Mobile application development is not a one-time event. You will need to maintain your app, update it regularly, and fix any errors that arise. In some cases, you may also need to redesign your app to keep up with the latest trends.
By staying on top of your app development, you can ensure that your app remains popular and useful for years to come.
There are some important stages that every mobile app has to go through. In this blog post, we have shared 4 major points or phases that your mobile app may have to go through.
Below are some of the important stages that you may have to go through during your entire mobile app business journey.
#1 Mobile Apps Design
Of course, mobile app designing is the very first step or phase of mobile application development.
In other words, creating a mobile app involves several different steps. The first step is designing the app. This includes coming up with the overall look and feel of the app, as well as creating any graphics or animations that will be used within the app.
Designing a mobile app can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and execution, it can be a fun and rewarding process.
During this phase, your app development team (especially the app designers) will come up with a clear and concise idea for your app.
Once you have your concept, you need to design the user interface and user experience. This step includes designing mockups, wireframes, and building prototypes.
Once the design is complete, the next step is to develop the actual functionality of the app.
#2 Mobile Apps Development
After your app designer has designed your user interface, the next step in mobile app development is to move on to the coding phase. Here comes the role of an app developer.
There are two main strategies that developers use when it comes to programming apps: native development and cross-platform development.
Native mobile applications rely on a code that’s specific to the device they’re being used on — meaning that they can take longer to create, but they have a better performance.
Native development for iOS allows for creating applications only with Swift and Objective-C. And for the development of Android, there could be any of these two strategies: Kotlin / Java.
For the cross-platform development of mobile applications, one of the most popular cross-platforms is React Native and the other one is Flutter.
#3 Mobile App Testing
Mobile app testing is critical: it ensures that your application functions optimally, that it’s easy to use and engaging, and that it looks great on every device. By testing your app on several devices before its launch, you can ensure that your customers are receiving the best possible experience.
App Quality Assurance (QA) applies rigorous checklists to screen for performance, usability, and security issues and it can help organizations improve their overall customer satisfaction.
Your app is your business. It should seamlessly fit into customers’ lifestyles and provide an excellent experience. Perfect it by going through a rigorous mobile testing phase with simulated mobile traffic, dummy data, and a wide array of activity scenarios.
When preparing to launch a new mobile app, it’s important to test it thoroughly. A poor-quality app can’t get loyal customers or build a strong brand.
Recommended post: 6 Major challenges to consider while testing your mobile app
#4 Mobile App Deployment & Launch
When you create a mobile app, be prepared for the usual hurdles that come with building an entirely new product. In order to release an app on a major app store, your product must be reviewed by the staff of that platform.
You’ll need a developer account with Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and other stores before you can launch your mobile app.
A developer account is easy to get, but it’ll take time because the app approval process is a lengthy one.
You need to submit your mobile apps to the appropriate app store: Apple App Store for iOS apps and Google Play for Android apps.
Your mobile app developer can help to deploy & launch your application on the respective stores.
#5 Mobile Apps Maintenance
After the deployment of your mobile application, the next step is to maintain it.
App maintenance is no longer optional: it’s a must-have. Having regular updates is especially important for apps because many customers are completely “dependent” on their functions.
When an app crashes, crashes regularly, or just doesn’t have the right features, that can drastically affect customer satisfaction.
With a well-maintained app, you can more easily and quickly address bugs and glitches in your software — resulting in happier users.
Therefore, you must schedule app maintenance at regular intervals. Scheduling will help ensure that apps are always up and running and that businesses can deliver the most relevant information to customers.
For example, an e-commerce site may want to schedule app maintenance for end-of-month product promotion.
Mobile app development lifecycles vary from one business to another, with some updating apps on a more frequent basis than others.
Recommended post: 8 Essential services of a mobile application maintenance package
#6 Mobile Apps Redesign
When it comes to apps, people like to pamper themselves — and often with an upgrade. New hairstyles, gym memberships, and even wardrobe updates are examples of this. It’s not any different with apps. Every so often, it’s time for an upgrade.
App redesign is a big deal, and it costs a lot. When businesses want to improve their apps, they have to spend on coding and re-testing — which can be costly. But apps need to be redesigned at some point because new ideas and improvements are always in development; current technology isn’t good enough to support the app forever.
When do you need to redesign your mobile app?
Well, below are some of the situations when you may need a mobile app redesign:
- Outdated Layout
- Rebranding
- UI/UX Redesign
- User Feedback
- To Stay Ahead of Competition
- Superior Usability
- App Performance Improvements