Building a mobile app can seem overwhelming and we understand why. We wanted to make a step-by-step guide to help you out before jumping into building your mobile app project.
1. Identify a real need for the app.
Don't just build an app because you think it's your lottery ticket out of the slow 9-5 grind you call your job. Make sure you focus on an actual paint point or useful idea that would actually help people out. Try to come up with an original idea that solves an actual problem. Even building an app just to solve your own problems is enough to justify an investment like this.
2. Understand budget is a factor.
Make sure you understand this will likely cost a good amount of money. If you're developing an original idea then you should understand to just launch an MVP (minimal viable product) that this will cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure you have a budget and are serious about this project so you don't waste time. We've seen MVP's come in around $20,000 - $50,000.
3. Establish your most core features (MVP).
Next you need to list out your key core features that you MUST HAVE in your mobile app. It's also good to create a "wish-list" too, so when building the app the developers understand the overall vision too. You want to create least as possible to start to test out the feasibility if it really works and is accepted. This first version is called your MVP (minimal viable product)
4. Hire a skilled app development team.
We want to make this very clear, you get what you pay for in software development. If you pay $15/hour for an overseas team in places like India or Ukraine, then you should understand it's a huge risk. Sure, you reduce costs but you also increase chances of more headache. We understand talented developers live all over the world, however we have just had many issues with clients coming to us because they hired unexperienced developers that did not know what they were doing. In the end, our clients actually paid us more money to build it correctly and fix the old problems. Be cautious of this before hiring your teams.
5. Launch BETA version to test core features.
Soon as your app is done being built, it's time to test it amongst a select user group and launch your BETA version to get feedback. You can run BETA until you feel you have a solid idea of if your app is working how you vision it or not.
6. Learn, adjust and evolve.
After BETA, you will have a deep understanding about your product. Make sure you take this feedback and adjust and keep evolving and adding features to keep your users engaged.
We hope this helped! If you want to chat with us about a mobile app project, we are more than happy to help! Just contact us at 616.717.1151 or email support@grandapps.com