Almost every developer is overwhelmed with “What shall I do?” when they start building their first mobile application. Even after receiving training from the best of the best in the industry, taking this task feels daunting and quite extensive.
Add to this the pressure of creating an application that gets attention in a $510 billion industry. Yes, the enterprise mobility industry is said to cross this mark by 2022. How can an application builder, like yourself navigate the ebbs and flows of a highly competitive industry and succeed at building a mobile application?
Almost everyone in the industry is out here is breaking a sweat to get that one opportunity of getting things right and climbing up the popularity meter. Take it as a disclaimer that the mobile app development process is not an easy bull to tame, but if you do the right things success is not far.
So, let’s move on to understand the process of building a great application, one that has the potential to grow, succeed, and scale on-demand.
Mobile App Development Process Steps
Step 1 – Idea and its Validation
Have you had your light bulb moment? An idea that you think that it will prove to be a useful product for the end-users. If not, formulate, find, or discover an idea for an application that can be converted into a functional product.
Every application is built on solid grounds of one solution that will solve the problem, but take note that the problem must exist to build a solution. So, to get an idea, dip into a universe of problems to find the right idea for your application.
Uber, which was once just an idea to start an on-demand car service, has become a sensation today. The term “Uber” has gained entry into our culture. We have started using uber with reference to other things like an uber for patients, uber for food, and so on.
That is the power of one idea. Almost every phenomenal application or product that we see today was once an idea: PokemonGo, Candy Crush, Instagram, Facebook, even Apple.
The best and most effective way to come up with an idea is by taking the problem-solution route. Find the problem first and then give your solution (idea) to solve that problem.
Every Idea Needs Validation
Once the idea is finalized, it won’t be enough. It is essential to validate it and ascertain whether i will be able to create and market the product. Idea validation needs research.
42% of the startups fail because there is “No Market Need” for these ideas in the market.
That is why validating the idea is essential instead of directly jumping to the development phase.
To validate the idea, a developer needs to conduct extensive market research.
- To determine the idea viability, move forward in the mobile app development process by gathering information. Understand the customers who will get the direct benefit of the generated idea. Look after their needs and identify what influences their buying decisions.
- Check if there are any competitors who offer a similar product. If yes, research their offerings, how they approach the customers, what are the product features, benefits, marketing methods, and everything else.
So, this is how it should go. First, have an idea, then validate it, then find the customers (create buyer personas), and then search for the competitors and know everything about them.
By the end of the first step, the developer shall have a product idea that can be created, promoted, marketed, and generate new demand.
Step 2 – Draft Out a Strategy
Strategy creation follows idea validation. To create a successful product, the developer and the development need to plan out everything that should be done to make it a success.
While idea validation is a part of strategy making, it has been covered in the previous section. The next mobile app development process involves establishing a detailed strategy about marketing, goal setting, objectives, and Feedback incorporation.
Create a roadmap of the objectives and the aspects that must be covered to reach at the apex position. This will help build the MVP or most viable product as having a roadmap helps visualize the objectives followed by working on selecting the core features.
Marketing for a new idea requires developing customer-specific campaigns – this is one of the reasons why identifying the target audience is essential. Followed by this, set the goals and objectives building the application.
Along with this, work on creating a unique value proposition of your application. This is a gimmick or a punchline that anyone can frame by unjumbling some words. But formulating a value proposition has to be done under a set criteria. This includes;
- Clarity: No complex terms or paying lip service.
- Benefits-Oriented: Clearly outline the benefits.
- Unique: What makes the application different?
- Crisp: Easy to understand.
Goals are essential to resonate with the grand scheme of things. Goals and strategy have a symbiotic relationship. Having pre-defined goals helps frame out a strategy and having a strategy makes it easier to achieve those goals.
To help set goals, answer these questions;
- What are the issues that the application will solve?
- What’s the application USP and selling point?
- What will be the core set of features essential for the application?
- What are the prospective benefits the application will offer?
Once the goals are set, and the strategy to promote the app and approach the customers is ready, start thinking about the application design.
Read other Steps: https://www.mobmaxime.com/blog/mobile-app-development-process/
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