When it comes to mobile app development, there is a visible boom we can see across the globe. Due to some unparalleled advantages, a business mobile app offers to enterprises and businesses, everyone wants to develop a brand authority on mobile platforms. In addition to that, there are some other benefits too. A business app offers a unique opportunity to the businesses to interact with their users and other stakeholders. Also, a scalable mobile app has the potential to make different processes and operations easy and streamlined.
If you have a business idea or you have an established business that you want to take on a mobile platform, it is the right time to do that. There are many mobile app development companies you can find on the internet which offer superior mobile app development services.
However, before starting mobile app development, there are some things that you need to know. These are things that are essential for a business owner and even a developer to know before they start developing a mobile app. By carefully discussing and deliberating these points with your team, you can make a difference in the success of the app. Remember, there are millions of apps already available on play stores which are unnoticed and unsuccessful. You don't want your app to become one of them, do you? Therefore, it is advisable to discuss some things before you indulge in mobile app development.
This article discusses these crucial things in detail.
Market Research
It is not cool to just hire a mobile app development company as soon as an idea hits your brain. This is the reason why most of the business apps fail so badly. You need to ensure that you conduct thorough market research to know what is out there.
For example, you want to start a cricket gaming app. Well, there are several cricket gaming apps available on iOS and android play store and you need to download and check out the features and functionalities and other crucial parameters first.
What is a unique thing that you are planning to offer to the users that is yet unexplored by your competitors? Discuss with your core management team and ask whether the idea is technically feasible or not. If you think that it is a time-consuming affair, outsource it to your junior manager or a secretary to research and come up with a detailed report on it.
There are more than 8000 apps deployed on Apple and Google stores and no one will notice your app unless you have something extraordinary and outstanding in your app. You are going to invest time, effort, manpower and money to an idea and you definitely don't want to waste them all. Conducting market research is highly crucial before starting mobile app development.
iOS or Android or Both
Once you have conducted thorough research and have some positive results from the research report, the next thing is to decide whether to go for an android app, iOS app or both. If you want to validate the mobile app idea as soon as possible and you want to make your app live instantly, you need to decide fast.
Also, you need to keep in mind your budget before deciding to go for Android, iOS or both. Remember, choosing the right platform is very important for the success of your app. Also, research about your target audience and which platform they are using.
Native or hybrid or web app
Once you know the platform of the mobile app, the next thing is to decide whether you want to go for a native app, hybrid app or a web app. It is also one of the significant decisions you need to make for your app. Native apps might cost you a little more than hybrid or web apps as developers need more time and resources to develop a native app. In addition to that, you might need an expert team of developers to develop a native app. Also, the decision you take will influence your timeframe of app development, features and functionalities, marketing and promotion strategies.
If you want to develop a gaming app, on-demand taxi app, an on-demand grocery app or on-demand dating app , it is better to go for a native app as it offers some impeccable features and functionalities to use.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a simple app with minimal updates, you can go for a web app. For start-ups who want features and app performance like native apps but have budget constraints, they can go for hybrid app development. Hybrid apps can access the device's features and are great at performance, utility and speed.
Choosing the right development company
This is one of the most crucial things to consider while developing mobile apps. Choosing the right company for mobile app development is very crucial for an app's success. If you end up choosing a poor app development company, you will see the complications and issues that might jeopardize the whole project later. Also, your budget is affected when you choose the right app development company.
For example, if you choose an Indian app development company or mobile app developers, you might get a budget-friendly deal compared to developers or development companies from the USA or UK or Canada. Choose a company that has earned some good reputation and reviews on the internet.
Also, check out the portfolio of the app development company to ensure that it can handle your project efficiently and effectively.
Time and resources
For the marketing and promotion of your app, you must decide on an appropriate date of app deployment. If you want to create a buzz about your app on the digital platforms to get a competitive edge in the initial stage of the deployment, you must have a clear idea about the time frame of app development. Everything must be completed in the determined period to get a successful initial launch of the app. Discuss this with the development team and get an exact time period for completion of the project.
Ask them about the appropriate period for development, design, wireframing and testing. Also, you need to determine your budget for app development at this stage.
How much you want to spend on this idea? The total cost will depend on many things such as the app complexity, features and functionalities, the geographical location of the app development company, infrastructure and other factors. Also, you need to keep in mind that you will need some budget for ongoing support and maintenance of the app once it is deployed. You have to update your app from time to time to address bug issues, features as per the comments of the users about user experience, monitoring and system updates.
UI/UX
User interface and user experience are two primary things that determine the success of the app. Ignore these two parameters and you are doomed.
The user interface is all about the overall appeal of the app with its visual ability to lure the users. User experience, on the other hand, is all about how your user feels about your business and services when he comes to your app.
For example, if your app is not user-friendly and easy to navigate, the user will not come to the app again. In the worst case, he might uninstall your app from the device. Remember it is an era of instant gratification. That's what users want nowadays. You need to take utmost care while working on these two features of the app. Hire best UI/UX designers who can make a significant difference to your app.
Target audience
What is the need to develop a mobile app for an android platform when most of your target audience uses Apple devices? Understanding your target audience is one of the most important things to know before developing mobile app. If you don't know them, you will not be able to succeed even if you excel at all other departments.
Who is your target audience, where they are, what they are looking for, what are their goals and terms, which technologies they use, these are some of the questions whose answers will make a huge difference. Some of the parameters to consider here is the age group of your target audience, occupation, age, gender, geographic, interests and most importantly, the issues they face in their day to day life.
Business model and monetisation
There is no free lunch- a famous quote of the economy applies here too. You are not making an app just for fun, right? You have some monetisation plans for the app. You want to earn some revenues out of the app. Sometimes, the main aim of the app development might not be the monetisation only, but other goals such as brand reach or resources availability for the audience, etc.
However, before starting mobile app development, you need to have a clear idea about the business model of the app. Some of the monetisation models are discussed here.
Freemium apps where the app is free to download and use, but you might need to subscribe for advanced features that are locked.
Paid apps where the user has to purchase the app from the app store. It is an unusual monetisation model and it must be incorporated with a detailed and in-depth strategy demonstrating the app's unique and valuable features and value.
In-app purchases where the app is used to sell digital or physical products within the app.
Subscription is a similar model to freemium apps but it brings a lot of revenue for the business.
In-app ads where third-party ads are shown in the app. However, you need to ensure that these ads don't affect the user experience.
Marketing strategy and pre-launch
No one will be able to hear about your app if you don't have a rock-solid marketing and promotion plan for your app.
It is a thing that will write the growth story of your app. An app marketing strategy includes branding, PR, pre-launch efforts, outreach, social media promotions and overall web presence. You might find it a bit early to talk about marketing strategies and promotional tactics, but you will get tenfold returns if you have a robust marketing plan in line before starting mobile app development.
What should be the right image, logo, colours and the tone of content that makes you a different and unique from those million apps available on the app store? Where does your target audience hangs out and which channels you can use to reach out to them? Do they prefer videos over written or image content?
Hire content developers who can come up with crispy, unique and highly effective content that can make a difference. Also, contact the industry influencers by outreaching to them via different channels.
Remember, a robust and scalable marketing plan will surely pay in the long term. By the end of the development phase, there will be enough buzz about your app in the digital landscape.
Sanjay kidecha
CMO
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