How to Make a Mobile App for Android and iOS Smartphone Devices?

As more people are shifting to mobile devices, having a presence on the two most popular operating systems – Android and iOS – has become mandatory for businesses. To create a mobile app for Android or iOS, you need to understand the key steps involved in the development and also consider certain factors such as platform compatibility, pricing, and design.

6 Steps To Create a Mobile App for  Smartphone Devices

This ultimate guide will cover all the key steps of developing a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices, from planning to testing. So whether you’re a startup or an enterprise looking to build a mobile app, let’s get started.

1. Jot down the idea and raw design on paper:

The first step to building a mobile app is to jot down the idea and raw design on paper. You should make a list of features that you need to include in your app, along with the design and color scheme. This step is important as it helps you visualize and get clarity on your app design before investing resources in development.

Some important points to cover are the number of screens, navigation flows, and performance requirements. You should also create a prototype of your app before proceeding to the development stage. Prototype and wireframe play a crucial role in highlighting the design and flow of your app, so it can be tested for usability.

It’s important to have a crystal-clear idea of the design, features, and navigation flow before going ahead with development. Once you have an initial design in place, it’s time to move on to the next step.

2. Choose the right platform for development:

Once you have a basic design in place to create a mobile app, it’s time to decide which platform you want to use. As mentioned earlier, you can either go for Android or iOS devices.

Android apps are written in Java or Kotlin and are supported by thousands of different types of Android devices, including tablets and smartphones.

 

According to Statista latest report: The number of Android smartphone users in the United States reached 129.1 million in 2020, and this figure is forecast to reach more than 130 million in 2021.

On the other hand, iOS apps are written in Swift and Objective-C and work on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices.

According to Statista latest report: The number of iPhone users in the United States increased to 124.7 million as of February 2022, partially credited to its price reductions on older smartphone models and the retreat of a major competitor, Huawei, from the market, according to the source.

Before choosing a platform, consider factors such as budget, target audience, type of app functionality, device compatibility, and most importantly the type of development tools you’ll be using. The platform you choose also depends on the kind of features you want to include in your app.

3. Choose the right App development tools:

After deciding on the platform for your mobile app, it’s important to figure out tools to build an Android app or an iOS app. There are a number of tools available in the market, including Android Studio and Xcode.

Android Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for Google’s Android operating system that provides developers with everything they need to build an Android app. On the other hand, Xcode is Apple’s IDE for developing iOS apps.

Apart from the IDE, you should also consider other tools such as source control for code versioning, bug tracking and project management tools, analytics libraries to track user behavior, and Cloud services. All these factors should be considered before starting app development.

4. Start coding and building the app:

Once you have all the necessary resources in place, it’s time to create a mobile app for iOS or Android. Most developers will start by writing the code, while some prefer to use a visual or drag-and-drop interface to create an app.

The process of coding and building the app includes designing user interfaces, developing back-end services, integrating third-party libraries and APIs, creating animations, and testing for bugs. This step is usually followed by debugging and unit testing.

Once the coding is done, it’s time to create a beta version of the app which can be used for user testing. This will help you identify any bugs or issues before launching your app in the market. Moreover, the beta version will have all the features that you want to include in the final version.

5. Quality assurance:

Once you build an app, it’s important to ensure that it works perfectly on different Android and iOS devices. The best way to do this is by using quality assurance (QA) services. These services help you test the app against different criteria like performance, usability, compatibility, security, and stability.

By performing QA tests, you can make sure that your app is free from bugs and works perfectly on all supported devices. This will also help you improve the user experience of your app. You can use testing tools like Appium and Xamarin to test the app for different criteria.

6. Launch your mobile app:

Once you have built an Android or iOS app and tested it for quality assurance, you’re ready to launch it in the market. You can either choose to upload your app to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Before launching your app on either platform, make sure that you submit all the necessary documents such as screenshots, descriptions, and icons. This will help your app stand out from the crowd and attract more users. Additionally, consider submitting promotional videos or introducing discounts to give potential customers an incentive to download your app.

Cost to build an IOS app or Android app:

The cost to build an IOS app or Android app depends on a number of factors such as the complexity of features you are including, the number of platforms you are targeting, the number of developers you hire, and the development tools you use. Let’s look at all factors in detail so that you can have a better understanding:

1. Type of mobile application:

The cost of developing a mobile application varies depending on the type of app you are building. Simple apps such as weather apps or calculators will require less time and money to develop than a full-fledged ecommerce app. Moreover, if you develop a full-fledged native app for Android or iOS, the cost of development will be higher.

On the other hand, if you are building a native app using open-source platforms like React Native, the cost of development will be lower. Moreover, Flutter is also becoming a popular option for mobile app development as it is easy to use and supports both Android and iOS platforms.

2. The number of screens and the overall UI:

The cost of developing an app also depends on the number of screens and the overall user interface you are creating. Designing a simple UI with fewer features and screens will require less time and money compared to a complex UI with many features and screens. Moreover, the cost also depends on the design elements you are including such as animations and other interactive features.

For example, if you need complex features like facial recognition, voice recognition, or augmented reality, then the cost of development will be higher. On the other hand, if your app requires simple features like push notifications, the cost of development will be lower.

3. Third-party integrations:

The cost of developing an app also depends on the third-party integrations you include in your app. For example, if you need to integrate a payment gateway into your app, then the cost of development will be higher compared to a simple application that does not require any third-party integration.

Moreover, some third-party integrations such as Google Maps or Facebook Login might require additional costs to use their services. Therefore, you should carefully consider the third-party integrations you are including in your app before beginning the development process.

4. Maintenance and scalability:

The cost of developing an app also depends on the maintenance and scalability you need for your app. Smaller apps usually require less maintenance compared to larger, complex ones. Moreover, if you are planning to scale your application in the future, then you should consider the costs associated with that as well.

For industries like e-commerce, scalability is a critical factor as their apps need to handle large amounts of data and transactions. Therefore, if you are building an e-commerce app, then you should consider the cost of scalability as well.

5. Hiring a development team:

The cost of developing an Android or iOS app also depends on the size and skill level of the development team you hire. If you hire a team of experienced and skilled developers, then the cost of development will be higher compared to hiring a team with less experience.

Additionally, you should consider the location of your development team if you are looking to reduce costs. Hiring a remote development team from countries like India or Ukraine can significantly reduce the cost of app development compared to hiring a local development team.

Overall, the cost of developing an Android or iOS app depends on several factors such as the type of mobile application, the number of screens and UI, third-party integrations, and the development team you hire. You should carefully consider all these factors before beginning the development process and make sure that the cost of developing an app is feasible for your budget.

Monetization Strategies for your Mobile App:

Building a mobile app is one part, you need to make sure that your app generates revenue in order to be sustainable. There are several monetization strategies you can use for your mobile application such as:

1. Subscriptions:

Subscriptions are a great way to generate recurring revenue from your app. You can offer users the option to upgrade their accounts to access premium features or content in your app. The trend of subscription-based mobile applications is growing, and many companies are finding success with this model.

2. In-app purchases:

In-app purchases are also a popular monetization strategy for mobile applications. This strategy involves offering digital items or upgrades that users can buy within the app. This is a great way to generate additional revenue from your app without relying on advertising.

3. Advertising:

Advertising is another popular monetization strategy for mobile applications. You can display ads within your app and receive a revenue share from the ad network for every user that clicks on the ad. This is a great way to generate revenue without charging users for your app.

Wrapping up!

By considering all these factors, you can develop a successful mobile app for both Android and iOS devices. You should also make sure that you have a proper monetization strategy in place for your app in order to generate sustainable revenue. Moreover, you should consider the cost of maintenance and scalability when budgeting for the development of your app.

Get started with EZ Rankings today to build your app and launch it in the market! We have a team of experienced mobile app developers who can help you create an amazing mobile application for Android and iOS devices.

FAQs

Q. What is the cost of developing a mobile app?

Ans. The cost of developing an app depends on several factors such as the type of mobile application, the number of screens and UI, third-party integrations, and the development team you hire.

Q. What are the best monetization strategies for mobile apps?

Ans. The best monetization strategies for mobile apps include subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. You should carefully consider each strategy and choose the one that best suits your app.

Q. What is the difference between developing an Android and iOS app?

Ans. The main difference between developing an Android and iOS app is the development language. Android apps are typically built using Java or Kotlin while iOS apps are built using Swift or Objective-C. Additionally, the user interface design is typically different between Android and iOS apps.

Q. What tools do I need to develop a mobile app?

Ans. To develop a mobile app, you will need an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), an SDK (Software Development Kit), and a device for testing. Additionally, you will need to choose the language and platform for your app development (such as Android or iOS).

Q. Are there other services that can help me with developing my mobile app?

Ans. Yes, there are several services available to help you with the development of your mobile app. EZ Rankings can help you create an amazing mobile application for both Android and iOS devices. Our team of experienced mobile app developers can help you launch your app.