When you start a new mobile app project, what's the first question you ask your client, and why?

The first question I ask is: "What is the primary goal of your app?"

Why this question is crucial:

Understand the Vision: It reveals the purpose of the app, whether it's for e-commerce, information delivery, entertainment, or productivity. This helps align the development process with the client’s expectations.

Define Success Metrics: Knowing the primary goal lets you identify how success will be measured (e.g., user engagement, downloads, revenue, etc.).

Guide Design and Development: The goal dictates key aspects like app features, design choices, and technology stack.

Prioritize Features: Helps to focus on the most critical functionalities that support the app's main purpose, avoiding unnecessary scope creep.

At App Minds, we normally start mobile app project by asking:

1) Optional: "What is the purpose of your app?"
This question is rarely asked but it is very important. Why we don't ask it always? Mostly clients reach out with the description of "what they want and why they want it", so it sums up the purpose.

2) Do you understand the app development process?
If not, we explain it in detail upfront to set clear expectations and ensure alignment. Since app development is a comprehensive process, it's essential to clarify it from the start.

3) Do you have any design preferences or reference apps?
This ensures we align the app’s design and user experience with client's vision.

The first question I ask is: "What is the primary goal of your app, and who is your target audience?"

This helps me understand the app's purpose and the users it’s designed for, ensuring that the development aligns with the client’s vision and addresses the specific needs of their audience from the very beginning.

Very first question I ask to my clients, when starting  any new project specially mobile app project is:

What is the primary purpose of the app, and what problem are you solving for your target audience?

Why This Question?

This question helps establish a clear understanding of the core objective of the application. By identifying the problem it solves and its purpose, you can:

Align Goals Easily: Ensure that the development aligns with the client’s vision and the end-user’s needs.

Define All Features: Prioritise essential features that address the primary goal.

ROI of the project: Help the client achieve maximum impact and value from the app.

Avoid Scope Creep: Maintain clarity and focus on the project scope from the beginning.

This foundational understanding sets the stage for effective planning, design, and development.

When starting a new mobile app project, the first question I ask the client is:

"What is the primary goal or purpose of your app?"

Why?

Understanding the app's primary goal helps define its core functionality and aligns the development process with the client's business objectives. This question clarifies whether the app is aimed at solving a problem, increasing engagement, driving sales, or enhancing user experience. It ensures that every decision, from design to feature prioritization, supports the app's intended purpose and target audience.

When we start a new mobile app project at Infinityapps360, the first question we ask our clients is: WHAT IS THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE AAP.
And then we ask for the requirements and features client wants to see in the app.

The first question I ask a client when starting a new mobile app project is:

What is the primary goal or problem you want the app to solve?

This question helps clarify the app's purpose and aligns expectations. It ensures that the app's features and design are focused on achieving the client’s objectives, whether it's increasing sales, improving user engagement, or solving a specific issue for their target audience. Understanding the goal from the start sets a clear direction for the project.

When starting a new mobile app project, the first question I ask a client is, "What's client's business idea and what is his plan to scale this project"

it's the most important step because...

Every on fiverr multiple clients contact us and most of them thought they just need an app that they will push to appstores and start generating revenue from it.

So, I educate them that it's not only app development but you will also have to market the app. Because, without marketing no one will know about the app.

I always listen to client requirements and discuss all the flows that a client usually has in mind. After that, I provide him with an estimated timeline and pricing.