Perhaps you have an idea for a mobile application, are a founder of a start-up, or work for a company looking to innovate with a new app.
This guide is for you, regardless of your background. It will cover all aspects and considerations related to app creativity, design, and development, as well as running it and commercialization. You may not be interested in every section, so you can browse the menu and focus only on the most relevant areas.
We will discuss the critical components of a successful mobile app development cycle.
The mobile application market
What makes developing a mobile app so popular? Mobile apps have changed consumer behavior, expectations, and even workplace processes.
Pre-development
The basics of mobile apps, the market, common mistakes at the ideation stage and pre-development, how to choose between agency and in-house development, tech stack choices, strategy, selecting a mobile app development firm, and what to expect.
Development
Common development methods, mistakes to avoid during development, and the phases of development.
Post-development
Maintaining your App - Maintenance and costs, promotion of your App, commercialization, and mistakes after you have launched your App.
We have a lot of work ahead. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of mobile app development in 2022. Let's get going!
The market for mobile apps
We'll start with the basics, so skip ahead if your skills are more advanced. But don't forget to read the common mistakes section. There are still many interesting statistics and information about the development of mobile applications, their market, and how they have impacted our lives as consumers, professionals, and stakeholders.
What is a mobile application?
Although it's a simple question, the blurred lines between mobile apps and responsive or mobile-compatible apps and websites make this one worthwhile.
A mobile app is a software that's specifically designed for smartphones and tablets. These devices have different operating systems (OS) than laptops and desktop computers, so mobile apps can be run on both Android (iPhone) and iOS (iPhone).
Mobile App operating systems: Android and iOS
In 2021, Android was the most popular mobile OS with 72% market share, followed closely by iOS with 27.47%. Over the last decade, there have been only two dominant players in the market. This has made it easier for developers of mobile apps and others to get involved.
Why create a mobile app?
Over the past decade, mobile apps have played a significant role in changing consumer behavior patterns and business models across all industries and sectors. They are so common that we have forgotten they existed even a decade ago. We use them every day for everything, from ordering food, shopping, and checking in for flights to opening the office door.
Mobile apps are a combination of two things: the phones they run on are always within reach, and they provide a quick and convenient way to do something.
This new format also allowed for entirely new business models. What percentage of the 2040 class will be able to exist because their parents met through Tinder or other dating apps? What are the chances that real-time translation apps will be able to altogether remove language barriers in professional and professional communication within a decade? I would say relatively high.
Mobile apps: The business case
Some mobile apps are not developed with the intention of making them available for commercialization as an app-based company. Apps are developed to increase efficiency and generate a return on investments.
We've already discussed airline apps that allow you to check in and board using your mobile device. They have reduced the time it takes to check passengers in and helped reduce staff costs. They're also easier to use than having to print out and carry a paper document. This helps improve customer satisfaction.
Pre-development of your mobile App
There are many things to do before you can actually begin developing a mobile app. First, you need to decide if it is worth developing. If you are still positive, there are many other considerations and decisions that must be made before development can begin.
Mobile app projects that fail are the most frequent reasons.
Be sure to avoid these common mistakes before you commit the time and money to creating a mobile app that has a good chance of being successful. These pitfalls can be avoided, and you will soon have a successful app.
Do not reinvent the wheel.
Mobile apps that don't offer any value are the number one reason they fail to succeed. While not every App has to be completely original in order to be successful, it's still a good idea to create one that isn't.
Consider the added value that your App will bring to users compared with what is already available. What are your App's selling points? What is it that other similar apps don't offer? These functionalities or features are enough to make users switch to your App. What is the speed at which larger competitors could duplicate any new features your App offers that give you a competitive edge?
Is it worth building your own App? It's possible to white-label apps from another developer for a similar result if it's a general-purpose app that is used by many businesses for things like bookings and other functions.
Validate your idea
Many new businesses fail because their founders believe they have solved a problem that is not so serious. They might offer something they believe will be a big hit, but it doesn't take off.
It can be easy for us to lose our objectivity when we are passionate about something. Before you commit to developing your App, make sure that it is validated. While creating a prototype or MVP is one way to test it with potential users, there are other methods and approaches that can work for your app idea.
Don't underestimate the costs.
This will be covered in greater detail. However, developing an app of quality is not cheap, even though it may not seem complicated. Complex apps can cost a lot. A simple app that is well-designed and produced to high-quality standards can easily cost thousands of pounds. Cutting costs could lead to an amateurish product which will greatly reduce your chances of success.
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Do not skip the business plan.
It might not be financially feasible to build a mobile app that meets the highest standards, even if you have the funds. To determine if the costs of developing and operating the App are justified, you will need to create a business plan.
What is the cost of developing the App? What will it cost to maintain the App and keep it up-to-date for 100 million or 10,000,000 users? When can revenues be expected? What is the growth rate? How will you measure return on investment (ROI) if direct revenue is not generated?
There is always some guesswork involved in business plans. It is not enough to sit down and calculate all outgoings and inflows in realistic worst-case and best-case scenarios.
A marketing strategy is essential.
No matter what type of mobile App you develop, your success depends on how people download it. Then, keep them using it. This won't happen automatically, regardless of how great your App is.
A marketing strategy or promotional budget is required to implement it at the scale that your business plan estimates. It will be difficult to enter a market that is competitive or establish a new one.
A company creating an app for employees or a business building one for customers requires buy-in. This will depend on a promotion strategy.
It's not just an app; it's almost always a whole thing.
It is not easy to develop and launch a mobile application. A promotional website, and possibly even a web-based version, will be required. The backend of your App could be more complex than the front.
Launching is the beginning of your work, but not the end.
Your mobile app launch will require more effort, especially if it is more successful than the development and release. Mobile app development is never finished. You will need to maintain your App and make improvements to it.
Who will build your App?
Once you're confident that you have a good app idea, a solid marketing strategy, and the funding and promotion strategy to launch it successfully, you can start to develop it. The first decision is who you will trust to build it.
Mobile app development: In-house or external?
Mobile apps can be developed either in-house by employees of the organization funding them or outsourced to a specialist in the mobile app development industry. Your circumstances will determine which option is best for you.
If:
Your company already has mobile app developers with the right tech stack and capabilities to create your App.
You will need to hire mobile app developers if you don't have one. This is a significant undertaking that will only make sense if you:
- Your business will depend on the App.
- You can forecast enough workload to support a team of managers and developers long-term.
- You'll have the cash flow and budget to pay them. This will translate into hundreds of thousands of pounds, dollars, or euros.
- In-house development can be an excellent choice for any of these reasons.
- The App is only one aspect of your business and will not be the primary revenue driver.
- You want to reduce your overheads and allow cash flow flexibility.
- It won't take a stable workflow to develop and maintain your App. It's unclear if it will.
Choosing your tech stack
Your development team will likely decide the finer points of all technologies and tools used in your App's development and mobile App (its tech stack). Your development team will make the big-picture strategic decisions regarding technology.
Native or hybrid?
There are two main categories of technology that mobile apps fall under:
- Native apps
- Hybrid apps
Native apps are designed for operating systems such as Android or iOS. Native iOS apps are built to work with specific hardware configurations, such as iPhones. They can access the processor and other hardware parts, such as the camera and microphone, and directly use them.
Hybrid apps, on the other hand, are compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices with minimal modifications to the code. This is because they can be used on both Android and iOS without any additional code changes. The code is typically 90% identical for both versions. Hybrid mobile apps cannot use the processor of the device, so they must rely on an Internet browser.
Native app development is more efficient than hybrid ones because they have direct access to the processor of the mobile device and can integrate with its other hardware. However, certain types of apps may not noticeably benefit from the hybrid app technology stack.
Native app pros & cons
- Performance at its best
- You can tap into all the functionality of your mobile device.
- Higher development & maintenance costs
- To maintain performance, users must regularly download and install updates.
Hybrid app pros & cons
- Faster, cheaper development.
- If the App has a low input or processing load, performance differences may not be noticeable.
- Older devices can have poor performance.
- Not suitable for all applications (especially those that involve heavier loads).
This could be the right choice if you are looking for the best way to develop a native application.
- Performance is the priority.
- It must run on older devices.
- It requires significant input and processing costs.
- It will communicate with the device's hardware, such as the camera.
- It is essential for offline operation.
If you are looking for a way to make your App more flexible, a hybrid application could be the best choice.
- If the investment proves to be financially viable, you will first test the App.
- You are under a tight deadline.
- Your budget is tight.
- The App will only be used by a small number of people (e.g. an App for internal use within an organization or for clients of small businesses.
- The App can only be used for a short time (e.g., during a conference or other event).
There are many factors that can influence the choice of native or hybrid app development.
There are many options for native and hybrid mobile tech stacks.
Even though there are niche options that might be suitable for certain circumstances, most mobile applications are built using a few coding languages, frameworks, and libraries.
If there's an exceptional reason to, we recommend staying with the standard mobile development tech stacks. While it might seem like a great idea, opting for a "shiny new" alternative is more often a mistake.
Large developer pools are a benefit of the most popular open-source technology. This means that you can hire experts for many years without any difficulty. There are active communities of developers that offer extensive documentation and support when needed and continue to improve the technology.
You don't need to be a tech company that has a strategic reason for trying out shiny new technologies. Stick to the trusted and tried.
Selecting a mobile app development company
The next step is to choose a partner who can help you develop your mobile App. The success of your App will depend on how well you choose the partner to work with.
This article provides a comprehensive guideline on how to choose the right partner for your mobile app development project. When it comes to IT outsourcing relationships that are successful,' soft' factors may be as important as price, tech stack, experience, and price.
Tech stack
Every technology stack is not available to all app developers. You should build a list of agencies that specialize in native apps if you are planning to create one. If a hybrid app is a strategic choice, you can reverse this process.
Some companies may have the resources to create both native and hybrid apps. Some might not be. A partner who is best suited to develop a simple mobile application may not be the right choice for a more complicated, complex project-Vice versa.
Referrals and experience
Even the most successful app development companies were still new to the market in their era. A company that is ten years old doesn't guarantee it will do a great job. If you don't trust the recommendations of others or are not convinced by their backgrounds, it is better to choose a partner who can provide many references and case studies.
Potential partners who are evasive or unable to provide convincing references can indicate that they are not interested in the job.
Management/project management
A mobile application development project's success depends on delivery and project management. This is especially true if your company doesn't have an expert in-house who can manage the project flow and communicate with the partner.
Ask lots of questions about potential partners' methods and get an idea of their communication style.
Maintenance, QA, and Updates
Apps must be tested at all stages of development. This includes manual testing, automated testing, and code reviews. Consider the background and abilities of potential development partners in QA and software testing.
Also, ensure address ongoing support and maintenance and establish the ground rules that will guide future iterations. It is more efficient to have a long-term partnership with the developer company to maintain and improve the original App rather than switching horses. Make sure you clarify the terms of continued cooperation and avoid misunderstandings after the initial launch.
Your mobile post-development phase
A mobile app can be considered a standalone business. However, even though it may have a support function, it is still insufficient to manage the business. Every App and business needs customers. They need to be able to use it and know it exists.
The first step is to get a mobile app onto phones. Encourage its use.
Promotion of your App
Depending on the type of App, the best marketing and promotion strategies to achieve this will differ significantly. Your App should be adding value to existing customers. This will give you the advantage of an already open communication channel and hopefully build brand trust.
Your App could be used internally by an organization. This is the most accessible type of App to promote, but it should not be overlooked as a challenge. However, you will need a follow-up strategy and effective promotion.
A commercial app is the most challenging type of App to get traction, both in terms of downloads and engagement. It will be challenging to stand out among the thousands of apps competing for users' attention.
It will be a different challenge if your App is competing in a crowded market with apps targeting the same audience as you, or if you offer something unique. Both are not easy to crack.
Your job in the first scenario is to convince users that your App has more value than other apps they might already be using. The App must deliver on its promise to use mobile devices and engage users.
The second scenario is where you have to convince users that they should use your App. Communicate the problem or utility you are solving.
Marketing channels for mobile apps and ingredients
It is difficult to get mobile app promotion right, as it is with any type of marketing to an audience that is constantly bombarded with marketing messages. Here are some of the most common strategies and activities involved:
Great landing page
A mobile app needs a website that it can download from or directs users to the Google Play Store for Android apps or the App Store for iOS. A web-based desktop version is not required. This landing page will usually be the only one.
The landing page must convince anyone who visits it to download the App. It must be optimized for conversions, and the copy should be engaging and persuasive. Finding a landing page that converts visitors into downloads of mobile apps is often tricky.
App Stores: Prominent placement
Your mobile App must be easily found in Google Play and App Store. This will ensure that it can be found by everyone searching for it or looking for similar apps. App store marketing is now a separate marketing discipline. You'll need someone to ensure your App is prominently displayed in Google Play and the App Store.
PPC, influencers, and media coverage.
You will need to run the same multi-channel marketing campaign for commercial apps, mainly if they are in competitive spaces like mobile gaming and e-commerce.
This could include SEO, PPC search engine marketing, social media marketing, working with influencers, PR campaigns, guerrilla advertising techniques, rewards for users who invite others, and old-fashioned billboards or placements on public transport.
Your marketing budget and the App's business model will significantly impact your marketing strategy and mix of channels. However, no matter the circumstances, a well-run campaign is key to getting downloads and users in the numbers you need.
Mobile app monetization
Mobile apps do not all have to be made to make money. An app might be built for an IoT device like a smart fridge, central heating system, or smart refrigerator. In this case, the App is functional. It could also be used to book customers at a hair salon or plumbing business.
Apps like these can indirectly earn you a return on your investment by making a minimum viable product or improving its quality. This App can be used to push information about new products or services to customers. The App can be used as a communication channel between users and businesses. This is a special feature that should be embraced.
The main monetization models for mobile apps that generate direct revenues are:
In-app ads
Users will accept some in-app advertising if your App is free and provides added value. If your App is well-known, you can sign up for one of the major mobile advertising networks such as Google AdMob. Or you can go it alone and make direct agreements with advertisers. You must be mindful of the App Store and Play policies. They will take a 30% non-negotiable cut of any revenue generated from apps downloaded from their stores.
Version without ads
Apps that make money through in-app advertisements can offer users the opportunity to pay a small amount for an ad-free version. This can be a great way to generate solid revenue from mobile apps.
Freemium
A freemium app is one that lets anyone use a limited version of an app for free, but they must pay to access the full functionality. A fitness app may offer one or a few exercise programs for free, but charge extra to unlock more. For other features and value-added functions.
Mobile games are freemium. This means that they can be downloaded for free, but you will need to pay for in-app purchases to unlock additional levels or speed up progress.
Data licensing
An app must have many users to make it profitable. There are many examples of data licensing businesses that have been very successful, such as Foursquare and Waze.
E-commerce
E-commerce apps make money by selling products almost in the same way that an ecommerce website does. Apps offer shoppers an easier version of the main website.
In conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive guide to mobile app development for 2022. This gives you a solid overview of the market for mobile apps and all the steps involved in developing a mobile app.
We hope that you have now the knowledge and tools to avoid common pitfalls in app development. We'd love to speak with you about your next mobile app development project. Drop us a note for a free chat.
