Long before we realized, mobile apps had become an integral part of day-to-day interactions in this digital and connected world.
The mobile app has served as a pivotal tool/platform to create disruption in the B2C space in areas such as online shopping or m-commerce, payment wallets, messaging, social networking, IoT for Home Automation and Connected Car mobility applications.
The B2B space has also witnessed a similar disruption in areas of Industrial IoT and enterprise-wide digital transformation of processes to enhance productivity.
With a host of design and development software technologies, cloud server backend and system integrations working behind the scenes, Mobile App Development is a technology, skill and infrastructure intensive project.
A business that has identified mobile app(s) as an integral part of its business growth and/or digital transformation journey can approach this development project in following two ways:
- Develop and nurture in-house talent of mobile app software developers, UI designers and software testers and build a powerful internal engineering team
- Partner with a technology partner who has expertise and experience in delivering top-notch mobile apps
If your organization has chosen to continue to focus on the core business and work with a technology partner, here are some of the most important things that you, or every company, should work on before hiring a third party for ecommerce mobile app development, IoT mobile app development or any other mobile app development projects:
- Explain Business Objectives: Since every business has a mission, the technology partner must understand their core values, business type and the reasons to launch a mobile application. They must analyze the industry along with the need and engagement of customers with similar products.
- Platform Selection: Usually, one of three platforms is used by mobile phone users: iOS, Windows or Android. The business has to decide on the availability of their mobile application on the basis of information reach, security constraints, utility patterns and cost.
- Native or HTML5 Approach: They are basically two techie jargons that offer different mobile app capabilities to the business. If the business wants to offer a high-quality product with excellent performance and efficiency, then Native approach would be the best choice. But, like every high-quality product, the company needs to dedicate a large budget for app development. On the contrary, HTML5 is a relatively cost effective option for businesses that want mobile web development as well.
- Target Devices: When a company selects a development approach, it is necessary to specify the target devices that should be compatible with the mobile application. Since the mobile app developers need to consider device specifications and other aspects, businesses need to identify their target users so that the application can be developed suitably.
- Integrated Service: The business should have a clear picture about the features and services of the mobile app. If they want the application to work as a promotion utility, integrating social media would be a good decision, or if the application is an e-commerce platform then payment gateway integration becomes necessary.
- Content In The App:App developers are responsible for coding the mobile app in such a way that more and more users can use it. Its design and content should be appealing. The business owners should spell out their expectations—the layout, typography, screens, icons, content and color they would like to add in their product.
- Data Security: Since every mobile application requires users to enter their personal information, the business has to pay special attention to data security so that the developer can integrate data protection features like third party cloud packages.
- Microsite or Landing Pages: When it comes to promotion of and branding the mobile application, nothing could be better than having a landing page or microsite that highlights all features, specifications and functionalities. It may add extra bucks to the development cost but the benefits will outweigh this.
- App Deployment Procedure: If the app is intended for external users, the company will need to spend money on its registration and submission in app stores. However, if they go for internal application deployment, Mobile Device Management (MDM) should be the part of their business activities.
- Support and Maintenance: Developing a mobile app is just one phase of having mobile presence. The company has to make decisions about its maintenance and ongoing technical support.
Hope you’ve found this checklist useful! Do you have a great app idea in your mind? Book a free session with our ecommerce app development consultants to evaluate your project idea and provide free guidance on project implementation.
