Mobile apps are already firmly embedded in our lives. We don’t hesitate to choose apps over websites because they are better adapted to touch control, because they work faster, because they are always “at hand”, namely on the desktop of the smartphone. Users who have used a mobile app at least once will usually not use the mobile version of the site again because it’s more convenient. And today we will discuss here a step-by-step guide to building your first mobile app.
Application Features
- Beautiful and functional design
- Advertising banners
- Product catalog
- Info pages
- Ordering
- On-line payment
- Free push notifications
- Purchase in 1 click
- My Cabinet
- Top offers
- Mobile app data exchange directly with your store without intermediaries
What It Takes to Create a Mobile App
What you need to create an application depends on what you want to get in the end. An obligatory technical requirement is the availability of a computer or laptop with an Internet connection and, of course, a smartphone on which you will test the novelty.
To make an app, you need to do the following steps:
- Decide on the purpose and functionality of the future program, as well as the monetization option, if it is planned;
- Choose a constructor to implement it all;
- Register and (if necessary) pay for subscription;
- Choose a template and fill it with content;
- Personalize it by adding a photo, logo, etc.
The finished application will need to be tested and any errors eliminated, then it can be uploaded to the store and offered to your current and potential customers to use it.
Estimating the Cost of Creating A Mobile App
Creating mobile apps starts with a budget. So if you have already decided what you want to end up with, you can safely move on to this step. When ordering from a developer, the price is made up of:
- the complexity of the solution;
- the time frame (a product that is “needed yesterday” is always more expensive);
- the experience and skills of the developer.
Should you approach a college student or an experienced developer with dozens of successful projects in his portfolio, you will hear prices that differ by several times. If your company is not a startup taking its first steps, you should not skimp on the contractor in such cases. A demanding public will immediately notice mistakes. There is a practice of offering the developer who is creating the application a share of his future profits. In this case, you can partially reduce your expenses during the preparatory stage.
If you plan to create a mobile app with the help of a constructor, the arithmetic will be quite different. There are the following options for working with such programs:
- Completely free, but usually with greatly reduced functionality. Suitable if you are planning a completely simple product “without any frills;
- Light and Pro versions. In the first you get access to simplified functionality from the first item. In the second case, you buy extended functionality with full access. This requires a one-time payment of about $300-500;
- Using it on a monthly basis. You create an application with access to all the features, and pay about $20-30 per month to use it.
The Preparatory Stage
This brainstorming stage is necessary before creating an app. The goal of the stage is to find answers to the following questions:
- ● What is the purpose of creating the app for the company?
- Why does the consumer need it? What will motivate him to install the application on his smartphone or tablet?
- What should the app be able to do so that the user can easily get what they are looking for?
- What platforms should the app work on (IOS, Android, Windows)?
- Which of the above is right for you and how much will it cost to create the app and then use it?
- What post-launch maintenance will be required? For example, do you need to monitor serviceability on a daily basis?
The goal of this step is to look at the future application from the user’s point of view. After all, you’re looking for the answer to the question “How do I make a mobile app?” precisely so that he or she can install it on his or her smartphone.
App Development
The practical step of app creation is development. After a thorough analysis in the previous step, you already have an idea of the necessary functions and characteristics of the future product. And hence the designer can choose with them in mind.
Launch and Test A Mobile App
Before the app sees the light of day, you need to make sure it is functioning correctly. If it has serious bugs, all work will be in vain. For testing, you need a smartphone with a connection to a computer. It can be replaced by the emulator of the mobile device on the monitor.
During the test it is important to check:
- whether all functions work correctly;
- whether it works with all the planned types of operating systems;
- whether it can withstand the increased user load;
- how different changes in transfer speed or status of the mobile device affect its performance.
There are automated application testing programs available. However, there is no substitute for working in manual mode. Ideally, it should be performed by a user who has not previously seen the interface, much less participated in its development. If you choose the free option, ask someone you know about this service.
It’s Time to Start
This guide is written to help you get started in creating your own application without going into details of programming, technical component of programs for Android and iOS and to find answers to your questions. If you cannot find an answer to any question about how to create a mobile application for Android or iOS or have any suggestions and wishes, write in comments!
