The process of developing mobile apps for smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants, usually based on Android and iOS, is known as mobile application development. You can install the software on the device, download it from an app store or access it through a mobile web browser. Among the languages used for this type of software development are Java, Swift, C#, and HTML5. The number of mobile apps being developed is increasing. Across industries, including retail, telecommunications, e-commerce, insurance, healthcare, and government, organizations must provide real-time, convenient customer information access.
In today’s world, mobile devices- and the apps that unlock their value- are the most popular internet connection for individuals and businesses. Organizations must develop the mobile apps their customers, partners, and employees demand to remain relevant, responsive, and successful. Although mobile app development might seem challenging, it is not impossible. As soon as you have selected the platform or platforms for your app, you must overcome the limitations of mobile devices and navigate distribution hurdles. The good news is that you can streamline your app development journey by following a few basic guidelines and best practices.
Mobile Apps and Device Platforms
In the modern smartphone market, there are two dominant platforms. There is the iOS platform from Apple Inc. Powered by iOS, Apple’s iPhone smartphones are the most popular worldwide. Google’s Android operating system is the second. In addition to Google devices, many OEMs build their own smartphones and smart devices using the Android operating system. Click Here
Developing an application for iOS versus an application for Android requires using different software development kits (SDKs) and an additional development toolchain. Unlike Apple, Google allows other companies to use Android on their devices, provided they meet specific requirements, including certain Google apps. The two platforms can support hundreds of millions of devices, allowing developers to develop apps for both platforms.
List Of Top App Development Software
- Quixy
- Zoho Creator
- Microsoft Power Apps
- AppMySite
- AppyPie
- AppSheet
- Bizness Apps
- Appery.io
- iBuildApp
- Shoutem
- Rollbar
- JIRA
- AppInstitute
- GoodBarber
- Caspio
Build an App Development Strategy
Creating a strategy for mobile app development begins with asking why? In what way does your app serve a purpose? Is there a problem in the industry that your mobile app will solve? Who are you, and what is your business model? What is the maximum amount of money you will spend on this project? Is there a revenue model for your business? What will you do to market your app, and to whom will you sell it? Taking a look at these questions will give you a good idea of how to proceed with your mobile app development.
For example, you could begin by defining your user persona if you plan to develop an eCommerce application. To determine your user persona, in this case, you must understand your users’ age, mobile usage habits, preferences, and why and how they will find your mobile application users. You can create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) based on this information.
How to choose an agency for mobile app development?
Consider these factors when deciding whether to partner with an agency:
1. Team and experience
Recruit a team that is well-coordinated, experienced, and stable. New team members need months to become comfortable with each other. You do not want your project to be at risk due to a poorly integrated team. A third party shouldn’t handle your project, which is another critical point.
2. Technology
It is essential to choose an agency that can choose the most appropriate technology for your project, its scope, and objectives and recommend the most cost-effective approach. An agency should develop your mobile app with experience with the best technologies for you.
3. References
As a matter of course, the agency should have many positive references. Look at projects similar to your app, check the ratings in app stores, and ask the agency about measurable results. Rather than focusing on just how the app looks, think about the value it adds to the client.
4. Management
In addition to programmers and designers, it is essential to have people who can manage and coordinate the work. Hence, your partner should be able to explain their project management methodology understandably.
5. Quality assurance
The quality of the app should be double-checked at every stage of development. In addition to manual testing, we discuss code reviews, automated tests, unit tests, prototypes, and code reviews.
App development alternatives
The development of mobile apps can be divided into four significant approaches.
- Native Mobile Apps
- Cross-Platform Native Mobile Apps
- Hybrid Mobile Apps
- Progressive Web Apps
As with any approach to developing mobile applications, there are advantages and disadvantages. Developers choose the right development approach based on the user experience, computing resources, and native features required by their apps, the development budget, time targets, and resources available for maintenance.
Native Applications
The native mobile application runs directly on the device’s operating system, such as iOS and Android. It is written in the programming language and framework the platform owner provides.
Cross-Platform Applications
Using a variety of programming languages and frameworks, native mobile applications can be written cross-platform. Still, they are compiled into a native application running directly on the device’s operating system.
Hybrid-Web Applications
A hybrid mobile application uses web technologies, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5, and is packaged as an app installation package. Unlike native apps, hybrid apps run on a ‘web container,’ which combines browser runtimes and native APIs.
Progressive Web Applications
A PWA is a mobile app developed without downloading and installing it from an app store, which offers an alternative to the traditional approach to mobile app development. In a PWA, browser capabilities – such as working offline, running in the background, and adding a link to the home screen – create an ‘app-like’ user experience.
Why Choose Native App Development?
Native app development is beneficial when you want to use native capabilities offered by the platform. Using native apps, you can access hardware capabilities like GPS, camera, and microphone, which will expedite the execution of features, allowing you to build a richer user experience.
It is much easier to implement push notifications on native platforms. For example, Apple’s iOS Server (APNS) and Google’s Cloud Messaging Platform can be used for push notifications. Because native apps are compiled in the native language, they have fewer bugs.
Why Choose Cross-Platform App Development?
Approximately 50 percent of the market is occupied by iOS and 50 percent by Android. Your potential customer may be using any of the platforms and sometimes both. Building apps for both platforms takes a lot of money, and not all companies have the budget. The development of native platforms can also make it more difficult for your app to provide the same speed and functionality.
Choosing cross-platform development ensures that the user experience is consistent across all platforms; one development team publishes to both platforms, and you need more money and time to build and maintain two separate apps.
Why Choose Progressive Web App Development?
Javascript, HTML5, CSS, and other traditional web languages are used to develop Progressive Web Applications. Access to these apps is only possible through the browser on your device. Consider creating a PWA if your users have continuous access to network connectivity and can resolve their issues through the browser itself without relying on any native capabilities of the device, such as a camera, machine learning module, GPS, or gyroscope.
