How To Make A Successful App For Your Business In 14 Simple Steps

The mobile app ecosystem is undoubtedly one of the biggest and rapidly evolving industries in the marketplace today. According to a study, mobile applications are anticipated to generate 189 billion U.S. dollars in revenues via app stores and in-app advertising by 2020.

In this digital space, users are addicted to using mobile apps for fulfilling their different needs. But because of cut-throat competition, most of the entrepreneurs find it challenging how to create an app that has the potential to give a unique identity to their brand. In order to create a successful app, you need to follow a systematic approach to app development. But before going into details, let’s explore the fourteen easy steps that are required to make a successful application for your business.

1. Set A Definite Goal, Identify The Problem You Want To Solve & Figure Out The Functionality

First of all, you need to brainstorm a unique idea or concept on which you want to build your business app. Define what you want to accomplish and set the objectives that you want to fulfill with the help of the application.

It is also mandatory for you to identify the target customers for your app and discover their pain points. You have to create an exclusive app that addresses one of these pain points of your end customers and provide them with a comprehensive solution to that problem. Before beginning the app development planning you have to be clear about what you want, otherwise, the lack of vision will only annoy you and the people associated with your project.

At this stage, you also need to decide what all features and functions you want in your application. Make a list of them and be prepared with a justification of why you want a particular feature to be there. This will help you in explaining your idea effectively to your development team.

2. Envision Your Ideas By Sketching Them On Paper

Now it is the time to transform your clearly worded ideas into visual representations of thoughts by sketching them on paper. At this stage, you need to decide whether you want to give your app away and include ads to generate money. Or, you want to offer it as a paid download version.

You need to research other applications of your competitors that are similar to your idea. Research about those apps and read related reviews so that to make your concept stand out. Also, you have to check whether your app a truly feasible idea? Examine the copyright restrictions and required tools and technologies.

Then on the basis of this extensive research, chalk out your core app idea and choose the design layouts by exploring the sites like 99design. Browse through different options and keep your target audience in mind when picking a design. Also, you can take help of the various app building programs that can help you make your vision a reality.

3. Identify Approach To Build The App – Native, Web, Or Hybrid

In the third stage, you have to decide whether you want to create a native, web, or a hybrid app for your business. You can take this decision in accordance with your time and budget constraints.

Native apps are platform-specific but deliver the best user experience. On the other hand, web apps can function smoothly on multiple platforms but are less powerful than the native ones. Lastly, hybrid apps combine both native and web app approaches so that achieve the best of these two worlds.

You can choose the appropriate platform in accordance with the specific requirements of your project and business. Consider your target audience when deciding which kind of app you want to build and keep in mind the platforms they are compatible with.

4. Build A Wireframe For Your Application

In this stage, you will be giving your idea a little more clarity and functionality by developing a wireframe for it. There are different stacks or wireframing websites that can help you in giving digital life to your thoughts. Some of such sites are Axure, Gliffy, Pidoco, Balsamiq, Evernote, iPlotz, etc.

5. Begin With Defining The Back End Of Your App

With a wireframe, you have a storyboard that is capable enough to showcase how you want your app to function. But now it is the time to actually start examining this functionality. With the help of the wireframe you have built, now you have to delineate your APIs, servers, and data diagrams.

Irrespective of which method you choose to develop your app, clear diagrams need to be created so that everyone associated with the project can be on the same page. In case of any technical glitch, you can modify your wireframe and make it better.

6. Check & Test Your Model

Now it is the time to showcase your demo to the peers so that they can check and give their reviews. Incorporate their suggestions and finalize the structure and core functionality of your application in this stage. 

7. Start Building The App Actually

Since you are ready with the foundation, now you can actually start building your app. This process can be well-executed with the help of one of the top app development companies. Their expert team of professional developers can understand your specific requirements and can guide you accordingly in building an exceptional application for your business.

In addition, you can also take help of different app builders available in the market such as Bizznessapps, Kony, Appery, etc. Also, you should not avoid the feedback provided by the testers and incorporate their suggestions so that to modify your app in order to make it much more efficient.

8. Design The Overall Look & Feel Of The App

This is the high time to employ a professional team of designers to define the user interface for your application. They will create a layout and navigation of the app so that gives you an idea of how will it interact with the end users.

At this stage also, you need to keep the feedback of the testers in your mind. Make sure that the app design and navigation are in sync with the feedback you got as you have to design it from the perspective of the end users.

9. Test Your Application Again

In this stage, you have to test both the core functionality and the user interface of the app so that to ensure everything is working properly and your app is visually pleasing. You can take help of platforms like Proto.io and Pixate in order to test your app. These platforms allow you to add clickable links to navigate your app and help you in ensuring that the app is aesthetically pleasing and functional.

10. Modify & Rework

Now, you have to call the same people whom you invited in the development phase to test your app again. Ask them to give their honest feedback and incorporate those suggestions to make your app more efficient and valuable.

11. Do The Beta Testing

In this phase, you will test how your app is going to function in the live platform. Both Android and iOS platforms have different terms and conditions for beta testing of the app. You can choose the one that is appropriate for you and your project. 

12. Release/Deploy Your App

Eventually, you have reached the point where you can share your app with the world. For this, you have to simply upload the app to the app store and wait for them to review it. Both Android and iOS platforms again have their own conditions for reviewing the applications. For instance, Android doesn’t review your app instantly, but iOS reviews it before it goes live.

13. Capture The Metrics

After launching your app, now it is the time to measure accurate metrics so that you can get an idea of how your app is performing and what kind of issues your users are facing while interacting with it. Also, you can get insights into the usage of your app or can spot the unique features that are capturing the attention of the users.

14. Upgrade & Make Your App Better With Time

The process of app development is a never-ending one. You have to keep upgrading your app in accordance with the change in the interest of the users. You have to keep making improvements and add unique features so that to make your app compatible with new guidelines offered by the various platforms.

In this way, by following these fourteen simple steps you can easily create a successful app for your business and can enhance the digital reach of your brand. You can begin this process now and leverage the mobile platform to let your business reach new heights.