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What is Mobile App Development?

The process of developing mobile apps that run on smartphones and smartphone users use that app is called mobile app development.

These applications can be either pre-installed or downloaded by the user and installed later. The network capabilities of a device are used to remotely access computing resources. The mobile app development process involves creating software that is installed on the device and enabling APIs for data access.

It also includes testing the application on target phones.

In order to develop scalable mobile applications, you must also consider screen sizes, hardware requirements and other aspects of app development.

The mobile app industry is growing, so it's important that entrepreneurs, startups and developers understand the process.

Mobile App Development Process

You need a process that will help you create mobile applications quickly. Three steps are important:

Understanding the requirements
Develop the Product
Test the product

Develop an App Development Strategy

It is important to define why you want to develop a mobile app before starting the process. What is your app's goal? What industry problems will your mobile application solve? What is your business plan? What is your investment plan for this app? What is your revenue plan? What is your marketing strategy for your app? These questions will help you to understand how you should proceed with the development of your mobile app.

Start by defining your user persona. Suppose, for example, that you plan to create an eCommerce application. You will then define your persona by analyzing your users' age, mobile usage habits, preferences, and why they will use your app.

You can then create an MVP.

You will need to consider the following factors when building an effective strategy:

Brainstorm your App Idea

The first step in building a mobile application is to have an idea. You will need to do a lot of brainstorming in order to come up with a list of all the features that you want your customers and clients to have.

Start with the most important features and add other less crucial ones as you discover them. You might be surprised by ideas that you didn't know you had. Ask your team for any and all ideas.

Market Research

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you begin:

What is your target market?
What will your customers do with the application?
Existe any other alternatives exist?
What can your application offer that other applications cannot?
What business model do your customers follow?
What languages, frameworks and technologies are you going to use?
How many users are paying for the mobile application you have?
What is your budget for the year?
How long will it be before you can build your app?

Define your Minimum Viable Product

You can then define your minimum viable product once you have a clear idea of all the features you want to include and the ones that your users would like from the beginning.

A minimum viable product is a version of your application that contains enough features for you to show it to your first customers and get feedback about the product.

You create a Minimum Viable Product for the following reasons

Test the market for your product with minimum resources
Investors want to know the vision behind your app
Learn what works quickly and what doesn't
Waste minimum engineering hours
Early customers can get the product fast
Use it as the base for other products
Test the developer's capability to build and scale a product

The key elements of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Functionality – provide clear value for the users.
Standard design with minimal detail but high quality.
Make sure the production quality is top-notch.
Make the user experience intuitive, refined and easy to understand.

You will be able to focus on your idea for app development if you have a strategy in place. A mobile app strategy can help you plan and analyze your progress.

Analyze your App Development and Plan it

All project development methodologies begin with a strategy. Once you have your strategy, begin to turn those visions into goals that are achievable.

To begin the analysis and planning, clearly define how you will use the functionalities in order to create use cases. Create a list with functional requirements.

You can use this to create a roadmap for your product. This will allow you to turn your strategy into a step-by-step process, which can be turned into priorities and then grouped into milestones.

It is important to define your minimum viable product, as this will allow you to cut costs and prepare for an initial launch.

Different operating systems demand different technology stacks. Your requirements will determine the tech stack you choose.

You will need to create a list with the technologies you require, depending on whether you're building a hybrid app, a native app or a cross-platform app.

You will also need to choose a name for the mobile application. You can think about the features of your app, use wordplay to differentiate it, make it easy to remember, searchable and possibly include an action word.

App developers often use obvious names. They may also try to appeal to consumers by varying their approach. App Store Optimization is also important to keep in mind if you wish to be found when users search for similar apps.

Build UX/UI Designs

Your users will be influenced by the look and feel of your mobile app. You must ensure that your creative design is of the highest quality and offers the best user experience, whether it's a fully-fledged app or an MVP.

Understanding the user experience and the user interface is essential to designing mobile apps.

What is User Experience design?

The user experience is the feeling that customers get when using your product. The design of the app should create a certain emotional response in the user after they use it.

The user experience includes factors such as design, accessibility and marketing, usability and system performance, and ergonomics. HCI is also included. As more companies focus on user-centered designs, it's a no-brainer to create an intuitive mobile app user experience.

What is User Interface Design (UID)?

The designers make sure the application is smooth and pleasing to use. User Interface Design is the art of creating an app that looks perfect and follows the latest strategic design trends to enhance the user experience.

Designers use principles such as the structure principle and the simplicity principle. They also use the feedback principle, tolerance principle, reuse principle, and the visibility principle.

Mobile App Design Process

Learning how to design is more than just learning how to use a design program. You can design your own mobile application or get someone else to do it for you.

Above all else, design is about knowing the product, its features, capabilities and functionality. Always keep the end user in mind when designing. cisin follows the following design process.

Build a User Flow Diagram for every screen
Create Wireframes
Choose your design patterns, palettes and elements
Create mockups
Asking testable questions and creating an animated prototype
Finalize the mockup using user feedback

Wireframes

The majority of designers begin by sketching rough ideas on paper. Wireframes can be described as digital sketches made with a wireframing software, but they can also be done on paper and pen.

Wireframes, however, are not final designs. They are conceptual sketches. These low-fidelity mockups help you to understand the visual structure and features of your app.

Wireframes should be designed with an eye towards aesthetics and the experience of the user in mind. Now, color palettes and other design elements aren't required.

Wireframes help you quickly grasp what you need to design. You should design a product-specific design. It should be easy to use and intuitive no matter what device you're using.

Style Guides

A style guide is an organized set of design rules. responsive Interfaces for users can be tricky. Wireframes are often misunderstood.

If you provide a style guide to your mobile app designer, they will know what fonts to use, what color palette to choose, where to place icons, and other important questions before designing.

Style guides are a foundation for long-term development, allowing for design and rapid development to be switched between parties and adjusting for mobile target platform differences.

This also allows for the sharing of topics. Style guides for mobile apps can include the following elements:

Fonts
Colors
Layouts
Graphics
Components
Menus and bars
Dialogues and Alerts

Begin App Development

App development has three main aspects:

Architectural Technology
Technology stack
Milestones for development

The majority of mobile app development projects consist of three parts:

Mobile Backend Server Technologies
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
Frontend Development

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What is Mobile App Backend Development (MAB)?

The front end is what your users see. The backend is what the server needs to do. Backends for mobile apps are used to process, store and secure data.

The backend refers to all the things that happen behind the scenes while a user interacts with your application. The backend is responsible for sending data to the server. Backends are used for signups, logins and messaging. They also store data in the cloud and answer user questions.

Backend development is focused on storing data in a remote SQL database, using scripting to add logic and interactivity to the site, and creating an architecture that allows for quick and easy sorting of information.

Backend development is not required for applications like calculators, cameras, notes, compasses, voice recorders, etc.

Apps like a calculator, camera, notes or compass can be run directly on a mobile device without the need for network connectivity or to store data remotely. Apps like Amazon, Netflix and Uber cannot run without a backend.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Development

Apps for mobile devices are now constantly communicating with servers. Few applications are able to function without connectivity.

This means that they use APIs, backend services, or web services. These APIs can be developed by mobile app developers or provided by companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook or others.

RestAPI is used for the majority of mobile API development. It is one of the easiest choices to make when building mobile applications.

It allows users to quickly connect and interact with a cloud data server. If not done correctly, sending requests over the network can cause major problems. When building mobile APIs, you should consider:

Understanding how web services operate is important. Although there are many APIs, the majority of them use REST and return data in JSON.
Understanding how HTTP protocol works is important. Understanding HTTP protocols is essential for REST.
You should also learn how to map URLs using REST to make the necessary requests.

Should you Build or Buy APIs?

You can integrate APIs in your mobile app in two different ways. You can build your own API or buy one from an API provider.

It is easiest to purchase an API that has already been integrated and integrate it. This saves you time and money because you do not need a programmer to implement API integration.

Building your own API allows for more flexibility and freedom. You can include or exclude features according to your requirements.

It is best to look at the options available before assembling a group and creating your own API. Use what's already out there instead of reinventing the wheels, even if it means saving time.

Using Common Architecture

If you are building your own API, it is best to use a standard architecture. It provides a common baseline of development that most developers are familiar with.

It speeds up the development of mobile APIs. Four different types of architecture are available, including pragmatic REST (web services), event-driven and hypermedia.

The most popular common architectures for mobile app development are pragmatic REST, event-driven and hypermedia.

Documenting the Mobile API Development Process

It is simple to develop an API. It is important to remember that app development teams change, and new people will always be looking at your code.

A clear API documentation will help you to see both the past and the current state. It makes updating easier in the future. Documenting your API development allows other developers to use your API. You will need to have solid documentation in order to assist you with your code if you want to allow other developers to access your API.

Security is the priority

It is crucial to keep security in mind, whether you are using a pre-made API or creating your own. This is a crucial component for all experienced developers.

It is also crucial for mobile application development. Before using web-based APIs, developers must have access control mechanisms and privacy controls. APIs used to have their own security.

API standards such as OAuth2, TLS and Open ID make API integration easier today.

Mobile App Frontend Development

Your users will see the Mobile App Frontend. Mobile front-end development involves a mix of technologies. Some applications need APIs and backends, while others can only work with the local databases provided by the single platform.

You can use almost any web programming language to create the backend for your mobile app. You can choose from a variety of technology offerings if you're building native apps.

You can develop iOS applications using Objective-C Programming Language, Swift Programming Language or React Native. Android applications can be created using Java, Kotlin or React Native.

Each programming language has its own unique features that are compatible with the platform you choose. By choosing the right official language, you should be able to choose a dev team who understands the technologies that can be used most effectively.

Test the App that You Have Developed

It is important to ensure that, after successfully developing an app, the quality is on point. The quality assurance phase is crucial in the development of mobile applications as it determines their reliability, stability and usability.

To ensure a comprehensive testing process, a full testing cycle that is specific to each application must be followed.

Manual testing and automated testing can be grouped together. It depends on what type of application it is, whether manual testing or automated tests can provide accurate results.

To create a perfect app, any application must be tested in a variety of ways. Testing is a major part of any mobile application.

Functional Testing

This method allows you to check if your application behaves as it should and if all specifications are met. Functionality testing plays a vital role, as every user behaves differently and uses the app in different ways.

You need to ensure that the app works as intended for all possible test scenarios. Functional testing includes:

Installing and initializing the application across all distribution channels
Tests of business goals and features and functionality
Test fields, parameters and user feedback fields
Test for any interruptions
Test necessary device resources
Test possible updates for every distribution channel

Performance Testing

Your application should be able to perform as intended. With performance testing, you can also check for consistency of performance, even when there are exceptions or load changes.

It includes.

App performance is tested by volume testing.
Test the performance of your app under normal and extreme loads
Test the stability of your app to ensure it behaves as expected under any conditions
Test the response time of your app in all conditions
Test concurrency to see if the app's performance is affected if multiple users log in
Test the battery usage to make sure there is no memory leak or battery drain.

User Experience and Interface Testing

The UI/UX must be adapted to the needs and specifications of the client. The user interface should be easy to use and accessible.

This testing is primarily to ensure that the final implementation is in line with the design or vision. This includes,

Test flows, visual interactions, and ease-of-navigation
Consistency in fonts, icons and design across the application. Checking for consistency in design, fonts, icons, etc.
Test the interface to make sure that the design, color scheme and overall look are in harmony with the theme.
Test the navigation speed and interaction speed
Ensure that all design guidelines are followed to the letter in the final design.

Read More: How to Create an Excellent Mobile App Development Team?

Documentation Testing

A document is created that contains the client's needs, the screen layouts and specifications. If there is a mismatch between the prepared document and the developed app, it is a serious issue.

Documentation testing involves,

Test cases, requirements and test plans
Analyze the test cases and plan
Checking for discrepancies with the documentation
Analysis of screen layouts and navigation flows.
Checking for the completeness of the design, and its resemblance to the requirements stated in the documentation

Security Testing

When developing an application, security is of paramount importance. Even a minor error can cause major data leaks.

Security testing covers a wide range of issues, including checking for threats to sensitive data and any potential risks from hackers. Security testing can be done in many different ways, including.

Tests for authentication and threat analysis of login credentials
Check for loopholes by performing a vulnerability analysis
Test for proper mobile platform and server-side controls
Checking for potential areas that hackers may attack
Test for potential threats in any applications that are to be granted permissions

Configuration Testing

It is important to check the configuration of any device before developing an application. Configuration testing involves checking the performance of an application on different devices to detect any missing features.

Configuration testing includes.

Test all devices for configuration
Checking the browser compatibility and configuration
Securing database configuration
Test network connectivity and configuration
Checking the operating system configuration of all devices

Platform Testing

Platform testing is a necessity for mobile app development.

With the number of new devices on the market, each with its own hardware and software, it's inevitable. Platform testing covers the following aspects:

Test platform compatibility with different operating systems and client-side web browsers
Test mobile applications on multiple devices to ensure compatibility.
Platform testing is performed to ensure compatibility of mobile applications across platforms.
Cross-browser compatibility is checked for the mobile app that has been developed.

Recovery Testing

Your mobile application's ability to recover from errors or failures. It is possible that the application will encounter any type of failure.

This could be hardware, software or communication issues. It is important to perform recovery testing prior to deploying any application. This includes,

Test the failure mechanisms of an application in case it has software issues
When hardware fails or behaves badly, it is important to check the response time.
Test the lagging, or check the response time to see if communication has been lost.
If any of these failures are encountered by your application, you should check the recovery time.

Beta Testing

When the application has passed almost all of the tests and is ready, it's time to test the application with real users.

Beta testing is the name of this testing. It is an approach that tests the overall performance of a product in terms of reliability, security and functionality.

It includes.

Test the application on a large number of users to check its reliability and behavior.
Test users to determine the response time for each application.
Test the application on a large number of users to find any potential loopholes
Test the application to detect any bad behavior in case there are any in-app purchases or application costs

Certification Testing

Certification testing is required to ensure that the application meets the requirements of the various app stores and play stores.

This is the last and most important step in testing and includes.

Checking licensing agreements for Google Play Store, Apple App Store etc.
Test whether the app development adheres to the terms and conditions of the different app stores
Checking the terms and conditions of the app store, play store, etc.

Testing Phases

The testing phase, which is a vital part of the development of mobile applications, includes different steps that measure the quality.

This is a guide that will take you through the entire mobile application testing process.

Test Scope

It is important to define your parameters, features or functionalities. You can choose to test a small number of functionalities or the entire mobile app.

Once the testing scope is defined, it becomes easier to decide which test methods to use in the development of mobile applications. It doesn't matter if the mobile app requires only functional, performance, or security testing.

Considerations when defining the scope for testing:

Native or hybrid app?
Does the app interact with other apps?
Network compatibility testing is essential
Test front-end, back-end or both
Checking device, operating system and version coverage
Decide on the locations to be covered for testing

Planning

After the scope of the test is defined, you need to create a plan for moving forward. In the planning stage, the testing strategy is finalized by categorizing the process or breaking it down into smaller chunks.

The first decision you'll have to make when creating a plan of action is whether you want manual or automated testing. This stage also includes the creation of scripts and test cases in the case that automated testing is selected. The planning phase includes:

Finding the right testing methodology for mobile applications
Write and choose test cases that are tailored to your mobile application.
Choose whether the testing will be performed manually in-house or using any software
It is important to select the right testers for your tests if they are not being done in-house.

Execution

It's now time to execute the whole testing process. After defining the scope, planning strategy, writing the test case, and deciding on the testing methods, the testing process is complete.

Only a clearly defined scope and testing methodology will allow the execution phase to be successful. The testing execution is based on the specifications for the devices, platforms or operating systems that the application will be tested on.

There are some things to consider.

Execution of different testing methodologies depending on scope and priority
Resetting testing goals and identifying areas for improvement
Sending test results regularly in order to deploy the changes as soon as possible
Testing continuously from development to deployment

Tracking

After the testing is complete, you'll need to analyze and log the results. Prioritize the results based on their severity and the need for immediate correction when tracking testing results.

Priority should be given to defects that are highly non-negotiable or risky. Many software programs are available for tracking test results. Tracking test results is based on a number of factors.

Prioritizing defects according to their severity: Low, medium, high, or blocker
Priority-based resolution of defects and not avoiding the simplest defects such as an incorrect spelling
It is important to log defects so that they can be corrected on time.
The choice of a trustworthy partner to track testing results

Review

The review process begins after the test is complete and all defects have been corrected or recorded. You will need to create an overview of all the testing and review it to better understand the behavior and errors of the mobile app.

Documentation should cover every detail, even if it is the lowest priority. What should be included in a review document?

The mobile application's test results, including the details of the devices, versions, and operating systems on which it was tested
The results of all tests performed are included in the summary.
The number of tests performed with the relevant software and results
The final word on the app's readiness to be launched or if it still needs improvement