Mobile App Development: The Ultimate Guide [2023 Updated]

What is the first thing you will look for if you want to order something, book a taxi, or avail any home service? Undoubtedly, you need to use different mobile applications to make it all happen.

Modern smartphones have made our lives so much easier and faster, that now we can’t even imagine living without them. At present, we all are aware of how much significance these mobile apps hold in our daily lives.

From hiring a cab, ordering food, searching for a job, and doing household chores, to watching movies and videos, we have an appropriate application for everything. The faster mobile phone penetration worldwide has also made new and existing ventures adopt the trend and provide their customer base with accessible services via using mobile apps. There can be found a broad range of mobile app categories comprising music streaming apps, video streaming apps, gaming apps, communication apps, and many more.

Most of the worldwide population knows about popular mobile apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Headspace, Amazon, Uber, Zomato, etc. Seeing the popularity of these apps, various entrepreneurs are finding the right opportunity to enter different sectors with an application comprising advanced features.

If you wish the same, then this below penned-down mobile app development guide will surely help you. Developing a mobile app is a very thoughtful decision, but you must consider a lot of aspects to do it properly. Let’s scroll through this guide to clear all your doubts-

What is Mobile Application Development?

Mobile app development is called a strategic method of designing, developing, and launching a solution successfully for the business expansion in terms of user base and earning profits. It is a process to create software applications for different devices such as mobile, tablets, and others.

This complete procedure comprises all the aspects right from the project scope to its design to development to its deployment. In simple words, it involves creating installable software packages while executing backend iOS and Android app development services including data access with an API and app testing on targeted devices.

No matter which mobile application development company you hire, they must follow the appropriate process including all the activities useful for making a mobile app worthy for its users. While leading to this, there are various methodologies used in the development process including Agile, Waterfall, and so on.

Read More – A Step-by-step Guide to Create a Mobile App from Scratch

Following these methods, mobile app development agencies and skilled mobile app developers are also experimenting with the trends and are ready to adopt the latest technologies including 5G, Blockchain, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, IoT, Big Data, etc.

Integration of these advanced technologies makes mobile app solutions competent enough to compete with the existing giants in their field. When we are talking about mobile app development, it is not possible to neglect different types of mobile apps comprising native, cross-platform, PWA, and hybrid.

Mobile app development has got immense popularity over the years and now. Seeking the potential, every business is looking to hire mobile application developers to get a suitable mobile app for scaling up their revenue and customer base. For these reasons, businesses should pay extra attention while choosing the mobile app platform, be it Android, iOS, or both.

Read More: Android vs. iOS: Which is Better for Mobile App Development?

They can consider aspects like mobile app development cost, their targeted audience base, business model, latest technologies, development time, etc. while selecting one platform.

Still, if you have any doubts, we can quickly move on to the below-provided market stats illustrating revenue generation through mobile app development. It will help you to get a clearer picture of why mobile app development holds so much significance.

Market Growth and Statistics: What is the Future of Mobile Application Development?

Businesses must go through the mobile app market situation, growth, and future scope before hiring any Android or iOS application development company. The mobile app market is having rapid growth day by day and the stats assure a promising future ahead too.

First, let’s talk about the total number of apps existing in the leading apps stored represented in the below graph.

As of the 4^th Quarter of 2020, the overall number of mobile app downloads was 218 billion in comparison with that 204 billion in 2019. In the below image, we have displayed the total number of apps presented in different app stores including Windows Store, Amazon App Store, Google Play, and Apple App Store.

Now is the right time to know about the number of smartphone subscriptions around the world noted from the year 2016 to 2021. In the provided graph, we can also see the prediction about the same from 2022 to 2027.

At present, the total smartphone subscription has surpassed 6 billion worldwide, and it is still forecasted to evolve and reach 7.6 billion by 2027.

Currently, mobile application developers have polished their skills so much that they are able to create apps with smooth functionality and advanced features according to the client’s choice. It has made an increase in the annual number of mobile app downloads worldwide between 2016 to 2021.

While increasing consistently from the year 2016, the numbers surpassed 200 billion in the year 2019.

Currently measured, users have downloaded around 230 billion smartphone apps to their linked devices which is higher by 63% in comparison to 140.7 billion downloads recorded in 2016.

The Most Popular Global Apps and Their Development Guide

Below, we have come up with some popular mobile applications which are deemed to be the maximum downloaded apps of all time. You can explore the list of these applications to augment the user experience, have a look

Udemy

Udemy is a popular online academic platform offering a wide range of courses on several topics. App users can access different instructional videos and materials provided by subject experts in their respective areas.

With the purpose of serving easily accessible educational materials, Udemy comes with a user-friendly interface, progress tracking, and course recommendations. It enables tutors and instructors to generate and publish their content.

Hence, If you are thinking to enter the same market, you can go through the complete guide on how to build an app like Udemy. It will provide you with a rough idea about how the app works, related market statistics, cost and the development process to follow.   

PayPal

PayPal is known as a leading online payment platform allowing ventures and individuals to securely send and receive money worldwide. The app has robust features such as simple integration, multiple payment options, buyer & seller protection, etc. Alongside this, it incorporates smooth payment processing, strong security measures, user-friendly interfaces, and huge cross-platform compatibility.

To create powerful app like PayPal to empower your users to transact effortlessly and gain their trust in online financial transactions, follow our guide to developing an app like PayPal.

Airbnb

Airbnb is a ground-breaking online marketplace to connect vacationers with unique properties to experience something different. Airbnb is helpful to unleash the potential of the gliding vacation retail industry. It is an interactive platform allowing hosts to list their properties on the app that comes with the features like search filters, secure payment modes, personalized recommendations, and many more.

If you want to explore this industry and create an app like Airbnb, read out our provided guide on how to develop an app like Airbnb.         

Zoom

Zoom is a leading video conferencing platform offering smooth collaboration, high-definition video, and crystal-clear audio. Embrace the future of communication by making a Zoom-like app.

Are you looking to develop a similar app like zoom, checkout this complete guide to create an app like Zoom? To develop a Zoom clone app and provide easy communication, you must integrate features like real-time screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, interactive chat, etc.  

Noom

Noom is a wellness app that helps people to know about the right approaches to health and fitness. It provides personalized modern methods to empower users to do weight loss and achieve health goals easily.

This app comprises innovative features like food tracking, community support, and coaching. If you are wishing to develop an app like Noon, you just need to have a look at our provided guide on how to develop an wellness app like noom.

Nykaa

This groundbreaking app is created to revolutionize the beauty industry by harnessing the power of a modern-edge tech stack. Nykaa has provided a personalized and immersive beauty experience to all its users, and it is the reason why it has higher user acquisition.

You can also embark on a successful beauty app journey as amazing as Nykaa by knowing how to build an app like Nykaa. If you want to step out your footprints in fashion industry then You can take the help of our complete guide on How to develop an beauty and cosmetic app like nykaa.

Asana Rebel

Asana Rebel is a popular fitness mobile app that provided a different range of services like Yoga, mindful exercises, HIIT, etc. to help users achieve their health goals. You can also create a similar app by coupling the power of Asana Rebel’s amazing features.

Looking to develop an app like Asana Rebel? Look no further! Our complete guide on how to develop an fitness app like Asana Rebel has all the details you require about Asana Rebel clone app development.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is popular as an epitome of the food delivery market that offers an outstanding experience to users via delivering food to their doorstep. To enter the food industry, you can also create an app like Ubereats with the help of a complete guide on how to develop an food delivery app like Uber Eats.

Consider adding different features such as secure payments, real-time tracking, a user-friendly interface, save addresses, etc. to make this culinary journey smooth for users.   

Duolingo

Duolingo is the best language learning platform to enable users to learn different languages via interactive exercises and lessons. The app has a higher user engagement worldwide as it makes language learning enjoyable and engaging.

To build an app like Duolingo, one needs to focus on the right guide while creating a user-friendly interface. You can also add some advanced features such as progress tracking, multi-lingual support, rewards & achievements, and so on.     

Amazon  

Amazon needs no introduction as this app is ruling the market for a long time and is preferred by a large number of users globally. Due to its popularity and enormous success, ventures are looking at how to create an ecommerce marketplace app like Amazon along with the right features.

Some of the best features of the Amazon app are secure transactions, a variety of products, easy navigation, efficient logistics, and others that make it outshine the market competitors.

Canva

The app is widely known as an adaptable graphical design platform to generate designs professionally. Canva has different design elements (buttons, images, and illustrations), a vast library of personalized templates, and a user-friendly interface.

To create an app like Canva, you must integrate a robust design editor along with several design assets and collaborative features for augmented user interaction.   

Discord

At present, Discord is the most famous communication platform built for connecting gamers worldwide and creating communities. It enables users to interact via text or voice, join servers, and share multimedia content.

If you are going to create an messaging app like Discord, you must follow the proper app development guide. There are also some amazing features such as different channels, private messaging, unsend messages, push notifications, etc. that you must add for augmenting the user experience.    

Dream11

It is an online fantasy app that allows users to create a virtual team of their favorite game including real-life players and get points to earn money. Points earned by users depend on the players’ performance.

This app offers a broad range of sports like Football, Cricket, Hockey, Basketball, etc. Seeing the popularity and bright future scope, you can also build an fantasy app like Dream11 to engage sports enthusiasts and generate high revenue.     

Walmart

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that has a broad chain of discount department stores. This chain offers an extensive range of products comprising electronics, groceries, clothing, household items, and many more.

To enter in the industry and develop an app like Walmart, it is necessary to do thorough research and consider the development needs. It will be easier to follow a complete guide on how to develop an app like Walmart.

Dubizzle

It is a widely known online classified platform to connect sellers and buyers in the Middle East. Dubizzle enables users to post advertisements related to different categories such as cars, jobs, real estate, furniture, etc.

If you are looking to build an classified app like Dubizzle, it needs all your attention, resources, and a fine budget. Also, consider having features like ad posting, user registration, location-based services, search filters, message, and call options, and so on.   

Snapchat

Snapchat is a social media platform allowing users to send messages, images, and videos that disappear automatically after being viewed. So, if you are going to create an app like Snapchat, keep in mind that user privacy is the most significant part of this app.

Follow the complete guide for Snapchat-like app development. Additionally, you can also incorporate features like facial recognition, real-time messaging, location-based filters, self-destructing messages, multimedia sharing, etc.  

Noon

Noon app provides a smooth and amazing shopping experience to its users with the help of a user-friendly interface, secure payment modes, personalized recommendations, and comprehensive product listings.

From fashion to electronics, health & beauty, to homeware, this eCommerce app has a lot to offer you. Create an app like Noon by following the right steps included in our complete guide on how to develop an app like noon to thriving in the world of eCommerce.      

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Mobile App Development Project

At the time of initiating a mobile application development project, there might be several ideas juggling in your mind, but it is essential to streamline everything to commence with a strategic approach.

To support our clients with their objectives and goal, and to make them go ahead in the right direction, we have formulated a list of certain questions related to mobile application development that they need to answer during the consultation phase.

It will help them to refine their ideas and to save energy, time, and costs that might have been exhausted if they make any wrong decisions.

Let’s have a look:

• What is your purpose behind developing a mobile application?
• Who would be your target audience?
• Do you have any idea how the customers will use your app??
• Who are your competitors?
• Is there something unique in your app that other apps don’t have?
• Have you thought of any appropriate business model to apply for your mobile app?
• What is your preferred tech stack including frameworks, languages, and technologies?
• What is the total budget for your project?
• How much time does it take to develop a mobile app?
• How many potential users are there who are likely to use the app you are going to develop?

What Are the Top Mobile Application Development Frameworks?

Mobile application development framework simply refers to a software library including software and tools, compilers, APIs, and others providing a basic structure & support at the time of mobile application development for a specific platform.

If the mobile application development company you have chosen is not using the right mobile app development tools, then building a mobile app can be a complex task for them.

Hence, they must go for a framework suitable to their needs. The rightly selected mobile application development framework will help to make the development process easier and faster by allowing mobile app developers to use customized features.

Your assigned developers must choose the best mobile application development framework that goes well with your mobile app.

Let’s begin by knowing some popular frameworks used for developing native as well as cross-platform mobile apps. Have a look-

1. React Native

It is known as the widely popular JavaScript library used to build native mobile apps for different devices and platforms. Enterprises can take help from a leading React Native application development company to create robust apps for more than one platform along with providing users with a native-like experience.

Here React Native application developers only use a single codebase to create apps for multiple platforms. These created applications have low-code requirements and are also well-matched with third-party APIs and plugins. Here indicative API can be used for an analytical user interface. React Native apps are compatible with both Android and iOS.

React Native Apps example: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.

2. Flutter

It is one of the preferred UI toolkits beneficial to create native apps for diverse platforms such as mobile, web, and desktop. Businesses obtain Flutter app development services due to its provided incrusted architecture that guarantees the quick rendering of elements.

Flutter-created apps will come with personalized widgets helpful for native mobile app development in less time. This framework develops high-performing apps for both the platforms Android and iOS.

Flutter Apps Examples: Google Ads, Hamilton Music.

3. Xamarin

Xamarin is an open-source framework that allows app developers to use C# for developing Android apps, iOS apps, or Universal Windows apps. It provides both performance and flexibility, hence preferred by mobile app developers at the time of building native applications. It also allows sharing of one code on multiple platforms referring to cross-platform mobile app development.

Enterprises can use Xamarin as it provides a development ecosystem comprising back-end, API, and other components but they will also need the assistance of a top cross-platform app development company.

This framework has been a top choice due to its offered cloud service allowing testing on multiple devices, though it only generates lesser bugs and has a quicker time. It also includes component stores including cross-platform libraries, UI controls, and third-party libraries while letting for app indexing and deep linking.

Xamarin Apps Examples: Alaska Airlines, The World Bank, American Cancer Society.

4. Ionic

Ionic is widely known as an open-source HTML5 development framework that is the dearest among the developers’ community. This framework supports UI feature components including filters, forms, list views, action sheets, tab bars, and navigation menus, these all are used at the time of UI designing. Ionic provides compatibility with iOS 7, Android 4.1, and the latest iOS and Android versions.

It is preferable to mobile app developers as it has an easy installation process and can be used across diverse platforms & for different applications. This framework is affordable regardless of its superior technology. It also has Cordova plug-ins that provide access to features such as Cameras, Flashlights, and GPS.

Ionic Apps Examples: McDonald’s Turkiye, MarketWatch, JustWatch.

5. Swiftic

Swiftic is one of the best mobile app development frameworks that you can choose while obtaining iOS app development services. It includes an easy-to-navigate interface along with a lot of impressive features such as advanced analytics, unlimited push notifications, attractive app design, and many more.

When it comes to iPhone application development, this framework can be preferred as it has multiple templates and UX navigation styles with diverse colors, building blocks, and background pictures that help to build a customized app. Businesses can hire iOS app developers who have experience with Swiftic to get a high-performing solution.

6. NativeScript

Whether you are going for Android or iOS app development, NativeScript is the most selected framework by mobile application development firms to develop native mobile apps. It lessens the need for code along with the loading time of native applications on the system.

This framework provides direct access to iOS and Android APIs while providing better backend support. Several Native Script plugins are obtainable for native app development. Alongside this, it also offers three complete real-world app executions.

NativeScript Examples: SAP, Puma

7. Adobe PhoneGap

This is the most used platform by top Android application developers and is sponsored by both Adobe and Apache. The main advantage of this framework is that it can build a single app compatible with all types of mobile devices. We can consider it an open-source desktop app so that you can link the apps to diverse mobile devices.

PhoneGap works on HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3 excellently. The integration of multiple libraries is also becoming easy while encompassing the app functionality with a plug-in architecture. The framework also has an effective backend and is helpful to build an app.

8. Corona SDK

Corona SDK is known as a cross-platform development framework used to create 2D games and mobile applications. This mobile app development framework is helpful for mobile app developers during the development of solitary code bases functioning well with Nook, iOS, and Android.

Corona SDK includes better interactivity and high-resolution graphics. With this, it is easy to combine APIs into 2D games & mobile apps. Also, Corona supports various ad providers, hence, it can be used as a monetization strategy for apps.

9. jQuery Mobile

It can be considered a sort of JavaScript library involving multiple plug-ins along with pop-up boxes, image sliders, and content sliders. jQuery is way easier to use in parallel to JavaScript libraries. The reason behind it is less code is written in this framework to get features like other libraries.

This framework also supports different browsers comprising Android devices, iOS devices, WebOS, and Blackberry OS 6. It also plays a vital role in creating attractive, user-friendly & easier web pages and is backed by all sorts of search engines.

10. Sencha Ext JS

It is a well-known MVC-based JavaScript platform helpful for building highly responsive mobile applications to provide an augmented user experience. Mobile app developers use this framework with the combination of Ext JS to improve the app functions and now, they also use it for creating data-intensive apps for cross-platform development.

This framework is advantageous when it comes to data management at a large level. It includes an adaptable layout system and data interpretation while translating the code by using a development tool.

Sencha Examples: Samsung, NetApp, Nvidea.

What are The Top Technologies Used in Mobile Application Development?

Undoubtedly, while describing a comprehensive guide to mobile app development, it is not possible to not discuss technologies used in creating a mobile app. Different programming languages are separately used in app development for different platforms. This is the reason why businesses choose different tech stacks for mobile application development.

Many languages are there that don’t need separate programming codes for creating apps for different platforms, hence businesses prefer them for hybrid and cross-platform app development.

Get to know below about these different programming languages:

1. Flutter

It is a newly introduced mobile app development technology that is helpful for cross-platform app development. Businesses are choosing Flutter app development services over anything so that they don’t have to develop a mobile app for Android and iOS platforms separately.

Flutter uses the programming language ‘Dart’ as an alternative to JavaScript to have effective and quicker analysis, fabricated UIs comprising a faster testing process. This technology can be considered an open-source cross-platform SDK launched by Google that involves multiple plugins supported by Google itself.

2. Java

Since the launch of Android in 2008, Java has been its official programming language. Businesses always prefer to hire Android application developers whenever they want to have an efficient android app. Java is an object-oriented language that was released in the year 1995 to run on virtual machines.

Commonly, Java is used as a general-purpose language to make the app modular, flexible, and extensible. It includes several libraries users can choose from.

3. Python

Are you looking to hire Python developers? Let’s get some details on this general-purpose coding language. It is used to facilitate developers with more flexibility while developing mobile applications for small and large-scale enterprises. Python is also used for data visualization, data analytics, task automation, website development, and software app development.

Though, it is not strongly focused on GUI app development and could not be used to create iOS or Android apps explicitly. To get it solved, Python includes Kivy and BeeWare libraries where Kivy is used to build cross-platform apps and BeeWare is used to build native apps with the help of UI tools. Getting assistance from a top Python development company with knowledgeable python developers will be the right decision for the enterprises in this case.      

4. Swift

Swift language was introduced in the year 2014 to build scalable iOS mobile applications. Any iOS app development agency you choose will always prefer Swift over Objective-C and others due to its easiness and efficiency during iOS application development.

Swift includes secure programming patterns and helps in integrating more advanced features to make the mobile app development process faster and more flexible. Swift is a first-of-its-kind language that is equally enjoyable and vivid as any other scripting language. With minimal coding, Swift language can be used for iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and others.

5. React Native

JavaScript-based React Native framework provides great support for both iOS and Android platforms. With this, React Native application developers need to write the code just once. It comprises a broad range of components for cross-platform mobile app development facilitating developers to create native-like applications with a similar look.

Created React Native apps are assembled into the natively written code that makes them act and work similarly to their native counterparts without any adjustment. It includes features like Angular integration, Native API reflection, and Vue.js integration.

6. Kotlin

Kotlin is known as the second official Java language and in 2019, Google has also stated that it is the official language for Android application development. This language runs on JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and can easily interoperate with Java.

It includes some smart extension functions while creating APIs, and also, solves nullability issues related to Java. No huge cost is linked to its adoption, alongside, it only allows to have few errors.

7. R Programming

This environment and programming language are mainly used in data analytics, statistical computing, and scientific research. R programming is one of the famous programming languages that is used by developers to create custom visualization and R packages and implement the latest software development tools to reuse the code to sort out data science issues.

8. C++

It is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language that has always been the desired choice to create mobile applications for Android or iOS platforms. It is commonly used for developing gaming apps, GUI-based apps, banking apps, real-time mathematical simulations, and many more. It is popular among the developers’ community due to its support in cloud computing app development.

It is flexible when it comes to transforming hardware or ecosystems. This language is a portable and compiler-based language with built-in libraries that provide several functions useful for coders.

9. PHP

PHP is one of the famous programming languages that require access to a database. Whether it is content-heavy apps, mobile apps, dynamic web apps, eCommerce apps, and so on, businesses always prefer to hire PHP developers to build such apps.

PHP is compatible with diverse databases and local servers while assisting in command-line scripting, server-side scripting, and coding apps. PHP is known as a platform-independent, easy-to-learn, and extremely consistent language with swift integration. It also includes in-built security features to prevent security threats. Facebook, Wikipedia, and Yahoo are some of the examples created with PHP.

What are Different Types of Mobile Apps?

Before looking for the top mobile app developers for hire, the one thing you must decide is to select which type of mobile app you want to develop or which is the most suitable mobile app development platform. Whatever audiences you are targeting, analyze their behavior while choosing the app type, and then, get an appropriate app accordingly.

Choosing a suitable development approach aligning with your goal will be the right step to go with. Have a look at the different mobile application types available to choose from-

1. Native Mobile Applications

Developing a native mobile application has always been the first choice for businesses as these apps are incomparable when it comes to performance, features, etc. Choosing native apps refer to a platform-oriented app that only runs on a specific platform. While selecting native mobile app development, it is necessary to hire the right firm between an iOS app development agency and an Android app development agency based on your business goals.

Just make sure the firm has expert and dedicated developers to get a fast-performing and scalable app. In this, either you go for the Android or iOS platform, developers need to write the code separately for both platforms.

For Android apps, Java or Kotlin will be used, whereas, for iOS apps, Swift or Objective-C can be used. Native apps tend to be more reliable, provide better user experience, and render improved app performance, that’s why businesses prefer native apps.

Though native apps are better than cross-platform apps in different aspects, but the biggest challenge faced by start-ups here is increased development costs. The reason behind it is code written for different platforms, maintenance, purchased tools, etc.

2. Cross-Platform Applications

Cross-platform app development is considered a suitable approach if you want to go for low-cost custom applications comprising stable, impressive, and efficient features. It includes a core shareability function that makes the created app compatible with other platforms as well. There are available numerous frameworks used in cross-platform app development to provide users with a native-like experience and feel.

You must hire cross-platform app developers to get developed a mobile app helpful for you to obtain the largest possible customer base irrespective of their preferred app platform. While developing a cross-platform app, there is used a native rendering engine offers easy execution, smooth functionality, and low-budget development.

However, these apps are likely to have low performance in comparison to native applications but are suitable for businesses with limited financial plans. Take care of customization first as there are provided limited frameworks that you can use for creating an app fitted with diverse platforms.

3. Hybrid Mobile Applications

The only similarity between cross-platform apps and hybrid apps is the code shareability that makes these apps well-functioned with multiple platforms. Hybrid mobile apps act like a medium between web and native apps consisting of backend programming and a native viewer that can install to show the backend in a web view.

For instance, iOS uses WKWebview to show a hybrid app and Android uses WebView. Created Hybrid apps don’t go for a browser to access unlike web applications and get benefits from plugins such as Ionic’s Capacitor or Apache Cordova.

Hybrid application development companies must use these plugins to integrate native features of Android and iOS into hybrid apps. In short, we can say that Hybrid app development leads to cost-efficient and less time-consuming processes than native app development.

Creating hybrid apps improves user experience and app performance like native apps. There must be an easy navigation pattern and attractive UI design to provide a great visual perspective.

4. Progressive Web Application (PWA)

Progressive web apps work similarly to web applications while offering users a native-like experience in terms of performance, visuality, features, and more. These apps require a web platform to run and thus users are not required to have a separate application, particularly for this.

Businesses just need to choose a leading PWA development company to get benefits like less consumed data, improved engagement rate, and better performance integrated with PWA. PWAs are stored on a remote server and shared via the web with the help of a browser interface. The most famous example of a PWA is Twitter Lite.

Difference Between Native, Cross Platform, Hybrid, and PWA

Before picking up a prominent mobile app development company, you must ensure among all the different types of mobile apps, which one you want to go for. Further, you will also need to check where you can get mobile app developers for hire to build a scalable solution.

If you have any doubts, you can have a look at the differences shown in the below table to make the right decision. Get to know how Native, cross-platform, hybrid, and PWAs are distinct from each other. Scroll down-

Parameters	Native Apps	Cross-platform Apps	Hybrid Apps	PWAs
Pros	Smooth performance Allows customization Directly connects with the device’s hardware	Reusable code Faster development process Reusable skillset	Quicker and more economical Faster loading Viable Accessible with slower internet Better user experience Less code	No need for customization Low development cost Not needed much space on the device No need to download the update
Cons	No code reuses More time in development No cost-efficiency	Less flexibility Less performance than native apps	Less power and speed Need of native browser or support from a plugin to get access to a new device	Dependence on the browser Not accessible offline
Technologies	Java, Python, Kotlin, Swift, Objective C, C++, etc.	HTML, CSS, Objective C, Flutter, React Native, Xamarin, and others.	Objective C, Ionic, Swift, HTML5, etc.	HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Python, AngularJS, PHP, and more
Examples	Spotify, WhatsApp, Tesla, SoundCloud	Alaska Airlines, Firefox, TeamViewer, Adobe Reader	Evernote, Gmail, Instagram, Uber	Twitter, Google News, Starbucks, BMW

How to Develop a Mobile Application?

What matters most to a business is how to create a mobile application. In this reference, it is recommended to follow a step-by-step guide to mobile app development. This guide includes multiple steps starting from strategy, identification & planning, app designing, development, testing, and launch to maintenance. To follow these steps, businesses also need assistance from a top iOS or Android application development company with years of experience.

Now, let’s navigate to the mobile app development process that is mentioned below:

Step 1: Defining the App Idea

After getting a proper idea about app development, brainstorm about how it can improve your business. To get into the action and turn your idea into reality or a genuine solution, your need to define the app idea properly. Hence, here you need to draw an app requirement document including SRS (Software Requirements Specification).

It will include all the necessary aspects needed for creating an app. It will clearly define the project’s vision, mission, purpose, required technology stack, and the whole specification along with essential features to comprise into a software solution.

The overall success of your mobile application will entirely depend on these aspects; thus, you need to make it clear that it should be understandable while providing a clear idea about the mobile app development process.

Step 2: Market Research & Analysis

Doing market research is an integral part of the process of creating a mobile app. It helps enterprises to fulfill their ultimate goal which is customer satisfaction. Market research includes analysis of continuously changing market trends and target audiences’ requirements.

Read More – Top Mobile App Development Trends that Will Dominate in 2023

There are multiple questions needed to get answered during this procedure:

• What should be included in the app and what should not?
• Who are your target audiences and where do they belong?
• How to monetize your mobile application?
• What can you learn from the existing competitors?

Getting answers to these questions will help you get a clear picture of how you will create the application. Along with this, your research must include details about user demographics, app categories, needed features, and many more. These aspects have a lot of significance as they will boost your chance to stay competitive in the market.

Step 3: Wireframing & Prototyping

It is one of the essential steps to consider during the mobile app development process as the success of your app will be focused on how users will navigate and benefit from the app’s features and functionalities.

An app design consists of several steps including:

• Information architecture & workflows
• Wireframes
• Style guide
• Mockups
• Prototype

All these elements help to make an app attractive and responsive enough to get the attention of audiences. Here wireframes are created to help the related business get an idea about how the solution will help the users. It provides a clear reviewable outline of the app’s working and helps to lessen the errors in the development process while saving time and money.

Read More – A Complete Guide to Design Wireframes for a Mobile App

After getting approval on app wireframes, you must concentrate on app prototyping. It helps to get an understanding of the app visualization and how it will navigate the users. It is also advantageous to test how the customers are going to use it and what will be their reaction about the entire experience.

Step 4: App UI/UX Design

Make sure that your purpose behind creating an interactive and appealing UI design is to deliver an uncomplicated and seamless user experience (UX) with a refined appearance. You can achieve a never-like-before app look, that is easy to navigate by following a well-created roadmap to display the connection with every app screen. Alongside all these, delivering an augmented user experience must be your priority on the list.

Integrating modern-edge technologies and tools such as HTML, CSS, PHP, etc. will be much helpful to add a creative touch to the app. With this, your app will continue to float in the market for a long time effortlessly.

Step 5: App Development Phase

This stage needs extra attention from your chosen mobile app development company and its team. Here you need to have knowledge of top mobile app development trends so that you can integrate them into your mobile app as per the suitability. Working with the right mobile app development team will help you a lot in this stage. That’s why it is necessary to hire dedicated developers while creating an app.

Here, whether you hire Android app developers or iOS developers, they need to write the code along with Back-end server technology, third-party APIs, front-end architecture, and so on. During the process, mobile app developers can also take the help of version control solutions such as GitHub in the case of managing & sharing the app code with other members of the team.

Most importantly, you need to consider an array of mobile app development technologies and tools required to make your app competent and reliable to stay strong in the market among competitors and ensure the highest possible return.

Alongside, there must be integrated a suitable monetization model including all the possible ways to make maximum profit. These money-making strategies can include the ways such as advertising, affiliated marketing, transaction fees, freemium, app subscription, lead generation, and many more.

For all these, you are required to form the right development team with the right members including:

• Project Manager
• Mobile App Designers
• Mobile App Developers
• QA Experts
• Technical Executives

Step 6: App Testing Process

The most important phase of the app development process is mobile app testing. Your chosen mobile app development company must have expert testers to get your app tested properly to make it more stable, secure, and better in performance. To get sure about the app testing, first, there should be prepared test cases to address all the issues and errors properly.

It is like creating use cases to boost the mobile app development process, here test cases do the same with the mobile app testing. It will be better if you involve your QA teams in all the previous stages like designing and development so that they can get familiar with the whole working process & functional requirements of the app.

Your mobile app must go under several test procedures to deliver an error-free solution, it includes-

• User Experience Testing
• Functional Testing
• Performance Testing
• A/B Testing
• Security Testing
• Devices And Platform Testing

Test your app through all these testing types to ensure there is no error left and your app is ready to launch in the market to use by your target audiences.

Step 7: App Launching & Promotion

No matter whether you have a native or a cross-platform app solution, all that matters is to look for appropriate platforms. For Android apps, you need Google Play Store and for iOS apps, you need Apple App Store. You are required to follow the specific guidelines and rules of creating an account on both platforms for successfully launching the applications.

While deploying the application to the app store, there is a need to use a name and bundle identifier entirely different from the QA form of the mobile application. With this, there are chances to check the potential upgrades before the app launch.

After launching, businesses should pay all their attention to promoting the app. They must conduct social media and marketing campaigns to aware as many people as they can. It will help them to get a lot of attention from the audiences and businesses can easily convert them into their user base afterward.

Step 8: Maintenance of the App

Even after the launch and getting success in the market, the app needs maintenance and time-to-time updates based on the users’ feedback and the market’s response, it should be implemented faster. Integrating new features and removing non-usable functionalities at the right time will make the app desirable for users.

With the fast-changing needs of users, it is necessary to provide them with what they want through the mobile app. Otherwise, they will shift their attention to another existing app. Hence, try to consider all the latest mobile app trends to stay competitive in the market and stand out from the competitors.

How to Choose the Best Mobile Application Development Company?

While creating an app, everyone focuses on various aspects like deciding the budget, finalizing the monetization model, hiring mobile app developers, and many more. On the other hand, their focus should be on choosing the best mobile app development company in the first place as it will help to resolve all the concerns related to the mobile app development process.

Here are mentioned some of the considerable points at the time of choosing the right mobile app or software development company, have a look:

1. The Project Budget

Before getting into mobile app development, businesses must decide their estimated project budget. It is the first question asked by any IT company you will approach. Vice versa, businesses must look for a mobile application development company that can fit into their budget. The overall budget can be affected by various factors such as development time, the firm’s location, and so on.

Looking deeply at all these factors will provide you with a clear idea of the complete cost of mobile app development. Here you need to be honest with the firm you are going to choose to avoid conflicts during the process. Don’t focus on having cheap services as they are not always worthy, go for quality solutions.

2. Get An Idea About End-To-End Process

During the hiring process, ask the mobile app development agency about the process they are going to follow. It is necessary to ask because most of the leading mobile application development firms have a well-defined and step-by-step mobile app designing and development process. You must ask them for a complete guide to mobile app development so that you can know how it is going to be.

Raising a query about this will give you an understanding of how the firm gathers requirements and deal with clients. It will allow transparency between client and their chosen company while obtaining mobile application development services.

3. Pricing Structure of the Firm

Various mobile app development companies charge extra money for some services, and Various mobile app development companies charge extra money for some services, and they don’t mention it in the starting. It causes conflicts between both parties later.

Hence, it will be good to enquire about the extra charges at an initial stage. You can also ask them if they charge based on an hour or have a fixed development price. After deciding on a fixed amount, you should know what is included in it and what is not along with the support and maintenance.

4. Look at the Company’s Portfolio

The foremost thing to do is to check the portfolio or previously done projects of the company you are going to hire. The portfolio checking process will include all the things from seeing similarly done projects, the number of successful projects, and total experience to comprised time & cost.

The firm should have diversity including multiple different projects while assuring flexibility. You can also visit their website to identify the reviews and feedback provided by former clients. If you are satisfied after getting through all these, go for it otherwise look for another one.       

5. Requirement & Data Gathering Process

At the time of market research, you would be requiring a lot of investment to build an R&D strategy for modern times and to carry it smoothly. Thus, you need to understand what type of data your chosen company is using for UI/UX, development, and testing phases.

If they are getting data from reliable sources and authorities, it will be good for your project’s success. This process should also include idea formulation, deciding on the app features, creating design sketches, etc.

6. Compare Different Mobile App Development Firms

It is always suggested to perform a comparable company analysis before taking the final call to hire a mobile app development company. This process of comparing the mobile app development companies based on similar metrics will help you to determine their correct worthiness and true enterprise value. It will support you in making the best decision for your project.

The point of comparison includes overall pricing, previous projects, reviews, experience, client feedback, the process followed for mobile application development, and support & maintenance.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Mobile Application?

After analyzing all the factors and going through a complete guide to app development, it is time to watch out for how to evaluate the mobile app development cost. It is the most raised question whenever a business decides to create a mobile app, hence it must be answered properly. While discussing the cost to make a mobile application, there are different factors involved that determine the complete cost. These include-

• Mobile App Platform & Technology Stack

You have to be very selective when it comes to choosing a suitable mobile app platform. There are available Android, iOS, Windows, and web platforms that can be picked by businesses according to their target audiences. Choosing a single platform will be cost-efficient for enterprises but having cross-platform mobile application development solutions can take their budget to a higher level.

For different platforms, there is a need to consider a different technology stack that will increase the cost too. Choosing the right technology stack will lead to the development of a robust and scalable solution.

• Mobile App Type

In this guide, we have mentioned all four kinds of mobile applications including Native, cross-platform, hybrid, and PWAs. Businesses hire progressive web app developers, cross-platform developers, Android, and iPhone app developers to build different apps that can enhance the overall cost. Hence, it is necessary to figure out which one fits best in your budget.

• App Features & Functionalities

Along with all the elements, the integration of features and functionalities plays a vital role in calculating the cost of development. It is advised for every business to integrate the necessary features and not compromise on this factor as the success of an application majorly depends upon its features only.

Whatever you are going to include such as custom fields, buttons, screens, and logic, everything matters and impacts the question ‘What does it cost to develop an app?’.

• Customization of UI/UX Design

The visual appeal of the app, how it looks and feels, how it navigates, and so on matters a lot as these attract audiences to use the app. Creating an attractive, unique, and responsive UI design is a complicated task that adds extra expenses to app development. The number of screens added also has an impact on the decided cost, it is suggested to include OS-supplied items and create app screens using standard UI elements.

• Location and Team Structure of the Development Firm

The location of your chosen mobile application development company is a crucial factor impacting the final cost of creating an app. European countries charge higher in comparison to Asian countries. The USA, UK, India, Australia, etc. have different development rates.

Alongside, you need to form a suitable mobile app development team with the required members, including:

• Business Analyst
• Requirement Manager
• UI/UX Designers
• Android/iOS/web/PWA/cross-platform Developers
• QA Engineers

After analyzing all these factors and looking at the complicated development process, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the estimated cost of mobile app development will range between $15,000 to $80,000 including all the business requirements. Though, if you add advanced functionalities, it will definitely impact the estimated cost.

Final Thoughts

Building a mobile application is not an easy task as there is a long list of things attached to this entire process. Businesses need to look at the mobile application development guide to know all the steps required to be followed to create a feature-rich and high-performing app.

Having assistance from the right mobile application development firm offers great help in this journey right from app idea conceptualization to its design & development to provide support & maintenance in the end.

At SemiDot Infotech, we have more than a decade of experience in this field, hence, will be proven the right partner to provide you with an efficient solution to fulfill your business needs. To date, we have provided support across industries such as healthcare, finance, entertainment, eCommerce & retail, logistics & transportation, social media, and many more.

Being a top mobile and website development company, we have expert mobile app designers and developers who have knowledge and expertise in different modern-edge technologies including AR, VR, AI & ML, Cloud, etc. to deliver clients a competitive mobile application development solution. If you want to consult with our team regarding mobile app development or to solve any query about creating an app, contact us anytime! We will be happy to assist you.

Mobile App Development FAQs

These FAQs have comprised all the answers to your queries related to mobile app development. Read out: