If you want to learn which factors significantly impact the success of mobile app development, you’re at the right place. This blog has everything you want, from the definition of the app-making process to the top crucial factors influencing a successful mobile app.

But before that, you might love this data about the mobile app market. 

1. Mobile app development statistics 

• According to Buildfire, the market size for mobile app development is expected to generate over $935 billion in revenue in 2023.
• There are 2.87 million apps available for download on the Google Play Store.
• The Apple App Store has 1.96 million apps available for download.
• 21% of Millennials open over 50 times per day. 
• 49% of people open an app over 11 times each day. 
• The average smartphone owner uses 10 apps daily and 30 apps monthly.

The most common scene in the modern world is people looking down on their phones. They use phones at work, at home, in bed, on the streets, while working out, or eating. Yet, if you take a second to look up from your phone, you’ll notice that everyone else has their eyes glued to the screen. Studies have shown that the average person checks their phone 262 times daily!

What’re they doing on their phones? According to Statista, 88% of mobile time is spent on apps. So whether you’re a start-up or an established business, looking to make an app is a must in today’s digital transformation.

>>> Read more: Why does a company need digital transformation

Let’s get started and understand what mobile app development is. 

2. What is mobile app development?

Mobile app development is simply making an app for various mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. However, its definition is not limited to native apps, which function on specific operating systems like iOS and Android. It also includes mobile app frameworks and mobile app builders. We’ll break down all these types so you can understand and identify which one is best for your business goal. 

2.1 Native apps 

Native app development simply means building an app for a specific operating system. Android devices or iPhone devices. In other words, native app developers use the languages and frameworks the platform provides to build an app for business. As such, you’ll need to create two separate apps for the Play Store and App Store. For example, Duolingo, one of the most downloaded language learning apps, has two versions for Apple and Android. Instagram, the most popular social app with 547 million downloads, is also a native app. 

Instagram, the most popular social app with 547 million downloads, is also a native app

2.2 Mobile app framework 

This option allows you to create a hybrid app that can run on Android and iOS platforms. Several frameworks are available online, such as React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and Ionic, which let you create and deploy a single application on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

As a result, there’s no need to invest a tremendous amount of money and effort in two mobile app development teams and maintain two code bases. If you are starting out, go for hybrid apps. Remember that hybrid apps may lag compared to a native Android or iPhone app. Consider your business goal and budget before making a final decision.

Mobile app framework allows you to create a hybrid app that can run on Android and iOS platforms

2.3 Drag and Drop mobile app builder

Mobile app development costs can be very high. If you want to build an app as fast as possible and your budget is extremely limited, let’s check out drag-and-drop mobile app builder. This app development is also called low-code app development. App-building platforms like Appy Pie, AppSheet, and BuildFire allow you to develop a complete app without coding knowledge. All steps you need to take is to choose template or drag-and-drop elements. Then your Android or iPhone app will be ready in no time.

With this approach, there’s no need to wait for several months or spend thousands of dollars on app development. In contrast, the limited options can put you at a disadvantage, and you need help customizing the app in the way you and your target audience want. 

Drag and Drop mobile app builder is also called low-code app development

3. Why is mobile app development significant?

With over 6.3 billion smartphone users worldwide, the chances are high that you can reach your target audience through mobile apps. If so, businesses with excellent products/services but no application on Play Store or Apple Store can limit their opportunities to engage with their audience. 

A good mobile app can help businesses in multiple ways. For business, more traffics and more converts means more sale. Building a successful app can help your business in more ways, such as increased ROI, enriched social presence, better productivity, brand awareness, and low expense. 

4. Top vital factors that impact mobile app development success

4.1 Business objectives 

Developing an app is a long and complex process, including many steps. But before doing anything, the very first step is to identify business objectives. This step impacts the success of your app development later on. So whether you’re planning to hire a mobile app development company or want to create an app for your business, it’s essential to clear out business objectives. If your goal is unapparent, you cannot receive the desired result.

Let’s get started by asking the following questions: 

• What challenges are you trying to solve with this app?
• What is the purpose of making this application?

When hiring an app-making vendor, there can often be a free consultation session between two parties. In this meeting, clients will tell the mobile app development house what they expect from the final product. Sometimes, the provider even helps people in business have a clearer vision of what they want. As a client, you can ask questions and get detailed answers about your app concept.  

Before looking for an app development company, you can list functionalities and features that will add value to your app

4.2 Identify functionalities and features

From now and then, some people misunderstand that the more features your app includes, the better. That’s not true. It only proves that you need to learn in-depth your customer behaviors. Not understanding leads to not knowing what your target customers want in a specific application. 

The fact is that adding irrelevant features to your app won’t do any good. Ultimately, it affects the app’s performance, distracting your customer’s attention or lingering the loading time. To solve this problem, focus on the feature that matters most to your customer audience. This could be chat live, face authentication, chatbot, etc. Before looking for an app development company, you can list functionalities and features that will add value to your app. Just remember, launching an app doesn’t mean you can’t make any changes. Once you release the first version and receive customer feedback, work on the remaining features.

Before looking for an app development company, you can list functionalities and features that will add value to your app

4.3 Background research

The right background research can help you a lot in the app-building process. There are three main types of research that you can run on app development, such as SWOT, competitor analysis, and buyer personas. So let’s grab a cup of coffee and walk through all types in this section.

4.3.1 SWOT

SWOT: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat. 

SWOT analysis can uncover many things about your business, such as the areas that need improvement, the room for growth, and the disadvantages and advantages compared to your competitors. It could help you a lot in mobile app development. Here are the definitions of each character of SWOT:

• Strength: Internal factors that leverage your business growth. E.g., Loyal customer base, Strong brand, Unique service/product
• Weakness: Internal factors that put your business at a disadvantage compared to your rivals. E.g., Tracking issues, low loading time
• Opportunity: External factors like emerging market trends that increase your business growth
• Threat: External factors like competitive markets that put your business at risk. 

SWOT analysis include Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat

4.3.2 Competitor analysis 

Never underestimate your competitors in the mobile app development process. Not only are they rivals, but they are also a real case study for you to learn and apply lessons learned. Breaking down your competitors into small parts by asking the following questions:

• What do your competitors offer customers with their applications? 
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of their apps?
• Which areas of their app can still be improved? 

By researching your competitors, you’ll get an idea of the demand for the app you’re making and help you fill the gaps your competitors have left. Of course, you must always grab the opportunity to create a mobile application.

Never underestimate your competitors in the mobile app development process

4.3.2 Buyer personas

Customers have different needs, purchasing behaviors, and preferences when using applications. Therefore, making buyer personas is a crucial part of the app-making process.

While finding out the target audience, make a list with the following points:

• What are the pain points of your customer? (Eg: tracking issues, limited payment options, or product information)
• For which demographics (age, gender, location, and interests) will your app be suitable?
• What are the interests and preferences of your customers(Eg: sports, apparel, luxury goods)
• Who are your competitors? (Know features, limitations, and USP in-depth)

Customers have different needs, purchasing behaviors, and preferences when using applications

Once you have collected data on your target audience, create buyer personas representing your ideal customer. These personas should include age, gender, income level, interests, values, and purchasing habits. 

4.4 Test thoroughly 

After the app-making process is done, it’s time to test your mobile app development to ensure there are no bugs and the user experience is as intuitive as you created and tested your wireframes. While various kinds of testing are available, we recommend you go for at least two tests: Internal and External.

Internal testing means testing your app by the development team as if you were the end-user. On the other hand, external testing requires you to give the app to people unfamiliar with your mobile application.

After the app-making process is done, it’s time to test your mobile app development. 

Testing your app aims to fix bugs and user interface issues. Tools like TestFairy, UserTesting, and Ubertesters help in external testing and give a rich user experience.

There are two types of testing for every software. First, Whitebox testing tests the internal structures or workings of an app. The quality assurance team designs the test cases using an internal perspective of the system and programming skills.

Blackbox testing examines the application’s functionality without viewing an app’s internal workings or structures.

4.5 Receive feedback 

The first-hand feedback of users plays a vital role in improving your app’s performance. After you publish the app, it doesn’t mean you can’t make any changes. After people have started using your app, you can understand what they feel about it.

The first-hand feedback of users plays a vital role in improving your app’s performance.

You can ask your users to give you some feedback on your app. For example, send everyone an email asking what they like in the app and which areas can be improved. Users’ feedback always helps clients and mobile app development companies to improve and grow for the better.

5. Final thought

With over 2.87 million apps available for download, there’s no doubt that the mobile app is the growing market. Making an app is also great for reaching your target audience worldwide.

Whether you’re a start-up looking to make a mobile app or you’re an established business looking to upgrade your online presence, it’s no better time to contact us!