Mobile applications development is the buzzword that is ruling the technology domains around the globe. From under-developed countries to developed countries and the ones with incredible technology infrastructure, mobile apps are the go-to technology for most software-based solutions.
The world is quickly changing. Even faster than we had imagined. Every day we see inventions and innovations that leave us awe-struck. Every day something happens that promises to better the lives of humanity and make the world a better, more livable place. And while many may not agree, mobile apps surely have a part to play in it.
There are numerous ways one can get their apps built. You can find mobile app development austin, or you can look for them in New York, Houston, or other places, and you will find them easily. Mobile app development is often termed a complex phenomenon, and maybe it is.
So, before we learn about the mobile application development lifecycle, let’s learn about what is a mobile app development and then we will proceed further.
What is Mobile App Development?
Mobile app development, also known as mobile application development or smartphone application development, is a process of building software called apps for smartphones. These software or apps are built for smartphones to perform a number of actions.
These can be built for multiple purposes, including healthcare apps, automotive apps, ecommerce apps, food delivery apps, and more. Mobile apps can also be built for various platforms. However, Android and iOS happened to be the most famous and most used platforms worldwide. Android has the largest user base around the globe, followed by iOS.
There are other operating systems as well, but those are significantly less famous and don’t have much of a footprint as compared to these two giants. In the circulating news, Huawei’s HarmonyOS is set to go big, but only time will tell if the multi-billion-dollar gamble by Huawei is worth it or not.
Why Choose Mobile App Development?
There are multiple reasons why you should consider choosing mobile app development as your main strategy to reach your audience. Mobile application development is a renowned industry and has seen a significant increase over the last few years. The revenue and profitability figures of the mobile application industry have been unmatched, allowing success and growth at unprecedented rates.
Let’s have a look at a few of the factors below.
● Mobile App Revenue
Mobile app revenues have consistently surmounted over the last few years. In 2020, the global mobile app revenues touched 318 billion US dollars. This was an increase of more than 60 billion dollars when compared to 2019. Not only this, mobile apps revenues are ready to soar and cross the 600 billion US dollars mark by the end of 2025.
● Mobile App Usage
Since its inception, mobile app users have constantly increased. The number of mobile app downloads depicts every bit of it. In 2016, the global mobile app downloads were around 140 billion, and by the end of 2021, these numbers surpassed 230 billion annual downloads globally. This number is expected to grow exponentially in the years to come.
● Mobile App Growth Prospects
The mobile app industry has seen all-around growth over the past decade or so. The mobile app development industry is growing beyond limits. Be it revenue, the number of users, the usability of apps, and more. The industry is expected to see a revenue growth rate of more than 8.0%. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is one of the factors that depict what we will be experiencing.
So now that you know everything about it let’s move ahead and understand every nitty-gritty of the mobile app development process. Whether you are an app developer company Austin or elsewhere in the world, we can help you get what you want.
Mobile App Development Process
Building mobile apps is certainly not a walk in the park. The mobile app development process is a lengthy process that requires expertise, experience, and technical knowledge of the subject matter. The process of every mobile app development company differs a lot. But there are a few steps that are essential. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Gathering all the information
The first step involves gathering all the necessary information for the app development process and much more. It includes the basic app idea around which you will be playing for the next few months, as well as what you need to develop an app from a technological or technical perspective.
This information can be gathered through a number of different tools and compared with numerous app competitors. This is important because you will understand what is actually working in the market and how it can be made better using the information being collected.
2. Perfecting the app idea
No idea is perfect, and we absolutely believe the mantra. Mobile apps can be built for a number of ideas, and any new idea that comes to your mind might be a raw idea. Any raw concept needs to be refined in order for it to be perfect. This may include removing any leak points or adding features and more.
This step includes both technical and strategic decisions for the long-term and short-term that may have macro or micro effects on the working of the app or how it is communicated to the audience or to other stakeholders. There are quite a few ways one can improve on this point, and any app developer company Austin can help build that.
3. Choosing the right technology stack
No matter if you are building a product or a service, choosing the right technology stack is extremely important. For that reason, you could choose between native or cross-platform app development solutions. You can go for Java/Kotlin or Objective C/Swift for native development and Flutter, React Native, Ionic, Xamarin or others to build hybrid or cross-platform apps.
4. Mobile app design
Once you are done with the above stages, the next step is to proceed with mobile app design. Designing a mobile app might look like a simple thing, but in reality, it takes way more effort and requires much more expertise.
These days, tools such as Adobe XD, Figma, and others have made it simple to develop the UI and check the app’s flow by interlinking all the screens. These days, building the app’s design has become easier, but still, there is a lot that goes into exquisitely designing and building apps.
5. Mobile app development
After the completion and finalization of mobile app designs, the next phase is where mobile apps are built according to the plan. This involves the frontend, backend, and APIs custom-built according to the requirements.
The app can be incorporated with a number of revolutionary features. Any app developer company can help you get what you need with perfection. Mobile apps with more features and seamless performance seem to get more popular in less time, and that is why they are famous.
6. Mobile app testing
Nothing is complete without testing. When a mobile app is finalized from the development phase, and all of its backend, frontend, API, and other components are intact, then comes the time where it is thoroughly tested against a few standards.
The testing techniques can be of two types. First, based on the app’s idea, custom requirements are generated that help gauge the specific features and functions and the app’s performance on certain parameters. Second, some usual testing is done so that the mobile application works just the way it is supposed to.
7. Mobile app launch
When all the prior steps are completed, then it is time to launch the application for the actual market audience. The mobile app launch can be done in a number of ways. It can either be an alpha version, beta version, or an actual app launch.
If the app that has been built is for a limited audience, it can be sent through a private link to the audience, or if it is for the public and anyone can use the application, it can be uploaded to app stores. These app stores include Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Amazon store, and more.
These stores and other strategies largely vary depending upon the app idea, and by providing specific features, the app can be optimized for a particular audience in a more comprehensive and targeted manner. Narrowing down the niche has its own benefits and advantages that only become apparent when some time has passed.
Conclusion
The mobile app development process hasn’t changed much over the past few years. However, there are a few iterations for the year 2022. These changes might not be much and may be negligent for most people; the development lifecycle can be important in improving the overall efficiency for long-term sustainability and enhanced performance.
Whatever your app idea is and whatever you are trying to build, mobile applications can be built in a better way if done through a tried and tested process. Today we have discussed what needs to be discussed, and everyone can follow these.