The recent changes imposed by the pandemic outbreak is responsible for pushing the digital transformation. Videoconferences, online shopping and cashless payments are now part of a daily routine, which makes several corporations want an application to improve their internal processes and the experience of their audience. A recent study shows that global app spending set to pass $100 billion this year.
Many companies, however, have doubts about how to develop an application, from the idea to the launch. To help you clarify what are the steps, this article will answer the most common questions about app development.
There are several reasons for a business to have an application, and each is unique to the purpose of it. In most cases, the idea is validated through a web system because it is cheaper: it evaluates how employees and/or users are using that system and then thinks about how to develop an application.
Your company must have a clear idea of what kind of problem it proposes to solve for users or customers. That done, we will start thinking about how to develop an application, deciding the best way to do it.
Which is the type of app best for your business?
The first step after defining your company’s app idea is to think about what kind of app is best for them. There are three types of apps: native, web and hybrid. Each of them has a different function on the user’s device.
Native applications are those that will have access to all the functionality of the user’s smartphone. It is the most expensive form of development, but it is the most complete.
Web applications are actually websites, but they are programmed in a way that optimizes the user experience on smartphones. This is very important, especially considering that Google recommends adapting pages for mobiles. This type of app needs browsers to run, internet access, but they are unable to use the functions of the devices.
The hybrid is a mixture of the two: it is a native container that contains a web app inside it. It has access to some functions, but not all. For a more robust and complete application, which will use most of the smartphone’s features, the native form is more recommended for the purpose. In addition to handling all the functions of your device, their performance and speed are better, providing better user experience.
If the goal is only to present content as in a news application, the web app is the most suitable. If you need to display content, and at the same time, some functions of the device, the hybrid is recommended, for example.
Which is the best system?
Having defined the type of application your company will have, we will proceed to the next step on how to develop an app. Much is said about the differences between Android and iOS systems and the dispute as to which is the best.
More interesting than choosing one side is to know the specifics of each one, keeping in mind which is the easiest to learn to program, which are the obstacles, their pros and cons and which of the platforms best suits the demands of your app and your audience. Web app developers would be able to assist you with these questions considering the features and market of your app.
Audience and market
When it comes to the market and customers, the idea is that the application has no limitations and is available to all audiences. However, general data must be taken into account when you think about what is the best platform to develop your application.
It is essential to know that Android has the most significant global demographic of users, especially in less wealthy and developed nations. In emerging countries, more than 90% of smartphone users use Android, as the required hardware is much more accessible. In addition, you will need a Mac device to develop an iOS app, be it an iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook. In contrast, Android development can be on any type of hardware, be it Mac, Windows, Linux, etc. Have in mind what is the market that you want to target and check what is the most popular platform in that location.
Speed
On average, Android development takes twice or triple the time to result in an app compared to iOS. This is linked to the release cycles, but also to a process called Android fragmentation, which consists of a large number of devices that use the system, requiring adaptation to the diversity of devices.
Resources
One of the pros of Android development is it is open-source, which allows the appearance of the system, that is, alternative and unofficial customized versions. In other words, it gives application developers deeper access and greater control over the platform itself. That’s why many apps are only available on the Android platform.
How much invest in the app’s design?
Your app may solve the biggest problem for customers or company employees, but none of this will work if they don’t know how to use the app. Therefore, the design must be developed with a focus on the user experience, making it as intuitive as possible.
Your company’s app design should be objective and responsive. Users have to land at the function they want to access with the fewest clicks possible. So think carefully about the main feature and the flow that the user will go through to complete the action.
Also, the size of the screen on which the app will be used must be taken into account before considering the development stage. The buttons must be compatible with the screen size, and the user must be able to click on them quickly. This directly influences how to develop an application, as the design interferes with the app’s programming.
Your app’s icon should be flashy and exciting too. There is no point in improving user experiences within the app if the public is not interested in downloading it. The icon is the first impression they have on the App Store and Google Play Store and what they will always see on their smartphone screen.
User retention
The success of an application can be measured by the time that the person spends using it, by the number of times that they return to your application, always taking into account the purpose of the app. If your users spend a lot of time or always return to your app, it means that it has good usability.
So the importance of being simple, because people do not want to waste time and prefer to go straight to the point. Thus, try to have the best application among the competitors raised in the construction of your business plan.
Having a dynamic support team is essential for users, as questions and problems will be answered quickly. This support will keep your audience and help you discover what can be improved in your company’s app with the help of reviews.
App Store Optimization
The App Store Optimization, or ASO, is the set of techniques and actions that your company must take when publishing the application in one of the App Stores. This will make people find your app from their app store searches.
As we already said, the icon is the first impression that people have, so it must be attractive. The insertion of keywords relevant to your segment in the description is also essential, they help you find your app in stores.
Placing screenshots that show the main functions of the application attracts a higher number of downloads. The insertion of a video showing the features is also very interesting to generate engagement.
The ASO associated with other forms of marketing, such as creating a website focused on keywords, will guarantee the success of your company’s app.