What is mobile app development

Mobile application development is a process of designing a mobile software application that can run on all types of devices such as mobile phones or tabs. These applications can be downloaded or installed from the app store by the user whenever they want to download or install the mobile apps. The app developers are required to develop such applications that are installable, involving back-end services and make a trial on the target devices.

What is mobile app development

Mobile application development is all majorly a procedure of planning, designing, creating and successful introduction of that mobile application. Mobile application basically enhances the working and functioning of the mobile device. To develop an ideal mobile app developer needs to take into account the following factors such as - sizes of screen, requirements and functioning of hardware, etc.

Mobile app satistics

To understand a broader picture of the mobile app development market, today, here we will look the important statistics that give us a clear picture of current mobile app market and its future in coming years. Let’s start with -

• A studied has shown that, an average human in USA have nearly 100 installed mobile application in its device.
• A usual human checks his or her mobile device more than 50 times in a single day.
• Around 87% people use their mobile about one hour before they go to sleep. Of which, 69% people only use their mobile for 5 min before going to sleep.
• It is found that, 79% of mobile app user leave many apps by only using it for a day.
• Around 57% of digital media usage is accounted under the mobile apps.
• By end of 2022, the mobile app download count will reach to 258 billion.
• By the end of this year, the app store purchaser spending will rise by 92% and will reach a blaster $157 billion worldwide.
• By the end of 2022, near to 7 billion people all over the world will be using mobile devices more than before.
• The mobile app market is increasing min by min and its user in increasing day by day and will happen to do so.

What is mobile app development platforms

Android and iOS two most popular and important mobile app development platforms are iOS from Apple and Android from Google. iOS, which the operating system of apple is particularly built for Apples. Whereas android, which is the operating system of Google, runs on mobile devices of both Goggle and OEMs. There are many similarities between both the mobile app development platforms. But both uses different kinds of software tools and kits for app development.

For example

• iOS uses programming language such as React Native, Swift, Flutter, Objective-C, etc
• Android uses programming languages such as C, C++, Java, C#, Kotlin, lua, BASIC, etc.

Why mobile app development is important?

After knowing what is mobile app development, There are many reasons, why mobile app development is important. Some of the reasons are mentioned in the section below-

High Revenue: From the mobile app statistics, it has been found that mobile app revenue in 2020 was $189 billion and is expected to grow in coming years.

Hence, mobile apps development market is growing rapidly and generating a very high profit and is important.

Easy to Reach Audience: As studies shows, most of the online businesses are making their websites to a mobile application because at present it is the only best way to reach millions of buyers effectively. Even, the media are using mobile apps for the transmission of the news by creating their own app or registering themselves in apps of other to reach their audience.

Easy to Promote Business: To make your products well known all over the world, Advertisement is the best way. Advertisement or promotion is best done with the help of many social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. In these social media platforms all the vendors, marketers, and buyers are interacted.

All these social media platforms are also presented in the mobile app. Hence when buyers see the ads in their mobile they try to reach to vendors and similarly it is effective for vendors also to vend their services and sell products.

Thus, mobile app development is important.

What is mobile app development process

To develop a mobile application, developers need to follow step-by-step process that will help to develop mobile apps easily and quickly. There are some important steps to keep in mind. They are:

1) Construct App Development Strategy

The first and foremost step in the mobile app development process is to construct a strategy by defining why? What is the main aim of your app? How your mobile app will be able to solve the problems of an industry? What is model for your business? How much will be your investment capital in constructing this app? How will launch your app into market?

Answer to all these questions will help you to construct a strategy. Also, will give you a knowledge for processing further.

2) Brainstorm your app idea

Constructing a mobile app begins with an idea of app. For this, a developer is required to jot down all the features, designs, performance and technology he or she wants in app. The developer neds to eliminate the essential needs from the non essential one. Developer needs to sketch all structure and security. This step will again give him or her the further knowledge and take one step closer.

3) Market Research

• Who are your targeted audiences?
• How will user use your application?
• Are there any alternatives presently available in the market better than your app?
• What are the distinguishing features your application has that other application don’t?
• What business model are your users on to?
• What type of language and technologies will you use in your app?
• How many uses will be paying for your mobile application?
• What is budget of your app?
• How long will it take to construct your application?

A developer needs to ask all these questions to himself or herself before starting.

4) Fix your Minimum Viable Product

Once you have made a clear list of all the features and functionalities you want include in your app, the features and functionalities your users wish to use from the beginning, now it’s the time to fix what your minimum viable product would look like.

A minimum viable product is the structure of your app that has enough features and functions to put it in front of your customers. With this a developer will receive reviews or feedback on your apps function and features and near development.

The major elements of a minimum viable product (MVP) are -

• Functionality - offer a basic structure of app to the users
• Design - with less build good quality design
• Reliability - Keep the production quality the top priority.
• Usability - make the user experience instinctive.

5) Analyse your App Development

The planning is the first point of all app development. Now, once the developer has a planning in hand its time to turn those planning’s into successful goals. Begin the analysis and planning by defining how you can use the features and functionalities to develop the app. Use cases and in mean time, make a list of next requirements.

This will help a developer create a basic roadmap of app. The developer will be able to convert that roadmap into a step by step process, subsequently turn them into priorities, and which ultimately reach to the step of delivery of milestones. Also, the developer must have the minimum viable product fixed, which will help to cut down the costs and expenses. It will also prepare the initial launch of the app.

6) Build UX/UI Design

How the app will look like and what kind of feel it will give to the user is a crucial factor for leaving a print on customers mind. For this, developer has to make sure that the app is having top quality designs and gives the user a classy feel to use. The two major factors that plays the role here are-

• User interface [UI]: Developer has to make sure that the mobile application looks pleasurable and friendly. User Interface is the process of designing the app in such a way that it looks perfect, follows the trending and latest design, so that it enhances the user’s experience.
• User Experience [UX]: User experience is nothing but the feel customers gets when they use the app. The design should be like that it generates a specific response from the customer after experiencing the app. User experiences involves the factors like design, usability, performance, marketing, ergonomics and its utility also.

7) Mobile App Design Process

Designing the app from inside out is the major task for developer to attract its customer. Designing should include the following points as -

• Wireframe - illustration of app’s screen interfaces, that what & which feature and option will be set where and how.
• Style guide - it includes Fonts, Colours, Layouts, Graphics Components, Menus and bars.
• Mockups - basically it’s a final version of app. Mockups is the combination the wireframe and the style guide to create the final version of, which then is forwarded for prototyping.
• Protype - Prototyping is the process of turning low-fidelity wireframes into ready designs of app that developer can share to his or team, company lastly and to the most important one - an investor.

8) Start the making of app

Combing and summing up all the above steps, developer start the making and baking of its mobile app. In this step the developer will add all the important technology and programming and operating system.

After this step the developer will reach the final and the conclusive step of its app development.

9. Testing and Launching

After developing an application, it is necessary to check the quality of the application to ensure the performance of the app. The testing process involves function testing, performance testing, UX & UI testing, security testing, platform testing, recovery, execution, etc.

After monitoring all the major quality and functioning of app it is ready to get launched into the market.

Types of mobile app development technology

1) NATIVE APP

Native app technology is used to create a mobile application with single operating system. That’s the reason for it to called native - it is native to one specific platform or operating system.

Today, the majority of apps are made using the platform - iOS and Android. But the android created app cannot run on iOS and iOS created app cannot run on android.

The main advantage of native apps is the high performance and amazing user experience. Above all, developers have created them using native device UI and UX. Native applications is only downloaded from specific app stores and installed directly into those devices. Native apps need to pass a strict publishing test before entering to app stores.

Programming languages used in Native app

• Kotlin
• Java
• C++
• C#
• Lua
• BASIC

2) HYBRID APPS

Hybrid apps basically functions like web apps wrapped in a native app like wrapper. The clear advantage of hybrid app is that it is fast and easy to develop. Hybrid app uses the single code bases for all its platform. The development of hybrid app is of low-cost value with less maintenance.

The only drawback of the hybrid app technology is its lack of speed and performance.

Programming languages used in Hybrid apps-

• JavaScript
• CSS
• HTML 5

3) PROGRESSIVE WEB APP

Web apps are applications that functions similarly to the native mobile apps and runs on mobile devices. However, there are some differences between native apps and web apps. As web apps use browsers to work, and are usually written in CSS, HTML5, or JavaScript. Web apps takes the user to the URL and then provide them the option of installing the app. There they create a bookmark on the page. That is why they require minimum memory of device.

The developers of web app don’t have the access to many APIs works with.

Another drawback of web app is that the users always need to a good internet connection.

Programming languages used in Web app are-

• Ionic
• CSS
• HTML
• JavaScript.

4) CROSS- PLATFORM APP

Cross-platform mobile applications are developed to operates for multiple mobile platforms. These apps are capable to work with more than one operating system, iOS as well as Android.

With single code, cross platform app can run on various different platforms. It means the developer can launch the apps fast and easily. The cross-platform apps are fast, effective and cost effective.

Programming languages used in Cross Platform app are

• Flutter
• React Native
• Xamarin.

Mobile app development skills (Programming language)

1) Java

Java is one of the most popular skills for the developer of mobile application. It has been the default language of Android apps. Android applications are majorly developed including Java programming language with SDK. Some of the features of Java are:

• Android’s preferred programming language
• Reliable
• Especially used the app for the development of Android app
• Extensively object-oriented.

2) Objective- C

Before Swift, iOS app developers make use of Objective-C, a sub language of C. It has the additional features which are object-oriented. Objective c is the programming language used by many mobile application development companies that work for OS and iOS.

Some of the main features of Objective-C are:

• Dynamic run time
• It has most of the properties from C
• Ideal option for lower layer stack.

3) Swift

Swift has brought significant many changes in the application of iOS development industry. It has replaced Objective-C, as it is having easy to code attributes. Swift is language used to write the programs of Apple operating systems.

Some of the features of Swift are:

• Simpler structure
• Easy to code
• Fast and secure
• Open-source

4) Kotlin

After 2019, Kotlin has replaced Java and then Google announced that it will come back with Kotlin as the primary-class language for programming. Kotlin is now used on larger scale for Android app development.

The main Features of Kotlin are:

• Intuitive programming language
• Straightforward syntax which
• Bugs and errors identified at the initial stage
• Compatible to Java

Mobile app development cost

The development cost of mobile app varies greatly depending upon different platforms, types of app, and the countries developers seek to team up with. India has abandon resources and most of the times companies from all corner of the world look up to India for their mobile app necessities.

The major factors that involve in the development costs are

• Platforms - The cost for development of iOS app ranges from $30000-$80000. While cost for Android app development ranges from approximately $5000-$40000.
• App Features - The complexities of feature of apps are the one that add up to the costs.
• Type of apps - Native - $ 100,000, Hybrid - $10,000- to $50,000 and web app - $500-$5000.
• Development Team Charges
• Maintenances costs.

Example of mobile applications

1) GAME APP

Game app is one of the most popular types of mobile apps. According to a study, mobile games app holds for 33% of all mobile app downloads, 74% of users spendings, and 10% of all the time spent on using the game app.

The most successful games app is

• PUBG
• Candy crush
• Angry bird.

2) EDUCATIONAL APP

Educational app types include mobile apps which help users acquire new skills and knowledge. Educational game apps are an amazing tool for kids. Many educational apps are very popular among teachers as well.

The most successful educational app is-

• Duolingo
• BUYJUS
• Diksha
• UnAcademy
• Vedanto

3) E-COMMERCE.

e-commerce app offers the user the experience the desktop versions of shopping. E-commerce applications provide customers with easy access to shop the desirable products and also the safe payment methods.

The most successful e-commerce app is-

• Amazon
• Myntra
• Meesho
• FlipKart
• Ebay

4) SOCIAL MEDIA

The social media apps offer the user not only with great entertaining experience but also with gaining knowledge and learning new skills. Some media app also provides job opportunities and growing chance too.

The most successful social media app is-

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
• WhatsApp

Career in mobile app development

1) Jobs in Mobile App development

After knowing Comprehensive Guide on what is mobile app development, we should know, what is going to be the future of mobile app development. At present, there are 1.4 billion active Android Development Devices in the world, and Android is dominating the smartphone market with its 82 international market shares.

Similarly, there are 1 billion active iOS development devices in the world.

With this count, one can estimate the number of jobs in the mobile app development market. And this market will continue to grow.

2) Future of mobile app development

Firstly, lets consider two scenarios-

• The people all over the world won’t stop using the mobile devices at any cost because at present every tiny thing is revolving around the mobile phones.
• Since everything is revolving around the mobile phones which ultimately means IT and CS industry will grow like anything.

Therefore, there is a great and major opportunities in mobile app developments sectors.