Have an app idea but don’t know how to create an app? If you googled “I want to develop an app” or “What do I need to build an app” and found us, you’ve come to the right place.
As a leading mobile application development company in Canada Many of our customers ask the same question; how to build an app from scratch.
Reading: How to create an app in canada
If you have a great app idea and want to know how to build an application, you might have these questions too.
We decided to write and share everything we know about the mobile app development process; from validating your mobile app idea to starting making money from it.
Before we dive deep into the app development process, let’s briefly understand the market scenario.
According to the report published by Statista, mobile apps are growing rapidly.
The Google Play Store has 3.55 million apps. There are 1.66 million iOS apps in the Apple App Store.
Here is a chart showing the total number of apps in the third quarter of 2022.
Image source: Statista
Therefore, it is the right time to invest money in developing a mobile app. Therefore, you need to make sure you have all the information to streamline your mobile app development process.
Let’s understand the process of building an app from scratch
How to build an app for your business in 8 easy steps
Let’s understand in detail how to create an app for your business in 8 steps.
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Validate your idea for a mobile app
Every successful app starts with an idea. Applications with the original concepts have greater chances of success than existing ideas. Your app idea should solve a problem or provide unique value to customers.
To design your idea, you need to answer the following questions:
- What are the weak points ? and challenges in your competitors’ existing apps? Identifying the areas where current apps are missing gives you the opportunity to offer solutions to these problems and provide your users with a better customer experience.
- What purpose do you want to achieve with the mobile app? The purpose of your application can be anything from identifying your end users’ specific problems to offering a new platform for your end users. When you get clear about the purpose of your app, it will help development and meet your needs.
- What is your mobile app’s unique selling proposition (USP)? Your app’s USP can range from the technology stack to any unique point that differentiates your app from other apps available in the market. This is an easy way to promote your mobile app in the market.
- What is the expected outcome of the app? The expected outcome of your app could be something like increased revenue, user retention, improved user satisfaction, or a larger audience.
Once you have the answers to the above questions, do some market research by understanding your competitors.
Market research your competitors
Once you’ve identified the rationale for your idea, you have a question: How do you make an app unique from the competition? So, before you start building an app from scratch for your business, make sure you know the following:
- What is your app’s unique selling point?
- Who are your competitors?
- What strategies are your competitors using?
2.1. Who are your competitors?
Check the market of existing or similar apps in Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Don’t abandon your idea just because there are similar apps. Finding similar apps means you have a market for your own app idea; You have an existing audience that is interested in your app idea and will most likely use your app services.
Existing competition is not bad because:
- Users might are interested Try other alternatives if you get great service and deals.
- Existing apps may not have a fair share of the total potential market. You may have an opportunity to expand your business or target these customers.
2.2. Conduct the Competitive Analysis
As you research the competitors, evaluate the competitor’s product features and advantages. For evaluation, you can download a competitor’s app to review the user interface, speak to the competitor’s customer, identify the strengths and weaknesses of your competitor’s app, and find the challenges faced by app users.
List the pros and cons of your competitor’s app.Please make sure you consider the following:
- Features they implemented
- UI/UX of the competitor’s app
- The target audience of your competitors; what country they’re targeting, age group, and other demographics
- How does a competitor’s app solve the problem?
If you have all this information, you know, as do you Design your app in terms of UX/UI and functionalities.
Think of the problem you want your app to solve and how users will benefit from it.
2.3. Identify your app’s unique selling proposition/competitive advantage
Your app must have a differentiating factor that sets your app apart from the competition. Without differentiating features or exceptional services, users won’t look for alternatives.
Even a single unique selling proposition can change your audience’s perspective. Also, this could be a game changer for your app to be successful in the long run.
For example: Skip The Dishes, UberEats and DoorDash, all three are the most popular food delivery apps in Canada who bring food straight to your door from the local restaurant. But their unique selling points are various loyalty programs; different business models to attract customers.
Here is the table that distinguishes the three.
2.4. What can the unique selling proposition be?
Here are some examples of different industries you can refer to to find the unique selling proposition. Just in case you are developing a mobile app from one of these industries, here are some points to get an idea.
- A travel app that allows customers to compare hotel prices compare and get the best value for money
- A restaurant app that allows you to book the table or even order the food with a click of a button or before you even visit the place, giving you Save time.
- An e-commerce app that lets you know about the best deals and gives you automatic discounts on the latest products.
- A shopping app with AR/VR Features that allow you to check how the garment will look on you before you even buy it.
2.5. Decide what features to include in your app
After analyzing your competitors, you may have a basic idea of what type of features to include in your app. Then, to verify the user’s persona, you can create a poll asking for the different elements you want to include. Finally, if you have enough answers and feedback, you can get a general idea of what services users want.
Here are some of the questions to think about before deciding on the features
- Does this feature solve the user’s critical problem?
- Can this be a premium feature that can help monetize the app?
- Does this feature support the core purpose of the app?
- Are there any non-essential features that may cause your app to crash?
2.6. Think about monetization strategy
If you want to monetize your app, you need to think about monetization strategies. You need to find a sustainable revenue model to keep your app running.
Here are the different methods of app monetization:
Choose an app builder or develop a custom app
Once you have researched the target audience, features and competitors, you can use app builders like Appypie, Shoutem, Swiftic, Select GoodBarber and BuildFire Build an app or select a custom mobile application development company to customize an app according to your needs.
Let’s quickly understand which option is the best for you:
a. Development of the app using the Mobile Application Builder b. Choosing a custom app development company
3.1. Develop the app using the app builder
App builders allow companies to create apps with minimal/zero coding. There are many no-code or low-code tools on the market. It uses a visual development environment and reduces mobile app development time and costs. Also, since it includes features like workflow design, hardware compatibility, data synchronization, analytics, integrations and other applications via APIs, it becomes easy to develop a mobile app.
But the app development method also depends on yours Choice of whether to go with a mobile app building platform suitable for building apps or a custom mobile app development approach. So if you want to create complex apps with advanced features, app builders might not be a preferred option. Additionally, if you use an app builder, they have the right to your app’s source code, which limits your ability to update it in the future.
Benefits and limitations of using the Mobile Application Builder
3.2.Custom Mobile App Development
You need to hire a mobile app development company or mobile app development team to create an app according to your unique needs and budget.
Developers Mobile apps or mobile app development companies will help you build apps using the latest technology stack, advanced tools and plugins. Because the company takes care of your mobile app, you can focus your time on your core business.
By choosing the right app development partner, you can be assured of the best results as a mobile app development company have experience in developing apps, regardless of the complexity of the app.
Also, when you create a mobile app with the help of an app development agency, you don’t have to worry about the source code. Since most companies write code on your IP and hand it to you after the project is finished.
See also: I Have a Good App Idea, But No Programming Skills. What You Can Do
Advantages and limitations of custom mobile app development
But, how to choose the right app development company.
Use the following list of questions. save it. Be sure to ask these questions when choosing your development partner to build an app.
Here is a list of questions to ask to get a clear idea of the app building process .
By asking these questions you will have complete knowledge of the mobile app development process of the company you are considering choosing.
Following this process and with our expertise we have developed some of the most popular business web app solutions such as meat processing and packaging software, as well as solutions for airline companies.
3.3. App Builder vs. Custom App Development: Which Solution to Choose?
The decision between app builder or custom app development depends on business needs, budget and goals.
1. Choose the custom app development platform if:
- You need customization and need to integrate complex features.
- You want your app to be secured with high-end security standards and is updated.
- You want to scale your app in the future.
- You want to build UX/UI according to your needs with the latest design standards.
- You want backend infrastructure and support .
- You are in no hurry to market the app and want to take the time to provide the best solution.
2. Choose App Builder if:
- You don’t have a complex design or rich features and don’t need a lot of customization.
- You’re on a budget and looking for a no- Coding solution.
- You are looking for a faster time to market.
Wireframing a mobile app
Wireframing is a visual representation of an app that illustrates how an application works. With that, it delivers the idea of key screens and interface elements. Using a wireframe, you can quickly determine the structure, hierarchy, flow, and relationship between content and pages of the application.
Image source: Balsamiq Wireframe Academy
If you want an app Builder approach to developing an app you need to create a wireframe. This can be time-consuming and error-prone.
However, you can create a wireframe in two ways:
- Offline: Very simple Use pen and paper or a printable sketch template to draw a wireframe.
- Online: You can even use wireframe tools like Invision, Sketch, Adobe Suite, Mockflow, and Balsamiq to design the wireframe.
If you are considering an application development company to develop a custom app, the team of business analysts will sketch a wireframe for you according to your business needs. Because experienced business analysts have experience working with the most complex to simple apps, they can quickly design a wireframe according to your needs.
4.1. What is the importance of wireframe in app development?
- Allows design, content creation and development at the same time
- Cleares the app features before you integrate them into your app
- Help to refine navigation
- Saves time on an entire mobile app development project
4.2. How long does it take to develop a wireframe?
Mobile app wireframing depends on the requirements, number of screens, features and complexity. Take a look at the table to understand how much time Space-O takes to wire simple, medium and complex apps.
Design the UX/UI of mobile apps
Both UI and UX have separate outcomes that serve different purposes.
For example, UI is the overall style of the app (colors, fonts, buttons, controls), while UX designs usability and simplicity.
The goal of UX/UI design is delivery an excellent user experience that makes your app intuitive and easy to use. UI/UX has a profound impact on the mind of the user, resulting in more customer retention and increased productivity.
If you want to customize your UX/UI app design, you need a user interface hire/ UX designer or UI/UX design company to design your mobile app. An experienced app designer can translate your requirements into style guides and attractive user interfaces.
In addition, your app improves the user experience when UI/UX designers create original graphic designs, strategically place the aesthetic elements and identify UX bug fixes issues.
Here is a case study from Lyft showing how they have added simplicity, accessibility, transparency and scalability to chat support through UX/UI design. So, if you are also the one who wants to take on design driven UX, you can hire our UX/UI designer team. We have experience designing user interfaces in various industries, including healthcare, sports, fitness and education, regardless of the complexity of the app.
If you choose to do this, an app with an app builder to create you need to take care of the logo, fonts, color palettes and text and change them according to your business needs. However, designing a mobile application builder is useful when you don’t have rich features and complex business needs.
5.1. What is the importance of UX/UI to your app’s success?
- To provide a positive experience that stays true to the brand
- Increases customer satisfaction and leads to satisfied Customers Customers
- Perfect products don’t need to be updated frequently, saving you time and money
- Intuitively conveys all the information your visitor needs to know
- Allows you to to move easily switch from one side to another
For example: Dribbble uses maps to display creative projects, giving users a colorful view. It took an innovative approach to make works stand out and grab the user’s attention.
5.2. What tools do graphic designers use to create UX/UI designs?
Here is a list of UX/UI design tools.
- AdobeXD
- UXPin
- Figma
- FlowMapp
- Marvel
- Axure
At Space-O, starting now we use AdobeXD in most cases. We are also working on Figma if needed.
5.3. How much time is needed to design the UI/UX of an app?
The design of the UI/UX of mobile apps depends on the requirements, the number of screens, the functions and the complexity.
Check out the table to understand how much time we need to develop simple, medium and complex apps. This schedule includes approval by a customer in most cases.
Develop your mobile app
Once you have your app designs and wireframe ready, start the app development process . This is the stage where you bring your app to life. Throughout the development process, your app will go through several changes until it doesn’t deliver the expected result.
While working with an app development company, you need to get in touch with a mobile app consultant or dedicated app developer. Hire developers to create an app according to your goals. Before you start app development, mobile app experts break your project into smaller milestones and set deliverables.
For developing your mobile app, app developers choose the right programming languages and start with programming. Once the milestone is reached, you can review it to make sure it meets your business needs, and if the change is in place, you can propose a change request.
But before you get into the coding:
- Determine the technical architecture of your mobile app
- Decide the technology stack that can be used for your project
6.1 . Choose the development approach: native or cross-platform
If you want to know how to build your own app from scratch, you need to decide on the app development platform, i.e. H. native or cross-platform.
Native App: Native apps are developed exclusively for specific platforms. These apps are developed in a language compatible with the platform.
For example: iOS apps are developed using the Swift and Objective C programming languages.
Android apps are developed using the Java programming language developed or Kotlin.
A native app developed in iOS will not work on the Android platform and vice versa.
Cross-platform app: Platform or hybrid mobile app development develops a single application running on both iOS and Android platforms.
See also: 3 Easy Ways to Turn an Email into a Calendar Event
Want to know more? Here is a complete guide to cross-platform app development.
Let’s It’s quick to decide when to go with native vs. cross-platform apps.
The choice of native vs. cross-platform apps depends on the business needs and technical aspects of your mobile app.
If you However, opt for an app builder to develop an iOS app or Android app, you need to choose color, template, fonts, theme and logo.You also need to know that app builder platforms give you a monthly license he charge to keep your app running, and neither do you own the ownership/rights to your own code. This is why choosing the app development company is the right choice.
Test the Mobile App
You need to test your mobile app repeatedly and not just after the development phase to fix the early bugs early in the phase. Users uninstall the app when the app has UI/UX issues, crash reports, or security breaches.
However, after development, we recommend testing the iOS app and Android apps with different types of testing approaches, e.g . B. usability, security, function, etc.
Things to consider before testing mobile apps
- App across different smartphone configurations test
- Test the app across different networks
- Test the app solution for multiple users at the same time
- Test the app across different screen dimensions and specifications
- Perform automated testing or manual testing
- Test the app by turning GPS on/off
- Test the app by considering the mobile app type
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Why do mobile app testing?
- Allows the QA team to evaluate the overall app experience from the user’s perspective.
- Ensures iOS apps and Android apps are working properly and meeting quality standards for better performance and results.
- Because QA experts are real G Using equipment to test an app can bring a fully functional product to market.
- Reduces the likelihood of app stores being rejected.
What testing tools are preferred for testing mobile apps?
Here are the top five mobile app testing tools.
- Selenium
- Appium
- Apache Jmeter
- Load Runner
- Soap UI
Publish your app on app stores
Once the app has been tested, it is time to make your app available on the iOS App Store or Play Store. Regardless of whether you deploy to the iOS App Store or the Play Store, you must follow the app stores’ policies to avoid rejections.
Here is a quick checklist of what to do when uploading an app to the app stores from Google and Apple.
8.1. How much does the App Store and Google Play Store cost?
To have accounts in both stores, you have to pay an annual fee.
The Play Store cuts 30% of purchases made via the app as soon as it becomes available. On the other hand, the App Store charges an annual fee of $99 whether the app is free or paid.
It goes through a strict approval process when it’s available in the stores.
8.2. Tips to avoid App Store and Play Store disapprovals
- Read the stores’ policies carefully before you even start designing an app. If you don’t want to be penalized, you need to have a clear idea of what to include and what to avoid.
- Before submitting your app, make sure your app is bug-free. Test your app repeatedly to fix the bugs.
- Add relevant data and meta descriptions and make sure all links work properly.
- If you provide personal information required by users, do not forget to add a privacy statement. Associate it with the App Store listing to be accepted.
- Creating an app with a similar app icon may result in rejection. So, even if you have similar features in the App Store, choose a relevant name and icon.
- Simplify the UI and optimize your code to run faster.
- If your app allows in-app purchases, these must be processed through Apple or Google Play. It is recommended to use another payment provider like Stripe to avoid Apple and Google 30% payment fees.
8.3. How long does it take to publish your app?
Apple App Store: After submitting your app for review, you can check the status in App Store Connect or in App Store Connect -App for iPhone and iPad.After the app is submitted, review times may vary by app.
Google Play Store: If you are releasing the app for the first time or making an update, the release status of your app will help you to understand availability on Google Play. You can even check the release status in the Play Console.
So you’ve successfully created a mobile app.
No matter you want to know how to develop an app for iPhone or Android , you need to follow 7 of these steps.
Now what? How can you increase its visibility?
Building an app from scratch doesn’t mean you’ll get the number of downloads. You need to market it, gather user feedback, and nurture it to keep your users coming.
Let’s quickly walk through the post-launch steps.
Post-launch steps to consider Building an app
You may have created the best app, but what if nobody uses it? What happens if you don’t get the expected number of downloads?
To create awareness of your app among app users, you need to market your app.
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Marketing your mobile app
In most cases, you need to market your app to increase user awareness. Spend time knowing the channels your users are using. Then generate exposure on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Depending on the age group of your users, you can even market your app on YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok.
1.1. Strategies for Marketing Your Mobile App
- Create an app landing page so users on the web can learn more about your app.
- Consider the App Store -Optimization ( ASO) to improve visibility in the App Store and Play Store.
- Influencer marketing to reach new users.
- Run paid campaigns to increase downloads
Collect user feedback
Once you’ve marketed your app, you may have real customers using your app. They can take feedback on what they like and don’t like about the app.
Add or remove features in your app based on your audience’s needs. Integrating required features will increase your app’s engagement and revenue.
2.1. How do I collect user feedback?
- Communicate directly with your customers and ask specific questions.
- Take short surveys and ask questions the user experience of your custom app.
- Use social media platforms to reach users.
- Discard emails asking users for feedback on design and overall user experience
- Set up a forum for users to ask you and other users how to deal with app problems.
Maintain and update Your mobile app
At this stage you may have gathered enough feedback to develop the new version of your app. As you implement new features, you may notice bugs.
Fix them and keep your app on the latest version. What’s more, when you launch a new version, you even have to make sure that your app is compatible with the latest version of Android and iOS.
3.1. Why maintain and update a mobile app?
- Problems with errors are quite common, so you need to fix the error as soon as possible to avoid uninstalls.
- Most mobile apps use APIs to connect third-party databases. Therefore, you need to update your app with new APIs; otherwise, third-party services will not work.
- Updating apps regularly improves performance and ensures application security and stability.
- Updating the app regularly will help app users receive a notification that draws attention and lets them know they still have the app on their device.
- When Android and iOS release new features, apps need to be updated to access new features introduced by owners.
- Continuous improvement increases mobile app rating, user ratings and user experience. This leads to an increase in the number of downloads.
Now that you know the complete process of mobile app development, you may want to learn more about the development timeline. See the next section to learn more about the timeline and cost of developing an app.
How long does it take to build an app?
The average time for the creation of an app is between 6 to 8 months. Certainly, the timeline for developing an app depends on several factors that directly affect it. These factors are as follows.
- Functionalities
- Complexity
- Design
- Integration with third-party tools
- Functions
- No. by software developers
- Advanced features
Now let’s get to know the cost of app development.
If you are wondering, a cost estimate of your app idea you can use our app cost calculator. To get a cost estimate, you can answer the questions asked and receive your personal offer from our app consultants.
How much does it cost to build an app?
The cost of developing an app starts at $10,000 to $1,00,000. Of course, the cost of an app can depend even more on its complexity. There are several factors that affect the cost of custom app development. They are:
Here are the main factors that directly affect the cost of mobile app development.
- Mobile App Type
- Complexity
- Platform of the app
- Features and functionalities
- UI/UX design
- The size of the app development team
- Location of developers you hired
Want to learn more about the process or steps to create an app? Let’s answer some of the frequently asked questions while creating your own mobile app.
Let’s turn your mobile app idea into a successful application
In the app creation process above have we have provided the full guide to the different steps (from idea to execution) you need to follow to create the app.
Have an idea? Do you want to turn it into a successful app and earn money with it? Not sure where to start? Let us guide you. Feel free to contact us. Book your free consultation with our mobile app solutions consultant today. Fill out the form below.
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