In the last decade, with the increasing usage of smartphones, mobile app market has started ruling the space of digital technologies. It becomes a trend due to its ability to reach out to the larger audience and drive numerous business opportunities.
Large scale companies aim to develop mobile apps for customers and employees to deliver the best services and streamline business operations respectively. On the other hand, startups have a limited budget that they prefer to invest in consumer-facing mobile app development.
When you have limited money spend, it is very important to invest it smartly. Isn’t it?
To build an app within your budgetary constraints, you need to make various decisions about
- Which platform (iOS or Android) you should prefer?
- Which app development approach (native or cross-platform) you should adopt?
- Do you want to launch a full-fledge app or go live with MVP (Minimum Viable Product)?
- Do you outsource the project to a reliable mobile app development company or hire an in-house team or freelancers?
- How to select the right mobile app development company? and more.
This post will guide you about the most common mistakes that startups make during their mobile app development journey. It helps you end up by having a mobile app that is developed around your business requirements and delivering excellent customer experience.
1. Choosing Cross-platform over Native Approach
Usually, startups prefer cross-platform development due to the cost factor. But, are you clear about the pros and cons of considering either native or cross-platform? Let’s have a basic understanding.
Native App Development
Native apps can be developed for a specific platform. You need to write separate code for both the platform. It required more time and effort that definitely affects the cost factor. But if we see the bright side of considering native approach, then you will have a powerful mobile app with excellent performance.
Cross-platform App Development
On the other hand, cross-platform allows mobile app developers to write the code once and use it again and again. It takes less time and effort for mobile app development so it is highly cost-effective compared to the native approach. But it doesn’t guarantee you the smooth app performance like native apps.
Choosing native over cross-platform is definitely a worthy investment for the startups to minimize technical nightmare and maximize the user experience.
2. Developing App for Android &iOS at A Time
Rather than targeting both the platforms at a time, it is a better idea to develop and launch the app on a platform then start working on another platform. Now you might be confused about which platform should be considered first and which one should be the next.
iOS App Development
It is preferable to consider iOS platform first if you are targeting US & UK audiences as Apple devices are intensively used by them. Additionally, the iPhone has the least range of devices compared to Android. Thus, you can launch the app that is compatible with different resolutions and screens of the varied Apple devices in less time.
Android App Development
If you want to target the larger target market, then you should consider the Android platform. It is an easy-to-use and more flexible platform compared to Apple. Android software is used by a wide variety of smartphone companies. So, it’s a challenge to make it compatible with the varied resolutions and screen of each device.
But you can define screens on the priority basis and build an app that is compatible with the decided screens. It helps you stay focused and launch the app quickly.
3. Hiring an In-house Team/ Freelancers
If you think you can hire a team of developers and set up and IT infrastructure for them within your organization, then it is not a good idea for sure. It’s not over by hiring 2-3 developers. You need to hire a team that involves
- 1 Project Manager (to manage and take care of each aspect of your project)
- 1 Business Analyst (to understand your business requirements & challenges and create a detailed document of app development scopes & wireframe)
- 1 UX Designer (to create the flow of your mobile app through and a working prototype of the app )
- 1 UI Designer (to design the screens of your mobile app)
- 4 Developers (2 for Android & 2 for iOS to build a mobile app)
- 1 Quality Analysts (to apply different testing on your app to measure the different usability aspects of the app)
- 1 System Engineer (to deploy on your app on the server)
Still, there is no guarantee that this team will be able to address any technical challenges that will come in the way of your mobile app development. If you hire freelancers, then you might face challenges of accountability, on-time project delivery, lack of skills, reliability, and more.
Do you have a next-level clarity about the skills you should look for in the candidate to perform the above jobs? Of course not.
Thus, it is better to outsource the project to a reliable iPhone and Android app development service provider that has extensive experience of working with different industry verticals.
To make the right choice you need to delve into a detailed comparison of an app development company, an in-house team, and freelancers.
4. Ignoring the Importance of User Experience
Most of the startups want to create an attractive app that has vibrant colors and too many design elements. Well, this won’t help you. Only a great design is not enough to engage users. Make sure your app delivers an amazing user experience and focuses on users’ needs.
To create a pleasant user experience, you need to create an app that is straightforward and fluid. And allows the users to navigate through varied screen quickly. Ensure the app does not only help you achieve your business objective. It should help users accomplish their objective too.
5. Expecting to Launch All Features in One Go
Considering the unique and very basic features and functionality for your mobile app is the smart way to improve time to market of your mobility solution. But, wanting all the features in a single development cycle is not the right way.
If you cover everything in one go it will add more time and cost of mobile app development. Instead, you can start with a simple app having limited functions.
You can create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of your mobile app with the most important and unique features and launch it on the respective application store. Allow users to share their feedback about the app. Keep improving your app as per the feedback shared by users and keep adding the new functionality simultaneously.
Thus, launch an app with the features that help achieve your primary business goals. Later on, focus on developing new features, updating and optimizing the app, and performing app enhancement to create a full-fledged product.
Conclusion
Are you ready to rock? Make smart decisions during your iPhone and Android app development process to improve time to market of your app that is also within your budgetary constraints. Get an app that helps achieve business goals and deliver customer satisfaction at the same time.
Author Bio
Sandeep holds the position of CEO at Credencys Solutions – a mobile app development services company. He has more than two decades of experience in creating world-class teams and driving innovation through cutting edge products. With a motto of ‘Go Digital,’ Sandeep delivers an Extraordinary Customer Experience to its every client.
Thanks for guiding me.
Thank you for sharing this post and the efforts you have made in writing this. If you have more info about Mobile App Development,Please share.I am waiting …
nice and easy to understand
Thanks for sharing this, loved how you have structured the overall content.
Agree with the overall pointers mentioned in the blogpost.