This 7-step guide simplifies the process of creating a gadget app for Android, iOS, or a PWA. It highlights five key reasons for app development: enhancing brand visibility, offering custom features, generating business-aligned interactions, leveraging mobile ubiquity, and improving user interaction quality. The guide walks beginners through conceptualization to publication and maintenance of their app.
How to Create a Mobile App: Get Your App Idea on Paper
218 billion mobile apps were downloaded, a number projected to reach 258 billion by 2022, according to Statista. This demonstrates the high demand and intense competition in the mobile app market. Therefore, the concept behind your app becomes crucial when creating an app for your business.
The first stage of app development is to understand the objective of your app:
Set Goals: Define your app’s concept by studying the market. Answer these questions:
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- Who is your target audience? Your app should specifically add value to them.
- Which features will engage and retain users?
- Are there similar apps in the market?
- What are your competitors doing? Analyze their reviews and design for inspiration.
- Will your app be monetized?
- Plan Your App Design: App design is crucial for user engagement, as users decide to stay or leave within 500 milliseconds and further engage within 5-10 seconds. Key factors are simplicity and familiarity, so keep designs clear and fluid, avoiding unusual layouts.
App design combines both UI (graphic elements like icons, colors, fonts, and logos) and UX (navigation, loading speed, functionalities, responsiveness) to offer the best user experience under all conditions.
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- Sketch Wireframes: Prioritize essential interface components and start with the MVP to ensure key parts are accessible and adjustable. Use wireframes for quicker modifications before finalizing the design.
- User Interface Design (UI): The success of your app depends on its look and feel. Mobile UI includes graphical elements like menus, icons, and feedback features. The interface should be simple and consistent.
- User Experience (UX): The users’ perspective centers on the quality and richness of their journey, including interface quality, loading times, app structure, content length, and goal achievement duration. These factors shape their brand perception, especially on small screens (Apple suggests 44 pixels square for touch).
- 3-Click Rule: Design an easy-to-use app with intuitive navigation. Avoid complex navigation as it reduces user engagement. Aim to follow the 3-click rule for finding information.
Choosing Between a Native App and a PWA Based on Your Needs
When it comes to mobile app development, there are various approaches, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. Here, we will focus on two primary methods: Native Apps and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
Native App:
A native mobile app is designed specifically for a device’s operating system, like iOS or Android, allowing it to use the device’s hardware and software for superior performance. Native technology leads in mobile development, offering high-performance products with access to native APIs and features. Developing native apps requires separate versions for each OS, ensuring a polished interface. Native apps dominate mobile traffic, with millions available through the Store.
Progressive Web App (PWA):
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer a native app-like experience using web technologies, combining the benefits of web pages and mobile apps. They can be installed on home screens, work offline thanks to Service Workers, and adapt to various devices without needing store publication. PWAs also benefit from SEO and ensure a robust mobile presence, which is crucial as 67% of web traffic comes from mobile.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Technology:
PWAs attract three times more visitors than native apps but have limited features depending on the browser. Native apps offer full geolocation features like geofencing and beacons but come with higher costs and compliance requirements.
Create Your App by Choosing the Most Suitable Method for Your Business
Deciding how to create an app for your business involves choosing between mobile app development and using an App Builder. Developing custom software for mobile devices ensures a perfect match with device capabilities but requires significant investment in skills, time, and cost. Alternatively, an App Builder offers a cost-effective, no-coding solution. We’ll explore both options and offer tips to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
The Three Main App Development Methods:
To create a free app, you have three options: develop it yourself by learning programming languages like Objective-C/Swift for iOS or Java/Kotlin for Android; hire an agency or freelance developer, which is costly but reliable; or use a no-code app builder for a cost-effective, time-saving solution, though it might not suit complex projects.
Create an App with a No-Code Option
After making the tough decisions, start building your app using a no-code development platform. Focus on key design elements, adding and structuring content, and enhancing functionality with Add-Ons like Loyalty Cards, Push Notifications, and Chat features. Utilize custom plugins for personalization and activate API Access for advanced eCommerce capabilities.
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Test Your App on iOS and Android
Before releasing your app, conduct thorough testing to ensure optimal performance. Test all versions (iOS, Android, PWA) across different systems and browsers. Recruit beta testers to identify overlooked issues. Verify app speed, prevent crashes, ensure functionality, and check design adaptability. Use the AdHoc version for exact replication and TestFlight for iOS apps to test before going live.
Submit and Post Your App on the Stores
Once your app is ready, it’s time to consider publishing it. Expanding your app’s reach by publishing on multiple platforms is highly advisable. While the process can be complex and daunting, it begins with registering as a developer:
- Developer Accounts: This is a mandatory step for both Apple and Google platforms.
- Apple Devices: Subscribing to the Developer Program for the App Store costs $99 per year. Note that Apple requires the app content owner to match the developer account owner. Therefore, if you publish multiple iOS apps for different projects, each must have its own developer account.
- Google Play: Registering as a Google Play Developer costs a one-time fee of $25, and you must use a Gmail account.
Apple’s App Store
Offering an app to the App Store is complex and requires thorough preparation to meet Apple’s high standards. Each app undergoes a review process, needing various assets and metadata. The review may take a few days, and Apple will notify you upon approval or provide feedback if rejected. Support is available to ensure compliance with App Store Guidelines and assist in improving your app for successful publication.
Google Play Store
To distribute Android apps effectively, submit them to Google Play, the premier platform with over 1 billion users. Create a detailed store listing with essential info and keywords to boost ranking. After completing the listing, upload your APK file and follow Google Console’s deployment steps. Note that review times may be longer for new developers, and compliance with guidelines is crucial to avoid app removal.
Progressive Web App
Publishing a Progressive Web App is straightforward, involving just web server hosting and domain linking. Focus on SEO for discoverability. Hosting is included with your subscription, but setting up your own domain is advised for a stronger brand presence.
Launch Strategy
Stagger feature rollouts will allow for future updates. Our Takes Care service manages app publications in the gadget store so you can focus on marketing.
Continuously Improve and Update Your App
Regularly monitor feedback and KPIs using analytics tools. Release new content and features to keep users engaged and informed via marketing strategies and push notifications. Update your app frequently, with 3-4 updates per year recommended, including new features, bug fixes, and OS updates. PWAs can be updated without resubmission limits. Use your app’s back office tools to manage the update process.