Mobile phone penetration and application usage are profiling steadily. Certainly, there are no chances of its slowing down any time soon. It is evident that mobile app development for business is, considerably, profitable. However, there are several big giants who already had mobile applications for their niches and earned the right amount of ROI. Do you want to create an app but are unaware of the process? Our guide is here for your assistance! We aim to unveil the steps involved in creating a mobile app, check out!
How to Develop a Mobile App?
Know the basics first
First thing first, it is vital to know if you are following the right path in building the app or not. Are your ideas worth that penny or not? Read on to find out!
- Aim of an app: What is the purpose behind creating an app? Do you need it in actuality? Is your viewpoint the right fit considering the target audience or niche? Does your company have sufficient resources to market it?
- Do you know your target audience? Whom will you consider as your potential customers?
- What will be your mobile application USP? Which vital features will it have? What could be the reasons for using the app? How will you stay ahead of your competitors?
- Do your competitors have the same app? Or are you different?
- Do you know the process of app development involves time, effort and time? Are you all set for this?
- What have you thought about application promotion? What is the vision you have for the initial 500 visitors?
Start Converting Ideas into Reality
This step demands you to give shape to your vision and turn them into reality. Begin monitoring and planning by describing use cases and getting comprehensive functional needs.
Once the need for an app is determined, work on making a roadmap. It is nothing but listing down the mobile app needs and categorizing them into fulfilling milestones. Because it is known that cost, resources and time are of utmost importance, therefore, describe Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Also, the app development planning phase integrates describing the skills required for the initiative of app development. That is to say, the Android and iOS mobile platforms have separate development technological stacks. Certainly, if the aim is to create an app for both platforms, then, you must hire an iOS and android app development team.
Make the Mobile application wireframe
After you are done with your idea, make a blueprint on the app, that is wireframe. It includes the app design and functionality. In addition, it supports knowing the appearance and functionality of an app.
To know, the aim of the application wireframe is to provide representation to theory. Furthermore, it assists the app developers and works as a guide for them. Below are some guidelines on the mobile app development:
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User Flow Map
At the initial stage, you need to know the map of the user flow as it is vital for the app to have a particular goal.
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Make a mobile frame
It is recommended to choose a frame that has the same dimensions as a real device for design. For that, the frame needs to be a generic constraint. It prevents you from including various elements on one screen. Then, it generates an illustration of the real design. Here, it is better, to begin with, the mid-size screen.
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Leverage various design patterns
When it comes to UX design, familiarity is essential. Consider when the users check the same UI elements in different products, they remember their past experiences consequently. Definitely, Android and iOS include native design patterns that ease the mobile designing procedure by making the experience familiar to designers. The designing patterns behave as a reusable content block and they can be used to solve the general issues.
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Assure the right scale of content
Does your design appear best on the iPhone XS? If so, then, it’s good! But, answer if it is looking the same in every screen size? Remember if the screen is appearing better on one device then, it will appear the content right on iPhone XS max or more advanced models. So, it is best to begin with the middle-size screen while carrying out the wireframing process. Also, it is vital to examine how the screen is appearing on other screen sizes and make the adjustment accordingly.
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Use Design sprints to remove the designing mess
While wireframing, there might be confusion on if your decisions are correct or not. There are chances that you might find one design of iOS is better than others, and there is a need to include other functionalities or features. If we talk about design sprints, then, it is a scientific method of collective brainstorming that makes access easy. It defines the features that need to be created first and that require to be eliminated. Also, it saves the development money and time by confirming the concepts and groundwork of designing and wireframing becomes easy.
Choose the Right Platform
Deciding the platform for mobile app development is an important decision. Basically, it involves the below options:
- Native App: From the available tools and supportive development language, skilled developers create an application on particular platforms like iOS and Android.
- Hybrid and Cross Platform App: A single mobile app created on HTML5 and usage is done on various platforms. Downloading them is easy from any application store such as native apps.
- HTML5 Web App: Basically, it is an optimized mobile site that shows as a native app and operates on a mobile browser. Such web apps are platform-independent and offer the best functionality and user experience. These are helpful to be created for cases in which either the app is not permitted by the app store. Or, if the end users fail to download the application.
Mobile App Development
Planning is the fundamental part of the process of mobile app development. Before initiating the programing effort, you need to:
- Describe the technical prototype
- Choose the technological stack
- Represent the development milestone
In general, the mobile app development project comprises three fundamental parts, such as API (s), server technology, backend and mobile application front-end technology.
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Server/backend technology
It comprises server-side and database objects required to support mobile application functionality. In case, an existing backend platform is used, then modifications are needed for a new mobile application.
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Mobile Application Front End
It is a native mobile application installed by the end user and communicates on mobile devices. In a number of cases, the mobile application has interactive user experiences depending on real-time data and needs a network connection between the back-end and front-end applications. Also, the application needs to operate offline and use data storage on smart devices.
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Application Programming Interface
An API is a technique of communication among the back-end database/server and application. Using micro service-oriented architecture with actual encryption standards permits businesses for making a secured and scalable interface for data exchange between the back end and front end of mobile applications.
Application Testing and Improve
Running a code assesses the process in the development and supports ensuring no bug or error is left to solve. When there are fully-functional and visually attractive apps, then, perform the usability testing. Here, you can find out the errors ignored earlier and work on them.
Launching the Beta Version of Mobile App
The beta version of some applications engages early adopters. Of course, it is a vital step in handling mobile apps mainstream. This early adopter gives maximum reviews on the application benefits and setbacks. Also, their rating and experience assist in understanding the app acceptance. Indeed, word-of-mouth improves business reputation and lets the admin capture more and more users.
Launch the App Now and Start Marketing!
As of now, the designing, testing and development of the mobile app are done. Now, launch it on the Apple store or Google Play store. And, then, start marketing the apps to the target audience.
Concluding Remarks
The process of mobile app development is defined above. Assuredly, you might find these steps easy to implement. With 6.3 billion mobile phone users globally, it confirmed that mobile apps have a major role to play in it. Developing the one for your business is highly important for long-term success. Also, updating it regularly with recent tools and technologies is also recommended.
Do you already have an app? What benefits does it give to your business? Let us know!
