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Verified Profile
CitrusBits is a mobile app development agency that designs and develops impactful mobile apps and responsive mobile content for businesses of all types.
Having developed critical mobile apps for clients including Burger King, Quiksilver, Symantec, and Sotheby’s, CitrusBits is trusted by movers and shakers across all major industries. Yet, we’ve also enjoyed helping small and midsize businesses and select startups turn their mobile aspirations into juicy ROI.
We’re passionate about leveraging mobile technology – including iOS, Android, augmented/virtual reality, blockchain, and The Internet of Things (IoT) – to help businesses disrupt entire industries and reach their loftiest goals.
CitrusBits has helped hundreds of businesses build game-changing mobile apps for more than ten years. Please get in touch if you’d like to talk about your next project.
Locations
United States
633 W 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071 United States,
Los Angeles,
California
91105
(925) 452-6012
United States
5994 W. Las Positas Blvd, Suite 219 Pleasanton, CA 94588 United States,
San Francisco,
California
94588
(925) 452-6012
United States
535 Mission St San Francisco,,
San Francisco,
California
94105
(925) 452-6012
Focus Areas
Service Focus
- Mobile App Development
- App Designing (UI/UX)
- AR & VR Development
- IoT Development
Client Focus
- Small Business
- Medium Business
- Large Business
Industry Focus
- Healthcare & Medical
- Other Industries
- Art, Entertainment & Music
CitrusBits Executive Interview
Harry Lee
CEO
Please introduce your company and give a brief about your role within the company?
CitrusBits is firmly planted at the intersection of user-focused design, mobile app development, digital strategy, and emerging technologies. We’re passionate about leveraging mobile technology – including iOS, Android, augmented/virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain and The Internet of Things (IoT) – to help businesses disrupt entire industries and reach their loftiest goals.
As CEO of CitrusBits, I drive strategy and execution for CitrusBits and its clients. I see every client project as an opportunity not just to deliver a great app but also to help clients implement game-changing mobile strategies. Internally, I work on nurturing the high-energy and collaborative work culture that CitrusBits is known for.
As CEO of CitrusBits, I drive strategy and execution for CitrusBits and its clients. I see every client project as an opportunity not just to deliver a great app but also to help clients implement game-changing mobile strategies. Internally, I work on nurturing the high-energy and collaborative work culture that CitrusBits is known for.
What was the idea behind starting this organization?
CitrusBits was originally founded to provide web expertise to businesses who didn’t know how to go about creating a professional web presence in the mid-2000’s. Shortly after that, smartphones became a huge thing, and we pivoted to mobile applications. We’ve now been building mobile applications for more than a decade and have successfully delivered hundreds of mobile applications for businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 brands.
What are your company’s business model–in-house team or third party vendors/ outsourcing?
We have an in-house team of around 70 employees worldwide. We pride ourselves on co-location of our most important dev resources, which is increasingly a rarity in the marketplace. We also have a roster of specialist consultants we work with for more niche needs.
How is your business model beneficial from a value-added perspective to the clients compared to other companies' models?
We bring world-class execution to all phases of mobile app creation: discovery/strategy, UI and UX design, and development. Unlike many other companies in the space, CitrusBits delivers predictably superior results from one engagement to the next, regardless of client size or project scope.
What industries do you generally cater to? Are your customers repetitive? If yes, what ratio of clients has been repetitive to you?
We serve many industries, though we do have a slight lean towards industries with strong representation in California: high tech, entertainment, health & fitness, food & drink, and startups, to name a few. We do have several clients who have continued to work with us on multiple engagements. Overall, about 50% of our business is from repeat customers.
Mention the objectives or the parameters critical in determining the time frame of developing a mobile app.
We look at the scope of work and evaluate, item by item, the resources required to implement each item from a design, development, and delivery standpoint. Other factors that go into determining the time frame include the work or preparation a client has done beforehand. If a client has already done significant product planning, user testing, competitor analysis, etc… we can anticipate that there will be substantially less scope creep or changes after the fact. This helps us solidify a reliable timeline for such clients.
How much effort in terms of time goes into developing the front end and back end of a mobile app?
The time investment can vary tremendously, depending on a mobile app’s complexity. We’ve done mobile apps where full design and development was completed in two months. Others can take a year or longer. In the estimation process, we strive to be as upfront with time-based expectations as possible, as this is critical to our own resource planning.
What are the key parameters to be considered before selecting the right platform for a mobile application?
Such decisions usually depend on the end user. As a business, you want to build an experience that will be engaging and valuable to as many of your target end users as possible. If your end users are predominantly on a single platform, let’s say iOS, it makes sense to prioritize development on that platform. Ultimately, you might decide to build on all (or as many as possible) platforms your target users are on.
Which platform do you suggest your clients to begin with when they approach you with an idea (Android or iOS) and why?
CitrusBits is an ideal go-to-market mobile partner and excels in building mobile apps to boost up business and bolster customer retention rate. We’ve designed user-centric Android as well as iOS apps for more than a decade. We’ve delivered more than 300 successful apps for businesses of all sizes and across all industry verticals. Regarding your question, it really does depend upon the end user preferences and device ownership, because at the end of the day, you’re building an app to address market demand.
Android or iOS, Native or Hybrid — which platform is best to use to build your app? What are your recommendations?
Currently, native apps provide better performance, scalability, and flexibility than a hybrid approach. Whether you’re talking about iOS or Android applications, apps created natively for these platforms are better positioned to make use of a device’s hardware components, execute code more efficiently (resulting in better performance), and provide vastly more options when it comes to APIs, advanced functionality, and updates. A hybrid approach isn’t as strong in these areas but can be considered for some more straightforward applications. Doing so can provide moderate cost savings as well. However, I recommend pursuing a native approach whenever possible.
What are the key factors that you consider before deciding the cost of a mobile application?
As with most vendors in our space, a project’s cost is a function of the resources we put into a project. In other words, staffing and the amount of time each team member will be spending on the project are the key factors we consider the most.
What kind of payment structure do you follow to bill your clients? Is it Pay per Feature, Fixed Cost, Pay per Milestone (could be in phases, months, versions etc.)
We have a range of payment options and payment schedules, including Pay per Feature, Fixed Cost and Pay per Milestone.
Do you take in projects which meet your basic budget requirement? If yes, what is the minimum requirement? If no, on what minimum budget you have worked for?
While we don’t strictly adhere to a minimum budget threshold, we typically advise prospective clients to budget at least $50,000 (USD) to design and develop a mobile app on a single platform (iOS or Android). Each potential project is evaluated on its merits, according to our interest in the project and the resource commitment we would be making in accepting the project.
What is the price range (min and max) of the projects that you catered to in 2018?
The approximate price range for the past year was $50k to $300k+. The range varies year to year.
Which business model do you suggest to your clients enabling them to generate revenue from mobile applications? Why?
While there is no one-size-fits-all as far as prescribing business models to clients, I generally recommend that our clients focus on providing value to their users first and foremost. This is a critical precursor to any sort of value creation on the client’s side, and as obvious as it might sound, many entrepreneurs do make the mistake of prioritizing monetization above providing value to their end users.
CitrusBits Clients & Portfolios
Key Clients
- LoveSac
- Alaska Commercial
- RadiusXR
- ERUPT
- IrisVision
- Burger King
- DuPont
- Urban Plates
- Chemowave
- Job Flare
CitrusBits Reviews
6 Reviews
- All Services
- Mobile App Development
- Relevance
- Most Recent
- Rating: high to low
- Rating: low to high
Carter Russ
Posted on Aug 08, 2019
Champions Round iOS Mobile App Development + Admin Portal
Review Summary
We used CitrusBits to take our product from ideation to our version 1 build (or, in other words, the MVP to rule all MVP's). We are building a fantasy sports game so we were on a hard deadline to finish and test ahead of the NFL season. The design team had never played fantasy football in their lives, while the development team had zero knowledge of American Football at all. Both the design and development's team's dedication to our discovery process + fully understanding the nuances of both American Football and fantasy sports, on top of their other responsibilities, blew our team away. Over time, they were picking up the occasional detail that we ourselves had not fully vetted.
Additionally, their ability to design an app, adhere to a budget + deadline, and properly ensure all designs are developmentally feasible, was incredible. They communicate clearly amongst themselves and to the client, all tasks are transparent and well monitored / tracked. They're about as organized as a dev team comes. Ultimately, they have delivered an incredible product that looks absolutely stunning.
If you want to get something out the door, maybe there are other teams capable, but if you want something done right, to make a statement, to really awe users with meticulously crafted user experience, elegant user interfaces, and sleek, smooth, and seamless responsive coding and functionality, CitrusBits is the only way to go.
Additionally, their ability to design an app, adhere to a budget + deadline, and properly ensure all designs are developmentally feasible, was incredible. They communicate clearly amongst themselves and to the client, all tasks are transparent and well monitored / tracked. They're about as organized as a dev team comes. Ultimately, they have delivered an incredible product that looks absolutely stunning.
If you want to get something out the door, maybe there are other teams capable, but if you want something done right, to make a statement, to really awe users with meticulously crafted user experience, elegant user interfaces, and sleek, smooth, and seamless responsive coding and functionality, CitrusBits is the only way to go.
Bianca Bucaram, President, Owner at The Bucaram Public Relations Group
Posted on Aug 14, 2018
Mobile app strategy, design, and development
Review Summary
We’ve had a wonderful experience with Citrus Bits. They have been reliable and transparent as to the delivery dates and costs. Their team was incredibly communicative and helped us to achieve and exceed our end results and goals by adding on additional management portals and assisting us with pre-launch, launch, and overall strategy as well as a few graphics. Everyone loves the look and feel of the app, and we’ve had some fantastic feedback on the challenges. I highly recommend their team for any app adventures!
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
I enjoyed the creativity of the company and how they truly identified with our brand. They understand the way to market each individual/company and execute all apps and development with a strategic, holistic, and in-depth understanding of your aesthetic, message, and goals. It was a pleasure working with Cyrus and Chandler on both the strategy as well as the design aesthetic. I enjoyed their adept communication and skilled design not only of the app itself but design of the programs inside the app which have distinguished us in the market.
Miles Johnson, President at TLS Holdings, Inc ~ The Winning Seat®
Posted on Aug 14, 2018
Responsive, reliable and talented.
Review Summary
My name is Miles Johnson and I am the President and COO of TLS Holdings, Inc. Our product is The Winning Seat ® ~ the ONE AND ONLY Mobile Live-Action Sports Sweepstakes App where users PLAY 100% FREE to WIN CA$H, PRIZES & more!
I met the CEO of CitrusBits a while ago and he had asked how our project was going. I had told him that we had been working with another provider (who claimed to be one of the biggest and baddest - turned out, they weren't). They never met a deadline, they were bad at communication, and they were getting nothing done. Enter CitrusBits. After a long discussion, discovery and some conversations with peers, we decided to transfer the project over to them. Moving over to them was one of the best business decisions I have made in the last couple years.
They completely re-developed and coded our product - a native application for iOS and Android. It was a very extensive and intricate process that included a lot of frontend and backend development as well as UX/UI. We brought them in at a very deep level, and they nailed it.
1 thing that matters most to me is the "calendar". We are given deadlines as to when the app will be released to us for testing, and they have never missed a single one. I recently told their CEO that "they are the very first company I have worked with that delivers on the date promised". Extremely rare. What we need and require of them continues to be excellent.
They do everything we expect of them and more.
I met the CEO of CitrusBits a while ago and he had asked how our project was going. I had told him that we had been working with another provider (who claimed to be one of the biggest and baddest - turned out, they weren't). They never met a deadline, they were bad at communication, and they were getting nothing done. Enter CitrusBits. After a long discussion, discovery and some conversations with peers, we decided to transfer the project over to them. Moving over to them was one of the best business decisions I have made in the last couple years.
They completely re-developed and coded our product - a native application for iOS and Android. It was a very extensive and intricate process that included a lot of frontend and backend development as well as UX/UI. We brought them in at a very deep level, and they nailed it.
1 thing that matters most to me is the "calendar". We are given deadlines as to when the app will be released to us for testing, and they have never missed a single one. I recently told their CEO that "they are the very first company I have worked with that delivers on the date promised". Extremely rare. What we need and require of them continues to be excellent.
They do everything we expect of them and more.
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Reliability, Execution & Quality.
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
Nothing at this time.
Eric Johns, Owner, Executive Producer at EPJ Productions
Posted on Aug 08, 2018
Virtual Take-Out Trivia 2 Go Mobile App developed for iOS
Review Summary
I'm the owner of the start up Virtual Take-Out Casual Games Inc. We hired CitrusBits for their expertise in mobile app development to program and trouble shoot our first product out of the gate, a pop culture mobile trivia game called "Virtual Take-Out Trivia 2 Go" that's now in the App Store. The app only existed as detailed storyboards along with graphic, audio, and motion sample elements but after reviewing the basic design and gameplay desired it was made clear by CitrusBits what was actually doable and how long it would take. After multiple stages of development with their highly-trained team, the app was completed in roughly six months. The workflow was very effective as they always had someone available to take a call or address any issues or concerns by email that came up, all in a timely and professional manner. The most impressive thing about them is their people. They are a cohesive team of professionals who really care and want to do the best possible job.
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Professionals who care about you, your product and its outcome.
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
As a client, you always wish things could go faster, however, the CitrusBits team worked very efficiently and pulled it all together in a more than reasonable amount of time.
Tom Perski, Vice President, Professional and Consumer Outreach at IrisVision
Posted on Aug 04, 2018
VR-Based Android Dev for Visual Aid Device
Review Summary
I’m the vice president of professional and consumer outreach for IrisVision, a high-tech wearable low-vision aid that uses virtual reality (VR) technology and customized software to allow patients with conditions like macular degeneration to see clearly and live fully in all aspects of life. As the lead product evangelist for IrisVision, I work with end users and business partners to expand our customer base.
IrisVision has worked with CitrusBits since 2015 to develop, launch, and maintain the custom software that allows our low-vision users to see clearly. They continue to support new software updates as well.
CitrusBits worked closely with our founder, product team, and supporting medical institutions like Johns Hopkins University, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University to understand and implement our requirements from multiple perspectives: UX, technical, and medical. Their design and development teams used an iterative process with Agile methodology enabled us to track and guide their process of building a UX that our customers appreciate and love.
In a short time, our product has generated a lot of interest and grown a passionate customer base. We regularly receive heartwarming testimonials from our customers telling us how the product has allowed them to see their loved ones clearly again, among other things.
Additionally, our product has been tested and validated by some of the world's top vision institutes, and we've established partnerships with leading hardware manufacturers and low-vision associations. None of this would have been possible without the excellent app that CitrusBits helped us build.
We’re most impressed by CitrusBits' commitment to delivering the best possible experience for our end users. Few partners approach a project as if the product they're building will be used by people they personally know and care about, but we found this to be the case with CitrusBits.
IrisVision has worked with CitrusBits since 2015 to develop, launch, and maintain the custom software that allows our low-vision users to see clearly. They continue to support new software updates as well.
CitrusBits worked closely with our founder, product team, and supporting medical institutions like Johns Hopkins University, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University to understand and implement our requirements from multiple perspectives: UX, technical, and medical. Their design and development teams used an iterative process with Agile methodology enabled us to track and guide their process of building a UX that our customers appreciate and love.
In a short time, our product has generated a lot of interest and grown a passionate customer base. We regularly receive heartwarming testimonials from our customers telling us how the product has allowed them to see their loved ones clearly again, among other things.
Additionally, our product has been tested and validated by some of the world's top vision institutes, and we've established partnerships with leading hardware manufacturers and low-vision associations. None of this would have been possible without the excellent app that CitrusBits helped us build.
We’re most impressed by CitrusBits' commitment to delivering the best possible experience for our end users. Few partners approach a project as if the product they're building will be used by people they personally know and care about, but we found this to be the case with CitrusBits.
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Great understanding of our needs. Ability to execute with efficiency and deliver products that exceed our expectations.
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
I can't think of anything they need to improve.
Anonymous
Posted on Oct 29, 2015
Very reachable and affordable.
Review Summary
The client is a creative agency that mostly makes explainer videos. The client has done a project with the help of CitrusBits which is a popular game application. CitrusBits is selected to provide mobile based game application development and design services for iOS and Android platforms.
The client is highly satisfied with the services of CitrusBits and quotes that the firm met their expectations well. The client praised them for their affordability and responsiveness. The client highly recommends them to colleagues.
What was the project name that you have worked with CitrusBits?
MARO- Game App
Describe your project in brief
<p>The client is a creative agency that mostly makes explainer videos. The client has done a project with the help of CitrusBits which is a popular game application. CitrusBits is selected to provide mobile based game application development and design services for iOS and Android platforms.</p> <p>The client is highly satisfied with the services of CitrusBits and quotes that the firm met their expectations well. The client praised them for their affordability and responsiveness. The client highly recommends them to colleagues.</p> <p> </p>
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