Mobile app development: what is it and who does it?

The world is rapidly digitizing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine life without a smartphone that makes our lives easier. Mobile applications are almost a must-do in most areas of business, from ordering pizza to managing finances. Today, they are not just a convenience, but a powerful business tool and personal assistant that simplifies routine tasks to a few touches.

Applications for mobile platforms have become our digital extension, changing the way we work, communicate and have fun. If you are interested in developing mobile applications – where to start, what is needed to create an application – what resources and how much time, then this article is for you. Here we will talk about what a mobile application is and what functions it performs, how to create an application for a phone and how many specialists are involved in creating one product, so that you can realize its real value and benefits.

Let’s start with what an app is and what benefits it provides to users and business owners. A mobile app is software designed to run on smartphones and tablets. It allows users to perform simple tasks, such as checking the weather, or more complex tasks, such as banking or managing IoT devices.

Different types of apps are used in many areas, from e-commerce and finance to healthcare and entertainment. Their key functions help improve customer experience and increase business profits.

• Interactivity and personalized user experience, adapting to user needs and preferences.
• Integration with other systems allows you to exchange data with other systems (CRM, ERP, payments, etc.).
• Mobility and instant access to the necessary services and information at any time and anywhere there is an Internet connection. In addition, there are many modern software products for smartphones with offline functionality that can work without a network connection – this is convenient on the road or with a weak signal.
• Integration with various smartphone functions (camera, GPS, push notifications, etc.) expands the capabilities of applications.

Developing a mobile app for iOS and Android has significant benefits and some risks that should be considered when creating and using it. So, let’s start with the benefits they provide to business owners.

• Direct access to customers. For businesses, apps are a great tool for building strong relationships with customers and increasing their loyalty.
• Increased sales, as they stimulate impulse purchases.
• Improved company image – having your own mobile app indicates a company’s modernity and innovation.
• Collecting information about user behavior, which helps improve the product and marketing strategies.
• Attracting new users and keeping existing ones informed of important events and current offers through push notifications and other tools.
• Customer loyalty increases, because having your own app encourages them to use your services more often.
• Automation of business processes and routine tasks, which significantly increases work efficiency.

There are also certain difficulties associated with developing mobile apps that you need to be aware of.

• Developing mobile applications for Android and iOS requires significant investment, as it is a complex process involving a dedicated team of specialists, modern tools and platforms.
• Like any software product, they require constant support and updates for different versions of operating systems.
• The market is very saturated, but high-quality and unique software products for smartphones are easier to stand out among competitors.

There are several main types of phone applications, depending on their purpose, complexity, and development method.

• Native applications are those that are created for a specific platform (Android or iOS) and provide maximum performance and access to all the capabilities of the device. However, developing an application for each system separately is more expensive and takes more time.
• Hybrid applications combine web application and mobile development technologies, which allows you to quickly create functional solutions. They are more cost-effective, but may have limitations in functionality.
  
• Cross-platform applications combine the advantages of native and hybrid. Developing applications for iOS and Android requires the use of frameworks such as Flutter or React Native, which allows you to create one code for multiple OSes.
• Progressive web applications (PWA) are mobile versions of websites that have almost the same functionality and can work without installation. These types of applications work quickly and can use features such as offline mode and push notifications.

The phone app and the mobile version of the site have similar functions, but there are also important differences. The main difference is in the method of access and interaction, namely:

• an application is a program that is installed on the user’s device and is available without a permanent Internet connection (a website requires a permanent connection);
• applications for mobile devices can use their hardware capabilities (camera, GPS, accelerometer), which expands the range of their functions;
• all types of mobile apps work faster than mobile versions of sites;
• allow you to create a more intuitive and personalized interface.

That is, these are two different tools with different capabilities and purpose.

High-quality design and development of mobile applications is the result of the coordinated work of a team of specialists of various profiles.

Programmers

Programmers are responsible for writing code and ensuring the correct operation of the product. The work of a programmer consists of developing program logic, writing code and integrating with other systems. In addition, mobile application developers ensure their performance and take into account data security.

High-quality development of mobile applications for iOS and Android requires in-depth knowledge of programming languages ​​for these mobile platforms – Swift, Kotlin, Java and JavaScript, as well as understanding the principles of mobile platforms, experience with various frameworks and development tools.

Designers: creating UX/UI design

Designers are responsible for the visual design and usability of a mobile product. They are engaged in the development of the user interface (UI) and the creation of a convenient and intuitive user experience (UX). The task of designers is the correct structure of the mobile application. It should be aesthetic and pleasant to use to help attract and retain users.

Developing mobile applications for Android and iOS requires in-depth knowledge of UI/UX design, the ability to work with graphic editors, and experience in creating mobile interfaces.

Testers: testing methods and quality assurance

Testers check the operability of a software product, its functionality, stability, and the presence of errors. They use various methods of testing usability, performance, and compatibility with different devices and operating systems. The key skills of a tester are the ability to write test documentation, knowledge of various testing methods, and experience working with tools for test automation.

Project managers: team coordination and project management

Project managers are responsible for organizing the team’s work, planning the stages of mobile application development, and monitoring compliance with deadlines. They are the connecting link between all team members and the customer, coordinating tasks, and controlling the budget. Soft skills are also important for a project manager – the ability to organize work, resolve conflicts, lead a team, and clearly formulate tasks. Tools such as Trello, Jira, and ClickUp help coordinate the entire development process.

Mobile application development is a collaborative effort between programmers, designers, testers, and project managers. Only a team can create a product that meets user requirements and high quality standards. Each team member plays a unique role, but the success of the project depends on how effectively they interact with each other.

Key aspects of teamwork

• Effective communication is critical to the success of any project. Team members must clearly understand their tasks, exchange information, and resolve emerging issues in a timely manner.
• Mutual understanding and respect for colleagues, trust in their professionalism, and the ability to find compromises.
• Distribution of responsibility – each team member must be aware of their role and responsibility for completing the assigned tasks.
• Coordination of work, which avoids duplication of functions and ensures timely project completion.
• Flexibility – the team must be ready for change and be able to quickly adapt to new requirements and circumstances.

The project manager’s job is to coordinate the team’s work, monitor progress, and quickly resolve potential issues to ensure the timely implementation of the project.

Developing mobile applications from scratch is a complex process that consists of several stages.

1. Analysis and formation of the project concept

Before developing a mobile application, analysts determine business goals, user requirements, study the market and competitors. Then they create a project concept, if necessary, even conduct surveys of potential users and determine the main value of the product.

2. Technical task

A competent technical task reduces the risks of errors and budget overruns in the future. The technical task is a detailed description of the project, which includes functional and design requirements, a technology stack (what mobile applications are written on, i.e. programming languages ​​and frameworks), API specifications, system architecture and usage scenarios.

3. Design and prototyping

At this stage, wireframes (wireframe models) of the main screens are developed, an interactive prototype is created that demonstrates the user journey. Developing the interface of the mobile application helps to determine the UX architecture and eliminate potential problems before development begins.

4. UI/UX design development

Creating the visual style of the application and developing screen layouts, working on fonts, colors, animation, ease of navigation. This is the final UI design taking into account platform guidelines (Material Design for Android application development and Human Interface Guidelines for iOS).

5. Programming

The coding stage, which includes the development of the server part (backend), client part (frontend), integration with databases, APIs and third-party services. To write the program code, the mobile application developer uses Swift/Kotlin for native applications or Flutter/React Native, if it is cross-platform development.

6. Testing

Testers or QA engineers conduct multi-level testing: functional, usability, load, security, compatibility testing with different devices. For this, automated and manual tests are used to identify possible errors.

7. Release: Upload to stores

A mobile application for Android is prepared for publication on Google Play, and for iOS – on the App Store. A marketing description and graphic materials are created. It is important to ensure compliance with the requirements of the marketplaces in order to pass moderation.

The sites provide a centralized update system and application security check. But not always after development, mobile applications are published in marketplaces. It all depends on their type and purpose. Publication is required if the software product:

• is aimed at the mass user and it is necessary to ensure its convenient download;
• is created for monetization – subscriptions, in-app purchases or advertising are provided.

You can not upload to marketplaces:

• corporate applications – they can be distributed through MDM systems – for example, Apple Business Manager;
• a PWA application can be launched directly from the browser, without downloading through the site;
• closed betas can be distributed via TestFlight (iOS) or Firebase App Distribution (Android) without an official release.

If your project is intended for internal use or has specific requirements, you can avoid uploading to the page, which simplifies deployment and updates.

8. Technical support and project development

After implementing a mobile application, it is necessary to analyze user behavior, fix bugs, update functionality according to audience feedback, and ensure project scaling.

Mobile application development is a complex, but interesting and important process that helps modern businesses. It allows you to improve customer experience, increase user loyalty, and increase profitability. If you don’t know where to start and need advice on mobile application development, contact AVADA MEDIA. Our dedicated teams of specialists have extensive experience in creating mobile applications for Android and iOS of any complexity and help businesses create unique solutions and reach a new level of digital transformation.