Understanding Full-cycle App Development

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These days, having an application for a business is important. Mobile apps are not limited to specific industries such as banking. Any business with an online presence should use an app. People spend almost 5 hours a day on an app on their mobile devices according to Weelorum. So having one helps you improve customer services, build on retention, and get more profits. This helps with building a good relationship with customers as well.

If you are unsure of how to go about it, use full-cycle app development services. It helps to understand how the process happens. That way, you can prepare a budget. It saves you money later on. Now let's check the app development stages.

1. Research and planning

Everything starts with planning. If you want the app to be useful, then carrying out deep research is necessary. It all starts with an idea of what the app should be like and what functionalities it should have. However, having an idea is not good enough. An app should be useful to customers and your business.

This stage focuses on how to improve the idea and make an app that will truly make a difference. It has to be marketable. At this point, you have to figure out a few important things such as:

• Are there any similar apps on the market?

• How will it stand out?

• What functionalities will it have?

• How will it be integrated into your current software?

• How will it help users to solve problems?

• Will it be mobile-friendly?

• How can you promote it?

Something that can improve the idea is use cases. By having people test out the idea, you will have an insight into how to make improvements.

With those questions answered, next plan the budget. You also need to come up with a timeline for app development. At this stage, figure out how to develop the app. Is it you or will you hire a team? With careful planning and selecting the key features, it will be easier to stick to your budget and avoid delays.

2. Design and prototyping

This stage is all about creating a framework for the app. Focus on the intended function of the app as a guide. The answers to the questions above should help you come up with a design. Once you have the design, the next step is creating a prototype. This gives you an actual framework of the app. It shows how the different functionalities work together to create a user interface.

The Wireframe works like a storyboard, showing how app development will progress. It is simply about having a physical sketch of the app. At this point, include the necessary solutions that will keep the app running and differentiate it from others on the market.

During the prototyping phase, it is good to come up with the backend of the app. The backend involves what you will deal with to control the app. Figure out the solutions that you will use to support the app. Working on the backend at this stage helps you avoid unnecessary expenses later on.

The prototype is the first workable form of your app. It needs to be functional as it gives your team an idea to work with. Before developing the app, get a few users to test it. This provides valuable feedback on how it works and on how to improve it.

3. Development

With a prototype tested out, it should be easy to understand what the final application should look like. If you're working on an ecommerce app, an ecommerce app development company can provide valuable insights into the most sought-after features by users. Create a list of things to improve during the development stage. This stage takes several weeks depending on what functionalities you have. Things to figure out include:

• Database

• Storage services

• App distribution

• Coding

Make sure all the main features are included at this point. Make sure to find the right team to code with. Take your time when finding the right team as it can have an impact on the final results.

4. Testing

This is an equally important step. Before launching an app, it is good to test it out. This is a way to test the quality and make sure all the important features are working. The app that customers use should meet the expectations as promised.

Test out each feature. Always go back to the original idea to make sure everything is as you expected. It is not enough to test the application by yourself. Pick some users, preferably outside your team to test the app. The feedback will help you make necessary changes before launching on the market. Check that the user interface, navigation, and app is working smoothly on mobile devices.

5. Deployment

The last and most enjoyable stage for many is deployment. To be successful, you have to carefully plan out everything. This is where to involve the marketing team. Without a good marketing strategy, an app may fail miserably despite having great functionalities.

With good marketing efforts, you will get more downloads. Optimizing SEO and using the right keywords to describe the app will be effective. Promote the app on your website and social media platforms. Launching email campaigns to promote an application before deployment is helpful.

Once marketing is done, set an official date to launch the application. Announce this on your website, social media, and email. You can even work with bloggers to leave some reviews on their websites. Have a platform where people can leave their reviews early on as it creates trust.

Final thoughts

Developing an app doesn't have to be complex. With careful planning, things should be easier. All you need to do is understand the five main stages from planning to deployment. Start with the idea and list the main features. Create a budget to work with as you work on development. Make sure you start a marketing campaign before launching your application. It will help you build momentum.

Finally remember that even after deployment, the process doesn't end there. You need to regularly update an app and quickly respond to customer complaints. Keep promoting your app even after hitting the target number of users.