In today's digital age, starting a Mobile App Development Company has become more accessible. Whether you're a new entrepreneur with a game-changing idea or a seasoned developer looking to broaden your portfolio, creating an app can be rewarding.
According to statistics, users spend 90% of their mobile time using apps and 10% on mobile browsers. From customers and individuals to organizations, apps for small businesses can unlock many opportunities for all.
Developing an app in 2024 is easier than you might expect. With the proper guidance, anyone can make their idea a reality. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the entire process of creating an app development from Scratch2024, from concept to launch.
The following statistics say that:
- According to BBC News, people spend up to one-third of their waking time using mobile phone apps.
- According to Statista, by 2024, the average time spent using a smartphone will reach 4 hours 39 minutes, up from 4 hours 11 minutes today. (Statista)
- In 2016, over 3.6 billion people had a smartphone, reaching 6.6 billion users, and by 2027, smartphone users are expected to increase to 7.7 billion people who will own a smartphone (Statista).
- Social media apps are the most popular mobile apps; 8 out of 10 users engage in social networking activities via mobile apps (Insiderintelligence).
- With over 90% of users choosing mobile apps over websites, the mobile app development market is expected to reach a steady high, with an increase of 23.80% by 2030 (Marketresearchfuture).
- On average, millennials have over 67 apps installed on their phones. (linchpinseo).
How to Create an App From Scratch in 2024:
Step 1: Define Your Idea
Before making your app, you should know exactly what you want it to do. Consider what problem your app will solve or what it will assist people with. For example, you could create an app that helps people find the best restaurants in their area or track their fitness goals.
Consider your idea and ensure it will be helpful or enjoyable to others.
Step 2: Know your target audience
In the previous step of creating an app, we discussed understanding the project's target users to validate the idea. Now that the idea has been validated and you have a general understanding of your target users, looking at the audience's demographic, behavioural, and psychological characteristics is essential.
Step 3: Conduct Competitive Research
With nearly 2 million apps available for Apple users and more than 2.3 million apps for Android users, you'll need to understand competitor features and customer requirements to differentiate your product. This research can help you plan your app development strategy.
Begin by researching the market to discover apps developed by your competitors. You can discuss what your competitors have done well and where they have fallen short. This research can provide specific insights into your customers' preferences and what you should do differently. Monitor user feedback and ratings to understand their concerns and preferences better.
Step 4: Sketch Your App's Design
Before diving into the technical aspects of app development, you should sketch your app's design. This entails creating simple outlines or blueprints of your app's appearance and function. Consider where buttons, menus, and information will be on each screen. Consider how users will navigate your app and what actions they will perform.
Sketching allows you to visualize your app's layout and flow, making communicating your ideas to designers and developers easier. Remember that the goal is to design an intuitive and visually appealing user-friendly interface.
Step 5: Outline app features and functionalities
Defining the scope of your app is an important step before starting development. You can use your research findings to outline your app at this stage. Discuss your app's core purpose and functionalities with stakeholders, and compile a list of your offerings.
Remember that adding unnecessary features will only increase clutter and confuse end users. As a result, it is critical to focus on your app's core features and functionalities. As you build your app, make sure to include only these features.
Some features appear in multiple apps, such as the ability to log in using social accounts, integration of payment gateways, in-app chat support, etc. In contrast, some features are specific to your app type. Examples include checkout and shipping for eCommerce apps, appointment scheduling for clinic apps, menu ordering systems for restaurant apps, etc.
Step 6: Choose your app development approach
You should be ready to select your app development strategy by this point. First, decide what type of app you want to create. The choices are as follows:
Based on the operating system, you can develop apps for Android, iOS, or both. We recommend launching apps for both iOS and Android, as this will grant you access to a larger and more diverse user base.
Depending on your goals, you can develop native, cross-platform, progressive web apps (PWAs) or hybrid apps. While native apps provide superior performance, new technologies have closed the gap. You can select your preferred app type accordingly.
Step 7: Develop your app
Once you've finalized your plan, it's time to turn your idea into a real app. You can accomplish this by writing code if you know how to program. Otherwise, you can hire a team of developers or a mobile app development company to do the coding for you. Together, you'll begin developing your app, including all the features and functions you've planned.
It's similar to building a house: you begin with the foundation, which is your app's basic structure, and then add walls, doors, and windows, which represent the various features and buttons that users will use. Remember that communication with your team is essential during this phase.
Step 8: Test your app
Testing your app is like ensuring it works properly before allowing others to use it. It's critical because you want your app to be functional and error-free. You should test your app on different phones and tablets to ensure everything looks and works properly. It's also a good idea to ask some of your friends or family to try your app.
They can tell you if they find anything unusual or if something does not function properly. Testing allows you to identify any errors or issues that must be addressed before releasing your app to the public.
Step 9: Gather and implement user feedback
Before launching, the app should be thoroughly tested by a test group. Although the development team should have based features on customer needs, testers unfamiliar with the app can provide valuable user feedback to ensure it is ready for a wide range of users with varying experience levels.
Testing the app with users from different backgrounds should help you understand what they want and whether it meets their expectations. Before the app goes live, you can adjust key features to suit a diverse group of users better.
Once the app is live, continue to collect feedback to make necessary updates and adjustments. Analytical data can be used to gather feedback after launching the app. You can analyze and comprehend customer behaviour and identify confusing areas that require improvement.
Step 10: Prepare for launch
Before your app goes live, make sure it's ready. This includes ensuring your app looks great in the app store and is easy to find. It would help if you wrote a catchy description to promote your app and select eye-catching images. Consider how you can explain why people should download your app and what makes it unique.
It's also a good idea to plan how to notify people about your app once it's available. This could include using social media, reaching out to bloggers or journalists, or even running advertisements.
Step 11: Launch your app
Launching your app is an exciting step that allows you to share your creation with the rest of the world. After your hard work, it's time to share your app with potential users. This involves submitting your app to apps like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You must follow their guidelines and provide all relevant information about your app, including its name, description, and screenshots.
Once your app is live, you must promote it to attract new users. You can promote your app through social media, email newsletters, and other marketing strategies. Remember to engage with your audience and solicit feedback to improve your app.
Step 12: Market your app
Even after your app is available in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, development should continue. Invest in a rigorous marketing strategy to gain more users and increase engagement. With millions of apps on the App Store, marketing can help potential users find yours.
Understand your target audience's demographics and behaviours. This will help you develop an effective marketing strategy. Additionally, clearly understand your app's unique value and base your marketing initiatives on it.
You can promote your app through various marketing channels. For example, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn have billions of users, making them effective ways to reach your target audience. ASO can also help your app rank higher in search results.
How SoftCircles Can Help You Create an App
SoftCircles connects businesses with top agencies that can complete projects or provide specific services that a company requires. If your company wants to develop and market a mobile app, we can help you find the right agency!
Tell us about your project, and we will compile a list of up to 5 of the most qualified agencies from our 15,000+ directory who can create an app tailored to your specifications and for any platform.
