There are over 7 billion smartphones in use all over the world today. With such great volume also comes a tremendous variety in the ways people use their smartphones, such as communication, work, play, hobbies, and any other activity you can think of.
Mobile apps enable smartphone users to perform all of these varied tasks from their devices. And while it may seem like there is an app for everything, new apps are being developed and released every day. Mobile app development remains a vital practice for businesses and startups in nearly all industries. Creating a mobile app can attract new users, increase engagement with an existing audience, and drive up revenue.
When you are considering mobile app development, it can all feel very overwhelming. Aside from understanding the tech aspects of developing mobile apps, there are questions of market position, user outreach, brand strategy, and more. For those who are new to mobile app development, or thinking about getting started, this guide will provide a basic step-by-step overview of how to develop mobile apps.
Understanding the Basics of Mobile App Development
First, it may help to define what it means to develop mobile apps. This process involves much more than simply building the software for your mobile app. While that’s a crucial component of the mobile app development process, the process begins at the conception of the idea for the app.
After identifying a need, app developers must figure out the best way to implement their apps across as many devices as possible. For instance, making your app compatible and available on both Apple and Android devices is often a pivotal concern for many mobile app developers.
App development also revolves around identifying what functions your app should perform, and how to best achieve those goals. The built-in technology of most smartphone devices can be a double-edged sword in this regard. On the one hand, the availability of a high quality camera or speakers on modern smartphones can be a great asset to apps that play or record media. But mobile app developers must often work within the framework of what functions are available on smartphones, which can impose limitations.
For a high-level overview of what it takes to develop mobile apps, here is a breakdown of several of the key steps along the way.
Step-by-Step Guide to Develop Mobile Apps
Identify Need
Whether you’re opening a brick and mortar shop or developing an app, the first step is identifying a market need. What product or service is your target market currently lacking? And how can you help fill that void with your app?
In the early days of smartphone technology, it was not difficult for app developers to identify needs in the market. The introduction of new technologies created a world of possibilities for developers to create apps and services for smartphone users. This remains true to an extent today, though the market for new mobile apps has been much more saturated.
But that does not mean there is no room for development and improvement. Existing apps within certain niches may be lacking in certain features, or may not offer an ideal user experience. Any way you can identify a gap in the market for your app can be beneficial in the early stages of app development.
Market Research
Once you have an idea for an app, it is pivotal that you research the market that you will be joining. This can help you flesh out exactly what needs you can fulfill. Market research is also immensely important when it comes to strategizing your app’s development and marketing.
Researching your market helps you to enable both the strengths and weaknesses of competitors, as well as the unmet demands of your target audience. This stage in the mobile app development process is about figuring out how to differentiate yourself from the competition.
App Development
Of course app development will be a key part in the mobile app development process. This step refers to the actual technical work involved in creating the software behind your app. During this phase in the process, you should build your team, outline the development process, and create a timeline to keep development on course.
One of the challenges engineers must face during this stage is how to build an app that is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. This will often be the most varied step in the process, and it should look different for every app developer. The exact steps you will take depend largely on the type of app you’re developing, and what functions are needed.
UI/UX Planning
An essential subcategory of mobile app development is user experience planning. You can build an app with great functionality, but if it’s inconvenient or difficult to use, nothing else matters. Great UX design can set your app apart from the competition and bring in more users.
UX and UI planning require you to consider the ways in which people will use your app. What connections will they make, and how will they navigate from one screen to the next? When planning with UX in mind, you can start to trim out details that are unnecessary, and focus purely on providing the best possible user experience.
Testing
You’ve finished building your app and think you have a finished product, but there is still one thing left to do. Extensive testing is needed before you launch your app to the public. Testing is the only way to ensure that your app runs as intended, without bugs across all available platforms. Beta testing with real users can be immensely beneficial, as these users can provide a fresh perspective free of bias.
Once you’ve done enough testing to ensure your app functions as intended, it’s ready to launch.
Rollout & Beyond
The final stage in the app development process is to introduce it to the public. Mobile app rollout is about bringing the attention of your target audience to your app. A pre-established social media following can be a great tool to generate buzz and early users for your app. Traditional marketing, favorable reviews, and word of mouth marketing are also essential to draw users to your app.
Once you have launched your app, your work is not yet fully done. You will need to provide user support and maintain your software to continue outstanding user experience. These factors are crucial for the long-term viability of your app.
Mobile App Development Services
If you feel ready to begin developing your own app, mobile app development services can be the best way to achieve your goals. Mobile app development services can help you stay on track and ensure that every step in the process is met.
Graphem Solutions provides expert mobile app development services backed by years of experience, and in-depth knowledge of all platforms. No matter your needs, Graphem can provide custom app development from the initial stages to design, development, and maintenance, to ensure continued functionality for your app.
Our team can help you avoid crucial mistakes and stay on track from start to finish. Want to learn more about Graphem’s mobile app development services? Contact us with any questions about your app development needs and how we can help.
