Contact us anytime to know more - Amit A., Founder & COO CISIN
You've got an idea for an app but don't know how to make an app for your company.
You are aware of the target audience, and you are aware of the demand. If your application is developed well, the application will generate an enormous amount of revenue for you.
But what to know before developing an app? What should you make of a concept?
Many of us have brilliant ideas to create mobile apps that could be used as tools for business, attract users, or become an exciting start-ups.
There's just one issue only a small number of items make it to market. This is why it's so crucial. The development of mobile apps, like any other complex process, requires a planned approach and attention to the smallest details.
Types of Mobile Apps by Technology
There are three main types of mobile applications if we classify them based on the Technology they employ to create them:
-
Native applications are designed for a particular operating system or platform.
-
Web applications can be considered responsive websites used on any mobile device or operating system because they're delivered via the mobile browser.
-
Hybrid applications are a combination of native and web-based apps; however, they are wrapped in native apps, which gives the option of having their icon or being downloaded from the app store.
Let us know about each person in detail:
1. Native Apps
Native apps are developed using a specific programming language compatible with an operating system. For example, most smartphones run either the Android OS or the iOS in the case of Apple-based. Native apps are designed to run a particular OS to benefit from the features of devices running the specific OS. Therefore, native apps can't be installed on various versions of operating systems.
Also, iOS apps can't be used on Android phones and vice to the other. Because they're designed to work with a specific OS, and programming language apps are written in are specific for the OS. Xcode, as well as Objective-C, are used primarily for iOS apps. Eclipse, as well as Java, is used to develop Android applications. Native apps are typically designed to take advantage of all the tools and features of phones, such as cameras, contacts, and sensors.
Pros of Native Mobile Apps
-
It is easy to operate and use
-
Easy to optimize
-
High Security of Codes
-
Improved Intuitiveness
-
Full-featured devices have access to
Cons of Native Mobile Apps
-
The Platform-Specific and Configuration
-
Non-Transferable and Adaptable
-
Single Code Configuration
2. Web Apps
Web apps function similarly to native apps, but they can be accessed via your smartphone's web browser. They're not standalone because you must install and download codes onto your device. Instead, they're responsive websites that adjust their design to match the user's gadget. When you see an option that allows you to "install" an online app, the app typically saves the URL of the website on your device.
Pros of Web Apps
-
Resolution and Size of Screens on Devices Can be scaled
-
Mobile Device Adaptability
-
Offer excellent user interface experience
Cons of Web Apps
-
Play Store is not accessible
-
For Specific Objectives
-
Non-hardware able to adapt
3. Hybrid Apps
The name implies that hybrid mobile apps comprise native and mobile apps. Hybrid applications are often called cross-platform mobile applications. The only thing that is similar between the hybrid mobile application and a cross-platform application can be described as "code shareability." This time we're focused on the hybrid mobile application since they're much more efficient.
On one side, they're comparable to native apps, as they are easy to download from the app stores and appear at the top of your screen.
However, they use a browser integrated within the app to display the information.
Pros of Hybrid Mobile Apps
-
Multiple platforms that can be configured and adapted
-
Multi-language programming options
-
Time-Saving
-
Cost-Effective
-
Different Operating Supportive
-
Higher Customization Options
Cons of Hybrid Mobile Apps
-
Limited Operating System Access
-
Insufficient Interaction with Native Apps
-
Code Susceptibility
-
Performance is slower
4. Mobile Cross-Platform Applications
The process of developing cross-platform apps includes an engine that is native. The cross-platform codebase written and written in JavaScript integrates with native app components via 'bridges that provide a near-native UX. As a result, cross-platform applications are multi-platform-compatible and feature seamless functionality, are easy to implement, and are cost-effective. However, there is a downside: lower performance, difficulty in modifying, and restricted to frameworks adopted.
Pros of Cross-Platform Apps
-
Support for Multiple Operating Systems
-
Improved User Interface Performance
-
Reusable Code
-
Cost-Effective
Cons of Cross-Platform Apps
-
Accessibility to Low Operating System Features
-
Overall slow app performance
-
Limited Interactivity with Native
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
Step-by-Step Guide to Build Mobile Applications
When you awake early in the day with a fantastic concept for a mobile application, you can talk about it. You're sure that's the best idea you've ever had, and you are confident that your app's idea will be awe-inspiring to everyone. So what happens next?
The good thing is that it's an excellent start. However, the downside is that there are very few apps that succeed. So, what is the difference between good and bad? Some luck? Yes, and lots of reasonable steps. We provide the proper steps to develop your application if you want to get lucky.
Define Your Objectives
The process of developing a mobile app requires some time. It is impossible to build a mobile app in one go. There are many factors to consider before making an app. Thus, establishing the appropriate goals is one of the essential steps in developing an app.
Many companies spend lots of money to create and maintain their applications. However, if your goals aren't clear, you will likely not get the product you want and gain.
The first step in creating your own app is to understand why you'd like to create an app. All apps have a goal of serving.
Conduct Market Research
After you've set your goals, you must be sure there's a desire for your application. Any app idea is appealing in principle. However, you have to verify your idea before proceeding.
Making an app without market research can result in a waste of time as well as money and resources.
-
Create surveys
-
Conduct interviews
-
Run a focus group
-
Study your competitors
Find out how you can create an app that can improve the user experience
Suppose your app is a part of your business's existing operations. In that case, you can use your existing customers as a source for this study. On the other hand, if your app is an entirely new concept, you'll need to communicate with potential users who fit your intended audience.
Prototyping
Prototyping is where you begin to rapidly create wireframes and then iterate them based on the user's feedback. Wireframes are an extremely low-fidelity reference for your UI and UX for your application. It provides a broad overview of the app's features and flows without going into the nitty-gritty of color or style. Wireframes don't have to be overly elaborate. Only focus on your app's fundamental functions (essentially the minimum viable product or MVP) and get feedback on those.
There are tools available to help you gather feedback on the wireframes of your app, like InVision. Inquiring feedback from a wide range of people within your intended audience is crucial. Without this, you could develop an app that doesn't meet the criteria for ease of use for your target audience. For example, you could create a flight booking application that requires two hands to use but realize after releasing the app that your business professionals won't use it as they have just one hand to use. Yet, at the same time, they rush through the airport carrying their bags.
Plan Great App Security
This next stage in developing mobile app is one of the most crucial security features that your application can possess. Protecting users from cybercriminals who would steal their information is crucial. One breach of the app could cause your company the loss of customers and could cost millions of dollars.
Verify that the mobile application and platform are secure using:
-
Data encrypted: It's a good idea to use the right encryption method for sensitive personal information scattered throughout your application's software. Security measures that are appropriate include encryption of your local cache, database or API communications.
-
Authorized APIs: APIs for application programming (APIs) are vital to the backend of developing software. Be sure that the APIs you use to build your app meet requirements for verification on your app's platform.
-
Strong Security: Ensure the app uses the correct cryptographic key management and the proper tokens or authorizations for sessions by the user. Tokens are usually assigned to every device and have various session expiration times.
-
Temper Detection Software: To stop hackers from advancing, consider adding mobile-specific security features such as tamper-detection programs and various third-party software. For example, interprocess communications (IPC) provides a security measure that allows communication between different systems and apps. There are numerous Apple-specific software as well as other UI security options that assist in preventing tampering.
-
Continuously Testing for Possible Security Breaches: Most importantly, ensure that you check for breaches regularly. Throughout the entire development process, ensure that you regularly examine your code. Find security holes that could be vulnerable before hackers do after the application goes live.
Development
The development stage is when you begin writing the code to create your app's "final" version. This is the time to use your feedback from the wireframes and make the final, possibly important decision.
In addition, integrating an analytical engine into your application in this stage is crucial. Create events for every possible interaction with users so that you can see how your app is used and the general user flow. This information will prove helpful in gaining insight into your users and further refining your app's layout after it's available to the public so that you can design the most efficient product you can.
Test Your Mobile App
Once the process of developing an app has been completed, you can test your mobile app to ensure that there are no issues and that the user's experience is as smooth as how you designed and validated your wireframes. There are many kinds of testing that you can choose from. However, we suggest you go for at minimum two tests: The Internal and External tests.
Internal testing involves testing your app with the development team as though you were the user. However, external testing requires that you offer the app to those who aren't comfortable with the mobile app.
Testing your app is a way to identify and fix bugs and user interface issues. Tools such as TestFairy, UserTesting, and Ubertesters help in external testing and provide a great user experience.
Launch in the App Store
Finally, you can publish your app to an app store. The rules your app must adhere to depend mainly on the store to which you apply. Different stores have different rules for applications that are submitted to them.
Developers can only concentrate on releasing their app on either the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Concentrating on one platform will make it easier for the development process since the team only has to build one application.
How to Make Money with Mobile Applications?
The great thing about the process of monetizing apps can be found in the variety of options to make it happen. Based on the type of app, some strategies are more successful than others. For example, rewarded video advertising has been proven to be the most efficient option since it's rated at 75 percent. This is because it's a type of advertisement popular in games. Players have to view an advertisement in the video to earn games items or energy.
In-App Advertising
Although the app has no cost to use and download, owners earn revenue based on interaction with the ads displayed in the app. This model of revenue for app users is extensively researched and proven successful. The in-app ads come in many formats like banner ads, interstitial ads, Video ads, Native ads, Text ads, Native ads, and more. How much are ads worth in apps? The typical revenue per impression could be as low as $0.10 and up to $10, according to the kind of ad.
Subscription (Software-as-a-Service) Model
Another approach proposed to make money from apps is the Subscription model.
In this case, the users are requested to pay either a monthly, weekly or annual cost for a specific service offered by the company that develops mobile apps. This kind of business and the monetization model is usually advised in the case of cloud-based services, such as audio or video providers like Spotify, Google Music, and Netflix.
In-App Purchases
In this model of the app, monetization allows you to sell various kinds of products, such as:
-
The user can use consumer products in the application, such as health points or digital currency.
-
Non-consumable products, like new maps, games, or blockers, can be used continuously for a long time.
Freemium
It is possible to earn money from a free app through the freemium model, which is like a subscription. The primary difference is that the user can use the free version of the app with minimal features with no time limitations. On the other hand, users must pay monthly or annually to get the most advanced app version with features. The statistics show that just 0.5-2 percent of users pay for a premium version. In contrast, the accessible version of your app can get the attention of a wide population and will help your app become viral.
Want More Information About Our Services? Talk to Our Consultants!
The Key Takeaway
The market for app apps has been growing ever since day 1 and will not slow down. More than 18% of Android app developers earn more than $5,000 every month, and the same amount is made by 25 percent of iOS app developers. Video games are earning millions of dollars. The growing market for smart TVs, as well as the growing market for smartwatches, will boost the business soon.
We hope this blog will help you learn how to earn profits from apps and the value of mobile apps. Since you are aware of how apps earn money and make money, you must also be aware of what the future of mobile app development will look like.