A Complete Guide to Mobile App Development

Development of mobile apps is on rise throughout many years. This category of software development specifically focuses on applications running from mobile platforms. Mobile applications are designed to run on different operating systems such as iOS or Android. Through use of built in features of smartphones, mobile apps provide users better experience when compared to web based browsing on mobile devices. Over 78% of population worldwide has smartphones. What do people are doing with their phones? Apps are being used.

The apps are categorized into many genres, such as music & gaming apps, calendars, communications apps and many more. It’s likely that you’ve heard of many of world’s most popular apps, including WhatsApp, Spotify, HeadSpace, Facebook and Instagram. Making an app is an ideal business move. However, first you have to know mobile application creation process. That’s why we’ve created this tutorial.

What Is Mobile App Development?

Development of mobile apps is procedure used to design & develop apps for tablets, smartphones as well as mobile phones. It involves creating code for application & then designing application.

App development is much like other types of software development, such as web based apps. However, main distinction between app development process & traditional programming is capability for mobile applications to utilize native functions of device. In other words, they utilize mobile functions like GPS, Bluetooth, microphone, camera & many other functions built into smartphones.

Apple or Android apps hold largest percentage of market for mobile apps. It is possible to develop apps that work on other platforms, vast majority of apps focus on those two categories. Also, it’s important to note that there are many different apps development frameworks you can choose from. This means you’ll have plenty of choices to think about that we’ll discuss more in depth throughout this article.

Mobile App Development Process

App development is easy in sense that you can divide it into various phases. If you are looking to create apps, use following formula as follows:

Refine Idea & Strategize

Before starting developing software it is essential to first think about your thoughts. You may already have an idea of notion. Other people may have to start with blank slate.

Here are few helpful starting questions to be asking your self:

• What are you hoping mobile application to achieve?
• What are goals of your app?
• What kind of issue (or difficulties) could your app address to help customers?
• What functions will your app contain?
• What amount of money are you ready to put into investing?
• How do you create your application? (In house team, agency, app builder, etc.)

It’s easy for people to get carried when you’re brainstorming. It’s important to stay focused on main features of app. Don’t bother with unnecessary extras as well as “nice to haves” that deviate from what app is designed to do.

Market Research

When your plan is made then you must take look at similar apps which are already in use. It’s very rare to come up with an entirely new idea with absolutely no competitors.

• What are your rivals?
• Who are you trying to reach?
• How do you differentiate yourself to differentiate yourself from other competitors?
• What’s ideal way to launch your app?
• What are you going to do to make sure to promote & sell application?

Market research is crucial process that you shouldn’t do or to rush through. It’s not good idea to invest hours & dollars developing ideas only to find there’s no need for idea. Therefore, you could conserve lot of cash by sorting this prior to creating any thing.

Build Your UX Design

The design of mobile apps is an additional crucial step in entire process. Begin thinking about what your app’s design will have look & feel. Draw some sketch sketches and then create wireframes to understand how your application will function.

The user experience is an absolute priority. It is essential to ensure that user interface functions seamlessly & simple to use.

• Develop roadmap, or storyboard to show connections between every screen.
• Take look at difference of how users will interact with your app as compared to an online mobile site (app design & website development is not exactly same).
• The user experience is your most important concern.

It is recommended to build models of your app based upon your wireframes prior to you begin to create an app that is fully functional. You can then develop an MVP (minimum feasible product). This is basic app which achieves its main objective without bells & bells.

App Development

The next step is to build app. It includes back end tech including APIs, front end and back end development. What you should complete:

• Choose your development method.
• Assemble your development team.
• Choose project coordinator.
• Set timetable that includes milestones & objectives.
• Stay flexible and be prepared to be ready for unexpected changes as you go along.

In case of your method for development depending on your development method, you may need to create two distinct versions of application, one that is designed for iOS as well as one that is designed for Android. You can also make use of cross platform development tools in order for creating an identical version that runs on each operating system.

The result will be differently for every user. Certain apps are built within one month using one developer. Some apps take 6 months or more with several developers.

The type of app that you’re developing & sophistication of features will can have an impact on timeframe & cost of development of your app. An app that is simple with no capabilities should be easy & cost effective to develop. However, more complex application that requires user authentication servers, GPS capabilities, real time communications between users as well as other features similar to these are likely to take longer to build.

Testing

Prior to launching your app before it goes live, you must make certain that app actually functions. Testing your app is time to uncover glitches, bugs & other issues that need to be fixed before putting app on shelves of your clients.

• Test your application with QAs during process of development is most effective method.
• Be sure to test application across both platforms.
• Check out app on variety of devices (smartphones tablets, phones as well as. ).
• Conduct tests on real people for feedback. Then implement improvements.

The app you test is not perfect. goal of test is to create an app that is functional & runs without issues so that users have fun with user experience.

It is also possible to make changes to your application & then launch new versions in future. Making sure that your app runs flawlessly in initial testing stage can mean that your app is never released to market. Don’t get too hard to yourself and simply strive to create an excellent product.

What Are Best Mobile App Development Platforms?

There are lot of options to you to develop apps it is necessary to narrow your choices according to your expertise as well as your goals, objectives, type of app & your budget. These tools don’t just let you create an application. They also allow you to evaluate, improve, troubleshoot app and even maintain it after launch.

BuildFire also provides full service app development. It is possible to come to BuildFire with an idea & their experts in developing can develop your app and maintain it after launch. In contrast to other companies that develop apps, BuildFire is partner to your success. relationship includes strategies, design sessions, wireframes, prototyping, as well as everything else you require to create beautiful app to help your business.

A different standout feature of BuildFire is its unlimitless capabilities. If you’re using self builder tool to build an app of yourself, you’ll be able to nevertheless add your own features to application. If there’s no solution that fits your needs on marketplace for plugins, BuildFire can create that feature to your specifications.

You can also engage your own designer using to use BuildFire SDK to develop customized functionality with Javascript, HTML and CSS. There is option to integrate any framework you’d like using existing BuildFire infrastructure.

In end, BuildFire is best choice for mobile app development available. No matter what type of app you have or size, your business’s size or financial resources, BuildFire has solution to meet your needs.

Flutter

Flutter is free & open source framework which lets you build multi platform applications using single codebase. It was developed by Google & made available in year 2017 in year 2017, Flutter is a somewhat new technology compared with other frameworks available.

It can be used to develop mobile & web applications that run on iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows and much more. It’s an excellent choice for people who wish to create desktop applications or web applications using same codebase using C, C++ & Dart.

Microsoft Xamarin

Xamarin is different open source UI framework that can be used for Android, iOS and Windows applications. It utilizes C# as well as .NET to develop cross platform applications using single code.

The platform is well known because it lets users create applications that have similar appearance & feel to various operating systems & gadgets. Most of time, apps will appear as if they were native app. Xamarin offers broad variety of toolkits for developers available on Windows as well as Mac. It works with native APIs, backend service as well as other.

Adobe PhoneGap

Adobe PhoneGap is bit more unique than other choices. ability to build apps using PhoneGap by using JavaScript, HTML5, or CSS3. PhoneGap can also be used as plug in option to add functions.

It’s important to note fact that PhoneGap is variation from Apache Cordova. Therefore, you’ll find these terms utilized together. Apache Cordova is essentially engine behind PhoneGap.

Different Types of Mobile Apps

Today’s app development is vastly distinct from what it was in earlier. In past, low level programming to develop natively was only choice. Therefore, if you wanted to create possibility of an iOS app that could be used on an app store like Apple App Store & an Android app to Google Play Store Google Play Store, you required two versions of app from ground up.

The barrier to entry in app development is far smaller. tools for developing apps, platforms and languages are better integrated. Javascript is used to write code that is cross platform.

It is much simpler for online retailers, established enterprises and entrepreneurs to build native apps starting from beginning.

This is quick overview of various types of apps and what makes their development unique:

Native Mobile Applications

Native applications are downloaded directly on mobile. They are usually downloaded through apps like Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Most of time native applications can function with no internet connection & can take advantage of features that device they’re installed on.

Making native application means developing code designed specifically for operating system on device.

Cross Platform Native Mobile Applications

In cross platform program that uses same code, it can be utilized across any platform. This means that you make your program once while application can be run on native iOS as well as Android devices.

From perspective of user There is hardly any distinction between cross platform & native applications. From developer’s perspective it is easier to develop cross platform native apps. economical & can be shortened in development time.

Hybrid Mobile Applications

Hybrid & cross platform apps are frequently utilized interchangeably, even though they’re not exact similar. Like cross platform apps hybrid applications, hybrid applications can be created in one place & operate across all platforms.

The hybrid approach is little more affluent than cross platform app development. creation of cross platform apps is very technical & requires developer expertise. Hybrid app development is not as technical & is achievable by acquiring basic knowledge of web development or with no code apps creators.

Progressive Web Application (PWA)

PWAs are programs that can be accessed via web as opposed to natively installing by user’s device.

The latest technology makes PWAs appear & behave identical to native app user. It is possible to send push messages to your users that will be delivered to them via web browser. However, PWAs can be less flexible in terms of what they are able to accomplish using built in features of device.

Cross Platform Or Progressive Web Application?

We will review of advantages & disadvantages of cross platform apps as compared to PWAs. This can help you decide best option for your needs, app as well as your budget & goals you have.

Cross Platform Advantages:

• Apps that natively cross platform are simpler to keep up to date because you are able to update across multiple platforms.
• The turnaround is faster in comparison to conventional Android development, as well as iOS development.
• A shorter time for development generally means lower cost & this means that you are able to devote more resources to different aspects of your application.
• Effectively reach an even larger audience making use of tablets & smartphones on various platforms.

Cross Platform Disadvantages:

• There’s problem with performance on various operating systems. That implies that you’ll have to investigate more often.
• In some instances there may be security concerns in specific OS.
• The wait time can be longer when you are planning to implement additional features within application.

Progressive Web Application Advantages:

• PWAs are less expensive to create & maintain than native applications.
• They’re simple & quick to use on variety of devices.
• PWAs can function everywhere because of their cross platform capabilities.
• PWAs provide better user experience since they’re extremely efficient.

Progressive Web Application Disadvantages:

• It isn’t possible to access PWAs through app store.
• There are fewer features that could impact user’s experience.
• Functions that require Bluetooth or NFC may be restricted in terms of using application.

Hybrid vs Native Apps

Let’s review of hybrid apps in comparison to native apps. We’ll also look at advantages & disadvantages of these frameworks for development.

Hybrid App Advantages:

• Hybrid applications look & feel as if they were native apps.
• They are more affordable to construct & keep.
• The possibility of creating hybrid apps by using HTML, Javascript and CSS.
• Hybrid apps provide faster development process.

Hybrid App Disadvantages:

• The performance of older devices is not as good.
• Hybrid isn’t compatible with certain kind of apps.
• The features available are likely to be restricted by hybridization process.

Native App Advantages:

• Excellent performance.
• Every function on smartphones are accessible.
• They’re created using IDEs (integrated environment for development) such as React Native.
• Native applications still work smoothly on old devices.

Native App Disadvantages:

• Native applications are among most costly apps to build.
• It takes lot of time to develop as well as you have separate builds for iOS as well as Android.
• The development tools aren’t easily used.
• They’re more vulnerable to bugs & generally require regular updates.

Conclusion

There’s plenty to be unpacked when it comes to development of mobile apps. However, whether you’re developing native apps for cross platform platforms or apps that run on native devices.. that you must always focus on user friendly experience. app’s capabilities must satisfy its primary purpose while interactivity features are designed to be user friendly.

There are myriad of ways to go about app development. Which one is best for you will depend on your financial budget, your goals, timeframe technological skills & app’s complexity.