Do you have an innovative idea for a mobile app but aren’t sure how to make it come to life?
It’s no secret that every new idea comes from another. You know there will always be competition as an entrepreneur, but your app speaks for itself. It solves your audience’s biggest problem, and there isn’t another on the market quite like it. The only problem is you have no idea how to make it a reality.
App development isn’t something you’re familiar with. The mobile app development process seems daunting, and you’re not sure where to even start.
If this is you, don’t worry! Below are ten steps entrepreneurs should follow when building a mobile app. We also provide tips on finding the right mobile application development company for your app.
Build Your First Mobile App: 10 Steps
Before diving into app development, reflect on your intentions for building a mobile app. As an entrepreneur, what are your motivations for venturing into the app world? Having a purpose behind your app is essential to its success.
It’s also important to keep in mind the benefits of creating an app. For one, developing a successful app can generate a significant amount of revenue. In fact, the top-grossing apps in the world have generated billions of dollars in sales.
A mobile app is a great way to help you reach new audiences and markets. With over two billion smartphone users around the world, your potential customer base is huge. Thanks to the power of social media, it’s easier than ever to get your app in front of millions.
It can also help you build and strengthen your brand. Consumers are more likely to trust and engage with brands that have a strong online presence. A well-designed app that offers value will establish you as a thought leader in your industry.
1. Get Ideas by Solving People’s Problems
The first step of mobile development includes one fundamental rule. You have to be able to solve your audience’s problem. This means understanding what your potential customers are looking for and how your app can help them.
To do this, start by researching your target market and their needs. What pain points do they have that there isn’t a current solution for? Then, start brainstorming ways to solve those problems with your app.
Keep in mind that the goal is to create an app that people will actually use and find helpful. Make sure your solution is something your target market would actually be willing to pay for.
2. Conduct Competitive Research
After you have a clear understanding of your own product, it’s time to take a look at the competition. This will help you understand what others are doing in your industry and how you can set yourself apart.
There are a few different ways to conduct competitive research. The first is simply to search for your competitors online and see what comes up. Scroll through their app reviews to see what users have to say.
It’s best to review apps with a similar solution to yours. What seems to be missing? This is a great way to fill in the gap your competitors have left in the market. Take every factor into account like app features, price and the number of downloads.
If possible, try out your competitor’s app and see how it compares to your own. What do you like better about your own product? What needs work?
Try pitching your app idea to friends and family. Ask them what they like and don’t like, and what they would change if they could. Think of your peers as a sounding board for your ideas. This will allow you to keep an open mind and always be looking for ways to improve your app.
3. Lay Out the Mobile App Features
Once you’ve completed your research, it’s time to map out your app’s features. Reflect on the information gathered and decide what features are most important. Always keep your app’s goal in mind: to solve your customer’s problem.
Start with the basics. Common features like push notifications and security are great to have no matter the app. You should also ensure that it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Including online and offline access will provide users with flexibility.
Include specific features that focus on the solution. This is where your competitive research pays off. Try to incorporate capabilities that were missing from other apps.
For example, let’s say your app’s purpose is to help your customers stay productive. In the reviews, you discovered most apps don’t offer a notes section to help keep track of to-do lists.
This could be one of the main features you highlight to help attract customers. The better you are at solving your customers’ problems, the better your results.
4. Make a Design Mockup
The design is one of the most important parts of your app. User experience should be your primary focus. Including a guide or tutorial when users first download the app will help answer any possible questions.
It’s equally important to make sure the app looks good. After all, you want users to stick around because they like how it looks, not just because it’s functional.
Creating a great design starts with a mockup. This will be a blueprint for your final product. It should identify what goes where and how everything will look. There are a few ways you can create a mockup:
- Start from scratch: If you have experience with design software, you can start from a blank canvas and create your own mockup.
- Use reusable mockup templates: These are premade templates that you can customize to fit your needs. They’re great for saving time and still getting creative control.
- Use a mockup generator website: There are plenty of android app development software platforms available online. These sites have tools that let you drag and drop elements to create a custom mockup. Figma is a great tool to use.
- Use a mockup software plugin: If you’re using WordPress, there are plugins that will let you create mockups right from your dashboard.
Need help with the development process? There are plenty of website developers out there who can help. Google search for “website developers near me” to find someone who can help you get your app off the ground.
5. Create Your Graphic Design
There are two ways to approach creating graphic design for your mobile app. You can either do it yourself or hire a professional graphic designer. If you’re leaning towards DIY, there are a few things you should consider.
Graphic design is about more than just making things look pretty. You should try to convey a message and evoke emotion with the images you use in your mobile app. If you’re not familiar with graphic design concepts, creating from scratch can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Graphic design tools like Canva and copyright-free image directories like Unsplash are perfect for beginners. However, you run the risk of choosing designs that are ineffective and don’t speak to your audience.
The best way to make sure your design looks professional is to hire a professional graphic designer. It’s important to find someone who shares your vision and understands your target audience. Be clear about what you want but be open to suggestions.
Business Marketing Engine has a team of professionals who specialize in app development. If you’re looking for an expert team to help you build an effective mobile app, contact us today!
6. Build Your Mobile App
Building your mobile app is one of the most important steps in the development process. If you have coding and development experience, you can build the app yourself. App development platforms are perfect if you’re a beginner.
If you’d rather enlist the help of a professional, there are several options available.
- Hire a freelance developer: Google search “app developers near me” to find a developer who can help make your app a reality. Or, you can post your project on a freelance platform like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Hire an App Development company: You can also hire an app developer from a company specializing in mobile app development.
- Use an App Building Platforms: App building platforms are also a great option. Most will include the mobile app development tools you need to put your best foot forward.
One concept you should consider is hybrid app development. Hybrid apps can run on multiple platforms. This means that you’ll need to design your app for both iOS and Android devices. This allows you to reach a wider audience since you’re not limited to just one platform.
You also need to ensure that your app is responsive and can adapt to different screen sizes. Creating a hybrid app is perfect if you want to avoid having to develop two separate native apps. Hybrid apps are also often more reliable and user-friendly than traditional web apps.
7. Create Developer Account and Submit Your Mobile App
Once your app is built, you’re ready to complete a developer account and submit your app to major platforms. You can either go through Apple or Google Play (Android) depending on your preference.
If your app is a hybrid, you may have to apply through both platforms. Creating a developer account is simple, and the first step to getting your mobile app onto the App Store. You’ll need to provide your name and email address, and create a username and password to access the developer portal.
Submitting your app is just as easy. You’ll provide some basic information about your app, such as its name, description, and category. You’ll also need to upload your app’s binary file. Then all that’s left to do is submit your app for review!
It will be tested and if there are any issues, you’ll have to make adjustments and then resubmit the app. Make sure to review the platform’s guidelines to ensure that your app doesn’t go against rules or policies.
8. Monitor User Engagement with Analytics
Monitoring your app’s analytics will show you what’s working for your audience (and what isn’t). There are a few metrics to keep your eye on.
Track how often users are opening and using the app to understand how engaged they are on a daily basis. It’s also important to take a look at how much time users are spending in the app each session. This will help you gauge their level of interest and engagement.
Take note of any in-app purchases or other conversions that occur within the app. This will give you an idea of how well your app is driving revenue.
By tracking these key metrics, you’ll get a good sense of where there might be room for improvement.
9. Market Your Mobile App
One of the main factors that play a part in your app’s success is how you market it. If you’re focused on the wrong audience, you won’t get the results you want. Customers won’t download your app if they don’t need it, or if it’s irrelevant to them.
That’s why the research stages were so critical. Understanding who your customers are is the foundation of the entire development process.
Marketing is the process you use to get your app in front of your target audience. You can reach a larger audience than you would if you relied on word-of-mouth marketing alone. It can also help you build customer loyalty and increase brand awareness.
Choosing the right methods will determine how well it performs against your competitors. There are many marketing strategies to choose from:
- Paid promotions in app stores
- Social media marketing
- Utilizing app store optimization (ASO) to improve your app’s ranking
- Displaying ads in app stores
- Creating a landing page
- Running app installation ads
- Utilizing Influencer/Celebrity endorsements
The possibilities are truly endless. The most important thing is that you develop a marketing plan that will help you reach your results goals.
10. Get Feedback and Improve
Feedback is essential for any kind of product development. It helps you understand what users want and how they interact with your product.
The same goes for mobile apps. Research does most of the heavy-lifting in discovering what your audience needs. Regardless, there is always room for improvement. Ask users for their honest feedback through surveys or interviews.
You can also track the app analytics, or consider reviews as they come in. Every bit of feedback can be useful in understanding how to improve your app.
Making changes to an app can be difficult, but it’s crucial in creating a successful product. Disregarding this step means you run the risk of developing an app that no one wants to use.
Building a successful app takes time, effort, and dedication. But, if you’re willing to put in the work, the rewards can be great. So, if you’re an entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level, consider building a mobile app. It could be the key to unlocking your company’s true potential.
Our expert design and development teams are here to help you create a stunning mobile app for your business. Contact Business Marketing Engine today!