12 Steps for Mobile App Development

Mobile applications have become the lifeline of Smart phones. They have become so popular

that a number of successful businesses are based on mobile apps alone. Lots of such

applications generate insane revenue. Instagram, Whatsapp and Snapchat are some of theexamples.

If you look at the Indian scenario, Snapdeal has shunned their website completely and is goingto be exclusively as an app.

In spite of their popularity and revenue opportunity, a lot of businesses are apprehensive aboutgoing mobile. Why? Because, they are lost when it comes to actual mobile app development.But mobile application development is not that complex. Let’s take a look at the stepsnecessary to develop a mobile app and decide.

1. Define the Objective

Before we start app development, these questions have to be answered –

• What will your mobile application do?

• What purpose it will fulfill?

• How is it going benefit others?

A clear objective is important to begin any task. The objective will keep you focused towardsachieving the goal.

2. Understand the Market

One needs to understand the target market segment for the mobile application. One needs toresearch the market to determine the scope.

• Are similar applications available in the market?

• How will your application be different?

• Can it attract the customers?

• What will be the age group of the customers using the app?

• Is motive of the application revenue generation?

• How can revenue be maximized?

Answers to these questions will help in determining the usability and the functionality that needto be offered through application.

For example, picture editing apps can serve different purpose. For a casual user, thefunctionality required will be basic. On the other hand, professional users will expect advancefunctionality. Hence, understanding the market and the target customer segment can help youdecide on:

• What features to be provided?

• Whether app should be free?

• What should be the price?

3. Decide the Platform

Before designing on a mobile application, you need to determine the platform for appdevelopment. The development platforms are different for Android, iOS, Windows orBlackberry OS. Based on the chosen OS, development platform has to be configured.

4. Sketch it down

Once you are clear with the objective and completed the market research, designing starts. Thedeveloper has to design the structure and the layout. Data flow and screens are determined. Thedrawing can be drawn for each component. This will act as a reference to start designing theprototype in the next stage.

5. What technology

Next stage is to determine the backend technology and interfaces. The developer needs to setup servers, determine APIs, identify storage mechanism and think of backup solutions. Also,they have to decide on:

• If database is used to push information then which database to use?

• Which APIs to be used to interface with other applications? etc.

6. Create Prototype

A prototype is designed using the software development toolkit provided by Google, iOS,Microsoft or Blackberry to design the app. In this stage, you give shape to your idea. Thescreens and flow are designed during this stage.

7. Test The prototype

The prototype needs to be tested before final shape can be given. The app is tested forfunctionality, usability and security. Any bug is noted down and has to be resolved before itcan be published.

8. Give the Final Shape

The final touch up is given to the app. All the identified bugs are resolved. It is to make surethat the app is bug-free when published.

9. Test the same

Testing is an ongoing activity. The final testing is done to verify that previous bugs areresolved and to be sure that there are no new bugs.

10. Release it

The app is finally ready to be released and published in the app store. The app is now availableto users to download the app.

11.Promote it

Promotion is an important aspect for the success of any app. Appropriate marketing toolsshould be used to promote your app so that people come to know about it.

12.Provide updates

Providing updates is as important as development or marketing. Updates are required to resolvenewly identified issues. It can also be provided to introduce new features which help in stayingcompetitive. Users look forward for apps which constantly get updates and incorporate newfeatures.

Mobile app development is not as simple as mentioned in the above steps. But, these 12 pointscan help you understand how to begin with mobile app development.

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