Coming up with a distinctive app idea, regardless of the goal you intend to achieve with it, is simply not enough any longer. Nowadays, the mobile market is competitive and it’s becoming increasingly tough to stand out. The investment is substantial, both in terms of time and money.
Starting an app business without laying the groundwork before it can result in costly and brand-damaging mistakes. So, for your app to become a marketable product capable of generating engagement and income, it must be built on good research, clear goals, and a strategic plan.
App developers are often too caught up in their app ideas and the big picture of the app that they ignore the early phases. Forget about the day your app goes live right now. First, you must learn how to start an app business. Then, dive into the design and development stage.
Today, we’ll talk about the prep work you need to do before starting an app business. Doing so, the money you spent on it could bring in handsome ROI. Are you thinking about the steps you must take to get started? We have answers to all your questions!
7 Important Steps to Consider Before Starting Mobile App Development
A successful mobile app business demands consistent effort, and it is completely worth it! Besides, if you’re new to the app market and do not know where to begin, consider relying on a professional app development company.
On the flip side – below are the steps you need to take!
1.Understand your market thoroughly
When you set out to start an app business, the first thing you need to think about is the product market. Every product needs a product market. And that product market is what dictates all the app decisions, from the features to the design. Thus, determine who are the key takers of your product and whether they would be willing to pay for it.
Discover the answers to the following questions:
- Who is your target audience – their age, gender, and other demographics?
- What problems do they face and how your product will help solve them?
- Which app do they currently use?
Simultaneously, you also need to have the know-how of what your competitors are doing. Learn from their mistakes and double up on strategies that work. For instance:
- Who are your primary/secondary competitors?
- What is their unique selling point?
- What do their ratings and social media reviews say?
- Do their app lack any features?
Once done, move to the next step.
2.Choose your technology – native, web, or hybrid app
One of the crucial technical decisions you need to make early on is choosing the right technology. Before you start an app, think about which type of app will help you strike the perfect balance of tech and creativity.
Primarily, mobile apps are of three types:
Native – apps built for a specific platform. For instance, Android apps are coded in Java or Kotlin while iOS apps are coded in Swift or Objective-C. Here, developers need to write two distinct sets of codes.
Web – apps that open on the web on a browser and run on all platforms that have a browser. They are coded in HTML5.
Hybrid – apps that use reusable code and run on all platforms including iOS, Android, web, etc.
In short, weigh the pros and cons of each. Next, decide on the ideal app type and app development frameworks for your app.
3.Focus on designing a flawless UI/UX
A good design isn’t only limited to how fancy an app looks. Instead, it is more about the way users interact with it. Both user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are crucial elements of a successful app design. They are in charge of how the app appears and performs.
So, before you start an app, consider all the UI and UX elements to come up with an appealing app design. Keep the app as simple as possible, with all major functionality easily accessible. As a result, when the app design appeals to your target audience and they enjoy using it, your app will become more successful.
4.Know your monetization options
An app plays many different roles for your business. Generating revenue directly from the app is a popular one. So, if your goal is to make money through your mobile app, learn about your app monetization options. This is yet another important decision you need to take when starting an app business. You may consider one of the following ways to monetize your app:
Freemium apps – apps that are free to download while some features are locked that can only be accessed via a purchase.
Paid downloads – some mobile apps require users to pay a one-time download fee to use the app, making it their source of revenue from the app.
In-app purchases – using the app to sell digital or physical products as an eCommerce sales channel.
Ad-revenue – this works when any other app, service, or product offers you money to display their ads on your app.
Subscription – a monthly or yearly fee that brings a benefit of a recurring stream of revenue like Netflix.
5. Plan your app marketing strategy
You may think you need to plan your marketing strategy once you’re past starting an app business stage. However, that’s not the case. Having a solid strategy well ahead of time will set you off the ground running when you’re ready to launch.
Marketing a mobile app comprises two important stages: pre-launch buzz and post-launch on-going marketing. In the pre-launch buzz, you need to spread the word about your particular business. The best way to do so is through blogs and advertising on social media. Also, this way you can get user feedback and fine-tune your app performance.
Besides, ongoing marketing is essential to keep the momentum going. For instance, you can advertise your app on platforms where your users are likely to hang out. As a result, you’ll be able to engage new users and increase the number of active ones. Before you start an app, ensure to figure out your marketing strategy for mobile app.
6.Ensure security measures
Neglecting important security measures should never be an option. With that being said, when starting an app business, never miss out on including the security measures within the app. Plan this step early so you have plenty of time to get any legal consultation that you may need.
Moreover, your most precious asset is your users’ data. Thus, you should ensure that you have systems in place to gather, handle, and retain this data. Also, manage any possible security concerns that may come along the way.
7.Understand the app development process
Sure, you have developers to take care of the app development stage. Yet, you need to know the ins and outs of app development. Simply because to get the job done perfectly, you must know the job. A basic understanding of prototyping, wireframing, coding, and securing an app is vital.
So, the basic steps of mobile app development can be summarized as:
- User research and use cases
- Mapping of features and functionalities
- UI/UX design
- Minimum viable product
- Programming and coding
- Testing
- Launching
Thus, when figuring out how to start an app business, keep the above-mentioned aspects of app development in mind. Alternatively, you may hire a software development service by experts.
Final Thoughts – How to Start an App
To put it simply, the real work of mobile app development starts long before the first lines of code are written. These seven steps lay a strong foundation for building an app and making it a success. If you’re on your way to developing a mobile app, be sure to follow this guide and you may be the next talk of the town!
