Mobile App Development for Businesses – A Complete Guide

• By Sahil Gupta
• 09-05-2023
• Mobile App Development

With a rapid increase in the use of smartphones by consumers, mobile app development has become an integral component of successful modern businesses.

According to an estimate by Statista, revenue across almost all the segments will increase exponentially and reach somewhere around 613 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. It shows that the creation of mobile apps has the potential to assist businesses in acquiring new customers and cater well to existing ones.

This article will explain the benefits of producing mobile apps for businesses, leading mobile app development frameworks, potential methods for doing so, factors to consider, and the step-by-step process for developing mobile.

What is Mobile App Development?

The process of curating software bundles, such as codes, binaries, etc., to create an application compatible with mobile phones in operating systems such as IOS and Android is known as mobile app development. Java, C#, HTML5, and Swift are a few of the programming languages used in this software development form. Ideation, app design, developmental structures, testing, and outreach of an app are some processes that go into creating a mobile application from scratch.

5 Benefits of Mobile Application Development for Business

Mobile app development offers several benefits for businesses, including:

1. Enhanced Customer Engagement

Mobile apps act as a platform where a business can engage more effectively with customers. Apps can also offer consumers a more personalized shopping or scrolling experience by providing customer support and gathering valuable feedback from their customers.

2. Improved Brand Awareness

Mobile apps can help businesses improve their brand awareness by increasing customer visibility. An app with a good user experience and useful features that do not stutter and work efficiently can attract new customers for a business and also help them retain a loyal customer base.

3. Increased Sales

Through mobile apps, businesses increase their sales by providing customers with a convenient platform to browse and purchase products or services from the comfort of their homes without visiting the stores. A brand can also use apps to offer exclusive deals and product promotions to its existing customers and help it reach new customers.

4. Better Data Collection

Mobile apps can collect valuable data about customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns. The data collected through an application can be used to improve business outreach for its consumers and make a more precise decision by running data analytics to understand its consumers better.

5. Competitive Advantage

Mobile apps can be helpful for a business in gaining a first-mover advantage by offering unique and stand-alone features and services that are not available through other channels of interactions between businesses and consumers. An app can also be marketed as an X-factor of businesses to set themselves apart from competitors and attract more customers.

What are the possible ways for Mobile App Development?

There are four possible ways for mobile app development, including:

1. Native app

Native apps are built specifically for a particular platform, such as iOS or Android. These apps offer the best performance and user experience but require separate development for each platform. As it is developed separately for each platform, it provides customers with a more immersive experience app, making it a popular choice.

Benefits

• Offers the best performance and user experience
• Access to native device features
• Can be listed in app stores

2. Cross-platform app

Cross-platform apps are built using a single codebase that can run on multiple platforms. These apps offer a balance between performance and development costs. Due to compatibility across different operating systems, it has become a popular choice for backend app developers.

Benefits

• Cost-effective development
• It can be used on multiple platforms with a single codebase.
• Can be listed in app stores

3. Hybrid app

Hybrid apps are a combination of native and web apps, and these apps are built using web technologies and wrapped in a native container. Hybrid apps balance performance and development costs, allowing the coders to run a single code through multiple platforms, making it a time-saving option.

Benefits

• Cost-effective development
• It can be used on multiple platforms with a single codebase
• Access to native device features

4. Progressive Web App (PWA)

PWAs are web apps that offer a mobile app-like experience. These apps can be accessed through a web browser and can be installed on a user's device like a native app. It uses a more modern coding approach with enhanced API making it a reliable and trusted option. It also acts as a separate application on one's PC instead of running on a browser.

Benefits

No need for an app store listing
It can be accessed through a web browser
Cost-effective development

Top 5 Mobile App Development Frameworks

That's why we've compiled a list of the top 5 mobile app development frameworks to help businesses make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. From cross-platform development to native app development, these frameworks offer a range of features and benefits to suit any business's unique needs.

1. React Native

Developers have long used React Native, a widely used open-source framework, to construct cross-platform JavaScript mobile applications. It enables developers to create apps for both the iOS and Android platforms. Facebook and Instagram are just some well-known tech giants that use React Native.

Pros

Faster development time and cost-effectiveness.
A large and supportive community of developers.
Cross-platform development capabilities.

Cons

Less customization options available.
Performance issues in complex and heavy apps.

2. Flutter

Flutter is a popular open-source framework that can create high-performance mobile apps for iOS and Android from a single code. It makes creating appealing and responsive apps simple by utilizing the Dart programming language and providing widgets. Google, Alibaba, and eBay are notable companies that employ Flutter.

Pros

Fast development and hot-reload capabilities.
Rich set of customizable widgets.
High-performance and smooth UI/UX.

Cons

Smaller community of developers.
You cannot create browser-supported apps.

3. Ionic

Ionic is an open-source hybrid framework that enables coders to create a mobile app for various platforms. It uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making it simple for web developers to switch to developing mobile apps. Amtrak, MarketWatch, and Nationwide are notable companies using Ionic.

Pros

Easy to use for web developers.
Cross-platform capabilities.
A large community of developers and supportive documentation.

Cons

Less compatible with other frameworks.
Performance issues in heavy apps.

4. Xamarin

Xamarin is a popular cross-platform mobile app development framework that uses C# programming language and .NET framework. It allows developers to build native iOS, Android, and Windows apps using a single codebase, saving time and effort. Some notable companies that use Xamarin include Bosch, Olo, and UPS.

Pros

Native-like performance and functionalities.
Easy integration with existing technologies.
Cross-platform capabilities.

Cons

Smaller community of developers.
Expensive in-app customizations.

5. Swiftic

Swiftic is an app development platform allowing businesses to build mobile applications without coding knowledge. It has a drag-and-drop type interface that makes it easy for any business to customize their apps. Deloitte also uses Swiftic.

Pros

No coding is required.
Quick and easy app development.
Affordable pricing plans.

Cons

Limited customization options.
It is hard to market your services via this framework.

Step-By-Step Process for Mobile App Development

Developing a well-oiled mobile app is a complex process requiring careful planning and execution. With a constantly growing demand for mobile apps, businesses must recognize the importance of having a virtual presence with their consumers.
Here is the step-by-step process for mobile app development:

Step 1: Define the app concept

The first step is to determine the concept and purpose of your mobile application. It involves understanding the audience, the problem the app will solve, and the features that will set it apart.

Step 2: Research and analysis

Conduct market research and analyze the competition to ensure the app concept is feasible and has a market demand. Identify the potential risks and challenges involved in the development process.

Step 3: Develop a wireframe and prototype

Using a prototype, create a representation layout of your app to map your requirements and needs, such as functionality and user interface. A wireframe can go a long way in helping you test and refine the app's design.

Step 4: Design the user interface

Design an interactive user interface or UI/UX design for your mobile app, ensuring it is easy to operate, intuitive, and visually appealing.

Step 5: Develop the app

Develop your app's backend and frontend, including the database, such as API integration for the backend and user interface for the frontend.

Step 6: Test the app

Conduct a thorough testing of the app developed for your business to ensure that it is virus free, performs well to expectations, and meets all user's needs.

Step 7: Launch the app

When the app has passed all testing parameters, it should be launched on the App Store for IOS users and on Google Play Store for Android users.

Step 8: Post-launch maintenance

Once the app is publicly available, it requires regular maintenance checks to ensure it is lag-free, secure, and compatible with new processors and more advanced operating systems.

Step 9: Collect user feedback

Collecting timely feedback from your app users is crucial while devising necessary updates and improvements.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Mobile App Development Company

If you are considering to hire a company for mobile app development, then you must consider the following things:

1. Experience

When choosing a mobile app development business, experience is one factor you must consider. You can also ask for references from their past clients to get an idea about their work quality.

2. Expertise

The expertise of the mobile app development company is equally important. Check if they have a team of skilled developers proficient in the latest mobile app development technologies. They should be able to suggest the best technology stack for your mobile app based on your requirements.

3. Communication

When developing mobile applications, synergizing with the hired team is very crucial. Ensure the mobile app development company you hire has a clear communication channel. The team you hire must respond to your queries and provide regular updates.

4. Cost

Mobile app development costs for a business can vary greatly based on several factors, such as features, complexity, and assistance. Ensure you get a detailed cost breakdown from the mobile app development company before hiring them. This measure will help you avoid unexpected costs during your app's development process.

5. Support and Maintenance

Mobile app development is not a one-time process. After launching your business app, you will need constant backend support and a timely maintenance check to keep it effective and running smoothly. Ensure the mobile app development company you hire provides support and maintenance services.

What is the cost of the development of a Mobile Application for Business?

The cost of developing a mobile app for business can vary based on several factors, such as:

1. Platform

The cost of developing a mobile app for iOS is usually higher than creating one for Android due to the iOS platform's complexity. An app that can run on both platforms will also require a strong team, and costs will ultimately shoot up.

2. Complexity

The more complexity your mobile app has in terms of user experience, the higher the development cost of writing code for such an application will be. For example, an app with features like in-app chatbots and AR will cost more than a simple app.

3. Features

Adding a complex feature can be a nightmare for the backend developer, and they can charge you accordingly. The more your demands are for the features, the higher the cost will get in developing an app.

4. Technology Stack

The technology stack you choose for your mobile app will also impact the development cost. For example, developing a mobile app using native technologies will be more expensive than developing it using hybrid technologies.

5. Maintenance and Support

Usually, the cost of maintaining and supporting a mobile app after it is launched for public use is expected to cost between 15-20% of your initial investment, making it all the more important to consider.

Conclusion

Designing mobile applications has become vital for companies trying to get ahead of the curve in the modern digital marketplace. A mobile app that is developed carefully and precisely can help you attract new people who can also be potential consumers and drive revenue growth.

By carefully following this detailed guidance, businesses can ensure they have a strong basis for developing and releasing successful mobile apps. From conducting in-depth market research to choosing the best development team and implementing vital features, every stage of the process is essential to the success of your app.