Mobile App Development Process
We'll start with some wow-worthy statistics: the mobile app market revenue reached a staggering US$417.9 billion in 2022 (Statista). To put that into perspective, this figure is comparable to the entire budget of Austria, which stands at US$515.3 billion. But the story doesn’t stop there—this market is expected to skyrocket to US$542.8 billion by 2026, highlighting its incredible growth trajectory and immense potential.
Shocking? Yeah, we know. When hearing about such statistics, you may have the only desire — to become a part of such a fast-growing and promising market. That's why we offer mobile app development services to our clients.
Let's take a glance at devs' workflow first
- Planning
Every unicorn starts with an idea, and every mobile app starts with planning. Here we won't choose the color of buttons but go to more high-level questions (by the way, read our article about high-level and low-level design *(add link) to be in theme).
It's also a perfect stage to advise the client on which services to use: android app development services or ios app development services. If the customer wants to develop for several platforms, the team will discuss the approach: cross-platform or native. No worries about unknown terms. We'll talk about them later.
Here all the customer requirements about the dream app are carefully collected and integrated into the plan.
The team formation starts! Usually, all the client's needs will be covered by front-end dev, back-end dev, QA engineer, UI/UX designer, and Project Manager. Thus, the squad of specialists can depend on some factors. - Prototyping
It's wireframe time. The team creates a UI UX guide with no details but an understandable flow. Designers don't focus on colors and style. Instead, they establish a general feeling of the app's functionality. CGS-team doesn't expect the wireframes to be fully featured. The main goal — is to show the primary features of your app and get the customer's feedback. - Design
The phase of juicy illustrations and attractive buttons. Design is a complex stage covering lots of steps. We'll give you a short overview.
The designers take those approved no-detail wireframes and start to refine them. Their best friends at this stage are UI elements, user flow, and element hierarchy. Designers want aesthetic and user-positive design, and developers want high-fidelity mockups to transform them turn into a working app. The minor details like how elements will be tapped, swiped, and dragged are also decided at the design stage. - Development
The development stage is where you begin to write the code. The developers make big decisions based on wireframe feedback, design, and customer needs. The team takes care of a deep understanding of future users' behavior. That's why it's crucial to embody an analytics engine in the app during this phase. Whether the developers provide fintech app development services or healthcare mobile app development services — it's essential to see how the app is being used and the general flow of users.
Here some mobile application development tools are used. Examples are Xcode, Android Studio, AppCode, and others.
- Testing
For the copywriter, rereading is vital (believe the author). For the developers — constant testing is. The main reason — save money for the client. Yes, you heard right. Testing keeps post-release costs low. The team considers it an investment.
Bugs are afraid of unit tests, UI tests, and integration ones. Though the testing process can prolong the development phase, the specialists are sure it's worth the sacrifice. It's the best tool for cutting back the time and costs of ongoing support and maintenance. - Release
Congrats, we came to the sweetest part — the app launch. The team's happy to see the results of their laborious work when the customer observes his or her dream implementation.
The mobile app development services company submits the app to the App Store or Play Store for approval. The application process is not easy. It requires a deep understanding of guidelines. This process will be done every time the app's new version is released.
Wow! The quality is excellent, all major bugs are worked out, and the app becomes publicly available. It may sound like a happy end, but the developers' work isn't finished. - Maintenance
Ongoing support and maintenance is a stage of bug-fixing, app monitoring, and updating for new versions to support new devices. It's an endless stage as keeping the product problems-free, up-to-date, and user-friendly requires constant care.
Let's take a look at the client's side.
- The first meet
As a client who needs ios mobile app development services, you have a call with the team. You and your mobile app development services provider will cover everything from non-tech nuances to tech stack. Be ready to talk about your dreamy ideas as they will be discussed in detail.
The development team will want to catch the idea concept and complexity of the future mobile app. During the talk, the team usually writes down all the needed processes, the number of hrs, and the devs required to be as transparent as possible! Also, you can expect some delicious buns. For example, CGS-team offers free PM services, no charge deployment, and 2-week bug-fixing. - Team building
An essential stage of choosing the best-fitting team to cover all the needs and requirements. CGS-team's customers are always satisfied with excellent tech knowledge, outstanding soft skills, and fluent English. Just talk to the devs and find the most comfortable to cooperate with. - Pre-start call
The final talk before the development process. It's time to sign docs, clarify the nuances, sign docs, and provide access to flows and resources. The process of implementing your dream into reality starts when all the preparations are done. - Development
During this stage, you trust the team. They do all the workflow when you approve and give your feedback. CGS-team believes communication with the client is a must to meet all the needs and requirements. We offer calls twice a week, daily team calls, weekly demo meetings (usually every Friday), and retro meetings.
Meanwhile, the development team follows the stages we already discussed:
1. Prototyping and Design
2. Development itself
3. Testing - Launch
The delightful moment of seeing your dreams implemented into tech solutions. Ensure all your needs and requirements are considered and watch stores approving your app. Custom app development services are delivered, but we know it's not the end of the story. - Maintenance
We came to the endless part of the app's life — ongoing support. Trust taking care of the professionals to ensure it's always working well.
Check out more about CGS-team's approach as a mobile app development services provider here (mobile dev service page link).
Native or Cross Platform development
When using app development services, it's essential to make a decision: you'll develop a native or cross-platform application. Now we'll describe the terms and the difference.
What is a native application?
Native application development means creating mobile app exclusively for an exact platform. For example, you're using healthcare app development services and want your app to be IOS. In this case, the developers will use Swift and Objective-C tech.
Cross-platform development is about building applications working on multiple platforms. Imagine you're about to have medical app development services as your dream is an application for your dermatology clinic. You want your customer to have the best-ever health experience and your app on Android and iOS. The development team will use React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter to figure it out.
What are the benefits of native application development?
The main advantages of native apps are outstanding user experience and high performance. But consider that such perks make the cost higher compared to cross-platform developed apps.
Which is best: Native or Cross-Platform development?
We've already concluded that native apps deliver exceptional user experience and performance. Their advantages make them cost more, but great visuals and the lower defect will satisfy you.
Cross-platform mobile applications are famous for easy and quick development. It reduces the time spent on the development process. Thus, it's essential to consider the lower quality risk.
Get professional advice from our app development services company, and start creating an app!
Final words to conclude
We live in times when the average smartphone user interacts 10 apps daily and 30 applications monthly (Techjury). Nowadays, building an app seems like a way to business success.
You've just figured out the mobile development flow from both client's and development team's sides. Moreover, you know which questions to decide while planning the mobile app building process. Now we are sure when you develop your one, you'll stay on top of things.
If you want CGS-team to become your mobile app development services provider, be free to connect.
Go mobile!