FAQs

1. Which is the better choice between Progressive Web App (PWA), Native App, or Hybrid App?

All 3 types of apps have pros and cons. For a simpler solution, a tighter budget and a shorter timeline, PWA is the most ideal. For solutions that aren’t complex such as content-based platforms, Hybrid apps are a good choice since it runs on only one code source across Android and IOS. For more customisable solutions that tap into the phone’s hardware and functionalities such as its camera, Native apps are an excellent choice.

2. What is the best technology for mobile apps?

All technologies have pros and cons. Generally, we recommend Flutter for Hybrid apps, Swift for Native iOS apps, and Kotlin/Java for Android apps.

3. How do you calculate your cost? What does it look like?

Depending on the scope, complexity, and technologies utilized, the cost may vary from S$10,000 to S$200,000. We can discuss the options after a better understanding of your needs.

4. How long does it take to develop a digital product?

Depending on the project scope, the time required may vary between 3 months to 12 months. We recommend launching in phases for projects that take more than six months, starting with an MVP and working towards a full product launch.

5. Is it recommended to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a complete product?

We recommend an MVP to release a product to the market as quickly as possible, testing the demand and getting feedback from your users. Especially for startups, the MVP can help mitigate risks and focus on identifying the essential features that customers need.

8. How do you track data analytics?

We use MixPanel or Google analytics within the web app that shows behaviour analytics. We will create customized analytics in an admin panel for monitoring transactional data, such as the number of signups, number of paid users, and number of transactions over a period

9. Would you do the complete prototype and test with real users before coding?

We use MixPanel or Google analytics within the web app that shows behaviour analytics. We will create customized analytics in an admin panel for monitoring transactional data, such as the number of siIt may sound tempting to skip the high-fidelity prototype creation to save time. However, from our experience from over 50 projects, we discovered that high-fidelity prototype testing and iterations could dramatically reduce development time and cost. We recommend prototyping to save time and deliver a quality product that users have already tested.

10. What is your development process?

1. Discover, define and strategise: researching the problem space, framing the problem to be solved, gathering data and information, and initial direction. Some of the activities could result in an understanding of users, problems to be solved, opportunities, and a shared vision among stakeholders.
2. Requirement gathering, User research, Competitor research, wireframing
3. High fidelity prototype and real-user feedback (3-5 iterations )
4. Coding
5. UAT (User Acceptance Testing)
6. Deployment
7. Extending and improving further.
8. Repeat from step 1

11. What factors attribute to the cost?

1. Target Market (Number of languages required, such as English, Chinese, Korean, etc.)
2. Number of targetted users
3. Features needed
4. Number of screens
5. Number of different types of users within the system (vendor, user, admin, third party)
6. Integrations like social media, payment integration, marketing, and analytics tools
7. Type of support needed

12. What pricing models do you support?

1. Project basis for well-documented and specified projects
2. Dedicated teams on a fixed monthly fee
3. Hourly rates for small tasks or tasks which need some experiments or research.

13. How do you charge after-support?

Depending on project requirements, you can select from one or a combination of our four support models

1. You can buy hours and use them once you need support from our team
2. You can get a separate quote for new features and changes required
3. If your project needs dedicated technical support because it is tech-oriented, we also offer full-time teams

At Hipster Inc., we don’t charge for bug fixes and give 12 months of free support after the project closes

14. What is your team structure for my project?

Any of our project teams will consist of a business tech analyst, a project manager, UI/UX designer(s), and developer(s).

17. What is your response time?

For any time-sensitive issues (an urgent task that halts the operation of a system), our response time is within one hour and the issue will be fixed within the same day.

For general support questions, our reply is typically within the same day.

For additional features or amendments in features, we typically produce iterations within the week. Discussions and updates are also shared during project weekly or bi-weekly meetings.

20. What type of development methodology do you use?

We use agile methods as the preferred option, but we use the waterfall model in complex organizations where many departments need to signify approvals.

22. Is having similar experience a key factor for my digital product development?

It is always a good idea to check out the development company’s portfolio to see if they have completed similar projects. It’s okay if they have not done anything too identical, but it does help when they understand your business, and the purpose of technical revamp and impact.

23. What’s your experience working with clients of my industry/size/type/region?

The more experience they have in a similar industry, country, or language, the more insights, and quality they can put into your product and organization. As an example, someone who has never worked in China won’t know their integrations, payment gateways, user flows, and design language.

24. How can I find information about previous collaborations?

A company with successfully delivered designs for digital products will have a rich portfolio of well-documented and data-driven case studies to read and see and have some references to talk to their previous clients.

25. Where can I find your previous customer’s opinions on how you collaborate?

Check references. A good idea is to call or email three existing customers to verify their customer experience.

25. What research do you conduct during your design process?

We conduct a wide variety of research including conducting user interviews and other user research, and competitor research such as checking app reviews and competitor audits. We focus on human-centred design and endeavour to really know the product’s target to ensure we meet your business goals through the creation of the digital product.

26. Have you received awards for your designs?

Our clients often win awards for the apps we have developed. The app we created for Tueetor was selected as the smartest app in Asia and they were awarded in Hong Kong after we redesigned the app in 2017.

28. What is your design creation process?

At Hipster we practice design thinking in all aspects of the creative stage and work with an agile, iterative approach. We do our research, discover, define, strategize, and prototype. We believe that when the design process is correct, the end product will shine.

30. Do you provide Project Managers to support project development?

Yes, each project has a project manager who is the point-of-contact. The project manager keeps timelines and sends the client’s progress report. The product manager takes care of issues like budget tracking, work gain, and bug fixes.

32. How will you incorporate my feedback into the design process?

Feedback is categorized within the design process and then prioritized. Clients usually give direct feedback, and if it is critical, we will work on it immediately. Otherwise, it can be included in the next process cycle iteration.

33. How are you going to ensure a consistent and scalable design?

We create a style guide before starting any design work, which internally creates a holistic approach to problems, ensures usage of the same methodologies and patterns, and externally allows for the best experience every time a client uses the product.

34. How do you usually start a collaboration? What are the first steps?

We believe in having a transparent and straightforward onboarding process and onboarding question list along with a discovery workshop for a better understanding of your business, your market, your customers, your short term and long business goals. We endeavour to always have a proactive approach.

36. Do you outsource for design and development?

Our teams are in-house. We do not outsource to have more control over product quality, communication and timelines.

39. How will you keep me updated about work progress?

A dedicated Project manager is assigned to your project. The Project Manager is also responsible for conducting weekly meetings where all team members and stakeholders can come and share their thoughts on progress.

40. What kind of prototyping do you employ?

Depending on the complexity of the product, we create one or a combination of Low-fidelity, Mid-fidelity, or High-fidelity prototypes.

42. How can I make sure the progress is going smoothly?

Our weekly meetings and progress reviews ensure you avoid any end-result surprises. You can also always access the digital product progress anytime with project management tools.