There are 3 billion mobile app users worldwide. Each of them sees value in a particular app that solves their problems. But, building an application to satisfy these market needs and promote business is sometimes a daunting task.
Many startups and organisations have baffling thoughts about where to start with mobile applications development. In all this confusion, they stray from the path of success and end up breaking the budget. However, the Head of the Mobile Development team, Vojislav Ilić, shares his experience and practices to help the organisation know what developers need, to build mobile apps.
Building Mobile App Starts with an Idea
TNation is a software development outsourcing company creating reliable mobile apps for clients. Many of them have a general idea of what that application should do, but it often comes as incomplete information, which can help developers understand the client’s needs.
Having a clear vision of what that software needs to achieve before even getting started with a project can make a big difference in the long run. Of course, having an idea is a starting point, but stirring the mobile application to a road of success is a process.
That driving force comes from having a plan that will ensure the app’s positive result. A project is like a foundation for building the brick and mortar business that will last for years to come. Without it, the builders may interpret the requirements in the wrong way.
It is the same for the development team. Gathering and presenting all the possible information is giving the developers material. They will produce software that will lead a business on a path to long-term success from that information.
While all this may be good and true, sometimes it is hard to determine what information is valuable or useless. Some experienced developers would say that every input, however small it may be, can benefit the development process.
RESEARCH MOBILE APPS AND COMPETITION – IT IS FREE
There are a couple of benefits when researching the competition. The first and the most important is avoiding mistakes. Overlooking things while building software can be time consuming and expensive. And the second is gauging whether or not the application can compete on the market.
Browsing through the Google Play or App Store can offer insight into other mobile applications with similar purposes. Again, research is free, and it can provide information about installs, ratings, and comments.
Building a mobile app lasts four to six months, and preparing ahead saves time and money in the future. Research helps focus the vision on a clear picture of the idea by gathering data and screenshots. In addition, any information on preferred functions and design can support the development team to understand that vision.
IDENTIFY THE USER – WHEN THE USER PUSHES THE RED BUTTON
Any app in the world provides a solution for a specific audience. It is a developer job to build a mobile application that is easy to use without any assistance. To do so, developers need information about potential consumers.
Identifying the end users is not just for marketing purposes. Having a clear image of who they are can help the design team create a layout that will solve the users’ problems quickly and effortlessly.
A user-friendly interface on mobile applications is critical nowadays. Companies induce high-end technology into business and its software. Users have greater control over the power button and take their business elsewhere if the selected app does not satisfy their needs. Till July 2021, they had a choice of over 2.89 million mobile apps on Google Play Store only.
CHOOSE HOW TO MONETISE THE APP
Before approaching the development process, deciding whether to monetise the app is crucial for the development team. Many organisations develop an app to satisfy the end-users needs.
It is a common practice among big retail chains. However, mobile apps that cannot sustain themselves are a potential hazard for the business. There are a few ways to monetise the app.
- In-app purchase
- Pay-to-download
- In-app adds
ESTABLISH APP’S GOALS – WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO
Developers need something more substantial than the general idea of the app. Hence, the gathered information and details come to the scene. They are the ones that determine in which direction the development will go.
There are several questions to answer when providing information about the app’s functionalities. They refer to the primary purpose of the mobile application, significant features, and must-have features.
Mobile Apps Features – Dealing with Needed vs Wanted
Prioritising the features on the mobile app is like balancing the see-saw. Many businesses are led by the user’s wishes and implement too many features too soon. It takes away from the user experience, but it also represents a potential budget trap for the owners.
An overwhelming number of features is especially evident in the first version of the software. Instead of overstuffing the application, a business should sort the desired and necessary features when building an app.
Starting the development process with only the necessary features can go a long way. Users will leave comments and reviews letting the publisher know what they are expecting. In simple words, the feedback for a specific mobile application is worth more than assuming what the users need.
Conclusion
When you have clear responses to all the inquiries, you will be ready to tell developers what they need to start building the mobile application. Provide specifics and be prepared to answer further questions as development progresses. In the end, the purpose of the software is to push your company in the right direction, so it deserves time and attention. In addition, mobile app specifications and documents help the development process and ensure that client and development team understand each other.
TNation offers a wide range of solutions for custom software development. Tell us about your new mobile app.
