Breaking Down the App Development Process: From Idea to Launch

Mobile App Development  is much like any other software project. It involves planning, designing, coding, and launching. But if you’re new to this, it might feel overwhelming. 

In this article, we’ll take you through the process step by step, from coming up with an idea to getting your app out there and even beyond.

We’ve broken down the app development journey into seven clear steps. Each step is explained in detail to help you understand how your idea becomes a real app available for download on app stores.

Step 1: Ideation

Every mobile project kicks off uniquely. Some clients approach us with just an idea in mind. Others may already have some written-down requirements or a list of features they want in their app. 

Sometimes, a client wants to replicate an existing system, like when a company wants an app to complement their web platform for a smoother experience across devices. And it’s common to receive requests for apps similar to popular ones like Uber Eats.

We make sure to explore all angles of the project, listen to your goals, and delve into your business and the market you’re in.

Step 2: Conducting Research

This is a crucial step in any new product development. The better you do your research, the more refined your product strategy will be. It helps reduce mobile application development costs and saves a lot of time during the rest of the development process.

Are you thinking of a new mobile application and still have a lot of blanks in your idea? Consider starting the process of developing an app with a Discovery Project. This comprehensive research initiative helps flesh out your concept, identify market opportunities, and craft a data-driven strategy.

Step 3: UX Design

User experience (UX) design stands out as one of the most thrilling phases in mobile app development. It’s where you start to see how your app will actually look and work. During this stage, we concentrate on understanding how users will interact with the app and its different features. It’s like painting the first strokes of a picture, setting the tone for the entire user experience.

A poor user experience will cost you customers: if users aren’t satisfied with their experience in your product—if it’s difficult for them to navigate, if they encounter bugs or issues that cause friction—they might churn.

But improving UX can increase conversions: when you make UX design a key part of your product development process, and keep product experience top of mind, you can mitigate churn.

Step 4. UI design

This is one of the most satisfying stages of developing an app. Now you will get to see exactly how your application will look when a user opens it on their mobile phone.

This process may start with mood boards, a collection of design elements, and color scheme samples if your product represents a whole new brand created from scratch. However, if you have a brand book, style guide or other branding materials, then the main goal of a UI designer will be to carefully translate the unique identity of your brand into your new application.

By the end of this phase, you will have a colorful high-fidelity prototype of your application in Figma or any other design tool.

Step 5: Developing and Testing

This stage starts by passing the approved UI design to the development team. Smooth communication between designers and developers is crucial to iron out any details before coding begins. The aim isn’t just to create a functional app but also to make it visually flawless and captivating.

Development, the lengthiest phase, is also the most fulfilling. You’ll finally get to test your app and witness its evolution with each version.

Backend Development:

This involves all server-side work, like managing app content, storing user data, and integrating third-party systems. Data security is paramount, especially for healthcare features, employing robust encryption and authentication methods.

Testing:

Quality assurance includes functional, performance, and usability tests to ensure the app works smoothly, performs well, and offers a seamless user experience across various devices and screen sizes.

Step 6: Deploying and Launching

As we near the final steps of mobile app development — deployment and launch — we ensure your app is solid and performs well. We aim for feedback not just from stakeholders but also from potential users to fine-tune it.

Once everything checks out, we can upload the app to the store(s). If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to create a developer account as the app owner. We follow standard procedures like adding screenshots and descriptions.

For consumer-focused apps, a web landing page can help promote the app and provide store links.

After all the main development stages, your app hits the stores, and you start receiving reviews and installation stats. It might seem like the end of the journey, but usually, it’s just the beginning.

Step 7: Monitoring and Optimization

After launching your app, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how it’s doing. Check user reviews and maybe even chat with users to spot any problems with how the app works. 

Real user feedback is gold.

You can set specific goals and use analytics tools to track how well your app is doing. Over time, you’ll gather plenty of feedback to guide you in making your app even better.

How long does it take to develop an app?

If you want to make a high-level time estimate for your app idea and are not sure how to, mobile app development experts will help. Book a meeting to contact our team and tell us about your project. We will make a preliminary time and cost estimate and help you validate your idea.

Hire an expert team for end-to-end mobile app development

We help startups and enterprise clients create engaging user-centered apps and reach their audience on mobile. 

 Our track record includes:

• Mobile applications for logistics, clean tech, eHealth and wellness, education, and retail.

• Mobile projects for such clients as biteAT, Planto Meals, Vahan, Rapid etc.

Check our native and cross-platform mobile design and development services and contact our team to get a quote for your mobile application