When developing mobile apps, there are many mistakes that developers and their bosses make. This article will dispel some myths and reveal the truth about mobile app development.
With an average user spending 4.8 hours per day using mobile apps, the mobile app industry is growing to meet increasing demand. Businesses can capitalize on this growth, as the market for mobile apps is expected to bring in over $935 billion by 2023.
Mobile apps are essential for businesses to engage users and offer services. However, many developers and businesses fall for common misconceptions about creating mobile apps. These misconceptions can be avoided in app development. Once you understand them, you should get in touch with an android app development company.
Myth #1: Native applications are required
Native applications are apps developed for specific operating systems (OS), such as Android and iOS. They are different from web apps, which can run in any browser regardless of OS.
Native applications are often viewed as a requirement by many organizations. However, native apps work best when users can access multiple features or hardware specifics. A web app might be more suitable if this is the case. In addition, the app doesn’t have to be downloaded. Users can simply visit the URL of the app to get started. Some people may be discouraged from downloading an app due to the additional steps required.
Myth #2: Every OS requires you to develop
Another myth is that your app must be developed to work on all OSes (e.g., Android, iOS, and Windows). Instead, research your users to discover what platforms they use. Mobile app development is time-consuming and requires effort. It’s better not to waste resources on something people will never use.
Some features may not be available on all OSs, depending on the requirements of your app. Your app could also be affected by restrictions on certain functions that some OSs might impose. Personalized advertising is one example of Apple’s privacy restrictions.
Myth #3: Cross-Platform Conversion is Difficult
Cross-platform conversion refers to the duplication of features on different platforms. For example, you could port features from Android into iOS. This process is often considered to be extremely difficult by many. Multiplatform frameworks, such as Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM), can help you convert all features. These frameworks make it easier to convert features by allowing you to share them between platforms. When it comes to non-platform-specific features, one can make use of a single codebase.
Myth #4: Marketing is not as simple as a word-of-mouth
The market for mobile apps is highly saturated. Over 69,000 apps are published monthly on Google Play, and 32,000 apps are uploaded to Apple’s App Store. When you create and release an app, it’s not enough for people to tell others about it. To reach your target audience, you must ensure that your app is properly distributed and marketed.
Myth #5: Too many features are not enough
Many companies are focused on releasing the most features possible. Although having the right features is important, it’s not enough. They must also be useful to the user. Therefore, your app should not have a lot of features. They must work together in harmony to allow your users to achieve their goals.
It is important to research your users and gather feedback about feature development and usage to avoid creating a complicated app. Keep track of key metrics to iterate on the app according to what users want.
Myth #6: Development and release of an application is enough
It is not an easy task to build and release a mobile application. Based on user feedback, you will need to constantly improve the app. To ensure that your apps are bug-free and user-friendly, it is important to test them thoroughly. App development is continuous.
Your app will require regular updates because platforms like Android and iOS release updates yearly with new features and possibly breaking changes. These changes will require that your app be updated by your mobile application development company.
Myth #7: Smartphones are the only place for mobile apps
Mobile apps don’t just work on smartphones. You can use them on many other devices, such as tablets, Chromebooks, and smart devices like TVs, refrigerators, and televisions. You can also develop apps that run on top of the various OSs for smart cars. Businesses have additional options because they can interact with their users on top of their smartphones and other devices.
Myth #8 – Mobile Development is very simple and inexpensive
Many assume that mobile apps must be simple and inexpensive to develop because they are ubiquitous. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. A mobile app development company in Ottawa must support multiple devices from different vendors. Some devices may have vendor-specific restrictions. For example, Huawei Android devices cannot access Play services. Your app must be tested against these devices, which can have different screen sizes, aspect ratios, and configurations (right-to-left, portrait/landscape). Your app might also need to be compatible with different platform versions and platforms. This can make it expensive and complicated to develop mobile apps.
Myth #9: In-App Communication Is Difficult
In-app communication is a requirement for most applications. This could be anything, from simple feedback forms to full-blown chat experiences. This important aspect must be considered early and can prove to be a significant hurdle later in the development process. There are many design considerations, including security requirements, real-time communication, and types of communications (text, voice, video, etc.) that should be supported.
This process can be made easy with the right libraries and frameworks. Although building a chat application from scratch can be challenging, CometChat plug-and-play solutions can make it easy to create in-app communication.
Myth #10 – It is vital to choose the right architecture
Mobile development architecture is always a controversial issue. It is easy for organizations to waste time debating which architecture (MVVM vs. MVI vs. MVP), what language (Java/Kotlin or Objective-C/Swift), and whether dependency injection should be used. Unfortunately, many of these opinions are subjective, and there is no one right answer. This can cause the architecture process to slow down or become more complicated if you spend too much time on it. Therefore, your team must be flexible and constantly iterate on their chosen architecture, rather than focusing on it initially.
Myth #11 – Building it from zero saves bucks
Another belief is that you will save money if all your apps are built from scratch. This belief is inaccurate and may lead to higher costs. It is possible to build something from scratch in some cases, but not in all. If a feature is difficult to create or you need something quickly, it might be a good idea to purchase rather than build. Also, creating a new project may not be necessary if an existing open-source library meets your requirements.
If a pre-made solution or library does not meet your requirements or cannot be improved, you might consider developing the feature from scratch. Before you make this decision, assess your team’s skills, the features required, the development time, and the cost.
Conclusion
Businesses have marketing and financial opportunities through mobile application development. Businesses should be aware of the misconceptions surrounding mobile application development to capitalize on these opportunities. It can be difficult and easy to create an app. Many libraries and frameworks can make creating an app easy. Hire Android developers for your app development project.
