First mobile application – what to pay attention to?

Developing the first mobile application (mobile app) for a company is a process that requires a well-thought-out strategy and the right approach. This type of software is an indispensable tool for many businesses today, enabling them to increase the reach and availability of their products and services to a wide audience using mobile devices. If you’re planning to create your first business app, be sure to read our quick guide!

Android or iOS – for which system to create mobile applications?

The decision on which operating system to develop your company’s first mobile application for depends on several factors, including the company’s business goals, user preferences and available development resources. While not long ago there were several relevant platforms on the market (including Symbian, Windows Phone and BlackBerryOS), today only two count: Android and iOS. Which one deserves more attention from mobile application developers?

On the one hand, Android is more popular among users worldwide (about 70% of the market), which means huge potential for applications for this system. On the other hand, iOS users are often more likely to pay for apps and make in-app purchases, which can result in higher profits for your business.

If you have limited programming resources or inclination towards a particular system, it is advisable to start by developing an app for one platform and then extend it to the other. In such a situation, it is better to choose that environment where your chances of success are higher. So first consider what devices your target audience uses.

The financial aspect is also worth mentioning. After all, adding a new app to Google Play (the Android store) costs $25. For this, however, you will need a developer account, the registration of which is another $25 expense. However, these are one-time fees, which cannot be said of the iOS environment. Entering apps into the App Store is namely free, provided you renew your developer account annually for $99.

What do you need to program mobile apps?

To start developing applications dedicated to smartphones and tablets, you will need the right background. Today, the programming of such tools does not have to be very complicated, as anyone can quickly and easily access the necessary technologies. During the work, you will find it useful, first of all:

• Personal computer – this is the device that will provide you with the greatest opportunities for project implementation.
• IDE (Integrated Development Environment) – is special software that allows you to write and test applications. Popular IDEs include Android Studio, Xcode or Visual Studio.
• Programming language – before starting work, you need to choose the language you will use to develop the application. For Android it is Java or Kotlin, and for iOS it is Objective-C or Swift.
• Framework – this is a set of tools, libraries and files that facilitate the coding of applications. For Android, popular frameworks include React Native, Flutter and Xamarin, and for iOS, for example, React Native, Flutter or Ionic.
• Emulator or physical device – to test your program before deployment, you will find it useful to have an emulator or a physical device running the operating system on which you want to run the application.
• Programming knowledge and skills – to create a good app, you need to regularly learn new skills and follow trends in mobile programming.

You can entrust the development of applications for business to a good software house!

Mobile devices have undoubtedly become part of our daily lifestyles and play an increasingly important role in them. They no longer offer not only simple calculators, calendars or browsers that allow us to visit websites, but also practical e-commerce tools, advanced games and multimedia editors. As you can easily guess, there is a lot of money to be made from such applications. So, regardless of whether you want to use a mobile application in the marketing activities of the enterprise or make it your business idea – it is worth familiarizing yourself with the principles of creating tools of this type.

At the same time, remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself. You can discuss issues related to the development of the application during a consultation with an experienced programmer. The realization of such a project will also be gladly undertaken by any software house. So take up cooperation with specialists who understand the business needs of their clients, and start making money on mobile applications!