According to Techopedia, “A mobile application, most commonly referred to as an app, is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Apps are generally small, individual software units with the limited function”.
In simple words, a mobile application is a software that is designed for small wireless devices like tablets and smartphones. Mobile applications are crafted according to the limitations and demands of devices. These applications can also take the advantage of the features and capabilities of mobile devices.
Mobile applications are categorized into three basic types according to the technology used for coding:
Native Apps:
Native mobile applications are designed specifically for a single operating system. Either you can have a native iOS app or native Android app, windows and blackberry platforms are also included. As these applications are built for a single platform, you cannot mix and match one with another. Say, you cannot run a Blackberry App on Android Phone or use an iOS app on a Windows phone.
Hybrid Apps
Hybrid apps are simply web apps that are crafted in a way to look and feel like native applications. These applications are fast, responsive, and may have a home screen icon. Crafted to look like a native application, these apps can also work offline.
Web Apps:
Web apps and native apps are somehow similar, but the web apps are accessed through the web browser on mobile devices. These apps do not require any download and installation on your mobile device. Web apps are responsive websites that adapt the user’s interface to the device the user is using to access the app. If you click on the install button of a web app, it simply bookmarks the website URL on your device.
Why You Should Invest in Mobile Application Development?
Having a mobile application for our business is one of the best solutions to stay ahead of your competitors in the market. Gone are the days when desktops were in demand, now smartphones are offering tremendous ROI to business firms. If you are planning to invest in mobile app development for your business, then first you should know the benefits of having a mobile application for your business. It is difficult to determine, whether mobile apps are good for your business or websites according to the requirements of your business. There are various factors such as budget, target audience, features, that decides whether you should choose a mobile application or a website for your business.
Most business owners are using the mobile application for their businesses due to various reasons. In this digital era, if you do not have a mobile application for your business, you are probably lagging behind your competitors. Having only a website will not help your business to stay ahead of your competitors. Here are few reasons why you should consider investing in mobile application development for your business.
- Reduced Waiting Time for Customers
- Increased Customer Engagement
- Enhanced Brand Visibility
- Best Social Media Platform
- Offers Great Support
- Reduces Cost
Regardless of your business type, mobile applications are considered as best option to increase the presence of any brand in the market. Being available 24/7/365 for your customers gives a big boost to business.
Android vs. iOS App Development!
The major step for the success of your business is choosing the correct mobile app development platform. Now as the world has become digital, the majority of the population uses mobile devices for every single need. Whether people want to buy a car or an apple, everything can be purchased online through mobile devices. So the mobile industry is a huge market for organizations to serve their services to their users.
As the population has been diversified into multiple platforms on their devices, it is quite difficult for business organizations to choose the right platform to target and expand their business in the larger market. The two most popular and leading platforms are Android App Development and iOS Development, which share the largest market of mobile
According to reports by Android source, there are 2.5 billion monthly active users in the world. According to this, 87% of people use mobile devices that are running on the Android platform, whereas the remaining are iOS users.
Choosing the right option may be confusing as both platforms have their pros and cons. Mainly, the services that the app offers to the users decide the success of the app, not the platform. Most of the companies already have an application for their app, but still, they are hustling to come up with new solutions that can serve their customers in a better and efficient way.
The iOS Mobile Market
As per the latest reports, there are about 2 million apps available in the market for iOS users. This means, for every need of the user, there is an app available in the iOS App Store. With this figure, it has become important for developers to roll out the latest updates and features for the apps regularly.
In January 2019, Apple revealed that there were 1.4 billion active users in their base. Out of this, 500 million devices that are being used aren’t iPhones. 110 million devices are Mac, 500 million are iPads, and the remaining are wearables and home accessories. Moreover, there are 100 million people who use a Mac or iPad, instead of an iPhone. Adding these 900 million iPhone users to these 100 million users leads to billion Apple users.
Things to Consider When Hiring an iOS App Development Company
Thinking about developing an application for your business is simple, but choosing the right company is difficult. There are so many agencies out there who ready to take your money, but they will not be able to deliver the desired results to you. Well, it is normal to sign the deal with the company and start with the development process of your application. Before finalizing the deal, there are some things that you should consider.
Expertise
The company that you are dealing with should be able to craft the app according to your business’s needs and requirements. They should integrate the features and tell you how they are going to implement a specific feature in your app. Also, check whether the software they are using can integrate with other frameworks or not.
Platform
Decide the platform on which you are going to develop the app. Ask the company whether they can develop the app for your desired platform or not? Can they develop apps for multiple platforms or not? If you are planning to launch your application on multiple platforms, be sure to choose a company that can accommodate this easily. The best way is to hire a company that can work on cross-platform application development. Whether iOS or Android, choose a company that has a deep understanding of working on each platform.
Communication
Ask how often they will be communicating with you during the development process? What methods of communication do they use before starting the project? The company that you are hiring must update you about the on-going development process at least once a week. Effective communication between the client and developer is an important aspect of project success.
Monitor how frequently the development team is replying to your calls and queries during the hiring process. It will help you to know whether they have a genuine interest in your project idea or not. IF you are not getting enough response then it might not be a good idea to work with them. Professional development companies believe in building relationships by sharing ideas about crafting a better app.
Ask about the tools they will be using during the development phase. Do they work with the agile method? What tools they will be considered to track the development process? Providing the access to the project collaboration tool is a sign of the professional working phase.
Portfolio
One of the best ways to determine whether the company is perfect for you or not is by looking at the previous projects on which they have worked. Ask them to show their portfolio. Do they have any apps in app stores that you can download? Check the reviews on their apps and if the company does not have any portfolio then it is not a good idea to work with them.
What were the unpredicted challenges that they faced and how did they solve them? How long did it take to deliver the project? These are some common questions that help you to clear the confusion of whether the company is right for you or not? Companies that follow the agile process have a better app development approach.
A good development company not only guides you during the development process, but it also offers ideas that can help in making a better app. Try to work with the company that has developed the app in the same industry or comparable to your needs.
Price
Don’t let the price confuse you. When you are planning to develop a mobile application for your business, it is important to develop a great product. Don’t go with the cheapest product. Just offer your budget and let their quality work and development experts decide whether they are right for your job or not.
Have a clear budget in your minding before agreeing to any pricing terms. A survey from Clutch revealed that “the cost of app development varies between $30,000 to $700,000, with an average cost of $171,450”. If budget is a major concern, then you should know about the app development platforms that affect the development cost.
Involvement
It doesn’t matter how expert the company is; the app can’t be developed without your input. You must understand that you play an important role in the project. How much involvement do they require from you? How many iterations will be there during the development process? Be sure to ask for high-level input from you about the prototypes and wireframes of your app.
Conclusion
As there are so many companies out there, it is important to thoroughly evaluate the perspective of the company you are planning to hire. Some of the most common qualities to look for are good communication skills, a professional portfolio, technical expertise, and accountability to understand your needs and requirements.
