Services
App Development
As an app development agency, our mobile app service encompasses the creation, design, and implementation of software applications tailored for smartphones and tablets.
We specialise in crafting innovative solutions for diverse mobile platforms, including iOS and Android, as well as offering cross-platform development expertise. Our focus lies in delivering top-notch user experiences and functionality through cutting-edge smartphone app development services.
Our MOBILE APP service includes
iOS App Development
Developing innovative applications for Apple’s iOS platform, which is used on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices.
We utilise react native to create native iOS apps, which adhere to Apple’s strict guidelines and best practices for design and functionality.
Android App Development
We create applications for the Android operating system, which is used on a wide range of smartphones and tablets.
We ensure compatibility with various Android device types and screen sizes.
App Deployment
We take care of the submission and deployment of mobile apps to the respective app stores (e.g., Apple App Store and Google Play Store), ensuring compliance with app store guidelines and requirements.
App Maintenance and Updates
We provide ongoing maintenance, support, and updates to mobile applications, including bug fixes, feature enhancements, and OS compatibility updates.
App Optimization and Performance
As part of our Mobile App development services we conduct comprehensive testing of mobile apps, including functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and usability testing. Ensuring that the mobile app functions correctly and is free of bugs and vulnerabilities.
We optimize all of our mobile apps for performance, speed, and efficiency to provide a smooth and responsive user experience. This addresses issues like slow load times and memory management.
Shakewell’s mobile application development services aim to deliver high-quality, functional, and user-friendly mobile apps that meet the client's objectives and provide a seamless experience for users on their mobile devices. Collaboration with the client throughout the development process, from concept to deployment and beyond, is a key aspect of this service.
Our approach
We design, build and ship mobile apps for iOS and Android, using React Native so one codebase serves both platforms without compromising the native experience. From concept through app-store submission and beyond, we work alongside you — the goal is an app your users find fast, reliable and easy to use.
We are based in Sydney, and most of our app work is for Australian organisations: sporting venues, safety and compliance operators, media brands and coaching businesses. Delivery is remote-first with scheduled calls and a shared board, so a project runs the same way whether you are ten minutes from our office in The Rocks or in another state.
What we solve
- Reaching iPhone and Android users without funding two separate builds
- Apps rejected or delayed because they do not meet App Store and Google Play guidelines
- Existing apps drifting out of date as operating systems and devices change
- Apps whose real problem is the backend behind them rather than the screens
The apps we build
Most of the mobile work we do falls into four shapes, and the pattern matters more than the industry.
Member and access apps. Digital membership cards in Apple and Google Wallet, QR entry at a gate, and live information about a venue. The Sporting Club of Sydney members app — built for Venues NSW in React Native — does exactly this, and its hard problems are entitlement and being correct on match day rather than anything on the screen.
Field and compliance apps. Work that happens away from a desk, often with poor reception, feeding records that have to be searchable afterwards. Safeproud pairs a mobile app with a custom dashboard, digitising safety and job-site forms for tradespeople.
Coaching and content apps. Structured programmes people work through, with a dashboard behind them for the people delivering it. Optimize Mind Performance is mental-skills training athletes can do around a busy schedule.
Consumer media apps. Editorial, video and commerce in one place — Riptide unites a bodyboarding media brand’s video, editorial and merchandise, and Exceptional Alien turns travel storytelling into something readers can act on.
The part that is not the app
On most projects the phone app is the smaller half of the build.
Accounts, an API, notifications, integrations and an admin surface for the people running it are all invisible in a screen design and all real engineering. An app estimate that matches the screen count has not accounted for them yet — which is the single most common reason a quote and a delivered project diverge.
That is also why our app work usually sits alongside a Laravel or Node.js backend rather than standing alone.
What’s included
Discovery and scoping, UX and UI design, React Native development for iOS and Android, the backend and admin surface, App Store and Google Play submission under your developer accounts, and ongoing support as the platforms change underneath you.
- 2018
- building since
- 70+
- designers, engineers and product people
- 5
- regionsAustralia, Europe, the Philippines, the Middle East and the USA
- 6,500+
- commits across six repositoriesthe three SES aviation platforms we build and still run
Common questions
Native or cross-platform — which should we build?
React Native covers most business apps well: one codebase for iOS and Android, near-native feel, far cheaper to keep both current. Go fully native for heavy real-time graphics, deep hardware access or sustained background processing. We will tell you which category you are in rather than defaulting to the one we prefer.
How much does an app cost to build?
Apps span a wide range because "an app" describes everything from a simple content wrapper to a platform with accounts, payments and offline sync. The backend usually costs more than the app itself. It depends far more on integrations, content and certainty of scope than on page count, so we would rather scope it than quote a number blind. Our guide to what a website costs in Australia sets out the typical market ranges, and how we engage explains the models.
Do you handle App Store and Google Play submission?
Yes — listings, review guidelines, signing, release management and the resubmissions that follow a rejection. We publish under your developer accounts so you keep ownership of the listings, which matters if the relationship ever changes.
What about the backend?
Are you actually based in Sydney?
Yes — our office is at 223/111 Harrington Street, The Rocks, and we are happy to meet in person. Most of our app clients are Australian, and several are Sydney organisations: the Sporting Club of Sydney members app was built for Venues NSW. Delivery is remote-first either way, so a project runs the same whether you are in the CBD or interstate.
How long does a mobile app take to build?
A focused app with a straightforward feature set is usually a few months from kickoff to store submission. What extends it is rarely the screens — it is the backend, the integrations, and app store review, which adds time at the end and occasionally a resubmission. We would rather scope those honestly than quote a timeline that assumes everything goes right first time.
Do we own the app and the code?
Yes. The code lives in repositories you own or that we hand over in full, and we publish under your Apple and Google developer accounts so the listings, reviews and ratings stay yours. That matters more than it sounds — an app published under an agency account is difficult to move if the relationship ever changes.
Can you take over an existing app?
Yes. We audit the codebase, dependency versions and release setup first, then give you a straight view — including when maintaining what exists beats rebuilding it. See project rescue if the build has stalled.
Engagement models
How we work
Four straightforward ways to engage us. Pick the one that fits, or mix them as your needs change.
Staff Augmentation
Add experienced Shakewell developers, designers or specialists directly to your own team. Engagements typically run three to twelve months, but can be as short or long as you need — you get the skills without the commitment and cost of hiring full-time.
About staff augmentationFixed-Scope Projects
Have a defined outcome in mind? We scope it, price it and deliver it as a project — a clear timeline, agreed milestones and a single point of accountability from kickoff to handover.
Embedded Delivery Teams
For larger or longer-running work, a cross-functional Shakewell team — development, design and delivery management — plugs in as your delivery arm, working to your priorities and your reporting cadence.
Support & Maintenance
Already live? We keep websites, stores and apps secure, updated and performing through ongoing retainers — business-hours support as standard, with 24/7 coverage available for critical issues.
About support & maintenanceTrusted by
“Optimise Mind Performance assists individuals and sporting organisations in maximising their potential through mental skills training. We engaged Shakewell Agency as our technical partner to build our digital platform. It was clear that we needed an agency with high technical skills and Shakewell immediately demonstrated an understanding of the problems we were trying to solve and had the team to deliver it.
Shakewell has been critical in providing for us a digital platform that engages our customer, keeps them connected to their goals and aggregates to a dashboard reporting all the required information to stakeholders allowing continual development and strengthening of the athletes. Their understanding of the technical requirements and of our path to market has meant we can grow the business with them as a key part of our team.
I would highly recommend the Shakewell team if you need a high technical skill set that can deliver the outcomes you want with the functionalities you need.”
Jack Preddey
Founder and CEO of Optimise Mind Performance
“Collaborating with Shakewell Agency on the Sporting Club of Sydney members app has been a pleasure. Michael and his team came on board at short notice and very quickly responded to our business needs to deliver an improved solution for members and their guests.
No task has been too big or too small — their proactive approach, clear communication, and passion for the work have meaningfully enhanced the digital experience. Their expertise is driving us forward with more robust and scalable solutions.
It’s rare to find an agency partner so deeply invested in our success. It’s a pleasure working with the Shakewell Agency team, and I’m excited to continue improving our solutions together in the future.”
Ryan Selvage
Digital Experience Manager of Venues NSW
Start a conversation
Start a conversation
Tell us what you want to build, fix or scale — we’ll come back with a clear way forward.