Do you know that the number of mobile app downloads globally far surpasses the total human population?
Well, a recent study by Statista has been published. It states that by 2026, the total number of Google app downloads will exceed 143 billion. The App Store will see a stunning 38 billion in itself.
A recent Grand View Research article states that the global app market stood at US$228.98 billion in 2023. This will rise by 14.3% CAGR till 2030! This massive surge in the popularity of mobile apps is a major opportunity for global brands.
Are you an emerging brand looking to scale up in an over-saturated market? Embrace mobile app development services. But, where to start on how to develop mobile apps?
This blog covers great detail on mobile app development. Check out the overview with all the necessary insights. Get details on app development costs, top trends, challenges, best practices, and more. It will help you navigate the complicated and dynamic business market.
Mobile app development: What is it?
Mobile app development, as the name suggests, involves building an app that works on mobiles. If you are planning to develop an app, think of an idea first. A great app plan is the prerequisite for a successful app. Then follow design, development, deployment, support, and more.
Developers use various programming languages, APIs, servers, and frameworks. These are important to develop mobile applications. When it comes to the methodology, there are multiple options to choose from. These include DevSecOps, Agile, and others. Programming languages include Python, R, and more.
The major goal of mobile app development is to build smart, secure, and user-friendly apps. These apps would improve user experience while helping brands to achieve goals.
Classification of mobile apps: Various Types
Apps have become extremely popular in the past decade. People who want their business to perform well know the importance of a well built app. We now have several tools easily available in the market that can help us right from the inception of an app to completion.
You can also choose to make changes and improvements to your app keeping your customers engaged. However, these apps have been put under 4 categories for your ease:
Cross-platform apps:
Cross-platform mobile apps are mobile app development software apps that run on several operating systems. But they use one codebase. You can use this model for its cost-efficiency, minimal costs, and wider reach.
Businesses can develop native apps on cross-platform frameworks with multiple tech stacks. These include JavaScript, React Native, Flutter and more.
Native apps
If you want to build your app for Android and iOS, native apps are for you. The languages and frameworks are utilized by developers to build these apps. for Android based apps, they use Kotlin and Java where when it’s iOS, they tend to prefer Swift and Objective C.
When you choose Native app, you get several benefits. With Native apps, you get both better user experience.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):
These new-age applications have gained much popularity in recent times. Several emerging and major businesses have resorted to progressive web app because of the benefits and convenience they come with. PWAs have been designed to offer a web and mobile-like experience when combined. One can use the apps through web browsers or they can go for a mobile app download.
PWAs offer a native-like app experience for users and customers. So, what are the technologies that go into the creation of a progressive app? There are many. Some common names include CSS, JS and HTML.
Hybrid apps:
Hybrid apps are the second method of developing mobile apps. Hybrid apps are ideal for apps that need offline access. Other advantages include easy deployment to multiple platforms like iOS and Android. The major tech stacks you need include CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and others.
Each mobile application development strategy comes with its drawbacks and advantages. You can choose which app works the best for you based on the type of business you run and which type will give you the best benefit.
| Cross-platform applications | Native applications | PWAs (Progressive applications) | Hybrid applications | |
| Name of the programming language used | Dart (Flutter), C#, JavaScript, etc. | Objective-C and Swift for iOS and Java, Kotlin for Android | CSS, JavaScript and HTML | HTML, JavaScript and CSS, with a native wrapper |
| Frameworks Used for Development | Flutter, Xamarin, React Native, Unity, and more | UIKit, Jetpack Compose, SwiftUI | AngularJS, Workbox, ReactJS | Cordova, Ionic, PhoneGap |
| Backend Integration Needed | Simple process for frameworks like Firebase, GraphQL | Simple process with platform-specific tools | Moderately simple process, but will depend on web APIs | Fairly easy with the help of plugins |
| User Experience offered by app | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Leading hardware features and device access | Almost complete access but it will depend on the framework used | Complete access to all device APIs and features | Limited access through service workers | Limited access is possible through plugins |
| Platforms that are Targeted | Works smoothly across different platforms using a single codebase | Codebase needed for each targeted platform | Can be used on web browsers or downloaded on a mobile device | Designed to function on different platforms |
Creating an app: A Step-by-Step Guide
Developing a software program begins with a well-thought-out plan. The process usually begins with a concept. Wondering how to start mobile app development?
You conduct market research for similar apps. Then jot the functionalities and features your app should have. Also, make the points regarding your target user base. Then, you present the idea to your fellow stakeholders and the management for a go ahead.
Now that the fundamentals are out of the way, you have to address the other important things. Ask these questions to help build a mobile app at your preferred speed without spending too much.
- What is the software application’s purpose?
- How much should this project cost?
- Who is the intended audience?
- What features and functionalities are required?
- How much time will this take?
- On what devices and platforms will the application run?
- What is the technology stack to be utilized?
- What is the testing process?
- How will user data and privacy be handled by the app?
- How will you launch and market your app?
Facing these questions with a straightforward attitude is necessary. A clear answer to these questions will help you find the ideal mobile app development company in India. You can achieve continually growing customer expectations with the app.
Hire a custom development firm with a good track record, like Digital Aptech. The team can enable you to outsource most of the work. You can hire dedicated mobile app developers and concentrate more on meeting core milestones.
Top trends dominating in mobile app development
There is always something that is happening in the world of mobile app development. And it’s useful to be in the know. The most fascinating trends that are arising in development are:
1. Low-code/No-code development:
Many experts think that by 2025 almost over 70% of mobile applications will use this technology.
With this technology of development, anyone with a non-technical background can easily develop an app. You don’t need to have access to highly skilled or expert mobile app developers. Anyone can simply create a mobile application with limited IT knowledge or infrastructure.
2. Super-apps:
A super app is quite a recent phenomenon in the field of mobile application development. Current customers are able to use an array of services. These comprise ride-hailing, food ordering, social networking, e-commerce, and mobile payments.
By combining a myriad of services in one convenient-to-use interface, super apps make the overall customer experience easier. Therefore, customers no longer need to switch among 10 individual apps
3. On-demand apps:
The on-demand economy is on fire. Analysts project that within 2025 it can yield a revenue opportunity worth $335 billion. The on-demand economy can be allied with mobile application development solutions companies and enterprises. It can be utilized to create new sources of income and produce further value for the customer.
You may be aware of on-demand apps for the times. But the fact is these apps are a part of our modern lives. Take Uber, Ola, Instacart, Taco Bell, and Teleflora as some of the major examples. These are trending on-demand applications with huge popularity.
4. Internet of Things (IoT):
It is the combination of devices and smart sensors with apps and databases to attain more profitable results for emerging and major brands. With IoT anything is possible. Developing a connected ecosystem can assist businesses in achieving higher levels of transparency. They can implement it in their businesses and make better plans
5. Emergence of 5G technology:
The era of 5G is here, and it’s transforming the mobile app development process. It is significantly faster than 4G. Some experts say that 5G is capable of reaching as high as 10 GBPS when compared to 4G. So, 5G can be the key to creating applications that are hungry for fast data download. Major areas that will see a rise in 5G usage are gaming, AR/VR, and more. Other areas that will witness a rise in 5G are developing fitness wearables, chatbots, virtual assistants, and more.
These are the crucial trends you can notice in mobile app development for the recent years. In the following sections, we will see how various technologies will help.
Major 5 must-have features to have in a mobile app
Mobile apps have changed how we live, interact, and how businesses operate. Hundreds of thousands of mobile apps are being downloaded every second. So, there is a massive competition in this field.
In a field that is so congested right now, there isn’t much space for newcomers. What is the best way for you to make your app become unique?
The key is to add some functionalities that are highly unique. Users will download your app if they find something different in it. These are the key features that you should include in a mobile app today:
Superfast loading time:
Applications with quick downloading speed are more likely to keep users involved. It will result in increased user retention and increased conversions. To create fast and responsible apps, consider implementing practices like enabling browser caching. Also utilizing an appropriate content delivery network (CDN), and compressing video, graphics, and audio content is useful.
User-friendly and interactive UI:
Mobile applications have a large churn rate. Hence there is a need to create a user interface that is intuitive and engrossing. Making a great first impression is critical to retain users.
To begin with, study the competition and observe what they have implemented. This may be one of the initial steps. Then, you can maintain the UI clean and focus on design consistency. Make sure your users do not feel uneasy while using your app.
Built-in integrations:
To create an app that brings results, it should be integration-friendly. By integration-friendly, we imply you can integrate it seamlessly into your IT setup. So that there are no data silos and business problems can be solved by the teams quickly. Select the app’s tech stack very, very carefully. Leverage the power of approved APIs to maximize the benefits of connectivity.
Chat support/callback functions:
Essential app features are chat support/callback functions. Particularly if your workers are likely to avail themselves of them. Chatbots powered by AI can be utilized to automate tasks and provide personalized responses. By incorporating this support feature, you can make your app stand out in the crowd and ensure higher user value.
Data integrity:
Data security is another major feature to consider. Your mobile app should come with robust security. It should have necessary measures in place to protect both user and company data. For improved security, try using DevOps or DevSecOps.
To improve app security, you can deploy certain major features. These can be data encryption, approved API usage, secure codes, etc. Other measures can be to use cloud computing and multi-factor authentication. This will ensure compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations.
Search for other essential features for your software application. Your business requirements can be analyzed in detail to decide on more features that your app must have. You can then negotiate these requirements with your development partner.
Leading mobile app development frameworks
Now, let’s talk about the most popular mobile app development technologies.
A development framework is a collection of multiple tools, libraries, and conventions that enable developers to develop applications more effectively and rapidly. It lays down a foundation for development by presenting reusable components and patterns, as well as code and file-organizing templates.
1. Flutter:
Flutter is a free development framework. It is ideal for creating mobile applications developed and maintained by Google. Flutter mobile app development boasts an international multilingual community. It enables developers to create beautiful and natively compiled apps that run on multiple platforms, including Android and iOS, from a single codebase. The developer base of Flutter is vast. There are two million developers already using it and close to 500,000 who use it on a monthly basis.
2. Xamarin
Xamarin enables the use of C# to write code and produce mobile applications across various platforms. Developers need to create only a single codebase. Xamarin has add-ins to Microsoft Visual Studio. That makes it possible for developers to write apps within the IDE with IntelliSense and code completion. Xamarin for Visual Studio also has extensions that offer multiple functionalities. These include building, deploying, and debugging apps in a device or simulator.
3. SwiftUI
Launched in 2019, this is a highly popular framework that is used in developing apps specifically for iOS. It was developed using another popular programming language: Swift. Although launched recently, it has been modified and improved over the past few years. Some of the major building blocks in any SwiftUI application are Scene, App and the View Protocol. With this framework, businesses can leverage reusable code across all Apple platforms and devices, allowing in faster development and product launch.
4. Ionic
Ionic is an open-source UI component library to build modern, cross-platform mobile apps. Ionic guarantees fast and highly responsive applications. The major features include hardware-accelerated transitions and touch-optimized gestures. The UI framework also enables developers to develop impressive, adaptable user interfaces. It also supports built-in React, Angular, and Vue support. Ionic enables development teams to view changes to the codebase in real time with Hot Refresh feature.
5. React Native
React Native is a free JavaScript framework. It is highly essential for developing native iOS and Android apps. These applications are compiled in a native code. They operate fast as they are built with Swift or Objective C for iOS and Kotlin for Android.
Similar to Flutter, React Native also possesses a massive community. It supports the development of an ever-growing set of libraries and components that developers can use.
React Native mobile apps are developed in JavaScript and JSX, similar to React for the Web. They are also intended to use the actual mobile UI elements to appear and feel like native apps.
Top mobile app development practices
Mobile app development has several brand practices that can help you keep users happy. With these practices, you can build user friendly, fast and high quality apps. Let us then look into some of these practices:
Proper research
The market is growing rapidly, and competition is real. So if you have an app idea that you know is a success, you should start working on it immediately. This means, you must engage in thorough research from all angles.
With proper research, you shall be able to plan and execute better allowing you to move faster.
The importance of security
Security is important, from day 1. Make sure that you incorporate ‘DevSecOps’ principles within your app. This means you will need to incorporate security within every level of the app built. This means incorporating security right from planning up to deployment. With increasing cyber crimes, keeping user data protected is of top priority.
Choosing the right technology
When thinking of building an app, make sure you are clear of what technology you want to use. If you have done your planning right, chances are, you already know the kind of technology you want to use.
However, if you do not feel extremely confident about the choices you have made, you can take help from a consulting company. They will help you determine the best options for you based on your requirement, budget and future scope. This way you can also determine whether you need a hybrid app, a native app or a cross platform application.
While you are at it, also choose a platform. Your choice of platform primarily depends on your target audience. The sooner you choose your platform, the better it is. Your budget and resource allocation also depends on the choice of platform.
Including analytics
If your app has a lot of data, you should consider including analytics. These analytics are valuable and can help you with data that can be super important for your brand’s success. Analytics can help convert a large pool of data to actionable insights for your brand.
With analytics, you can:
- Gain better insights
- Boost visibility
- Boost productivity
Keeping growth in mind
For your app to stay relevant, you need to make regular updates and fix gaps if any. This is to ensure a smoother user experience for t6he long run. Regular updates make your app more scalable, faster and more secure. Making apps which can be altered enables the app to stay relevant with the changing market.
How much will app development cost?
Amount of app development depends on several factors and you cannot consider a generic ballpark in this case. Costing depends on factors like scope of work, the type of app you want to build, platform, cost of resources etc.
Having an in-house team for app development means your development cost is likely to spike up. On the other hand, having a freelancer work on your project may lead to a drop in quality. To achieve a middle ground, you can choose to hire an app development company.
It will cost you more if you choose to build native apps. You can calculate an approx cost post deciding the kind of software and features you need. The biggest expense would be developer cost. Choose agencies like Digital Aptech to get the best of quality. With developer cost starting from $20/ hour, we are also extremely budget friendly.
Want to know the exact cost of your project? Schedule for or free consulting call to get clarity over what your top options are and how much they will cost.
Final Thoughts
When we build a mobile app, we need to plan based on the end users. With this, we also need to strive to improve the app with time. Every call you take related to your software solution can make or break you.
Factors like app type, feature inclusions, trend inclusions, kind of codes use, each shape the success of your mobile app. You can obviously choose to opt for off the shelf options however, reconsider to custom options for reducing long term changes. Now, if you have an in-house team to execute building an app, then you can manage the process internally. Alternatively, you can choose to outsource work to companies like Digital Aptech. This way, you can be assured of quality while having the development fast. So if you are looking for solutions that can keep users engaged, are scalable and with top quality, reach out to us today.
