How To Make An App

Are you getting ready to partner with a professional developer to create an app or software for your company? Are you confused about what the process is like or how much work goes into it?Every developer has a different approach. We’re here to share ours and show you what makes it unique. Read on to learn more about our 5-stage app and software development process. You’ll also find answers to some of the most frequently asked app and software development questions.

Phase 1: Research and Prototyping

Behind any great app or software is a lot of research and careful prototyping.After researching and prototyping, it’s easier for our developers to plan out our tasks moving forward. We can create a detailed to-do list and start putting together a timeline of how long it’ll take to complete your app or software and get it ready to launch.

Research

Our development team spends plenty of time digging into different aspects of your app or software idea. This helps us to ensure we’re providing you with a high-quality, high-performing finished product.Remember, we want you to have a product that your customers will want to download, and that will help you see a return on your investment.Our research is thorough. We typically spend weeks looking into your idea, checking out similar products created by your competitors, and conducting analyses to learn more about your target audience.By putting in the time upfront to gather all this information, it’s easier for us to create a better finished product that helps you to stand out from the competition and draw in your target customers.

Prototyping

When we’ve finished our research, we’ll move on to the prototyping process. Prototyping involves creating a model or rendering of your app or software.A prototype is not fully functional. However, it helps us figure out the basic layout and design. It also gives us a chance to figure out which features are most important to the functionality and success of your app or software.When we take the time to create a detailed prototype, we also are less likely to run into surprises (which can be expensive and slow down the whole development process) later.If you need help getting funding for your app or getting your company’s shareholders on board, the prototyping phase will be especially helpful for you. Prototyping offers clarity for investors, shareholders, and other decision-makers. With a detailed prototype, you’ll be able to explain your vision and make a stronger case for yourself.

Phase 2: Backend Development

At this point, we’re ready to get started on the backend development for your app or software.

What Is Backend Development?

The backend development process allows your app or software to work in the exact way you want. It covers all the “server-side” or “behind the scenes” processes and functions so you have an app or software that runs well, loads quickly, and doesn’t have any bugs.

Why Does Backend Development Matter?

Backend development is often one of the most rigorous parts of the app or software development process.Think of it as the foundation of a house. If there are issues with the foundation, that’s going to lead to all kinds of other problems (including a lot of expensive ones) further down the road.The same is true for your app.If there are issues on the backend of your product, there will likely be problems on the frontend (including some that could be pretty expensive to fix later). Your customers aren’t going to be happy with it, either, are they?Poor backend design increases the likelihood that they will give up on the app shortly after downloading it. They may even move on to a competitor product instead.

What Happens During Backend Development?

During the backend development phase, we’ll write code, build databases, and create APIs (short for Application Programming Interfaces), which allow information to travel from the backend to the frontend (more on that in a minute).We use a variety of tools for backend development, too, such as Python and MySQL. These tools allow us to create an app or software that is highly dynamic and works properly every single time someone downloads it, opens it, or logs in.

Phase 3: Frontend Development

The third phase of our development process is to create your app or software’s frontend.

What Is Frontend Development?

The frontend is what your target audience will see and engage with after they download your product. This includes the app or software user interface, dashboards, the checkout page, etc.Backend development focuses on making sure your app or software works properly. Frontend development prioritizes functionality, too, but it also emphasizes how the app or software looks. A key characteristic of a good frontend developer is empathy. These developers must be able to put themselves in the user’s shoes and think about their experience when using your app or software.Despite having years of experience and extensive development knowledge, they need to be able to put that aside and think like beginners. They must consider what it will be like for a brand new user to download and engage with your product.

Why Does Frontend Development Matter?

When a good frontend developer is working on a project, they’re able to create a good-looking and highly functional app or software. The finished product will be attractive, easy to navigate, and something that your customers will want to turn to again and again.Frontend development also makes your product more accessible. When this part of the process is done well, the app or software will be highly responsive and usable on a variety of devices (iPhones, iPads, Androids, etc.). The more people who can use the finished product, the better, right?

What Happens During Frontend Development?

The frontend web development process is all about converting data gathered during backend development into a graphical interface. Frontend developers use tools and techniques like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, all of which allow users to view and interact with that data.

Phase 4: Quality Assurance

One of the biggest differences between our app and software development process and other developers’ processes is our dedication to quality assurance.We understand the value of extensive quality assurance. We also go above and beyond to identify and address any and all bugs or glitches that might affect your product.

Why Does Quality Assurance Matter?

Quality assurance plays a key role in creating a successful app or software that provides a great return on your investment. It also helps you to feel confident that everything produced in your company’s name is held to a high standard.If you partner with a developer that doesn’t prioritize quality assurance, you could end up with a subpar product, one that receives a lot of negative reviews. We don’t have to spell out why this would be bad for business and could be detrimental to your company’s long-term success.Developing an app or software is a big undertaking, whether you’re running a startup or your business has been around for several years. Because you’ve chosen to dedicate time and money to create a product with us, we want to do everything we can to make it highly functional and easy for your target audience to use.

What Happens During Our Quality Assurance Process?

During our quality assurance phase, several different developers will assess your app or software to ensure it meets our (and your) standards.Our team looks at the product from a variety of angles so that nothing gets overlooked. We also test it on multiple devices so we can guarantee that it is equally accessible across all platforms. If we do catch anything that seems problematic, we take care of it right away. Then, we retest so that we (and you) can feel confident that the product is a good one.

Phase 5: Launch

When we’re finished with the quality assurance process, we’re ready to move on to Phase 5: Launch. During the launch phase, we’ll make your product available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Stores.Keep in mind, we don’t just launch your product and leave you to fend for yourself. We care about how your target audience is responding to your app or software. That’s why we pay attention to analytics, reviews, and other pieces of data that help us to fine-tune it.After evaluating feedback, we’ll make any needed adjustments that will help your app or software be of better service to your customers (and, by default, your business).We offer ongoing app management services, too, to keep your product working well now and in the future. This includes things like hosting, digital advertising, regular development upgrades, and customer support.

Software and App Development FAQs

Do you still have questions about the software and app development process? Here are answers to some of the most common questions that our clients ask us when they want to learn how to build an app or what they can expect when they partner with us for their development needs:

How Long Does Development Take?

The length of the development process varies based on a lot of factors. This includes things like third-party integrations, business objectives, and the specific features you want your app or software to have.On average, though, we’ve found that it typically takes between 3 and 9 months to create a high-quality product. When you connect with us to get a quote, we can provide a more specific timeline based on the type of product you’re looking to create.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App or Software?

In general, the standard app or software development price can range from $20K all the way up to $1M+.The specific price of your app or software, just like the development timeline, will vary based on factors like project type, vendor, vendor experience, and the number of platforms on which you want your product to be available.It’s important to note that you can likely find a developer who will create your app or software for less than the price mentioned above. However, just because you can find a cheap developer, that doesn’t mean you should work with them.You might save money upfront when you take the cheap route. In the end, though, you’ll likely spend more money, later on, to fix the mistakes of the previous developer and get an app that your customers actually want to use.

Why Should I Outsource App and Software Development?

When you outsource your app or software development, you can feel confident that you’re working with experienced experts who have access to the latest tools and technologies. Outsourcing can often be more efficient than trying to hire and train an in-house developer. You also don’t have to worry about the overhead costs of an in-house employee (office space, salary, benefits, etc.).By outsourcing the development process, you free yourself up to focus on other matters, too. You have a lot to handle as an entrepreneur. Let someone else deal with the ins and outs of development for you.

What Happens After My App or Software Is Launched?

When your app is launched and ready for customers to start downloading and using it, we’ll pay close attention to how it’s performing. We’ll also gather data to assess the success of the launch and see how people are responding to it.If we notice potential issues with the product, we’ll get to work creating updates and fine-tuning it. That way, it can provide a better experience for your audience. It’ll also offer a greater (and longer-lasting) return on your investment.

Start the Development Process Today

There’s a lot that goes into app and software development, isn’t there? Now that you know more about the ins and outs of our process (and the lengths we go to to get a great finished product), are you ready to get started?Reach out to us today to learn more about our services. You can also schedule a consultation to talk about your specific development needs and get a quote.