Mobile Application Development Explained in Simple Words
We all use our cell phones without giving it much thought. These devices have become our natural extensions, so few people pause to think: what is mobile application development? Can anyone develop an app, and if they can, what will it take?
If you’re one of these inquisitive people, you’ll be interested in taking a closer look at the entire phenomenon. Mobile application development is a process of planning, designing, building, and maintaining special software that functions on the basis of different mobile devices. In most cases, it is developed for either iOS (Apple) or Android (Google) — or both of these platforms.
We use apps for all kinds of purposes, from watching how our business performs to tracking our health, booking tickets, and reading books. The projected market app revenue is predicted to increase to $781.70 billion by 2029, which shows that it’s wise to invest in the development process.
But first, you need to understand the intricacies of mobile applications and the challenges related to their development.
Steps to Follow in the Mobile Application Development Process
People access various websites from their cell phones with increasing frequency. If you already have a platform, that’s great! You need to understand how to make a website mobile-friendly for users to boost its popularity. However, creating an app will extend your reach even further.
Here are the steps you’ll need to cover to succeed.
Step 1: Doing Market Research
Before developing a mobile app, you need to answer some questions.
- What do you want to create? Understand what value you’d like your future app to have;
- What are the market trends? Analyze the market for your product, including everything your competitors offer;
- What key features should your app have? Focus on combining the best features in your app while eliminating the flaws identified by the customers;
- What are your goals? Decide if your app is a passion project or something you want to monetize eventually.
The more you understand the market you plan to enter, the smoother your entry is going to be.
Step 2: Developing a Clear Strategy
Outline the goals that will help you develop your app. First, decide if you want to target iOS, Android, or cross-platform users. Design a roadmap and divide responsibilities between the members of your team if you have it.
Choose the programming languages and development tools that will assist you in your development process. It could be one of the ten best Python CMS or the latest no-code platforms. You need to understand how your app will look, who it’ll benefit, and how to achieve all these goals.
Step 3: Creating UI/UX Design
An app developer must sketch the layout of their app and then create a prototype. Creating UI components is the next stage: you need to make the interface clear and appealing to the users, so design buttons, fonts, and other elements in a way that’s both intuitive and catchy.
Work on making the navigation process simple — it shouldn’t take long for a user to find what they’re searching for. Collect some feedback and tweak your design accordingly.
Step 4: Developing a Mobile App
This stage will require the majority of resources in terms of time, effort, and money. If you have no idea how to approach the development process, you can learn how to create an app without coding and then stick to low- or no-code platforms. This might make your life easier, especially if your app doesn’t require extensive scalability.
These are the parts that will demand the biggest focus.
- Back-end development. It’s important to establish solid server logic and set up the relevant databases;
- Front-end development. Optimizing user interface and client-based interactions is a must;
- Inclusion of third-party services. Set up connections with all the third parties you’ll be using, from payment to analytical platforms.
Fortunately, these days, there are plenty of tools and templates that can help even inexperienced developers create their first mobile app.
Step 5: Doing the Testing & Launching the App
A good app should undergo multiple rounds of testing. A developer has to establish if it’s functional, whether any technical glitches are present, how secure it is, and if it’s compatible with other devices.
Once all quality checks are done, it’s time to launch the application. You can submit it to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store — just make sure you meet all their requirements. Start a promotion, collect reviews from your first users, and introduce occasional updates.
Types of Mobile Apps to Develop
Everyone loves good apps. For example, in 2023, the number of app downloads increased just by 1%, but even then, the total number reached 257 billion downloads. App development is a fruitful endeavor, but you must have a clear understanding of what kind of product you’d like to introduce to the oversaturated market.
Here are the types to choose from:
- Native apps. Such apps are designed specifically for Android or Apple users and require the usage of Kotlin/Java or Swift programming languages accordingly;
- Web apps. This type of app is created with the help of HTML or JavaScript, and it doesn’t require installation; at the same time, its performance will pale compared to what native apps can do;
- Hybrid apps. Such apps combine the features of the two types you saw above: they are mostly web-based but have offline capabilities of native apps and an excellent loading speed. They require a framework like React Native;
- Low-code/no-code. These are the simplest apps that depend on third-party platforms and allow developers to choose from ready-made templates.
Pick your type of app based on your goals and preferences. If you’re interested in a high-quality product with the best possible UX, a native app should be your choice. Looking for something more budget-friendly and quick? Try cross-platform hybrid development.
For simple web accessibility, go for web apps, and if a solid prototype will be enough for you, select no-code platforms. It’s always possible to expand and refine your app once you launch it — as long as you have loyal customers, they might follow you across different development lifecycles.
How Long Does It Take to Develop a Quality App?
The process of mobile app development can be a lengthy process. Everything depends on your resources and aspirations. Do you have a big team? Does your business need an app urgently, or is there some time in store?
The majority of apps that enter the online market are simple. They only have basic functionalities, and it takes about 3-4 months to develop them.
Apps of an average complexity level are more difficult to make. To guarantee flawless API integration and make sure everything works properly, you’ll need at least 8 months.
A complex app with large databases is understandably more time-consuming. A developer might spend over a year on it, and even that might not be enough.
Regardless of the type of app you select, all of them require constant updates and close monitoring. This is the only way to keep them functional and glitch-free.
The Cost of Mobile App Development
It’s impossible to make an accurate prediction for the cost of your app as it depends on a huge number of factors, from the people involved in the development process to the complexity and the features you want to include. Generally, though, the price starts at $5K and up.
Well-designed basic apps for small businesses might cost between $5K and $40K. The price for average apps ranges from $50K to $150K, while complex apps might cost you $200K and more.
The costs also involve the fees of the stores that feature your app, any marketing effort, and constant technical maintenance.
iOS vs. Android: How to Choose the Platform for Your Mobile App?
Deciding on a platform for your app will determine its reach and profitability. You already know that the most popular choices include iOS and Android, but let’s have a closer look at the specifics of these options.
Target Audience
Where does your target audience reside? People in the USA and Europe prefer to use iOS, though some exceptions are underway. For example, 66% of German residents used Android, and 33.5% used iOS in 2024.
Mostly, though, Android is popular in Asia and Africa. It targets developing markets, while iOS goes for developed ones. Decide which ones you’d rather appeal to.
Development Cost
iOS apps bring in more revenue, largely because Apple is focused on premium market segments. However, Apple Store has strict rules and high fees, so it might cost you a fortune just to make your app available to your audience.
At the same time, Android doesn’t generate as much income. In addition, since it covers a variety of devices, you might have to spend a lot of resources just to ensure compatibility across them all.
There is no easy answer as to which platform to pick for your mobile app. You need to think of your approach carefully before deciding which audience and market to target.
Growth Potential
Android is more common simply because there are more developing areas than developed ones. Think about your primary audience again: how might they change in the near future? Maybe your app has the potential to draw the attention of premium users in a short-term perspective, so you have to take their interests into account early on.
There is no doubt that iOS has stronger brand loyalty, but Android is common among small and medium businesses. If you target companies and corporations, you might consider tailoring your app to Android rules and standards.
Of course, there is always an option of making your app a part of Apple Store and Google Play both, but this approach will take even more time and money. Not every developer is ready to conquer both markets at the same time.
Monetization Strategy
What is your plan for monetization? How will you approach it? If the goal is to entice your users to make in-app purchases by paying for services, extra features, subscriptions, etc., then iOS should be your platform of choice.
If you plan to make a living from the ads, though, Android will suit you better. A larger number of users means that more people will see the ads, generating more income for you.
Key Mobile Application Features
Whatever kind of app you’re planning to develop, it should have a minimum set of services for your users’ convenience.
- Cloud integration. Most individuals want to store and synchronize their data across different platforms and apps;
- Payment gateways. If you want your app to bring you money, you should enable in-app purchases;
- Push notifications. While many users turn off app-related alerts, it’s still important to offer them; the more relevant they are, the better;
- Geolocation services. This feature is essential for businesses that provide location-based services;
- Security mechanisms. Biometric authentication and other safety mechanisms are essential: they guarantee security and help your users feel at ease.
Consider including an option of integration with social media platforms as well. It might bring additional visibility to your app while meeting the needs of social media lovers.
Create Your Ideal Mobile App
The process of mobile app development has many steps, but none of them is complicated. While having a team of designers and developers is a perfect solution for businesses, these days, even newbies can create a solid app and benefit from it.
Refine your vision, make up a plan, and select a budget for its realization. Learn everything you need about mobile applications to appeal to your customers in the most effective ways. Create an app you would love to use yourself, and chances are, other people will become equally interested.
