Apps come in all sorts of different categories, ranging from calendars to gaming apps to music services to communication apps - among many more! You may know some of the more well-known ones, such as WhatsApp, Spotify or HeadSpace, already. Approving an application for business use can be a smart move. This guide will walk you through the process of building one.
What is Mobile App Development?
Mobile app development is the practice of designing software specifically tailored for use on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. This process typically includes writing code and designing an app.
App development is very similar to any other form of software development, including web applications. The primary difference is that mobile apps utilize native features of devices for maximum effect.
Apps can take advantage of mobile features like GPS, Bluetooth and cameras to make use of them in their design.Apple and Android dominate the mobile app market. Although apps for other platforms can be developed, most apps target these two markets exclusively. App development provides multiple frameworks. Here is more detail on some of these available frameworks for app creation.
How to Boost Your App's Visibility
Adults spend approximately two hours each day using mobile applications, so it should come as no surprise that companies are scrambling to develop apps in order to tap into this market. Google Play had over 2.88 million apps, while Apple App Store only had around 2 million. Your app will be one of many in its category; therefore, smaller brands must find ways to differentiate themselves and generate enough interest to secure downloads.
This list is a partial guide to guarantee the success of an app since many factors impact its success. Still, it serves as a checklist with five items you should include to generate demand in your target market.
Find Your App on Mobile
Google and Ipsos conducted a joint research project which found one-fourth of app users discover apps through search. Search ads not only increase visibility for your app, but they can also encourage downloads. Mobile advertising gives businesses access to affordable yet highly targeted options.
Create a Short Demo Video
Mobile app demonstration videos are promotional videos designed to demonstrate the value of your app to potential downloaders and existing downloaders alike. Demo videos serve more as commercials than tutorials while still showing it in action.
Publicize the Launch of the App in a Press Release
Write to journalists and editors covering news related to your app category; issue a press statement announcing its launch; provide details about its founders, background and benefits for users; show why your app differs from others in the same category; include screenshots or even short videos to demonstrate its overall utility.
App Review Sites Get Your App Listed
Popular mobile app review websites provide users with a reliable platform from which they can search for applications that meet their requirements. If you wish for your app to be reviewed positively on one of these platforms, compile a list of top review sites and begin the submission process.
Encourage User Reviews
Ninety per cent of consumers read reviews online, an increase of two percentage points since 2014. One to three online reviews can form an opinion for 40% of consumers; asking users to rate and review your app can provide invaluable feedback, with marketing copy utilizing user-generated content to get noticed by more. By offering high-quality mobile apps that are "top-rated", one may earn themselves one!
What To Consider When Developing Apps?
Developers create various types of apps, from native apps and HTML5 applications to hybrid ones, with remote computing resources using a network connection. Many companies invest in app development as a means of increasing work efficiency, streamlining internal processes and spreading ideas.
Developers must consider various factors when developing an app, including screen size, hardware specs and configurations. All components of a mobile application should work cohesively together for an aesthetically pleasing, fast user experience that's simple yet powerful. Be sure to add some special considerations during app creation:
Cross-Platform Technologies: A Must Have
Cross-platform application development has gained increasing momentum over recent years. Cross-platform technology enables app developers to write code once and publish it across all platforms, such as iOS, Android and Windows, saving them both time and effort when developing applications for different devices by eliminating repeated tasks.
Cost-cutting can be accomplished with cross-platform apps by investing in only one tool or technology to build applications instead of investing in multiple technologies for each platform. End users also reap the rewards when cross-platform apps are created - they should appear identically across iPad and Android devices.
Mobile App Development Process
When you break down the app development process into steps, it is easy to understand. Follow the formula below to create apps.
Refine The Idea And Strategy
Brainstorm your ideas before you begin any software development. Some of you may already have an idea or concept. Some of you may be starting completely from scratch.
You can start by asking yourself these questions:
- What is the purpose of your mobile application?
- What are the goals of your app?
- What problems (or issues) will your app resolve for customers?
- What features will you include in your app?
- How much are you willing and able to invest?
- How will you develop your app? (In-house team, agency, app builder, etc.)
When brainstorming, it's easy to get carried away. It's important to focus on the core features of an app. Don't worry about "nice-to-haves" or unnecessary add-ons that divert from the primary function of an app.
Market Research
It would be best if you looked for similar apps once your idea has been finalized. It is rare to find a brand-new idea with no competition.
- What are your competitors like?
- What is your target audience?
- What is your differentiation strategy?
- What is the best platform for launching your app?
- How will you promote and market your app?
You can't afford not to do market research. It's not worth spending time and money on an idea that has no market demand. You can save a lot of money if you do this before you build anything.
Create Your UX Design
Mobile app design is an important part of the entire process. Start by thinking about the look and feel of your app. Create wireframes and sketches to understand how your app will function.
Priority must be given to the user's experience. Make sure that the user interface is easy to use and seamless.
- Create a storyboard to show the connections between screens.
- Consider the differences between a mobile site and an app (web development is not the same as app development).
- Your top priority should be the user experience.
Before you begin to develop a fully functional app, you'll need to create a few prototypes based on the wireframes. You can then create an MVP. This is an app with a basic interface that accomplishes its main goal.
App Development
It's now time to create the actual app. This includes the APIs and all back-end technologies. What you should do is:
- Choose your development method.
- Assemble your development team.
- Nominate a project manager.
- Create a timeline that includes milestones and objectives.
- Be flexible and ready to adapt.
You may need to create two versions of your app, one for iOS and another for Android. You can also use cross-platform tools to create an app that is compatible with both iOS and Android app development.
Everyone will have a different experience. Some apps can easily be created in one month by a single developer. Some apps can be built in a month with a single developer.
The complexity of the app's features and the type of app that you are building will have a major impact on your budget and timeline for developing the app. Simple apps with basic features are usually quick to develop and cost-effective. A complex app with features such as user authentication servers and GPS capabilities will take longer to build.
Testing
You need to test your app before it goes live. You can find bugs and glitches in your app by testing it.
- The best way to test your app is by having QAs do it throughout the entire development process.
- Test the app on both platforms.
- Test the app with different devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and more. ).
- Test your product with real users and get their feedback.
Every app is flawed. Your testing should aim to create a stable app that does not crash so that users can have a good experience. Updates and new versions can be released later. If you try to get the app perfect during testing, it could prevent your app from ever reaching the market. Don't be hard on yourself, and try to create a good product.
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What Are The Best Mobile App Development Platforms?
Your decisions for app development should depend on factors like budget, app type and goals. Many available tools allow for app creation; they also help test, optimize and debug after launch.
These platforms for app development are currently available and provide the best development experience possible.
Flutter
Flutter is an open-source framework that makes creating cross-platform apps simple. Google released Flutter for public use in 2017, making it one of the more recent options available to developers.
Flutter is an ideal platform for building mobile and web apps for iOS, Android and other platforms, including Linux, macOS and Windows. Flutter makes an attractive solution for anyone wanting to create desktop and web applications using one codebase written in C++ and Dart.
Microsoft Xamarin
Xamarin, an open-source UI framework available on Android, iOS and Windows apps, is another open-source framework with shared code among them. Using C#/.NET enables developers to develop cross-platform applications easily using C#/.NET as the language.
Xamarin is an extremely popular platform as users can build apps that look and feel similar across all devices and platforms, creating apps with native-like apps. There are numerous developer tools for Windows and Mac available for Xamarin that integrate native APIs, services backends, and much more into its offering.
Adobe PhoneGap
Adobe PhoneGap stands out from other options by enabling developers to build apps with JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3. Furthermore, PhoneGap's plugin feature makes adding functionality a snap.
Notably, PhoneGap derives its name from Apache Cordova; both terms will often be used interchangeably when discussing PhoneGap. Apache Cordova powers PhoneGap.
Also Read: A Secret Guide To Succeeding In Mobile App Development Industry
Apps For Mobile Devices: Different Types
App development today is very different than it was even five years ago. Native development could only be accomplished using low-level code; thus, if you wanted to develop both iOS and Android Apps for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you would have had to start from scratch for each platform.
Today's app development landscape has an easier entryway. Integration between languages, platforms, and tools for app creation has improved significantly; JavaScript code can now run across all platforms. Now, it is easier than ever before to develop native apps for existing businesses and entrepreneurs alike, as well as e-commerce firms.
Here is an overview of various applications and their specific characteristics that make them relevant for development.
Native Mobile Applications
Native apps can be installed directly onto a mobile phone via either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and tend to function without an internet connection, taking advantage of existing features on the device.
To develop a native application, you must write code specific to the operating system on which your device runs.
Cross-Platform Native Mobile Applications
Cross-platform applications allow the same code to run natively across iOS and Android platforms, creating the convenience of only creating it once and having it work immediately for both platforms.
There is little to differentiate the user experience of native and cross-platform native apps; cross-platform native apps tend to be more cost-effective for developers and take less time and resources to develop.
Hybrid Mobile Applications
Hybrid and cross-platform apps are often confused, yet both terms are used interchangeably. Hybrid apps resemble cross-platform in that they can be built once for both platforms and run seamlessly across them both.
Hybrid development is more user-friendly than cross-platform app development. Whereas cross-platform apps require highly technical skills for their creation, hybrid development requires less technical know-how; using no-code app builders or basic web development knowledge may suffice for creating hybrid apps.
Progressive Web Application (PWA).
PWAs, or Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), are web-based apps rather than native apps installed directly onto users' devices. PWAs now resemble native apps in terms of both appearance and function; users can receive push notifications directly through their web browser while receiving push notifications themselves; however, PWAs are generally limited in their ability to utilize device features directly.
Cross-Platform Application Or Progressive Web Application (PWA)?
We'll compare the pros and cons between cross-platform apps and PWAs. You can then decide which option works best for your app, budget and goals.
Cross-Platform Advantages:
- The maintenance of native cross-platform apps is easier because they can be updated across all platforms.
- The turnaround time is faster than traditional Android and iOS development.
- In most cases, less time spent on development translates into affordability. This means that you can focus on other areas of your app.
- By targeting tablets and smartphones on different platforms, you can reach a larger audience.
Cross-Platform Disadvantages:
- You'll have to debug more often if you encounter performance problems with certain operating systems.
- Certain OS can have security problems.
- If you want to add new features to the app, there are longer waiting times.
Progressive Web Application:
- PWAs cost less to maintain and develop compared to native applications.
- Installing them on various devices is quick and simple.
- PWAs can be used on any platform, thanks to their cross-platform compatibility.
- PWAs are efficient and offer a better user experience.
Progressive Web Application disadvantages
- PWAs are not available in app stores.
- Fewer features can impact the user's experience.
- Apps that require Bluetooth or NFC may be limited in their functionality.
Hybrid Apps vs Native Apps
Let's compare hybrid apps to native apps and look at the pros and cons.
Hybrid App Advantages:
- Hybrid applications look and feel just like native apps.
- The cost of building and maintaining them is lower.
- Create a hybrid application using HTML, Javascript and CSS.
- Hybrid apps provide a faster development process.
Hybrid App Disadvantages:
- Performance on older devices could be better.
- Certain types of apps cannot be hybridized.
- Hybrid development may have limited features.
Native App Advantages:
- Outstanding performance.
- All the features of different smartphones can be accessed.
- These are made using IDEs like React Native.
- Native apps run on older devices.
Native App Disadvantages:
- Native apps are the most expensive.
- It would be best if you built them separately for iOS and Android.
- The development tools need a more user-friendly interface.
- Bugs are more common and require frequent updates.
Back-End Development vs. Front-End Development
Developers encounter two paths during their coding journey: front-end and back-end development. What's the difference? Back-end developers focus more on how their app functions, while front-end developers focus on its appearance. Front-end developers are responsible for designing themes, styles, images, and presentations in any apps that they build.
Back-end developers would be responsible for maintaining and optimizing the database as well as overall site performance, including security, users, and user experience. Programming languages used may differ; front-end developers might prefer HTML, JavaScript, or CSS, while back-end users might use Ruby, PHP, or Python.
User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX). Typically, front-end designers are responsible for designing the UI, while back-end programmers manage UX. However, in modern app development, many app developers specialize in both front-end and back-end work - these "full stack" developers work both front-end and back-end.
Key Features of Mobile Applications
Mobile applications often contain features designed to enhance user experiences. When developing apps, carefully consider which features would make yours stand out and add these components. Successful app development projects might include the following features:
Push Notifications
App developers frequently leverage push notifications as an example of direct customer communication between businesses and their clients. Push notifications offer businesses a great alternative to cold emailing or targeted advertising as they help create relationships directly between your brand and users of its mobile app.
Integrating and Enhancing
One-click contact, Google Indoor Maps and augmented reality are among the many features found in mobile applications. Businesses also utilize customized content, layouts and system functionality to create visually appealing apps with enhanced user experiences. Integrations between existing technologies or applications further enhance this aspect.
Speed and Security
Though these features may appear obvious, they're essential for app development. Custom apps will outperform any competing application using outdated, ineffective, slow or difficult-to-secure technologies; therefore, for every custom app development project to be considered successful, it must deliver products that are fast and secure.
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Conclusion
Understanding the complexities of mobile app development is key to its success. When creating native or cross-platform applications, always prioritize user experience over functionality and interactive features. App development may take various paths; your budget, timeline, technical skill and app complexity will dictate which path best meets your needs.
