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Due to the exploding popularity of smartphones and tablets, mobile application development is an increasingly popular medium of software creation.Mobile App Development In fact, mobile apps have become an essential element of most businesses, and revenues are projected to hit nearly $600 billion in 2020. This prolific and growing industry has attracted businesses from every corner of the marketplace as consumers detach themselves from desktop computing and turn to their mobile devices.
The creation of mobile applications has much of its roots in traditional software development. The end result, however, is software intended to utilize the unique features and hardware of mobile devices. Modern smartphones are equipped with Bluetooth, NFC, gyroscopic sensors, GPS and cameras. They can be used for virtual or augmented reality, barcode scanning, and more. Mobile apps should utilize the full range of smartphone features, which is easier said than done.
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With desktop PC software development, programmers must create an application that can operate on a minimum set of hardware. The same goes for mobile applications, though the hardware variances in this instance are much more minimal. At the same time, the hardware in smartphones and tablets doesn’t quite match that in laptops and desktop computers, which means mobile apps must be designed to show optimal performance
For example, a gaming app would be limited in its graphical elements because of the less powerful graphics processors in mobile devices. Mobile App Development With that said, cloud computing is making it easier than ever to accomplish mobile gaming. Popular games such as Fortnite, Hearthstone and PUBG connect players across computers, phones and even consoles.
Solving the issue of performance on any given device ultimately depends on developing an app natively on that device. This means designing the code specifically for the hardware on a particular device. In the instance of iOS devices, this proves quite easy, as mobile developers only need versions of the app for the iPhone and iPad to achieve universal usability. Mobile App Development For Android devices, however, each smartphone or tablet runs on different hardware and varying versions of the operating system.
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Web-based apps, on the other hand, don’t depend on the device; they run off of a web browser, making them cheaper to develop and easier to access. However, their performance doesn’t compare to that of a native app. For example, with web apps, you cannot use the phone’s full features or send proper notifications, and they look less professional.
Like desktop software, mobile apps are designed using a wide range of programming languages and frameworks. While the most popular operating systems, iOS and Android, have done an excellent job of standardizing the types of mobile app development available to programmers, apps can still vary. Here are some mobile app types:
These are apps created for a specific platform (iOS or Android) using the software development tools and languages supported by those operating systems. iOS uses Xcode and Objective-C, whereas Android uses Eclipse and Java. Developers often prefer native apps because of their ability to utilize a device’s full potential. With smart home devices becoming more common, developers are creating unique applications that integrate things like wearables, Internet of Things sensors and smart screens for personalized experiences. Of course, development for each platform is a costly and time-consuming process that doesn’t work for all businesses.
Based on the near-universal standards of web technologies – HTML5, JavaScript and CSS – this type of mobile app takes a write-once-run-anywhere approach to mobile development. Apps developed in this framework are compatible with many platforms and require only minimal changes to ensure complete functionality on each operating system. HTML5 apps can still send desktop notifications and trigger interactions through email and other avenues. Don’t discount web apps’ usability, but keep in mind that consumers are more likely to use a native app. A study from Oracle found that millennials spend 90% of their mobile time in apps and 10% in web browsers.
These apps entail the creation of a container developed in the native system that makes it possible to embed an HTML5 app within it. This allows apps to make use of the diverse and unique elements of each native system. Before creating your own branded app, consider utilizing existing apps for greater impact. For example, by using mobile-focused marketing on services such as Yelp, Facebook and Google Maps, you can drive traffic to both your website and brick-and-mortar location.
Mobile app development requires access to software development kits (SDKs) that provide a simulated mobile environment for programmers to design and test code. However, creating an app does not require full use of these kits. For example, developers can create mobile games using Unity and then use the Android SDK to ensure its deliverability on mobile devices. Developing apps for iOS requires a paid iOS developer license, whereas the Android SDK is freely available to users.
iOS and Android have similar mobile market shares (47% and 52% respectively), but developing for Apple is somewhat easier in that you don’t need to worry about a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. Whichever operating system you choose, however, there are barriers to entry.
Mobile app development is changing constantly. Typically, every six months or so, a new version of an operating system rolls out with unique features that mobile apps can utilize. Developing for a specific version of the operating system, or even for a native operating system, usually requires developers to try multiple solutions to find the one that suits their development needs.
Failure to keep up with development updates could cause catastrophic cybersecurity issues. Consider the costs of developing an app, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000 to start, plus the costs for continued development and maintenance. If Android or iOS releases a new OS update, you can be delisted quickly for being incompatible.
Developing an app is only worthwhile if it’s a great app. A poor user experience will drive customers away. Be mindful of the user experience and realistic about your budget.
Regardless of the type of project you want to bring to life, the app development process has six key steps. Breaking the project down into these simple steps will help you develop your app quickly and efficiently.
Just a few short years ago, if you wanted to develop an app, you had to either know how to code or pay someone to develop the app for you. Fortunately, low-code and no-code apps and services have appeared over the past several years to help you bring your vision to fruition. Here are five platforms to help you build a mobile app:
Throughout all the app projects we’ve worked on, one consistent trend I noticed is that mobile app development is like a black box especially if you don’t know how to code.
If you’re considering building a mobile app for your small to medium-sized business, you need to know exactly what it takes to execute. According to a recent study, about one in five SMBs have currently built a mobile app and about that many plan to launch one in 2016.
Mobile use statistics tell a very compelling story for businesses still on the fence:
Of course, even with all the evidence in favor of building an app, the decision to move forward isn’t one to be taken lightly. With about 1.5 million apps each in Google Play and Apple’s App Store, it’s important to understand the mobile app development process and how your app will fit with both your market niche and your marketing goals. With that said, here’s a look at the app development lifecycle and the objectives and challenges along the way.
You may already have a few good mobile app ideas for your business, and that’s a good place to start. But before you move into the design and development phase, your first step should be a deep dive into research—into your own business and target audience, as well as that of your competitors. You’ll need answers to the following questions:
If you haven’t done so already, put together your app development team with members from relevant departments (executive leadership, marketing and/or sales, product development, IT, etc.) and hash out the information you gathered during the research and discovery phases. Informed feedback in these early stages will pave the way for a smoother development process.
This is a crucial step in the planning phase of your mobile app. Once you’ve determined an app will advance important objectives in your mobile marketing scheme, you need to map out how your app will get you there.
In many cases, determining your app’s features and benefits is a balancing act between your overall app development budget and your in-house capabilities. However, when it comes to prioritizing functionality, research shows that app design should emphasize customer engagement over exclusive services.
Image via pidoco
At this stage, you should have a pretty good idea about what your app will look like and what features you want to include. You should also have developed a scope of work—which pieces of the process will be performed in-house and which will be contracted out. Now it’s time to start sketching out your app and creating a storyboard.
There are many online tools for wireframing your app; your goal at this point is to develop a clear picture of how your ideas and proposed features will fuse together into a functional app. You should also create a storyboard, or roadmap, to demonstrate the connections between each screen and how users will navigate through the app. Keep these pointers in mind as you sketch:
Your wireframes and storyboard will serve as a guide for the backend structures you’ll need to support your app—think APIs, data diagrams, servers, data integration, and push notification services. In many cases, SMEs find choosing a mobile backend as a service (BaaS) platform makes sense, since they solve common challenges such as scalability and lack of in-house talent.
One caveat: You may need to modify your wireframes and/or storyboard if you encounter technical limitations in the backend development process, so stay flexible at this early stage.
Image courtesy of Dribbble.com
At this point, you should nail down any changes in your wireframe identified during the backend planning process. Once your team has agreed upon the wireframe and storyboard, it’s time to build an interactive prototype.
Prototyping is an essential step in the app development process, because it gives you an opportunity to really evaluate design concepts, gather feedback, and identify dead links and flaws in the flow and usability of your mobile app. There are several good prototyping tools available online to simplify the process.
It’s a good idea to bring in people who are not part of your mobile app team to test and evaluate your prototype. Observe them as they interact with the app and ask for honest feedback on the app’s overall functionality and ease of use. Adapt the UI/UX to correct for any shortcomings identified during this stage.
Your goal is to finalize your app design concept and create a high fidelity prototype that will guide you through the actual app development process.
Actually developing the app involves a number of steps and processes. If you aren’t using an app development platform or mobile BaaS provider, your developer will have to set up the actual storage solutions, databases, APIs, and servers for the backend of your app.
Don’t forget to set up developer accounts for the app stores you plan to use to distribute your app, if you don’t already have them; this step can take several days to complete and is easy to overlook. It’s also a good idea to read through the app store guidelines so your app isn’t rejected during the review process.
You’re now ready to move into the programming and coding phase. If you’ve hired outside talent to develop your app, be sure to get a signed non-disclosure agreement and establish a timeline for deliverables. Keep in mind the “hire slow, fire fast” maxim and give yourself a quick out if you aren’t pleased with your programmer’s capabilities after the project starts.
At this stage, your designer will create the app “skins,” or actual screens used in your mobile app. These high-resolution renderings of your wireframes represent the interface your users will eventually use to interact with your app, so make sure your designs incorporate all the ideas and feedback collected during the earlier testing phase. After all, you are creating an app you want your customers and target audience to actually enjoy using, so UI/UX details matter.
This is an exciting time in the app development lifecycle—you finally have a complete app concept with exciting graphics and perfectly placed text. Now you need to rigorously test your app in a variety of real-world scenarios to sniff out and correct any technical flaws.
Go back to your original design and planning documents and go through every feature; don’t assume something works in the final concept just because it worked during the development phase.
Again, it’s a good idea to observe other users as they test the app—they may have questions and insights that aren’t obvious to you since you’ve been involved in app development since the earliest days. You may even want to use one of the online mobile UX testing tools that give you real-time feedback and analytics; several work on a freemium model that is cost effective for SMEs. Be sure to test for cross platform compatibility of images, graphics, and user experience.
When you’re confident your app is working correctly in all scenarios and you’re happy with the appearance and usability of the interface, it’s time to make the final preparations to launch your mobile app.
The steps you take to prepare for your app launch may have the greatest effect on its ultimate success, and getting your marketing department involved early in the process is one of the most important. Marketing will help you with keyword research, which is essential for SEO and app store optimization (ASO), both of which are key for discoverability.
Your market and keyword research will guide your choices for app titles and descriptions as you prepare to submit your mobile app to the various marketplaces for distribution. You’ll also want to get high-quality screenshots of your app and maybe even a promotional video and/or demo at this point.
You’ll also need a website—or at least a landing page—to support and promote your app. This is important for branding and awareness, and also for search and discoverability; Google’s App Indexing API uses content within your app and your app’s web page in its search results algorithm. Key components of your app’s landing page or website should include:
Be sure to promote your app on your business website and on your social media accounts; if you have a company blog, publish updates throughout the development process to create interest and anticipation. It’s also a good idea to launch an email campaign. Depending on your market niche and the type of app you are building, you may also want to enlist the help of experts and social influencers to help promote your app.
As you walk through your app promotion checklist, don’t forget to include app analytics to help you optimize your app and increase its appeal to your target audience. Google Analytics is a good place to start.
Now is also a good time to consider alternative app marketplaces, aside from Apple’s App Store and Google Play, to distribute your app. Another option to consider during the pre-launch phase is submitting your app to PreApps, an app marketplace that connects developers with early adopters, for some pre-release feedback.
Your official release date should represent the climax of your app marketing efforts up to this point. It’s time to create some buzz with write-ups and articles by influential bloggers and journalists—and to make an announcement to everyone who showed interest in your app prior to launch. Promote your release with an email blast and mentions (with links) on all your social media profiles. The idea is to generate downloads and ratings, and build some momentum.
Don’t rest on your laurels once your app is released; you want to keep your new users engaged. This is a great time to use push notifications to announce a special offer or promotion so users will open your app. Consider offering incentives such as a one-time discount or free product or service for customers who download your app. Remember that marketing your app is an ongoing process, and your release-date efforts are just the beginning.
Finally, have a clear channel for feedback and be responsive to the comments and concerns of your users; a timely update or fix can work wonders for retaining your customers. Pay attention to your analytics and track those KPIs that define success for your marketing objectives.
Once you understand the key processes and steps in the mobile app development lifecycle, you’ll be better prepared to develop an app with the function and features you need—on a budget and timeline you can comfortably manage.