The growth in digital technology has led to the introduction of many new emerging technologies. The most notable being mobile technology and mobile app development in particular. As evident with our present lifestyles, being constantly surrounded with personal mobile devices.
The mobile app market is highly competitive and in order to beat through the competition, mobile app developers have to reconsider their approach to mobile app development. Innovative ideas that can woo new and existing users are all that is brainstormed about. However, not every application has to follow that route, and a pragmatic approach may be employed.
What Defines a Successful Mobile Application?
Success can take many different meanings, it really depends on how success is interpreted and integrated to a mobile application context. For some, success is defined by how unique of an idea is a mobile application addressing. But that’s not taking into account the long-term life-cycle of the application.
An application may be deemed successful if it accomplishes certain quantitative goals- for example, SEO, Play/App store, traffic, in-app performance metrics. Or even when it fulfils certain functional requirements provided by a customer,end-user, or a concerned stakeholder of the application.
Under general conditions, the success of a mobile application will vary from use-case to use-case. Because, in the end it depends on the type of application being developed and the core business objective behind it. There is no specific one-size fits all quantitative metric that guarantees success once crossed. Likewise, the number of downloads by itself does not signify success either. Behind the development of any mobile application is a purpose, a reason for it being pursued, in order to solve or better an existing or developing problem.
Mobile App Development Process Steps
Purpose
Focus on the ‘Why’ of the proposed app. In order to materialize an application that is functional, it is vital to have a clear understanding of the core problem the app would be achieved to solve. Detailing some basic and core functions of the app will help shed light on the interactions that are likely to happen, and what sort of resources it is likely to use in the entire app development cycle. The App’s basic business model needs to be understood in order to create a viable product. That is self-sustaining and attractive to potential investors.
Understand the Competition
Knowing your competition is a good way to know what you’re up against in the market. Competition does not always spell bad news if taken positively. As a developer, the number of potential direct and non-direct competitors need to be established as well as understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Researching and learning from their successes and failures will greatly help in avoiding paths leading to failure and instead focus on other lucrative avenues. Learning from what competitors have gone through will allow those lessons to be implemented in the application’s development lifecycle.
Plan Your Development
Once we have a firm understanding of the app and its supposed competition. It’s time to start planning and laying out the app from mind to paper. This is where all the proposed and outside-of-the-box ideas will be drawn out into a noticeable app concept. This includes laying out the stages of the app development lifecycle and allocating . The necessary resources and contingencies for its timely completion, via a properly defined project plan.
This plan would include short, medium, and long-term milestones, with an approved number of consultation sessions between project members. App developers need to consider all of the design(UI/UX) and development perspectives to produce a functional prototype. In order to understand how the app is likely to function and behave with various actors and different operating environments. An app that is physically existing even in a prototype form is more likely to attract attention from stakeholders and potential investors for the program.
Onboard the Right Resources
In order to create a great mobile application, it is equally important to onboard the right talent responsible for its design and development. There is no point in aiming to develop an application if the workforce behind its development is not adequately skilled enough with the right coding technologies and tools. An experienced workforce with sound knowledge in both android app development and iOS app development will reflect through the application in the form of a high-quality product. Depending on the resources allocated, either in-house or external mobile app development services can be sought. Good searching and key attention should be given to experience and portfolio work. When considering individual contractors or a mobile application development company.
Acceptive to Change
An application development process is a volatile environment. Considering the growing improvements in development practices and process methodologies, previously one-directional methodologies can really hamper the quality of a mobile application. Developers need to consider the rapidly changing requirements landscape and adopt a more agile approach to development. In order to cater to a variety of needs originating from different members involved in the development process. Application testing and quality assurance practices should be favored, in order to increase the chances of an application fulfilling. Its core objectives and making timely adjustments where possible. All while remaining within the project plan’s time and budget limitations.
