In the current scenario, mobile app development is an essential part of an online business. With the fast-growing rate of smartphones and tablets in the market, Android App Development is gaining popularity with web developers.
Apps can provide a variety of services including shopping, entertainment, and communication. Mobile apps are transforming the business world, making it easier and more convenient than ever before to shop, bank, book travel, and connect with your favorite brands.
Mobile apps are no longer just for entertainment on the go. They have become a necessity in our daily lives, facilitating everything from tracking calorie intake to taking photos. With so many apps out there, only a few can truly be deemed “mobile-friendly” and truly make use of the latest smartphone features.
This is why mobile application development is an extremely important skill that both businesses and individuals should have – without it, you could be missing out on an incredible opportunity!
Types Of Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are like desktop software but are specifically designed for mobile devices. Established operating systems such as iOS, and Android have done a brilliant job of standardizing the types of development available to programmers. However, there is still a wide range of possibilities for mobile app developers. There are some types of mobile app development:
- Native Apps
- HTML5 Apps
- Hybrid Apps
- Web Apps
Native Applications
Native apps are added to the app stores directly by developers. The user experience is as simple as one click, and it’s easy for users to install the app. Smartphones and tablets both have app stores that make finding, downloading, and installing these applications easy for consumers.
It’s important to note that native apps aren’t cross-platform: They can only be used on Android devices if they are developed in Java, and on iOS devices, if they are developed in Objective-C. A native app is an application that was developed specifically for a certain operating system in most cases, iOS or Android. This means that developers write the code based on certain specifications and guidelines from that particular platform.
HTML5 Applications
The best part is that with the Appery.io app development platform, your app will be compatible with many different operating systems and require minimal changes to ensure full functionality on each platform. It's easy to focus on building your app, not maintaining it. HTML5 apps have great cross-platform capability and can be viewed by any device (smartphone, tablet, or desktop) that has a web browser, without requiring an app store download.
Web apps are developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML5 is the most common standard for web apps these days, which allows for richer app-like experiences. Web apps can still send desktop notifications and trigger interactions through email and other avenues. These types of mobile apps tend to be more flexible since they can be accessed from any computer or mobile device with a web browser.
Hybrid Applications
A hybrid app allows you to take advantage of native features and functionality that are already present on each mobile operating system. Coding is typically done in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. By creating a customized user interface, you can differentiate your application from others with a similar purpose. For example, if you're planning on launching an entertainment-focused app, consider utilizing the Facebook and Twitter buttons already available within iOS apps or add share buttons allowing users to immediately share content on other social media networks.
Web Applications
There are two types of mobile apps: native and web apps. Native apps integrate more closely with your device, while web apps behave similarly to native apps but are accessed via a web browser on your mobile device. Web apps are simply websites that can be accessed on the go. They’re often stand-alone websites that you visit in your device’s web browser.
The difference between a web app and a native app is that you don’t have to download and install an app to your device; it loads like any other webpage. When you come across the option to “install” a web app, it simply saves the website name or URL on your device for quick access later.
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are a new type of website that aims to deliver a user experience that is better than the mobile website or app. Web apps are just like websites but on your devices. They're built using HTML5, CSS, and javascript to create the user interface and you can use them anywhere.
App Development Process
We have outlined the six main steps in the app development process to help you bring your idea to life quickly and efficiently. It's important to remember that you can always change these steps or skip them altogether if you are working with a team of developers who have previous experience developing apps.
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Idea: Starting with an idea and moving it to reality is the first step in developing a successful app. To begin, you must ask yourself what problem your app will solve and who the target audience will be. Once you know these things, you'll need to determine which features are important for your app's success. Lastly, you should investigate if competitors have similar apps.
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Design: In the design step, you’ll create a mock-up of the user interface (UI) to navigate the user through your app and make it easy to follow.
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Development: This is the first of the three stages in app development. It’s during this phase that you’ll start to build your app – you’ll write the code and develop your idea.
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Testing: Testing is a crucial step. It ensures that your app is up to industry standards by testing its quality, any malfunctions, and what you can improve before it’s submitted to the app store.
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Launch: Once your app is ready to go, publishing it on marketplaces like the Apple App Store and Google Play allows you to make money from your hard work.
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Marketing: The app development process begins with a marketing strategy, where you create a plan to get users to download your app and give you feedback on how to improve.
Benefits of Mobile Apps Development for Businesses
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Accessibility from Different Platforms
The best thing about mobile app development for businesses is that it’s accessible on various platforms. Whether you want to reach Apple or Android users, or people who use Blackberry mobiles, there are plenty of options available to make money by developing a mobile app.
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Reach Global Audience
Mobile apps provide businesses with the opportunity to reach a global audience by making their content easily accessible on mobile devices. Apps work beautifully for B2C and B2B businesses that want to showcase their products and services and use them as engagement tools.
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Increase Accessibility
Mobile app development is essential for business incorporation. The primary benefit of mobile apps is to improve business accessibility. Getting track of your customers and their needs, can help you develop a good customer base.
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Promotes Brand Recognition
Mobile app development can help promote your brand as soon as it is launched. Bringing your business to mobile customers, who spend more time with their phones than any other device, will enhance your overall brand recognition.
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Encourage Brand Loyalty
Mobile applications help in notifying the administrator about the users’ interest in specific offers and products. User ID and Password to your account. In addition, it also helps in managing committees to plan further for users and personalized brand loyalty programs.
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Increase Sell-Through
Customers are spending more time on mobile apps instead of mobile sites. Mobile application development is the backbone of any business today. It helps in attracting new customers and attaining success.