 20+ dynamic screens, custom animations, and interactive elements.
• Timeframe: Rush jobs and tight deadlines often command premium rates. For the best value, give the designers adequate time to properly plan and execute the project.
• Location: Designers in North America and Western Europe charge higher rates, around $50 to $150 per hour. Eastern European and Indian designers typically charge $25 to $75 per hour for similar quality work.
• Company vs. Freelancer: Established design studios and agencies usually charge more than individual freelance designers. However, they often provide more resources, experience, and reliability.

Average Costs

You can expect to pay between $5,000 to $50,000 or more for mobile UI/UX design services, depending on the factors above:

• Basic 5-10 screen app: $5,000 - $15,000
• Moderately complex app (10-20 screens): $10,000 - $30,000
• Highly complex app (20+ screens): $20,000 - $50,000+

The total cost will also depend on whether you need just UI design, UX design, or a full UI/UX design package. UI deals with the visuals, while UX focuses on user experience and flow. For the best results, opt for a full UI/UX design to get an engaging and intuitive app.
While the upfront cost of design may seem high, quality UI/UX design is worth the investment. 

Common Queries About UI/UX Design

To assist you in your search, provided below are commonly asked questions along with their respective answers.

How long does it take to design a mobile app?

The design timeline can range from 4 to 16 weeks or more. Typically, a simple app with a streamlined UI can be developed within a span of 1-2 months. However, a complex app, especially those involving UX design, often requires 3-4 months or even longer to complete.

The timeline will depend on factors like:

• Scope and features of the app
• Amount of custom graphics and branding
• Number of screens/flows to design
• Revisions and feedback incorporated

Should I hire a freelance designer or a design agency?

This depends on your needs, timeline, and budget. Some pros of hiring a freelance designer:

• Typically lower cost
• Can find highly specialized skills
• Flexible availability

Some pros of hiring a design agency:

• Larger team with a variety of skills
• Faster turnaround time
• Provides more guidance on UX and best practices
• Accountability and reliability of an established company

For most companies, a design agency is a good choice for an end-to-end mobile app design project. But for simple needs or smaller budgets, a freelance designer may work great. In the end, go with whoever can deliver high quality work that meets your needs.

Conclusion

For any app development project, UI/UX design is crucial to success. Experienced designing companies create visually stunning designs, optimize the overall user experience, build your brand, and incorporate the latest trends. 

Partnering with a specialized Mobile UI/UX designing company like Shiv Technolabs will ensure an exceptional end-to-end experience for your users. Make sure you choose the right partner who will incorporate a stunning UI/UX design that will scale your project further.