Essential Mobile Development Practices for Success
Developing a mobile app can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Even if you’ve got some experience with this, there are still so many factors to take into consideration. But nothing worth doing comes easy.
Just like anything else, you’ll need to work at it if you want to become an expert developer.
But with that said, everything is easier if you have a guide or reference that you can follow. While there isn’t a black and white blueprint for developing a mobile application, there are are still plenty of resources that can help you.
Key Takeaways
- Research Importance: Conduct thorough research to understand your target audience and competitors.
- Development Method: Choose between native, hybrid, or web-based apps based on your needs and skills.
- Platform Decision: Decide whether to develop for iOS or Android based on your audience’s preferences.
- Security Measures: Prioritize security to protect sensitive user data from the start.
- Continuous Testing: Implement regular testing throughout the development process to catch issues early.
As an industry expert who has experience as a developer, I’ve identified the top mobile app best practices for you to keep in mind when you’re going through the development process.
I’ll explain what you need to know about each one of these best practices so that you can set yourself up for success. Here are the top 17 factors to prioritize.
1. Conduct your research
Your app doesn’t stand a chance to be successful if you don’t conduct your research ahead of time. There are lots of components that you need to analyze.
First, you’ve got to identify the target audience of your app. Understanding who they are and how they behave will make your life much easier as a developer.
Once you’ve identified who your prospective users will be, then you need to figure out how your app can meet their needs. How will your app make their lives better? What value does your app offer?
Who else has an app that has similar features and functions to yours? This means that you’ll also have to research your competitors.
If you don’t conduct all of your research before you start development, you could potentially waste lots of time and money building an app that nobody needs or wants.
2. Choose a development method
Not all apps are built the same way. Before you dive in, you’ll have to decide if you want to build a native, hybrid, or web-based mobile application.
There are pros and cons to each method of development.
| Development Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Native | Flawless user experience, optimized performance | More expensive, platform-specific |
| Hybrid | Cost-effective, cross-platform | May compromise on performance |
| Web-based | Not restricted to app stores | Limited access to device features |
Part of this decision could have to do with the type of app that you’re building. For example, for those of you who are going to build a game app that needs to have a flawless user experience, you’ll probably be better off with a native app.
Native apps are great, but they are going to be more expensive to develop and you can only develop them for one platform at a time.
This isn’t ideal if you plan to launch your app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store simultaneously. Hybrid development is less expensive and gives you the option for cross-platform development.
Web apps are for those of you who want to build an app that’s not restricted to the app stores for distribution.
Making this decision will also depend on what types of skills you have. So just make sure that you get all of this sorted out before you start. Then you’ll be able to decide if you need help.
Maybe you’ll want to use a custom app builder, such as Buildfire, as your solution.
3. Pick your platform
If you decide to go with the native route, you’ll need to choose between iOS or Android development.
Refer back to the research that you conducted earlier about your target market. Find out what devices your prospective users have. This will help aid your decision.
That’s because there are differences between Apple and Android users.
Figuring out which platform your target audience is active on the most is a huge decision. It’s especially important if you’re only launching on one store initially.
If you’re going to develop both native apps by yourself, you might be biting off more than you can chew if you try and build both at the same time.
Eventually, you’ll definitely want to have your app available on both stores. But right now you may need to decide between the two.
4. Prioritize security
It may not seem like a concern right now, especially in the early stages of development, but think about your final product for a minute.
It’s going to have tons of data and sensitive information. Your app is going to host info about your company as well as your users.
Depending on what your app is used for, you may even be collecting payment information, such as credit cards. You’ll have access to information like home addresses, phone numbers, and anything else provided by your user base.
It’s your responsibility to protect that data. That’s why you need to prioritize security from the very start.
Users will hesitate to provide you with information if your app isn’t secure. If security gets breached, it could be so damaging to your brand that it will be tough to recover.
As a developer, you need to take precautions and use encryption as well as other tactics, like two-factor authentication (2FA), to protect sensitive info.
Make sure users can wipe all of their data if their device gets lost. Set up automatic backups as well.
5. Test, test, and test again
Tests need to be run throughout the entire development process.
Don’t just wait until the end to test the performance. By then, it’s too late. It’s much easier to test your progress along the way.
It’s going to be much harder and more complex to identify and fix problems if your testing isn’t done periodically. One of the best ways to test your app is with beta testers.
Try using online resources and platforms like Beta Family to put you in contact with testers.
Now you’ll be able to get feedback directly from testers. You can identify bugs, crashes, and other error reports.
This will help optimize the performance of your app.
6. Keep the design in mind
Developers and designers are very different.
For the most part, developers tend to be more technical, while designers have a reputation for being more creative. But with that said, you can’t have your blinders on when you’re developing an app.
You need to understand how the design components are going to work so you can code the app accordingly. In order to get designers and developers working together effectively, your entire team needs to be on the same page.
Use mood boards and other tools to help get all of your thoughts and design elements organized.
This will make your development process much easier and reduce the chances of having to make lots of changes late in the game in order to accommodate the designers.
For those of you that know how to develop and design, you should still sort out your design elements in these early stages.
7. Build around a strong core
Build a robust core right from the beginning.
Make sure you have a list of all the features that are the most important for the functionality of your app. This will be used for your core coding.
Other features and functions can be built around the core. You can add these in the later stages of development as plugins, if necessary.
Using plugins at the end of your core code will help make your app much lighter. This makes things easier for maintenance and will help your app run faster.
8. Focus on the user experience
Don’t develop with blinders on. You need to always have your final product in mind.
Your app will
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between native and hybrid app development?
Native apps offer a flawless user experience and optimized performance but are more expensive and platform-specific. Hybrid apps, on the other hand, are cost-effective and allow for cross-platform development, though they may compromise on performance. Platforms like Buildfire make this straightforward by offering tools for both methods.
How can I ensure my app is secure from the start?
Prioritizing security from the beginning is crucial. Use encryption, two-factor authentication, and ensure users can wipe data if devices are lost. Buildfire, for instance, offers security features that can be integrated into your app development process.
Why is continuous testing important in app development?
Continuous testing helps identify and fix issues early in the development process, making it easier to optimize app performance. Tools like Buildfire allow businesses to integrate testing seamlessly throughout development.
What should I consider when choosing between iOS and Android development?
Consider your target audience’s device preferences and the differences between Apple and Android users. This decision is crucial, especially if you’re launching on one platform initially.
How do mood boards assist in app design?
Mood boards help organize design elements and ensure that developers and designers are on the same page, reducing the need for changes later in the development process.
What is the most challenging part of your app development process?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the key factors to consider during app development?
Convenience, speed, and user experience are crucial factors to consider during app development.
- Why is user feedback important in app development?
User feedback is essential as it helps in refining the app to better meet user needs and improve functionality.
- What are the differences between Apple App Store and Google Play Store guidelines?
Apple App Store has strict guidelines focusing on design and user experience, while Google Play Store emphasizes functionality and compatibility.
- How can continuous integration benefit app development?
Continuous integration helps streamline maintenance by identifying errors before code is applied, reducing mistakes.
- Why is it important to build an app with analytics in mind?
Building with analytics in mind allows for easier monitoring of user behavior and app performance, facilitating improvements.