When it comes to app development, businesses want a finished product at the lowest cost possible delivered just in time. However, there are a lot of factors that affect the app development process, for which reason you need to plan effectively for the best possible results.
Companies that wish to stay competitive in the modern marketplace need to make the move to mobile. But developing an app without a sound strategy can cause a lot of problems during the mobile app development life cycle. For this reason, it is always best to approach the entire process in bits and pieces.
If you are still unsure where to begin and how to make sure the app development process is as seamless as possible, then this checklist will help you in your cause.
Define Your Business App
Before you go any further, it is important for you to define your business app. The idea here is to explain the core idea of your app in simple terms to others. To make this possible, answer the following questions:
- What is your app going to be about?
- What are your expectations from the app?
- How will the app work?
- How will the app engage and be useful to your target audience?
Identify Your Target Audience
Once you have defined your app, determine who your target audience is. For instance, if you are developing an app for employees, then it will differ in requirements from apps that are specifically designed for customers in particular. To avoid getting into a fix, identify your target audience.
Put extensive time and effort to research your target audience. Once you know your target audience, identify their needs, after which you will need to outline how your app will match those needs.
With a clearly defined target audience you will find it easier to make design decisions and market your app when it is up and running.
Conduct Competitor Research
Until or unless your app is truly unique, there is a big probability there are similar apps out there. All is not lost though, as you can conduct competitor research to avoid developing an identical app.
While evaluating your competitor’s apps, answer the following questions:
- Why is their app successful?
- Why do people use their app?
- What differentiates their app from the rest of the crowd?
It is necessary for you to understand the problems that your competitor’s apps resolve. Check out the features they offer and how they work. There are chances you may come across instances where you see room for improvement, which can then be integrated into your own app.
By conducting competitor research you are able to get a better idea about your competitors and find potential opportunities left untouched in the market.
Decide whether to Build or Buy
One of the most important decisions to make regarding your app is whether you will build it or have someone else take care of that for you.
To make an informed decision you need to evaluate your IT team to see if they have the resources and skills to build the app you want. If not, there is no need for concern, as more often than not businesses need to hire an app development company to develop their app for them.
App development companies mostly are more than capable enough to deliver high quality apps in a short amount of time. But this is only possible if you opt for the best app development company out there, and this is only possible if you do your homework by checking out each potential company’s portfolio, reviews and reputation. At the same time, it is worth noting that cheaper is not always better, as it may negatively affect the quality of the app.
Set Aside a Budget
If it is not obvious enough, app development is a costly affair. But throwing money at it is not going to get things done. Before you even consider developing your own app, you must plan extensively.
For your business app, set aside a budget. Once you know how much you can spend, you can prioritize critical requirements and features of your app.
Enough emphasis cannot be placed on the fact that you need to set a realistic budget for your app. According to a survey, it was revealed that an app can cost anywhere in between $30,000-$70,000, with a median cost of $171,450. If you do not have the budget, then you should look into an app development platform rather than developing an app from scratch.
Pick the Right Platform
iOS or Android? Which platform is right for your business?
Pay close attention to each platform and its features, as the devil lies in the details. Both platforms have their own set of requirements like assets, submission fees, registrations etc. If you have worked out your goals from before, it’s easier to decide which platform you should be developing your app for.
Sticking to one platform does have its benefits, as it decreases overall costs. But if you plan on developing an app for multiple platforms, then your chances of reaching your target audience will be greater than before.
There is no doubt this checklist will make it easier for you to develop a business app, but you will need to go above and beyond to make sure you have left no stone unturned.
Remember, with a comprehensive plan you will be able to move through the entire process with ease. But if you need further assistance, you will get all the assistance right here. Also, if you do hire an app development company, be very specific about your needs and requirements. As long as you are clear about the type of app you want, there is no reason why they should not be able to meet and exceed your expectations.
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