Before you invest your time in creating a new mobile app, you should consider whether it will bring more revenue and whether it is helpful to your business goals.
Take a step back and evaluate your idea before jumping into development. The first phase of the mobile app development process is deciding whether your idea will work or not.
An enterprise mobility strategy is about figuring out how your idea fits into a bigger picture, including infrastructure and processes for mobile apps.
It’s essential to think about all the aspects of developing an app before starting the process. This includes understanding who will use the app, what features are needed, and how it will be marketed, supported and maintained long-term.
The average cost of developing an app ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 and takes four to six months to complete. Keep in mind that these costs can vary greatly depending on the application’s features.
Before starting development, make sure you have a realistic budget and understand what resources are necessary to bring your project to life.
Choose a suitable platform
When it comes to developing a mobile app, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which platform to use. This decision is based on several factors, including the operating system (OS) that your app will run on, the features you want to include, and your budget.
There are four primary mobile platforms: React Native, iOS, Android, and Windows 10. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re not sure which platform to choose, here’s a quick overview:
React Native: React Native is a cross-platform development tool that uses JavaScript to create native mobile apps. It allows developers to reuse code across different platforms, making it attractive for companies with limited resources. However, React Native apps don’t always look or feel like native apps.
iOS: Apple’s iOS is the most popular mobile OS globally, and it offers a wealth of features and has a loyal following among users. However, development costs can be high due to Apple’s stringent requirements for submitting apps to its App Store.
Android: Android is the most popular mobile OS globally and offers a wide range of customization options. However, fragmentation can be an issue – there are dozens of different Android devices on the market, and not all of them are supported by the latest version of the OS.
Windows 10: Microsoft’s Windows 10 is a relative newcomer to the mobile market, but it offers some unique features that other platforms don’t have. For example, Windows 10 can run on a wide range of devices, from phones to laptops to tablets. However, its market share is still relatively small compared to iOS and Android.
Perform market research
It is essential to do your research before you develop a mobile app. This involves understanding your target audience, the competitive landscape, and what features and functionality people want in an app.
One way to get this information is by conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This will help you validate your ideas and make sure that you are creating an app that meets your customers’ needs.
Another critical factor to consider is whether or not the app should be an extension of your business. If so, it’s important to make sure that it improves the customer experience. Remember that not all apps are successful, even if they are well-designed and meet customer needs. It’s important to carefully evaluate the potential for success before spending time and money on development.
Consider app opportunities
There are many opportunities for businesses that develop a mobile app. One of the main advantages of having a mobile app is that it allows you to integrate multiple marketing strategies easily. This increases profits because you can more effectively reach your target audience.
For example, combining online and offline marketing methods with a mobile app effectively increases revenue. You can use QR codes in print advertising or television commercials to direct people to your app’s download page. Additionally, you can include links to your app in your email signature and on your company’s website.
Another excellent opportunity for businesses that have a mobile app is content marketing. Content marketing has the potential to increase lead generation and sales. It’s a low cost, time-consuming, and has a broad audience reach. And best of all, content marketing helps build customer loyalty by establishing trust and credibility with your target market.
Consider if you really need a mobile app
When you’re thinking about developing an app, it’s vital first to justify the reason why. Often, businesses make the mistake of assuming that having an app is the same as having a website. However, this isn’t always the case. To create a successful app, you need to define how your app is different from your website and what value it will bring to users.
Too often, companies rush into development without a clear vision for their app and then wonder why it doesn’t work out well for them. It’s critical to have a good idea of what you want your app to do before starting any development process. This way, you can be sure that the end result will be something that meets your users’ needs and expectations.
Functionality testing is one of the most critical aspects of creating an app. Each user will use an app differently, and you need to test for all possible scenarios. Functional testing ensures that your app works correctly on all devices and platforms, with all possible configurations. It also includes verifying that updates function perfectly across all distribution channels.
Consider user experience
One of the most important aspects of app design is understanding your users. What do they want and need? What are their goals? What are they looking for in an app?
It’s important to keep apps as simple and straightforward as possible so that the user doesn’t feel overloaded. The idea is to implement a familiar layout and look while avoiding unusual or uncommon layouts. This makes it easier for users to navigate the app and understand what it does.
App design is focused on the user’s experience. Everything from the layout and colors to how easy it is to use needs to be considered. Keep in mind that people use apps for different reasons, so designing an all-encompassing app may not be realistic or desirable. Try to focus on one specific task or goal that the app can help users achieve.
Sketching out your app wireframes allows you to focus on important interface aspects before moving into design elements and styles. This helps you avoid making decisions too early in the design process that may not be feasible or desirable. Focusing on user feedback at this stage can also help you create a better final product.
User interface design is essential, especially for touch screen devices like smartphones and tablets. Apple’s recommendation for a touch screen size of 44 pixels square is appropriate. Remember that people use apps in different ways, so you may need to design for different screen sizes and orientations.
Make sure users can easily navigate your app. One way to do this is by using standard buttons and icons that they’re already familiar with. Another is to avoid complex or unusual layouts. Remember, the easier it is for users to understand and use your app, the more likely they will keep using it.
Build wireframes
Designers use wireframes to plan the structure and layout of a website, app, or other product. Wireframes can be created with software that allows for basic drawings, such as a whiteboard, paper, or a simple diagramming tool.
The purpose of wireframing is to create a low-fidelity prototype that can be used to test out ideas and get feedback from users or stakeholders. Wireframes are typically very rough sketches that show the general structure of the product but not the detail.
Most designers use specialized wireframing tools such as Balsamiq or Adobe XD, which allow for more sophisticated designs and interactions. However, even something as simple as PowerPoint or Keynote can be used to create wireframes.
Once you have created your wireframes, you can share them with others for feedback. inVision is a popular tool for turning wireframes into interactive prototypes.
Decide on a development path
When it comes to developing a mobile app, one of the first decisions you need to make is what type of app you want to create. Do you want to build an app for Android users? An iOS app for Apple users? Or do you want your app to work on both platforms?
Once you’ve decided which platform(s) you want to develop for, the next step is choosing your development path. This decision will determine what coding language(s) you’ll use and what tools and frameworks are available.
If someone wants to build iOS apps on the iOS platform, they can develop an iOS app using Objective-C or Swift. For Android apps, developers can use Java or Kotlin. And for cross-platform apps that work on both Android and iOS devices, there are several options, including React Native, Framework 7, and PhoneGap/Cordova.
The choice between native app development and cross-platform frameworks can determine how much performance, security, or rich user experience is needed. Cross-platform frameworks offer a way to develop an app that looks and feels like a native app on both platforms, but they don’t always provide the same level of performance or functionality. If these are important to your app, you may need to choose native development.
Hybrid apps are great for development teams who want to focus on their core expertise rather than the app development process. These apps are developed using a cross-platform framework like React Native and then compiled into a native app for each platform. This allows developers to use their existing skillset and knowledge of React Native to create an app that works on both Android and iOS devices.
App-building platforms like BuildFire allow you to build mobile apps without any coding experience. These platforms provide all the tools necessary to design, develop, and deploy your app. And since they’re based on cross-platform frameworks, your app will work on both Android and iOS devices.
If you’re a start-up or don’t have much budget, go for hybrid apps; if you have some money but no time, go for an advanced app-building platform like BuildFire. Some popular application building platforms even offer a free option.
And finally, if you’re starting with Android development, Google’s Java-based language Kotlin is the best option. With XCode IDE and Swift 5 knowledge, you can also develop iOS devices’ apps!
Pick a suitable app developer
Now that you understand what is involved in the mobile app development process, it is time to choose the right development company. This is an important decision, as the company you select will be responsible for executing your vision and ensuring a positive user experience.
When selecting a mobile app development company, be sure to ask the following questions:
- What platforms do you specialize in?
- What design tools do you use?
- Can you provide examples of apps you have developed?
- Do you have any experience with my type of app?
- How quickly can you turn around the changes or additions I request?
- What is your communication style like (e.g., are you responsive to emails, Skype, etc.)?
- What time zone do you work in?
- Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of (like maintenance or hosting fees)?
Create MVA (minimum viable app)
Building a minimum viable product (MVP) is crucial for any successful app development strategy. An MVP helps you focus on your app’s essential features and test market viability. It also allows you to refine your app by answering questions such as “What problem does my app solve?” and “Which are the features I must have in my app?”.
Creating an MVP can be a complex process, but it’s worth it for the insights you gain into your product and its potential market. The MVP should be sleek, modern, and high quality in design, and it should also focus on reliability rather than looks or design quality. Most importantly, it should provide value to its users.
Test your app performance
To measure the success of your mobile app, you need to track more metrics now than ever before. It would be best to consider different types of parameters to get an accurate picture of how well your app is performing.
Performance testing is one way to understand how your app functions under different conditions. This type of testing can help you determine how well your app handles concurrent users and how it responds under load. You can also use performance data to pinpoint any areas that may need improvement.
Google and Apple provide rankings for mobile apps, but they don’t tell the whole story. To get a more accurate view of your app’s performance, you’ll need to do some testing on your own using various tools and methods. By tracking rankings and conducting performance tests, you’ll have a better understanding of what aspects of your app need work-and which ones are running smoothly.
Decide on methods of earning from your app
There are many different ways to make money from an app. Determining the right path for your app is key to a successful launch. The most common option is implementing advertisements in your app. Advertisers will pay you every time someone clicks on their ad. This can be a lucrative option, but it can also annoy users if done incorrectly.
Another option is making your app paid. This can be a great way to generate revenue upfront, but it may limit the number of people downloading your app. If you have a well-known brand or market leader in your category, you may be able to charge users for downloads and still be successful.
A final option is using a pay-per-click or pay-per-view model before someone downloads your app. This can be a great way to generate revenue without annoying users with ads or making them pay upfront. However, this strategy requires more marketing effort since people need to know about your app before downloading it.
Research the cost of creating a mobile app
There are numerous factors to consider when developing an app, and one of the most important is how much it will cost. The cost can vary greatly depending on several different factors, including the platform for which the app is developed.
Another significant consideration is whether or not users are required to log in to use the app. This decision can considerably impact how much funding is needed to get the project off the ground.
Aside from login requirements, another determinant of cost is the features and design standards included in the app. Developers need to have a clear idea of what they want their app to look like before they start coding to scale it up or down as needed. Standards should be kept in mind when estimating costs and what kind of functionality the app will need.
To communicate with other apps, you will need a program called an API (Application Programming Interface). Not all developers include this in their estimate, but it can be an expensive add-on if it’s not already built into your budget.
It’s also essential for developers to remember that rates vary depending on geographical location. Western European and UK-based app developers charge between $35 and $170 per hour, while Eastern European companies charge from $20-$120. At this time, India is the cheapest option for developing apps.
Keep in mind that these are just averages, and the final cost of an app will depend on the project’s specific needs. In addition to developer fees, it’s common to include charges for a UX/UI designer and project manager. The Project Manager is responsible for liaising with clients and coordinating app development, while the Business Developer carries out functions on behalf of the director by supervising the mobile app development process.
Marketing your mobile app
When you’re marketing an app, it’s crucial to think about how people will find it. You need to make sure you’re doing everything you can to get your app in front of as many people as possible.
One way to do this is by using A/B testing. This is a great way to see how users receive different app versions. You can test different colors, designs, and even features to see what works best.
Another thing you need to consider is mobile marketing. This can be tricky, so avoid common mistakes like weak SEO or disorganized social media marketing. Make sure you have a strategy for each platform and that your content is engaging and relevant.
It would help if you also thought about how people will find out about your app regardless of whether or not they have a problem that needs solving. People are often already employed with a particular solution, and convincing them to change can be difficult. But remember, marketing is not the villain! It’s a high-risk, high-reward process with many chances of making errors. So be prepared for setbacks and keep pushing forward.
It’s also vital that you have a great app before launching it. This will help you avoid marketing pitfalls and ensure that your hard work pays off.
What’s next?
What happens after you’ve built the app, advertised it, and users begin to use it? The lifecycle of the application has only just begun.
After completing the app’s development phase, there are two critical steps to take.
Feedback
User feedback is critical when it comes to optimizing your app’s performance. After you publish an app, this does not prevent you from making changes. Indeed, once users begin interacting with your app, you can gauge how they feel about it.
You can solicit feedback from your users regarding your application. For instance, send an email to everyone asking what they like about the app and what areas could be improved, no more than a line or two. Additionally, you can see what other users have rated and the types of reviews they have left. Further, you can communicate with folks on Instagram or Facebook pages and allow them to express themselves. Clients always benefit from user feedback as it enables them to improve and grow.
Another technique is to employ application analytics. You can track your app’s popularity, as can the demographics of your users, such as their age range, location, and preferred language.
Maintenance
The purpose of collecting user feedback is to ensure that your app is maintained. There are primarily three ways to update your app.
Feature requests: If your audience has raised concerns or suggested additional features for your app, you can resolve them in potential feature updates. Additionally, you can incorporate new features into the app if your customers require them.
Bug fixes: Once your application has been published, it will be used by many people. You may discover that the app is having some issues. For instance, specific screens take a little longer to load. You can resolve these bugs and others in future updates and maintain the app.
Major software updates: Anytime Apple or Google releases a new version of their software, you must update your app concurrently. As a result, you will be responsible for maintaining your application.
Final thoughts
Keeping these points in mind as you develop a mobile phone app can help make it less fragile. That said, mobile application development is a strategic decision, not a technical one, and as such, it must be ingrained in the company’s values and objectives.
