Your Guide to Mobile App Development Best Practices

App Development Best Practices
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Are you among the millions of people who wish to develop a mobile app but do not know how to go about it? Are you an app developer struggling with substandard results you wish to improve? If you answered yes to any of the questions, you are in the right place.

 

This article takes you through the most critical app development best practices that would propel you to the successful heights of mobile app development. So fasten your seat belts, and let’s go for a ride on the roller coaster of app development.

 

Overview of App Development

Recently, I was reading some jaw-dropping research reports and statistics on mobile app development. One thing that came out clear from my brief research is that the app development industry is as lucrative as the real estate industry and all other lucrative industries you can think of.

 

Statista estimates the mobile app industry to generate revenues worth  613 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. What a staggering figure! The growth we are witnessing in the mobile app industry can be attributed to the surge in mobile phone usage. Statista has projected the number of mobile phone users to surge to 7.49 billion by 2025.

In their attempt to leverage digital customers residing on the internet, most SMEs and large corporations are turning their attention to app developers to gift their businesses the golden opportunity to scale the heights of new digital markets. And here is where app development comes into the mix.

 

What is App Development?

Mobile app development? That sounds pretty straightforward. Doesn’t it? Whereas mobile app development might be easy to define, the processes and activities underneath it might not be so welcoming.

App development is the process of developing an app for desktop and mobile platforms. Writing software for mobile devices is not a child’s play (I am sure someone already told you that). But no matter how complicated it might be, it is a journey worth taking, for its fruits can be so enticing and fulfilling.
Imagine being able to create an actual end-to-end application for your business. How splendid can that be!

 

Mobile Development Best Practices

You now have an excellent grasp of what mobile app development is. Let us take a closer look at the best practices of mobile app development.

 

Do Your Research And Do It Good

Before dipping your toes in the water, it is better to start with some homework. Believe me, your mobile app development project will yield better results if you properly analyze the components associated with mobile app development. Part of your research should involve finding accurate answers to the following questions:

  • Who is the target audience of your mobile app?
  • What do they need the app for?
  • How can the app help them address their needs, expectations, and requirements?
  • Who are your competitors having a similar application with the same functions and features?
  • What is your competitive advantage or something you can do to make your target audience choose your app over your competitors’ apps?

 

As you notice, the research will help you make informed decisions on various elements surrounding your app. For instance, without the research, you could potentially waste a lot of money and resources developing an app that no one wants to use.

 

Select the App Development Method

An important point to note about app development is that not all mobile applications are developed with one method. Web-based apps, hybrid apps, and native apps are different from one another, with each type having its own share of pros and cons. Native mobile applications are apps that are specifically meant for a particular operating system. Look at native apps as whatever comes to your mind whenever you think of mobile apps. Web-based applications are those developed to be accessed solely via web browsers. Hybrid apps are those that blend native and web-based app features.

 

Although native mobile apps are admirable, they tend to be a bit cost-ineffective to develop, and they can only be developed for a single platform at a go. They are unideal if your intention is to simultaneously launch the app for both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

 

Web-based apps will be ideal for developers who wish to launch an application that is not restricted to the Google or Apple App stores for distribution. Part of your app preliminary app development strategy should encompass making the decision on what type of app you want to use. From there, it would be easy to decide whether you need help from an expert developer and how much investment should go into your app development project.

 

Select App Development Platform

Did you choose the native method path? If you did, you would have to make another choice on the platform for your app. You have two choices at your disposal- iOS or android. You will have to make reference to the research you conducted earlier and know which platform is most preferred by your target audience.

 

This decision is of more weight in a situation where you are launching the app on a single platform. A time might come when you might want to have your app running on both platforms. But for a start, I advise you to avoid biting more than you can chew and go for the app that offers the maximum benefits.

 

Ensure Utmost App Security

It might not seem like a big issue for now since your app is in its initial development stages. But pause and think for a while about your final product. Your app will be a storehouse for tons and tons of sensitive user data. For instance, an app might require collecting vital user information such as addresses, phone contacts, and credit card information. The responsibility of safeguarding the data from security threats rests on your shoulders. And If your app users have a reason to believe that your app is not secure, they will avoid it like the plague.

 

As a developer, it would help if you take precautionary measures to ensure the app is free from security threats. Enabling two-factor authentication and ensuring SSL encryption for the app is crucial to app security. Above everything, you must use a code signing certificate on the app.

 

The code signing certificate helps to prove app legitimacy, protect your application from malware distribution, and ensure a safe and secure user experience for your customers. You can buy DigiCert EV Code Signing certificate, Sectigo EV code signing certificate, etc. for your app development certificate needs.

 

Focus on Design

There is a big difference between developers and designers. Developers tend to pay attention to technical details while designers focus on the visual outlook. However, this is not a license to put on your blinders when developing your app. Do that at your own risk.

 

Developers and designers must collaborate to create an app that is visually appealing to the users. Having the designers and the developers working as a team makes the entire development process flawless and significantly decreases the chances of making mistakes that would affect the ultimate design of the app.

 

Pay attention to user experience

Always remember that you are designing the app for the users. As such, you must do whatever it takes to ensure that the users have the best experience with your app. Before we go further, take a look at some of the reasons why users prefer mobile apps

 

All the factors that make users want to use a mobile app are related to user experience. Factors such as app loading speeds, ease of navigation, convenience, and compatibility are important to user experiences. If you give utmost priority to such factors, you can be sure to see your app succeed.

 

Conduct Frequent Updates And Add accessibility features

App development is an ongoing process that continues beyond the app launch. The app will require constant improvements, the inclusion of accessibility features, and other things that might improve the value and efficiency of the app.

Integrate analytics on the app

Your app should be created in a manner that makes it easy to analyze various components on it. App analytics help to enhance the efficiency of your mobile app. As a best practice, ensure you start integrating analytics as early as during the app development process.

 

Frequent testing

App testing should be a regular thing throughout all development phases. You must avoid waiting until it is too late to start testing your app. The logic here is that resolving the issues that emerge from the frequent tests will be easier during the app development process than when the process is already completed.

 

Conclusion

If you are looking to develop a mobile app for your business or have ambitions to become an app developer, there are a few aspects of app development you must be well-versed with. This article has explained some of the best practices for app development that will help you develop themobile application you have been dreaming of.

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