So, you have come up with an amazing app idea and you just can’t wait to convert it into money? Before going ahead, know that the app market is immensely competitive and it’s not easy to stand out. Jumping to the development process unprepared can put your money at stake and the whole effort can go into vain. Give this post a read and learn some vital steps that you need to take to make this endeavor rewarding.

Well done! You have the most exceptional app idea in your head and it’s a great start. But let’s face this hard truth, the market is ferociously competitive. There are millions of apps that are launched with a full bang and due to some missing elements, they lose their charm and flop before you know it. Every month you will see countless applications launched across all the platforms but only a handful of them taste success. Of course, it is a matter of luck but making an app successful requires taking the right steps as well. Whether you are building an app on your own or taking mobile app development services, you must consider a few vital points meticulously before its process. Learn them and make your project the most prolific one ever. 

Steps to consider before beginning with app development 

The process of developing an app varies according to the need.  Whether you are seeking hybrid mobile app development or iOS and Android, you need to follow standard steps with the right approach. The below-mentioned steps are involved in developing almost every kind of app. Let’s get going!

1. Developing strategy

The very first step involved in the app development process is defining the plan. Whether you are building an app for business or consumer, you need to answer the following questions:

• What problem you are going to solve?
• Who is your target audience?
• What outcomes are you expecting from your app?

2. Analyze the competition 

Under this step, you will look at the existing level of competition. Analyze your competitor’s app performance, see how many hits they have received, and what shortcomings unsuccessful apps had. This step will help you sidestep these mistakes. You will also learn the current performance of similar applications and be able to differentiate yours from the others.

3. Selection of platform and monetization method

This is one of the important steps involved in app development. In this stage, you will decide for which platform you are developing the app. Will it be iOS, Android, or a cross-platform application? It is better to decide beforehand. 

The main objective of app development is making money, so decide how you are going monetize from it because there are a variety of options in this sphere as well, such as:

• Subscriptions
• In-app advertisement
• Paid apps
• In-app purchases
• Affiliate marketing

Your choice depends on the type of app you are developing. For instance, building a dating app and charging money for its download is not a good idea for making money. You should opt for subscriptions or in-app purchases.

4. Research and analysis

This is the most important stage in the app development process. If you think your idea is completely unique then doing a bit of research doesn’t harm. No matter how exceptional or distinctive your app idea is, there will always be a certain level of competition in that niche. Therefore, before jumping into the development and designing stage, do your part of the research.

5. UI/UX design

This stage needs a lot of attention because the end product should provide the best user experience. Your app UI/UX design has to be engaging, user-friendly, intuitive, and provide a great user experience. You will decide:

• What data would be included in your application?
• How it is going to be presented?
• How your users will interact with it?

These all questions will help you create a workflow diagram that enables you to keep a track of user interactions. Analysts create a digital sketch known as a wireframe, a theoretical layout that tells you app functionality in a well-structured system. They also create a style guide that consists of the app’s widgets, fonts, buttons, positioning, and other appropriate design fundamentals. 

6. Create prototype

The last step in UI/UX designing process is creating prototypes. This gives you a sense of how your app is going to function after completion. It can be time-consuming but avoid overlooking it. If you create a prototype properly, then you can easily detect potential functionality or design mishaps that can be fixed ASAP before its release.

7. Application development

Once you are thru with designing, you will move to the most vital step i.e. app development. Selecting suitable programming languages, coding, database engines, and hosting atmosphere come under it. Make sure your software developers are experienced enough and can help you expand your app when your user base multiplies. They will help you build a scalable app. They will build a fully optimized app that is highly responsive. 

If you choose cross-platform apps then they are compatible with all operating systems and able to run across all platforms. It is also a cost-effective option. Whereas hybrid apps have both the elements of web applications and platform-specific apps. If you don’t have time to build cross-platform apps then this is the right option for you. 

8. Testing and deployment

To ensure that your app is secure, bug-free, and stable, it is important to test it. Check its functionality to make sure everything is working seamlessly. Please note, industries like healthcare and insurance are highly regulated so for them data protection is important, you ensure safety. Once your app is ready, you will deploy it. You will either submit it to Google Play Store, or Apple’s App Store or opt for private distribution. 

Sum up

Having a terrific app idea is great. But to move in the right direction with your unique idea, your steps should be taken correctly from start to end. Millions of apps are launched in the market every month, but not all got successful. The key reason behind this failure is overlooking or taking incorrect steps in the app development process. If you don’t want to undergo this sour experience, then take all the aforementioned steps into deep consideration. 

After launching your app, keep testing it, never fail to market it, and continue developing and adding new features. Always keep in mind that application development is not a one-time procedure, it needs constant improvisation to keep abreast with the market trends. Lastly, stay patient and give your best shot.