Mobile app development is a huge industry. There are a staggering 2.87 million apps today available on the Google Play Store. As per a recent estimate, mobile apps alone are expected to generate over $189 million by the end of the year 2020. The figures themselves speak volumes about the rising market of mobile apps.
But while the app development market continues to surge with pace, only a few apps get the privilege of featuring in the elite groups on app stores. There are millions of apps accessible on the Google App Store but very few get the nod ahead. So if you’re an app developer, making your app feature in that elite group has to be the ultimate goal.
The question is, how do you go about it? Well, if you long to develop an Android application that stands apart from the rest, we have compiled a complete guide for the whole Android application development process that may well work a treat for you.
Guidelines for Android Application Development Process
Here’s how you can develop an Android application by following the guidelines mentioned below.
1. Ideation is the Foremost Step
The recipe for every successful app is the ground-breaking idea behind it. Hence, it becomes all the more relevant to plan and strategize every feature and functionality of the app. But before doing that, it is vital that you understand the idea behind creating a particular app; how your app would stand out from its competitors on the Google app store; any precise issue that your app would counter for the users; understand the trends and users’ needs, etc.
The idea should always be to conduct thorough research of your competitors, and here’s how that can be achieved.
- Analyze why your competitors created their app.
- What technologies have they integrated their app with?
- What problems do the app counters?
- Reading the reviews about the app on multiple platforms is a wise pick.
- What is the reach of your competitors?
- What are the challenges they faced in creating the app?
Once you have analyzed these aspects of your competitors, it’ll be easier for you to plan your features and technologies to integrate accordingly. Not only it will give an idea about how the app should be developed, but also an insight into the user needs.
2. Begin with Wireframing
Post ideation comes the wireframing part. This is where you enter the competitive phase of the app. Once you know a good deal about the competitors in the market, it is time to create a blueprint for your own app. Plan the whole structure of your app, from start to finish.
This blueprint will provide your idea of a structure, which you would later work on. Since now you know how the other competitors in the market went about reaching the users, it is time you conduct a survey for your own app. Understand which will be your target users; the technologies you would integrate into your app; run a couple of promos and ads about your upcoming app; analyze the development cost and challenges, etc.
3. Assess and Work on the Front/End Designs
The design of an app is one of the most significant points when it comes to attracting users. Any user might fall into quick judgment about the app by merely looking at the design. So begin working on your front and back-end design. The wise choice at this phase of app development is to partner with a competent Android application development company.
It will not only provide you that additional assistance but also bring the experts into play. The step would include processes like designing and testing the app for any errors. This is a phase where you even get the privilege of taking some feedback on the whole design structure of the app.
4. Development of the App
User Interface will be the name of the game here. You will be required to work on the User Interface (UI) aspect of the app. This will demand the usage of several techniques including the simultaneous coding for the usability of the app.
Once you’re done with the coding, send the app for feedback. Though getting feedback is the right approach, you also need to be sure to get timely feedback too as this is your only chance of getting the vital alterations done. Something that is not possible with the traditional methods of app development, the process sounds much feasible with timely feedback.
5. Testing of the Application
Regular checks at every stage are the need of the hour. Although the majority of your app development process is bound to be automated, ensuring there are no bugs on the way is the right approach. There are various app development companies too nowadays that focus on regular checks for bugs. It not only allows the seamless performance of the app but also makes the app development process to cruise all along.
6. Deploying the App
Deploying is a process where you give a final go-ahead to your app for submission on the Google App Store. This is where you are required to work directly with Google in getting your app on the app store. Here are the steps that are generally followed by developers around the world.
- The app is sent for approval once you create an account.
- Once approved, Google provides you with the full right to control your app.
- You get your rights to the software.
Since the above-mentioned app development process is purely based on Google guidelines, the whole approval process takes less than 2 days.
Summing Up
The development of an app isn’t a tricky process if you follow the right guidelines and choose the right platform to develop an application. The above-mentioned process is entirely based on the Google guidelines and allows you to create your dream Android application by simply working yourself or hiring an Android application development company to assist you along the way.
What is vital post-deployment is the maintenance of the app. You can build a dating app, social networking app or just about any other Android application following the steps above, but it will be of no use if you don’t pay extra emphasis on the maintenance. So once you’ve created an app, take due care of bringing in regular updates to keep up the interest of the users.
If you like this article and want to know more, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below and tell us how you would proceed with developing an app.