Mobile apps will generate $693 billion in revenue through app stores and in-app ads by 2022. Enterprise mobility is expected to generate $510.39 billion by 2022.
Many companies want to capitalize on this trend but many dont know how to make an app. Your company can achieve success in the competitive landscape of these growth projections, but only if you have a well-cultivated mobile app development process.
In this digitally advanced world, it is vital that mobile app development processes are in place for global businesses.
Apps have been able to generate billions in revenue through app stores and in-app advertising. This is why mobile app development is so popular with enterprises.
Mobile app development is one of many global outsourcing processes that business companies use. Even though they want to use app development, no one knows how to create mobile apps.
However, a mobile app development company that is innovative and entrepreneurial can help you create mobile apps that will increase your competitiveness and grow.
What is Mobile Application Development?
Mobile app development involves a variety of processes and procedures that include coding software for handheld, wireless computing devices such as smartphones, and other hand-held devices.
This combination, which has its roots in software development, takes full advantage of the built-in features of each mobile device. A gaming app could be created to control the accelerometer of an iPhone.
The two most popular mobile platforms for developing apps are iOS and Android. To make the best app, it is important to identify the type of mobile platform you are developing for and to adapt your app development process accordingly.
If we classify them by the technology they use to code them, there are three types of mobile apps.
Native Apps
A native mobile app is an app that is designed and developed specifically for one type of device platforms, such as Android or iOS.
It uses a specialized programming language.
The device platform must have access to the native coding language chosen by developers in order to build a native app.
This category includes offline mobile games and dictionary apps.
#Cons of Native Apps:
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Simple code that is specific to the device and its OS allows for fast performance
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More efficient use of OS and device-specific functionalities.
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Interactive UI/UX
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It is easier to configure and has fewer compatibility issues.
#Cons of Native Apps:
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It can take a lot of time to build OS-specific apps
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It is difficult to learn OS-specific programming languages such as Swift and Java.
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To ensure stability, longer release cycles are required.
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To add new features, you will need a separate codebase.
Hybrid Mobile Apps
Hybrid mobile apps can be built with different web technologies, such as JavaScript or HTML5. Hybrid apps are web applications that use elements from both native and Web-based apps.
Hybrid apps share many of the same pros and cons as native and web-based mobile apps.
It is relatively simple to begin with the hybrid app development process, which is an obvious advantage.
The codebase of hybrid apps allows for easy maintenance and smooth updates. However, hybrid apps are slower, less performant, and more optimized than native mobile apps. Apps inability to view the same way across different platforms can also cause design problems.
#Cons of Hybrid Apps:
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Lower business costs
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No installation is needed.
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It is easier to reach because it can be accessed from any location.
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Always up-to date
#Cons of Hybrid Apps:
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When youre offline, web apps stop working.
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Native apps offer a greater number of functions, but fewer functionalities.
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It takes longer to develop.
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Security risk
Web Apps
Web apps work in the same way as native apps but can be accessed through a web browser from your mobile device. These apps are not standalone in the sense that you have to install code on your device.
They are responsive websites, which adapt their user interface to the device being used.
When you click on the "install" button for a web application, it will often bookmark the URL of the site to your device.
The progressive web app (PWA) is a type of web app that runs inside a browser.
#Cons of Web Apps:
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It is easy to construct
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It is cheaper to use shared code than native apps
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It is easy to push new features because it only uses one codebase.
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Can work offline.
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The app can be deployed on multiple OSs, which reduces the time it takes to get to market.
#Cons of Web Apps:
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Complex apps that have many functions can slow down an app.
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Web app development is quite expensive
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Less interactive than native apps
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OS-specific tasks cannot be performed by apps
Types of Mobile App Development Platforms
Two platforms are dominant in the current smartphone market. The iOS platform is from Apple Inc. The operating system that powers Apple's popular iPhone smartphones is called the iOS platform.
Android from Google is the second. Android is not just used by Google devices, but many OEMs also use it to create their own smartphones.
Mobile Application Development Processes and Procedures
Modern technologies make it much easier to develop mobile apps. An average app can be available on the Android or iOS markets in just a few hours.
Is it going to be downloaded and searched for by users?
It will be difficult to make your app stand out in a sea of apps. Is this to say that it is impossible? Its not possible!
You can create a mobile app that can be shared and installed on tablets and smartphones all around the globe by following the steps of mobile app development.
Sounds interesting? Lets take a closer look.
Start from Idea
Its as obvious as it sounds, every app development project starts with an idea. If you are lucky enough to know what you want, you can move on to the next stage.
These are five simple questions to ask yourself if you want to create an app but dont know where or how to begin.
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Whats the purpose of my application?
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Which problems will my app solve?
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What is my apps target audience?
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Do other apps address the same issues?
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What will make my application stand out from the rest?
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Why should people download my app and continue to use it?
These questions will help you to define your goals and set your development strategy in the right direction.
Start from Idea
The strategy to transform your idea into a viable app is the first step of mobile app development. This may be a significant component of your enterprise mobility strategy.
Regardless of the apps goals, there are still specific app-specific impacts that you need to address in your mobility strategy development.
This phase will include:
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Identify app users
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Examine the competition
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Establish the apps goals & objectives
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Choose a mobile platform to host your app
Mobile apps can cost anywhere from $45,000 to $200,000, and take up to six months to create. The strategy will help you focus your vision and give you a clear idea of the app idea.
This will help you to move on to the next stage of mobile app development.
Planning and Analysis
This stage is where your app idea begins to take shape and becomes a real project. Analysing and planning start with defining the use cases and capturing specific functional requirements.
Planning includes identifying the skills required for your app development project. The development technology stacks for Android and iOS mobile platforms are different.
Your mobile development team should have both Android and iOS developers if you want to create a mobile app that works on both iOS and Android platforms.
Are you ready to choose the name for your app? Names for mobile apps are similar to domain names. They must be unique in each app store.
Make sure you research each app store to ensure your app name isn't in use.
UI/UX Design
App design should be polished and provide a smooth user experience. A seasoned UI/UX design company can help you achieve this.
Mobile apps that are top-notch can make your app popular. Users will be able to successfully use and benefit from every feature.
UX/UI design is designed to create an exceptional user experience. It makes your app intuitive, user-friendly, and interactive to engage users.
App Development
This phase of the mobile app development process is crucially important. Before actual development/programming efforts start, you will have to:
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Define the technical architecture
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Pick a technology stack and
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Define the milestones for development.
A typical mobile app project consists of three parts: the back-end/server technology and API(s), as well as the front-end.
Testing
Software quality assurance (QA), which is a rigorous process for developing mobile apps, ensures that the applications are reliable, secure, and useful.
To ensure that your app is fully QA, you must first create test cases.
As use cases are the driving force behind the development of a mobile application, so too is testing. Test cases can include testing steps, software quality evaluation, which will record findings, and retesting that is done using tracking fixes.
As a best practice, your QA team should participate in the Analysis and Design phases.
Deployment and Support
Before your native apps are released to the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android, you must submit them. You must first create a developer account before you can launch your app with app development.
The preparation of metadata is necessary for the release of an app from your app store.
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App Title
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Description
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Category
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Keywords
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Click icon
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Screenshots are taken from the app store
iOS apps are reviewed once they have been uploaded to the Apple App Store. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how good your app is and how closely it complies with Apples iOS guidelines.
If your app requires users to connect or log in, you will need to provide Apple with a test account.
Android apps are not subject to review and can be downloaded immediately after submission.
You can monitor the apps performance in app stores and use mobile analytics tools to check its usage. Then analyze your apps success using key performance indicators (KPIs).
Ensure that you are checking for crashes and other issues reported by users often during your mobile app development process.
To improve your app, encourage users to give feedback to your company. Users are provided with prompt support, and critical updates are often added to the app software to keep them engaged.
Mobile app updates must be submitted and reviewed in the same way as web-based apps. It is important to stay current with technological advances in native mobile app development. You must also regularly upgrade your app for new OS platforms and mobile devices.
How to deploy an app to Apple App Store?
The procedure is similar:
Register to the Apple Developer Program: In order to gain access to more Apple tools and to post mobile apps on Apples App Store, you must be approved for Apple Developer Program.
The pay is not as high as Googles (99$/year for individual developers and 299$ for teams of developers).
Create an iTunes Connect account: You can use iTunes Connect as a member to submit and manage mobile applications.
iTunes Connect is an Apple product management tool that can be used to create records for the distribution of apps on the Apple Store.
Prepare your App for Distribution: Using Apples Human Interface guidelines and requirements, prepare your app for release.
Create icons, templates, and metadata. Add a description, keywords, and a description.
Upload your Application: After all, information has been added about your application, you can use Xcode and Application Loader for uploading a build.
Your mobile app will be sent directly to Apple servers for further approval and investigation if everything goes well. Apples TestFlight beta testing service can be used if you feel that additional testing is necessary.
Submit your Application for Final Review: It usually takes around 1-3 days for Apple to review and approve the applications.
They also need to confirm that the application complies with Apple policies and is ready for publication on the App Store. Check the error log to resolve any issues and submit the app again.
Release Your Application: Once Apple has reviewed and approved your application, it can be posted to the Apple Store.
You will be offered two options.
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Post the mobile app
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Post the mobile app automatically
The Key Takeaway
You must accept that you cannot control and predict every step of mobile app development. A well-planned workflow, quick responses, and detailed planning will help to limit unexpected problems during app development.
Although creating a mobile application sounds daunting and complex, if the work is being done, all members of the development team know their jobs, and all sprints are being completed within the established goals, you can be certain that your app will be a decently successful product across any of your preferred mobile platforms.