Mobile Phones allow people to perform a variety of tasks on their smartphones through dedicated applications for such activities as ordering goods and groceries, ticket booking, cab booking, and many more. If you have a unique plan for Mobile App Development, then it is a good time to go with it and grab the market.

The smart phone users are relying more on online shopping and performing other numerous activities. Therefore, if you are having a different plan for mobile app development, then start working on it without any delay.

In this planning of app development, I am going to guide you through this blog. By following the procedure and steps in a precise manner, you can easily refine your business idea. It will also guide you to plan for Mobile App Development and get accurate results thoroughly.

Here are the following steps to create a successful mobile app.

Source: UXPlanet Website

Step 1: It all starts with an Idea

The point where it all starts, the fundamental base of a business is an idea. It all begins with one simple thought- why only this and why not this? Apps require constant updation and make lives a little easier. It is the reason which drives our community forth. Most great ideas start due to need arousal.

A successful entrepreneur provides a solution to the problem in such a way that we could not have imagined. So, look for numerous problems that exist in your daily life and list each of them. Once you are having an ample amount of issues, then start looking for the unique ideas to resolve the issue. Every problem has a solution; if we look for it properly, so find solutions to choose the one that makes more sense. Make sure to put the end-user at the priority because if users are not getting solutions for their problem, they are not going to use your mobile application. Mobile app development is all about providing a solution to a lot of people and making their life more comfortable.

Step 2: Market Research

Now the real work starts after finalizing the idea for mobile app development. To take your app development idea ahead, which requires a lot of research, based on multiple factors. The research is very important to consider because it will form the basic knowledge for your app and help you to decide whether to take this idea ahead or look for something else. So, make sure not to rush this phase and do it appropriately.

a. Competitors

It is very important to learn about your existing competitors in the market first. The existing applications in the market are going to be a great source of knowledge for you. So, just pick the best existing competitive mobile apps in the market, do thorough research, and learn about their working. It also includes the platform app is running, tools, features, and everything as much as you can get the details of it.

After that, look for their targeted customers and the users’ reviews and feedback. As well as, list out the best features that you can also add in your app in a new manner definitely. This will help you lay down a path to move ahead and the numerous points you can add and ditch in your plan for mobile app development.

b. Target Users

The second important thing you need to focus on in the Research phase is to look out for your competitors target users and define yours as well. It is a well-known fact that certain types of apps are developed for a specific group of customers in mind based on their age, gender, and ethnicity. You need to be assured of which type of users you are going to target with your application. Therefore, make all these decisions in the early phase only because every delayed decision will greatly affect the development process.

c. Trend Research

The last part of the Research phase is to analyze market trends. We all know the market trends used to evolve rapidly with time. Before introducing your product in the market, first learn about the market trends, i.e., learn about whether your product is required or have such a demand in the market. Look at your app’s functionality. All of it should be in alignment with trends because nowadays, people want to be updated on all forms. With trend research, gain some insight over where the trend is heading and will be in the next couple of months or until the time you are available with your final product.

Step 3: Planning

After gathering all the information in the research phase, it is now appropriate to plan things before moving ahead. The planning is all about preparing a blueprint or plan for mobile app development. The planning phase also involves different steps, let’s learn about it in depth.

Source: Entrepreneur Website

a. Plan an MVP for App

In the Planning phase for mobile app development, it is important to create a plan to build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). It is a smaller and concentrated version of your app. Building MVP is a feasible option for your app development as it provides clarity about your goals and finds the features which will work as a guiding agent for your app. Developing an MVP will be a great call for your marketing strategy to generate a buzz about it and gather critical reviews and feedback from the users.

MVP for your app development will allow you to provide a chance for users to experience the features and functionalities of your app and review it. These reviews might be harsh but will eventually make you aware of the working of the app and the user’s expectation too. This will help you minimize such flaws, and please your users by improving the app quality and working over their feedback.

b. Select the Platform

The major smartphone Operating Systems that dominate the market on a broader scale is Google’s Android App Store and Apple’s iOS App Store. Both the platforms are a hit among its users.

Google’s Android Play Store has extensive user coverage as compared to Apple’s iOS App Store. Android is open-source. Therefore, a lot of devices are running on this operating system. The enhanced customer penetration and cheap availability of android smartphones have made it more handy for users to go for Android Apps. For any business, Google Play Store will be a great platform to introduce their mobile application. But this handy availability of android smartphones, doesn’t attract more customers to go for in-app purchases or other facilities to spend money over an application.

On the other hand, the iOS Platform is quite expensive and comparatively less users than Android. But the iOS users are very active and can easily spend good money on in-app purchases or purchasing any specific feature through the mobile application.

Instead of going with a particular platform, you can also go with both the apps. For this, you have built the hybrid app, which effortlessly works on both the platforms. It requires a steady internet at all times to work and doesn’t need to be downloaded in the user’s device. Such apps work similarly a website works but with the features of apps. Thus, mobile app development is cheap and requires less time to attain the final product. Overall, in a time and cost of one app, you can get a hybrid app that works effectively on both platforms. Examples of hybrid apps are Gmail, Instagram, Uber, etc.

c. Required Budget

Mobile App Development is a costly call to take for anyone. Despite doing everything the right way, there is no guarantee that you will achieve the desired results at the end. So, step into mobile app development if you are ready to put in the money and a lot of perseverance.

There are numerous methods to build the app, like investing your own money, finding the investors, or Crowdfunding.

Investing your own money is one of the riskiest options. It is a bad idea unless you have so much money to risk, and if faced failure then it won’t affect you too much. The second way is to find investors. It is a bit tedious and a time-taking process. But there are many investors in the market who can invest a good amount of money in your mobile app development if they found your business idea feasible and valuable for the market.

The third way is to fund your project from various sources through Crowdfunding. There are few online platforms that help you to gather money from strangers just by uploading your business proposal on these websites. Such online platforms are GoFundMe, Kickstarter, etc.

Step 4: Development

The mobile app development requires developers to develop the product. The developers will provide life to your business idea, which was on the paper till now. To deliver the plan for mobile app development into reality, you can develop the app on your own, or you can hire a dedicated team of developers, or you can hire even an agency to develop the app.

I don’t think developing the app on your own would be a great call unless you are an expert in app development. Despite that, you will require two-to-three more developers to do so. Being the owner and responsible person for everything, it still won’t be a good call. So, you can go with any of the other two options.

Among these two options, I would suggest hiring an agency would be a great call. It will ease your work and save your time too. With an agency, you don’t have to sit and check every little progress in the app. These agencies are responsible for their work and make sure to deliver accurate products to their clients.

So, look for a good agency in the market and you are sorted for the development of the application. You only need to make a plan for mobile app development, and rest implementation can be done by the agency itself.

Step 5: Testing

The major part of testing will be performed by the developers or agency you have hired for app development. Being an owner and user of the app, you also have to perform testing over the app at frequent intervals. This will help you get a glimpse of on-going work and let you decide if the work is proper or not, or do you require any feature to be more refined or attractive from the end-users perspective.

Only having a plan for mobile app development and assigning it to the agency to develop the app won’t work. You also have to dedicate your time to test the app modules and the final product. Your interest in app development testing will lead towards a quality product and help you strategize your marketing plan to introduce or deploy the final product in the market.

Different types of testing need to be performed for maintaining the quality of the app and make sure to have a bug-free app. The testing are User Acceptance Testing and Beta Testing.

Source: RawPixel Website

User Acceptance Testing (UAT test) makes sure the app is working for users, i.e., the final product is easy for your targeted audience to use or are they facing any problem. Once the app passes the UAT test, then you can conclude that your solution works appropriately.

Beta Testing is done by either the open solicited participation of the previously enrolled identified groups. Feedback from Beta Testers will help to determine whether the app’s functions are operating properly in the real-world environment or not.

Step 6: Deployment

Congratulations! Your plan for mobile app development seems successful. Now, it’s time to formally introduce your product in the marketplace through the Play Store or App Store.

Make sure to follow the preferred platform’s guidelines to make the most out of your app store optimization. Once, your app is live on the App Store, now is the time to grab the customer’s eyes.

You can follow various ways to promote your app. Initially, you can go with Email Marketing. As soon as your app is live, make sure to inform your customers through emails and ask them for their valuable feedback by replying to the mail or sharing it on the app store.

You can also promote your app on Social Media Platforms. You can follow numerous tactics to promote your app on such platforms. Instead of only sharing the apps link, you can create a buzz about your app by making numerous posts about the app. You can highlight the unique features and functioning of the app and attract users to download the app.

Through Social Media Platforms, you can even share a demo of a few seconds to attract viewers and use your application. You can also provide some offers to the first few users or downloads of your app. Be creative, and you can attract an enormous amount of traffic towards your mobile app development through social media platforms.

Another tactic to promote your app can be done through Websites. If you have a dedicated website for your product business, you can Update your Website with this information. Along with that, you can also advertise your mobile app development information through other similar websites. You can simply contact the website owner and request them to promote your app development message on their website for a while in the offered amount. It is a feasible promotional strategy. If you get a few such sites, you can definitely attract a good number of users for your app.

Step 7: Upgrade App with New & Improved Features

After grabbing a good market and getting user’s reviews and feedback, it becomes your duty to resolve all the queries of such users and respond to them individually. These feedback’s will help you to improve your app and add advanced features too. So, maintain regular updates for your app and let users feel that their queries have been heard and resolved too.

This will help you retain the users for a more extended period and makes your plan for mobile app development success. Updating your app with innovative features also enhances the visibility and downloads of the app. This will also motivate users to recommend your app to others and leave a good impression too.

Conclusion

Once you start the plan for mobile app development and deploy the app, don’t think your job is done. To maintain consistency in the app, you need to be in constant association with your agency or firm. So, look for a good and reliable agency with whom you can go to the long-term association.

Mobile App Development is a never-ending process. After app deployment, working over the app continues. Make sure to be in association with a good agency to take your plan for mobile app development to live and maintain consistency in the future.

Source: RawPixel Website

Being a reputed and responsible company EngineerBabu makes sure to follow each phase involved in the Mobile App Development Cycle properly to get the best results and assist you with your personal preferences. So, if you have any idea or plan for mobile app development, you can contact us, and we are always ready to serve you with your specific requirements. At EngineerBabu, we have dedicated and skilled developers who used to follow each phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle with precision.

The post How to Create A Plan for Mobile App Development? appeared first on EngineerBabu Blog.

In today’s evolving world, building a mobile application doesn’t require any rocket science learning. But, a successful mobile application requires to follow a proper procedure of SDLC and extensive pre-planning. Building an application could be quite easy such that, in a week, you can complete your app development and submit it to Google or Apple Play Store. On the other hand, it could be extremely tedious and involves rigorous research, designing, testing, a full beta life cycle, and then deploying it in different ways.

Mobile App Development Cycle is similar to conventional SDLC. Mobile App Development is a smooth process only when the Mobile App Development Cycle phases are taken care of and followed appropriately.

Source: BuildFire Website

As every app is different from another, and technological trends are also evolving rapidly. But, SDLC is fairly considered the standard process when it comes to Mobile App Development Cycle. The Mobile App Development Cycle typically follows 6 following steps;

1. Ideation,
2. Strategy,
3. Designing,
4. Development,
5. Deployment, and
6. Post-Launch.

Now, let’s take each step in depth.

1. Ideation

Every great product, service, or application begins with a great idea. If you don’t have an app idea, then the best time is to start now. For a unique idea generation, train yourself to think in terms of problems and look out for its potential solutions. You have to make your brain instinctively ask “Why do we have to do things this way?” or “Is there any better way to solve the problem?”

If you can identify a problem, you are halfway to your idea generation for mobile app development. Only Idea generation will not be effective; you need to refine your idea by doing proper research over it. Make sure your research for idea validation includes actual demographics, goals of your buyers, behavior, motivation, and buying pattern of customers. While doing so, always keep the end-user in mind.

In the Ideation phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle, you need to be very specific about the following points and find the answers to these questions.

• Define the aim of Mobile App Development.
• How is your app different from the existing apps in the market?
• Is there a requirement for such an app?
• Distinguish the kind of audience your app will target.
• Analyze the time required to develop the app.
• Define the platform on which the app will be developed.
• How will your app solve the existing problem?

While answering these questions, you will get a clear picture of your aim and idea. Make sure the app is user-friendly and targets the appropriate audience. Thorough ideation and research at the initial phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle will minimize the risk associated with your project.

2. Strategy

After the Ideation phase, the second phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle defines Strategies to evolve your idea into a successful app. As each app’s objective differs from another; therefore, a proper strategy is required for applications. The strategy can be formed based on different perspectives.

a. Competition

Once you are done with the Ideation phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle, it’s time to plan for apps success. So, the best step would be to identify your competition first. Just find, if there is any app working on the same thing and providing the service you are planning with and look for the following;

• See the number of downloads of the application.
• Look for the Ratings and Reviews of the app and analyze the customer feedback/comments. It will help you to learn about the likes and dislikes of the application users.
• Look for the application and the company’s history. Take a look over how the application has evolved and what challenges it faced during the course of time. As well as, do analyze their marketing strategies and how did they grow their user base.

To beat your competitor and get informed about it in advance would be a great strategy. So, learn as much as you can about your existing competitors. Apart from that, never think you can beat the competition easily without getting into the competition. So, make sure to understand how hard it will be to compete in the marketplace.

b. Monetization

Well, it is a known fact that if you are entering the market, you will definitely look for the options to monetize your business opportunity as much as possible. There are several methods of monetization that works effectively are as follows;

• In-app Purchases,
• Premium Features,
• Subscription Payments,
• Ad-revenue,
• Traditional Paid Apps, and
• Selling User Data.

To analyze the best strategy among these, you need to learn what the market expects to pay and how to pay for such similar available services. You also need to look for what time is best for the new business to introduce the monetizing feature in your app or do it when you introduce the app in the market. Skipping or delaying strategizing the Monetization step in the Mobile App Development Cycle will give your business a hard time later turning on profit.

c. Marketing

To strategize the marketing tactics in Mobile App Development Cycle is solely for identifying the challenges you are going to face while marketing your app. Suppose you have successfully built and designed your app with quality features. Still, the biggest hurdle exists is to drive the customer or users for your application. So, you need to learn about your marketing budget and approach you are going to follow to attract users.

d. Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

The final stage of strategizing is to define your app’s roadmap. In this step of the Mobile App Development Cycle, you will define the goal, what your app will become one day and what it requires to succeed. Initially, you can also go with the version of Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Along with that, define all the things you require in your app and prioritize it as well. This priority will help you to build an MVP easily and, in minimum time you can introduce your working app in the market. As you gain users with your MVP, then based on user feedback, you can timely introduce new features in the app.

3. Designing

A. User-Experience Designing

Source: Appinventive Website

Building a prototype or MVP requires excellent design. The Designing phase in Mobile App Development Cycle aims to deliver seamless and effortless user experience with a refined appearance. The goal of mobile app UI/UX Design is to provide excellent user experience by making your app user-friendly, interactive, and intuitive. The Designing of app will be based on the following features;

a. Information Architecture

In the Mobile App Development Cycle, the Information Architecture process allows you to decide what data and functionalities should be presented and how it should be organized in your app. For this, just list down the features separately, what you want the app to perform and what should be displayed. This list will help to build the wireframes.

b. Wireframes

Wireframes are used to design screens and assign data and functions. These wireframes are digital forms of sketches and conceptual layouts. It provides the visual representation of the functional requirements of the app. Wireframes are more focused on highlighting the aesthetics and user experience instead of apps styling and color combinations.

Wireframes are quick and cost-effective for designing apps layout and reviewing the designing process. Make sure to create device-specific wireframes, so that it can provide a device-specific and intuitive user experience.

c. Workflows

Workflows are the guidelines for users to travel within the app. It contributes to the app’s design strategy. Presenting workflow early on will help the Mobile App Development Cycle process and improve the developer’s productivity. As the predefined guidelines will also make your app look and feel consistent.

If you find any problem with your workflow, then update your wireframes and try again. Make sure to follow each step after any update or changes to confirm that you didn’t increase any difficulty of one action while attempting to improve another.

B. User-Interface Designing

The aim of user-interface designing while following SDLC to achieve the accuracy and quality of product development. In the Mobile App Development Cycle, building an interactive and user-friendly user-interface is very important to make the best and introduce the best in the market.

a. Style Guides

It is considered as the building block of your Mobile App Development Cycle. Having a decent styling guideline will help your app to look good and attract users. Having a consistent app design will make users more likely comfortable within the app. Style guides include:

• What font family will your app’s text use?
• What should be the color scheme for your app?
• How does your company’s brand get reflected in the app design?

Try to keep the cluster aside and put forward the main points. The experienced design team can render all your requirements and deliver the app that would be an excellent fit for you and the end-users.

b. Rendered Designs

Rendering high-fidelity design under Mobile App Development Cycle is to replace the greyscale elements of wireframes with your style guide. Make sure to provide a dedicated screen for each wireframe screen. If you want to make yourself stand out from the existing app market crowd, then maintain the new style and feel free to update or amend your style guides. In the end, make sure these changes don’t affect your design, so be consistent.

c. Rendering Click-through Models

After rendering all the screens, return to the click-through model application and test your app again. This is the step in the Mobile App Development Cycle, which requires your time. Make sure to implement and verify all the changes and updates because, after this, changes will become increasingly very costly for your app development.

4. Development

The Development phase in SDLC generally starts once an idea gains some maturation in the conceptual stage. The development of a working prototype facilitates and validates functionality and assumptions, and provides an overview and understanding of the scope of work.

Planning remains an integral part of the Mobile App Development Cycle. So, before implementing the actual development process, define the following points first;

• Define Technical Architecture.
• Define Development milestones.
• Choose a Technology Stack for your app development.

Generally, a mobile application is built over three integral parts: Back-End Server/Database Technology, Front-End Technology, and API(s).

a. Back-End Server/Database Technology

The back-end is majorly responsible for your app’s performance and scalability. The technologies used for app development are similar to those used to power web-based applications. So, before writing codes, decide the following things first;

Source: EdSurge Website

• Language- There are numerous programming languages that can be used to build the API. The most common languages used are C#, Golang, Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Python. These languages have numerous frameworks also that can be utilized appropriately.
• Database/Server- There are two types of modern databases used nowadays, i.e., SQL and NoSQL. In the majority of cases, SQL has been the best and first choice. SQL implementation commonly includes MYSQL, MSSQL, and PostgreSQL. Proceed with a well-thought decision as having a reliable and well-organized database is important for success in the course of the long-term.
• Hosting Environment (Infrastructure)- In a hosting environment, you have to decide how and where your API and database will be hosted. This decision will help you determine the budget for hosting, performance, scalability, and reliability of your final product development. You can have dedicated hosting or cloud-based hosting, based on your preference and convenience.

b. API

Application Programming Interface (API) is a method of establishing communication between the app and the back-end server or database.

c. Front-End Technology

Front-end technology basically follows 3 approaches and is Platform-Specific Native, Cross-Platform Native, and Hybrid.

• Platform-Specific Native- The platform-specific apps are built separately for each platform. The codes for Android or iOS-based apps can’t be reused. But these apps are made in such a manner to be fully optimized for each platform. Platform-specific codes in Mobile App Development Cycle is quite an expensive approach to follow, but is very appropriate and tried, and tested to go with.
• Cross-Platform Native: The apps built under this approach may have some or all shared code, but can run natively very well. The conventional technologies used for cross-platform native programming are Xamarian, Native Script, and React Native. It is a very cost-effective approach, but can easily optimize and style each platform.
• Hybrid: Hybrid Apps are built using Web Technologies, i.e., HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, and the app is then installed through a native wrapper. Such apps can be installed through Ionic, Phone Gap, and Cordova. This is the cheapest option among all the three, but it comes with some difficulties as well.

Coding

To perform all the above appropriate steps requires coding to successfully build a mobile app and follow the SDLC to gain the quality at the end. The approach of coding in the development phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle requires developers to implement the app’s style and functionality.

Your coders need to understand the application’s goals as a whole and the individual function too. The developer needs to be in sync with that particular feature and understand the requirement’s intent to get the accurate return result.

After coding is done from the developer side, now it’s time for the Tester to review each module’s functioning.

Testing

The significant amount of app testing is performed by the non-developers, i.e., the people who are not the app’s primary developer. This ensures a more genuine testing experience. To follow the Mobile App Development Cycle, several types of testing can be performed. Typical testing approaches are:

• Functional Testing- ensures the features are working as described in the requirements. The Quality Assurance team makes sure to test the plan with a list of actions they are provided with and the desired app behavior over each action.
• Usability Testing: ensures all the features are working correctly, and make sure they are user-friendly and as intuitive as possible.
• Performance Testing: ensures that the app is working properly along with the timely and quick response or results. Keep an eye on the responsiveness of the app. If it takes too much time to respond or in providing the required result; then, no one will use your application.
• Fit and Finish Testing: ensure all the designs are done properly and accurately as described in the design. The designers should make sure and re-check their work to attain accuracy and get the finished product as desired.
• Regression Testing: ensure testing of each module and each modified module as well. After any coding changes, it might be possible that, earlier the things that were working properly might get affected. So, do test the same thing again and again to get the final product.
• Device-Specific Testing: There are a variety of combinations of operating systems and devices in this tech world. Therefore, while testing, perform testing over numerous devices based on different Operating Systems and screen sizes. There are also tools to accomplish such tasks and automate this step. You can use Google Firebase but always try to do manual testing of the app on a handful of devices.
• User Acceptance Testing: is usually performed by either the app owner or the app’s end-users. So, always ready to take the feedback from the end-user and make the required improvements in it.

5. Deployment

After following all the above steps of the Mobile App Development Cycle, it’s time to deploy the final product in the market. The proper testing and debugging of the app will make sure to deploy the app, and this can be done by following 2 different ways;

a. Deploy App on Web Server

For the functioning of an app, a back-end server is very necessary because it helps transfer the data between the application and the database. The application will stop performing if the back-end server is not working correctly or is overloaded. To avoid such issues, make sure the server is configured effectively to fulfill all the app requirements and meet the users needs. Some services like Amazon Web Services, RackSpace, etc. are some of the best web services that are efficient in handling the traffic. Such web-based services help you identify the situation where the app can stop working due to a rapid increase in traffic.

b. Deploy App on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store

Once you are sure about the best configuration and features of your app, you can release the app on either or both the app store, i.e., Google Play Store and iOS App Store. To make this possible, you can follow the separate application procedure of Google and Apple. It might be possible that you have to make some changes to your app due to each app store’s guidelines. Apple app store reviews apps manually, so it might ask to make some changes to follow their guidelines and maintain the regulations.

6. Post-Launch

After following all the phases of the Mobile App Development Cycle and the successful launch of the app doesn’t refer to your app will be a hit in the market. It is a crucial stage for your application, so make sure to monitor the app functionality regularly. As well as, keep an eye over its analytics, and continuously update the app for fixing bugs and crashes. Monitor user reviews on social media and app stores and try to respond to them individually and quickly. All these are essential steps of SDLC, that should be followed post-launch of the application.

It is evident that the Mobile App Development Cycle procedure is quite long and exhausting, but in the end, it is quite overwhelming too. Building the full-fledged app and following each phase involved in the SDLC requires substantial investment in terms of money. It also requires a lot of time and resources to achieve quality accurately and follow the Mobile App Development Cycle. But, if you perform every step properly, then, in the end, it will be a very rewarding process.

Source: RawPixel Website

We also follow each phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle properly to get the best results and assist you with your personal preferences. As an ideal company for following all the steps of SDLC, we are always ready to serve you with your specific requirements. At EngineerBabu, we have dedicated and skilled developers who used to follow each phase of the Mobile App Development Cycle with precision based upon your convenience and requirements. For further assistance and detailed information, you can contact us, and we are here to help you.

The post Mobile App Development Cycle- The Ideal Method appeared first on EngineerBabu Blog.

It is the same for the rest of the world too.

Mobile apps have become a need of the hour to capture the huge market that is rapidly going mobile. So, if you’re worried about how to make an app for your business, that makes sense. After all, you don’t want a cost-to-cost price list that is exorbitant.

What is the Cost of Mobile App Development?

Developing mobile apps is the new money-making move for businesses.

This brings us to a critical question: How much will it cost to develop a mobile application? What are the commercials regarding how to make an app?

There is no single answer that suffices the question, when it comes to an efficient mobile application and the cost to cost considerations.

A lot of factors including the platform on which app is being made, complexity in-app, the experience of the developing team and several other factors too which must be considered during app development.

Confused? So first, let’s understand the variables that affect the app development cost.

The Business Model

The journey of developing an app for your business starts from the very core which is the business and revenue generation plans. The revenue or business model is the biggest driving force behind the cost of developing the app.

Here are a few points to consider:

• The platform preferred by your target customers
• The product you are trying to sell
• The devices that need to be integrated to make the app responsive
• Free App or Paid
• In-app Purchases
• The role of visual design in the app’s interface
• The advertisements – third party or of your own product

These and numerous other factors play a very important role in the cost and time needed to develop the mobile application.

For instance, the monetization strategy plays a very important role. A paid app is easier to develop applications that need to integrate in-app purchases.

An e-commerce app involves even more time and cost. However, a cost to cost price list matters especially when you’re on a budget.But mobile app development is a whole lot more. You need to consider the customers, as well.

Recommended Read: How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website?

Where are your customers?

The most important part of your business model is to know your customer. It is easily possible to lose focus on what is it that customers need.

In short, what problem are you solving via the app? The answer to the question helps determine the target audience or as Gary Halbert puts it, your “starving crowd”.

Even the biggest of startups have made mistakes on similar lines, when it comes to how to make an app. 

Snapdeal, for instance, failed to win the trust of its customers as it had compromised quality over quantity. It also failed in the electronics markets, especially since Amazon and Flipkart gained huge market traction by inking exclusive smartphone launches.

As a result, Snapdeal’s market share dropped from one-fourth to 4% in a year.

You won’t make a penny out of an app if there is no real hunger. Found the market? Now let’s determine the monetization strategy.

Paid apps, free apps or e-commerce?

E-commerce is the marketplace revenue model based mostly selling their own products or earning commissions from sellers listed on the app.

Paid apps make upfront money through downloads.So, do consider the cost to cost implications of this.

The ability to generate revenue or even cover the cost of developing the app largely depends on the number of time the app is downloaded.

There are several paid app in the android market and app store listed from anywhere between a dollar to $25.

Therefore, setting the right price determines the hold you might have, when you consider how to develop an app. 

It is important to consider the willingness of your customer to pay for your app and do a competitive analysis.

Free apps are free to download from the app stores but have a different revenue generation model. Now, how does a free app make money?

Here are a few:

• Free apps are a great way to expand your existing customer base or build a user base that you can later sell to.
• These apps also initiate a trust-based relationship between you and your customer helping build up the value of an existing product.
• Direct revenue can be generated from advertising and affiliate marketing
• In-app purchases are also a direct revenue generation, especially for addictive games.

A definitive model depends on your goals and your customer preferences, in any case, a mobile app can be highly profitable.

Types of Applications

A mobile app, in layman terms is a software program developed to program, specifically on mobile devices and tablets.

Essentially, it may perform the same tasks as your website but the process is made significantly more efficient and user-friendly.

“Ease of use” is, therefore, a significant prerequisite in an app.

Now, are all apps the same?

Definitely not. There are three types of mobile applications – Web, Native and Hybrid. No wonder there are different ways on how to develop an app. Let’s take a look at the development process of each of these types.

1.    Web Application:

Several surveys have found conclusive evidence that over 80% of smartphone users prefer apps over mobile websites. Web apps are your websites optimized for mobile phone users.

2.    Native Application:

A native application is a type of mobile app developed for specific operating systems that is either Android or IOS and can be downloaded from the Apple store or Google PlayStore.

Native apps are more complexed but provide an unmatched user experience, for how to develop an app. 

They have to be developed separately for Android and IOS Platforms and need to be approved to be listed.

3.    Hybrid Application:

A relative simpler app to develop, a hybrid app functions on a single programming language and can work on both platforms.

They generally perform like native apps, easier to develop and manage. However, the user experience of native apps is better, for mobile app development requirements.

Platform

Now that we have set a base, it’s time to figure out what platform to use.

The app can be made accessible across several platforms like IOS, Android, Windows, and Web or all together. The answer to this depends on where the customer is.

Android and Apple IOS have significantly different interfaces and systems, therefore apps developed for these platforms are definitely different.

Android vs IOS is not an easy choice. It is advised to go for both if the pocket allows.

Knowing that two different apps have to be developed for the respective platforms and the cost will be accordingly.

If a choice has to be made, here’s an IOS vs Android summary:

iOS Applications
Pros:

• iOS apps are quicker to build and generally cost lesser than android apps.
• Apple IOS has a more spending audience; therefore, a paid app is more likely to have downloaded on IOS.
• iOS users generally stick to IOS devices and up-gradation is also integrated.
• The App store has strict guidelines and ensures quality in apps. IOS apps of same business perform better than Android apps.
• iOS as a platform is more engaging and easier to use, with fewer software malfunctions.

Android Applications
Pros:

• The number of Android users greatly exceeds the number of Apple users, especially in Asia. Thus, an Android platform-based app will garner more response.
• The cost per download on IOS is high compared to Android.
• The apps do not need to be regularly updated as is the case with IOS. This reduces the maintenance cost of an android app.
• Cost of developing and hosting an app on the Android market is lower and easier since the guidelines are not as strict as in IOS.

iOS Applications

Cons:

• iOS applications cost more to host on the App Store, close to $200 compared to $25 on the Play store.
• Approval from the App store may become tedious since guidelines are strict.
• In Asia-Pac, Android users are numerically more.

Android Applications
Cons:

• Users on Android are more likely to be spendthrift and a paid app may not perform the same as on Apple Store.
• An android app needs to cater to a wide variety of devices in different sizes, screen resolutions, and performance.
• Android apps take a longer time to develop.

Deciding between the two depends largely on your target customer and their behavior.

For instance, if your target customers are based in India or China, it makes sense to develop an android app because of the large customer base.

But, on the other hand, if you target the rich class in the same countries, an IOS app would be a better option.

The Functionalities of the App:

As mobile apps are becoming more and more advanced, there is virtually no limit to what an app can do.

The cost, therefore, can start at a few hundred dollars and go skyrocketing to more than thousands. Take into account the following types of App:

A List App – The app is a mobile-optimized version of the website and will generally list out in various categories, all the information. It is simple to develop and will not cost a lot.

A Dynamic App – Apps based on Facebook, for instance, will need to be connected to a server to gather the information from the app.

These apps work alongside other platforms and applications through APIs. The complexity of such an app and its APIs can result in great variations in terms of cost.

Games – There are the most complex apps to develop and arguably the most expensive. With complex games using Artificial Intelligence gaining heavy traction, the 3D environments and advanced physics can definitely cost a bombshell.

These three are categories that may define applications broadly, apps these days are so varied that it may not be possible to have definitive categories that incorporate them all.

Every unique functionality will carry an additional cost. While some seemingly complex functionalities may not cost a lot, integrating a simple thing may vary the cost.

Features in the App:

When you have decided what your app should do – that is the basic functionality, the features that needed to do that will come into play.

Let’s take a look at a sample app like Facebook. What features does Facebook have?

1. Login – The app after downloading asks for login via email or by phone no. Most apps will have this feature. This can be the same as Facebook using email id or phone no. or a social login. Most apps use Facebook login to make it easier for the user.
2. Profile – Facebook asks for a detailed profile being a social app. Apps can integrate the data from Facebook to create the profile of their user.
3. Push notifications – This keeps the user updated with what’s new on the app.
4. Chatbots – It is a user-friendly and trending new way of generating leads and converting sales.
5. Chat-bots are interactive and more engaging from the perspective of a user.
6. Social Integration – Integrating social media platforms makes the app easier to use and more value.
7. Geo-positioning – For certain apps, geotagging can be an essential feature. For example, apps like Uber work entirely on geo-location.
8. Payment – For an e-commerce app, this is one of the most important requirements. Even for apps that integrate in-app purchase, having a payment system is needed to complete the purchases.

All of these and other app-specific features require time and in turn, more cost to develop.

Therefore, the cost of the app will depend largely on the features that are needed for the application to perform seamlessly.

Visual Design and UI/UX:

Whether it is a date, a new car or the virtual design of an app, the first impression counts. Make a good one!

The first look of the app can be a maker or a deal-breaker. The app market is competitive and it kind of makes sense that all companies are quickly wanting to enter the stores.

However, the design is an important element of innovative and disruptive apps, which is very often ignored.

The importance of good design exceeds what an app looks like, it’s about the experience.

The stats are not far behind on it and state that companies that foster good design enjoy 1.5x larger market share.

Then, what sums up a good design?

These few points are important to consider:

• Innovative and in tandem with emerging technology
• Emphasis on the product and its usefulness
• Aesthetically brilliant
• Understandable and easy to use
• Purposeful
• Robust and long-lasting
• Simplicity – ever heard less is more!
• Consistent on all devices and platforms

Great designs come at a price. You will note serious differences in the designs of $200 designer and $2000 designer, and to make an app look fantastic shelling out a few dollar bills is an investment rather than a cost.

Graphic design is indeed important, User Experience is everything. How your app performs its functionality and how easily navigable it is will depend on the UX development.

A cluttered app which is difficult to understand will quickly be uninstalled.

Great app designers can make your app look so good that users wouldn’t want to put their phones down.

Check out our portfolio here.

Development

What platform you get your developed on, what’s the business model, what features you want and what are the functionalities are important determinants of your cost.

There is another determinant – who you hire!

While the option of hiring freelancers and newbies seems likewise now, it may cost you a more in the long run.

Freelancers are individual developers who may be skilled or may not be skilled depending on their experience and exposure.

While there are a lot of freelancers out there, the skill-set and consistency can be a huge question mark.

Freelancers may not have a complete skill set to develop the app and you may need to hire more than 1. And even then, you might end up with a mediocre app.

Freelancers are conservative option to get an app developed but then again there are risks of your project getting delayed or not getting delivered at all.

Small and new agencies serve as a middle ground between freelancers and an experienced team. They cost higher than freelancers but will generally be more consistent and skilled.

They are typically a team of 3-10 developers working on specific criterion app. Although small teams may not be able to develop even a slightly complex app.

Big teams of experienced developers come at a cost which is higher than freelancers and small companies.

However, they bring their experience and guarantee with them. Usually, such teams are more equipped with addressing your needs and understanding of business models. There’s a rather newer concept called dedicated hiring method. To meet your development requirements, you can opt for this cost effective method.

It is also important to go through the work done by the team in the past. Learn more about how to hire a node js development company, or a php development company.

Legalities & Licenses

While you may have thought that developing an app will be the last cost determining factor but there are some costs that may not be direct but are usually important.

Your intellectual property in the app is of value and should be protected.

Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks will do that. If the information on your app is your IP it’s important to patent it prevents people from profiting from it.

Trademarks protect the names. If you’ve got a name that sticks out, it’s worth trademarking. Copyrights protect your visual and written content from being plagiarized.

Several apps are developed on templates that have to be licensed for the use. And to deploy apps on the Android store or the App store of Apple, the license has to be bought.

The licensing service is a secure means of controlling access to your applications and to protect it too.

Support and Maintenance:

Technical support for managing updates, APIs, user profiles and data and even monitoring customers is a crucial part of an app’s functionality.

With appropriate support, the app will not be able to do what it was developed for.

New features will cost you. About 20% of your total cost will be spent on enhancing existing features and refining of the app.

This is an on-going process and with every change in technology, new updates are required to make your app frictionless.

Recommended Read: Going Mobile – A Definitive Guide to E-commerce App Development

The Total Investment:

The time and cost of app development will largely depend on the complexity of the app.

It is difficult to put a number on how much your app might cost because of the numerous and subjective determinants. Though here are some average costs, to help you get an idea.

A basic app, without back-end database, API functionality or social media integration will cost between $2000 to $10000. In the US, it may cost around $8k however, in India the development cost of the same app may be half.

The time may range from 1 to 3 months and can be done by new developers as they are easy to develop.

A moderately complex will cost anywhere between $10k to $40k. The cost may vary according to the platform and the country where the app is being developed.

The same app may be developed in India for half the price as compared to the US with no compromise on the skills. The development of such an app takes anywhere between three to six months.

A complex app will need experienced mobile app developers to work on it due to APIs, social media integration, backend support, and complicated functionalities.

Such apps will be more expensive to develop generally around $40k to $80k. An Android version of the same app may cost over $100k in the US. In India, it is likely to cost $35k.

The average time is taken to develop an app, according to research by Hyperlink Infosystem, is 8 weeks i.e., 320 billable hours.

A simple app will cost $4800 in India compared to $48,000 in the US.

A complex one might cost $38,000 in India and $250,000 in US. A lot of app development project is hence outsourced to India.

The core developing behind an app consists of the following:

As it may be clear, an average cost may not suffice the question. Your app will have obviously different functionalities and features, with some consistent pricing methods.

Check out some of our happy customers at our website, or directly contact us here.

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