Various kinds of mobile applications are gaining immense popularity these days. Every day, MNCs like Google and Apple receive almost thousands of these applications or “apps.” In fact, in 2020, these mobile applications have generated $188.9 billion in revenue through app stores and in-app advertising. For the success of these apps, they required professional development.
In this area, only a few receive the limelight. Many companies are trying to make the best possible use of this trend of developing apps. But they do not know the proper way to create an app. Accomplishment within this creative arena of android app development is possible. Still, they need to be backed up by the proper process of the same.
This article will focus on the android application development process and what goes into the creation and development of a good and refined android app.
Each app that we come across has different requirements and functionality. The process of android app development is a sum-total of all the stages that go into the creation, design, development, and post-development of the android app. Sometimes for the best results, you might need to hire professional app developers to create android apps.
The following are some of the guidelines to create android apps. This article mostly focuses on what goes into the development of the android software development process. Here, we’ll shed light on the effective and efficient android application development process.
Following these guidelines is bound to take the initiative of an android app development a successful one no matter the scope or size. If you can follow these guidelines, and apply them in your android software development process, then you can create an android app that will stand out from the rest that is out there.
Ideation
Every great android software development begins with an idea. This might sound a little didactic, but that is just how it is. If an idea is in your head to create an android app, looking into the probable solutions that the app offers might be a good start. Also, you might look into the problems that might arise while developing the app.
It is kind of an exercise based on research, but it will be worth it in the end. Questions that you can ask yourself can be on the lines of a) will the app resolve such and such problem, and b) are there any options that can be outdone by the app?
If you get a productive answer to these questions, you are halfway into the process of turning your idea into reality. Of course, you need to base your target audience on Android (as you may have gathered from this article). This is because Android OS is much easier and more fruitful for mobile application development compared to iOS.
The next idea that you should be looking for is how your app can solve the problem and how much more efficiently it can solve that problem compared to other options out there. The best way is to understand completely the solution you want to put out there as your app. These steps start your journey towards strategizing the process of your Android software development.
Android App Strategy
This stage heavily relies on competition against other such apps. With strategy, you will need to chalk out a plan and draw a blueprint or an overall structure to give your app some base. For this, you need to look into the competition.
You have to look at the number of downloads they have had or the reviews that they have mustered. This will give you a basic idea of how you can fill those gaps in your app for its successful development.
Other than this, you can also look into the history of the company of your competition to check what strategies they have applied in the creation of their apps. This will help you gain insight into the problems they faced and the steps they took to overcome these problems.
The most effective option is to collaborate with the best android app development company. This way, they will be able to carry out a complete SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). Almost every android app development process includes a SWOT analysis as a part of its Android application development strategy.
On average mobile apps cost $150,000 to $200,000 and can take between four to six months to develop. Your strategy will create a clear image of the app that you want to develop. With all these in mind, you can take the next step of the android application development process.
Analysis and Planning
This is the stage where your app starts developing a form and turns into an actual project. This step starts with defining the use of the app and capturing comprehensive functional requirements.
Once you have successfully figured out the requirements for the app, prepare a product roadmap. This includes prioritization of the android app requirements and having them grouped into delivery milestones. If your concerns are time, resources, and costs, then define and prioritize the minimum-viable-product (MVP) for the preliminary launch.
A portion of the planning process requires identifying the skills required for your project. For example, if your goal is to create android apps, you will require a team of developers who are well-versed and have the skills for methodical android software development.
The final step for the analysis and planning for your android app development consists of selecting a name for your app. Mobile app names are like domain names. This name has to be original and unique in the app stores.
You should do thorough research and check that your app doesn’t share its name with anyone in the app store. In this way, your app will be identifiable and separated from other apps on the app store.
Android App Design
Android has emerged as an extremely popular mobile platform. Currently, people prefer using Android devices than any other type of mobile device. This allows android app designers to create an app that millions of people would love to use.
Many times in the attempt to craft beautiful apps, many designers ignore one essential rule of good designing, which is accessibility. Accessibility is what allows users of all abilities to use UI successfully. Another basic rule to be in mind while designing an app for Android is to design an app that shall run on a variety of screens.
As Android does not have determined screens or devices, it is important to design an app for a variety of screens. When it comes to creating a mobile app, there is no other choice than to test your design. Never attempt to create a perfect design right from the first attempt. Thus testing your app helps you to improve yourself.
Android App Development
When you are creating an android app, this phase will be one of the most integral parts of the whole android mobile application development process. This phase includes a lot of teamwork. You need to focus on the interface design and the prospective developmental aspects before venturing on to actual programming efforts.
The Key Features of This Phase Are
Planning the Structure of App
Planning the technical structure remains an important part of the app development process before starting on the actual programming efforts. To do so, you have to make sure that you have the technical architecture of the app. You have selected a technology stack, and you have to plan the development milestones.
After securing the technical structure, the focus moves on to the android software development.
Back End/Server Technology
As obvious from the name, this part of android app development deals with the database and server-side objects required for the functioning of the android app. The back-end platform supports the desired functionality. In case you are using an existing back-end platform, it requires the necessary modifications to support the mobile functionality.
API
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a particular set of protocols and rules the app can follow to connect and communicate with the back-end server/database.
Mobile App Front-End
The front-end is what an end-user of the mobile app will use. In cases of interactive user arrangements, the apps use an API and a back-end for managing data. The app may also utilize local data storage if it allows users to work without internet access.
Although you can use almost any web programming language and databases for the back-end, a mobile app requires a technology stack that best suits the targeted mobile platform. Android apps are primarily built using Java or Kotlin.
While creating an android app, you have to keep in mind the agility that is essential in developing it within time and budget. This agile development approach is important for rapidly changing platforms and devices. It supports frequent software releases keeping in mind the targeted functionality. However, at this stage, the android app developers will include features like list view, navigation, etc.
After completion of each development process, it passes on to the app testing team for validation.
Android App Testing
Along with the android app development process, you need to perform thorough testing of the mobile app. The app needs to undergo Quality Assurance (QA) testing. This will ensure that the application is stable and secure. But first, you need to prepare test cases. They record the necessary evaluation of the software quality and also for tracking fixes for retesting. The testing methods are:
User Experience Testing
The first step in mobile app testing is to make sure that the app design and implementation are user-friendly and match the user experience. The first-hand impressions of the end-users depend upon how the app is interactive, it’s visuals and the overall flow. The consistency of the app in its font, styles, treatments, data padding, navigation, icon design are all critical aspects. This will have a direct impact on the end-users and provide for greater user adoption.
Functional Testing
The main purpose of the functional testing of mobile apps is to ensure that there are no issues that users face regarding the app’s features and functionality. A wider approach to testing can detect and solve any potential problems or issues. Hence, the accuracy of the functional testing of your android app is massively important for its success.
It is further classified as:
● System testing – evaluating the functionality of the android app as a whole
● Unit testing – evaluating the individual functional aspects of the android app.
Performance Testing
The performance testing focuses on the quantitative criteria, like –
● The response of the app to the user-requests
● Effects of the app on the phone battery and phone memory
● The size of the app
● The performance of the app screen, etc.
Even after basic performance testing, experts recommend testing the API and back-end to prevent potential loading issues.
Security Testing
The security of an android app is of utmost importance. Security testing should ensure that there are no potential vulnerabilities that may lead to hacking. To do so :
● Make sure that any APIs used by your app use HTTPS protocol.
● In the case of user log-in requirements, the app should track the sessions on the device and the back-end. And if the app requires more credentials, then it is highly recommended to use a trusted service.
● You must prevent data leakage by testing the data entry forms in the android app.
Device and Platform Testing
With the ever-increasing numbers of mobile devices and platforms, it is essential to thoroughly test your android app on multiple devices. It should ensure the smooth working of your app for all your end-users.
Development and Market Submission
The best place to submit your Android app will be the google play store. But other than that, there are also lots of alternative app stores when you think where to publish an Android app. To choose the best variant, you need to consider the target audience and geography you want to cover through your app.
You need to pay attention before submitting to the google play store because there are strict limitations concerning the size of an app. The maximum size is 100 Mbytes. However, it would be better if it’s less than 50 Mbytes, then users who live in areas with a bad internet connection will also have a chance to try your app.
Here are a few steps you need to follow to submit your app:
● Create a developer account
● Type title and description of your app
● Add screenshots
● Determine the content rating of your app
● Select app category
● Regulate the privacy policy issues
● Upload your APK file
● Add the price
In most cases, the maintenance and support after release is a tough task. The best solution here is to listen to your customers. Active users are the greatest advisors. They will tell you what is wrong with your product which helps you to improvise.
Android App Post Deployment
Just creating an app is not enough. Designing an app and deploying is just 90% of your task. The rest 10% is post-deployment. Prepare yourself for the new developments and any new updates about the app post deploying. This helps you to improve. Besides, you need to focus on the new updates and development of the main thing. This will promote your app.
After publishing the mobile applications in the markets, the developers still have to work on its promotional aspects. A task that will take time. They should be active and carry out marketing activities, overtime to ensure exposure is being created. Promoting your app is essential in social networks likes Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. But do not limit yourself to these, other than those networks like LinkedIn or Pinterest, can also be of help but reach fewer people for their expertise.
Appearances in specialized media and blogs also serve to publicize your app to the general public. Find positive reviews that explain the operation and functionality of your mobile application inviting many mobile device users to download and try at least. Also, press releases, well-written press releases will open more opportunities to publish information about your app in the media.
Conclusion
Android app designing can be helpful for people who want to become mobile app developers. Besides, it is your passion; it can also be a good career option for today’s youth. From job security and job growth stand-point, it is one of the best careers you can imagine. The pay is competitive, while it will help modernize the world. If you love mobile app development and are just starting your career, it is necessary to find the right app development firm which would help you.
Once you’ve built a solid portfolio of apps and projects, and you’ve found a firm that aligns with your methods for coding, you are set for a very successful life and career in mobile development, which in turn makes you the torchbearer for modernization. The beauty of a job, such as mobile app development, is that you don’t necessarily need a computer science degree to excel.
Sure, it helps to have a formal education to show that you can sit there for four years and diligently learn the tricks of the trade, but honestly, what mobile app development agencies are looking for is a solid portfolio with a passion for it. Thus android app designing is helpful yet handy.
Ridhi Pethani
Ridhi Pethani is Sr. Android Application Developer at USS LLC. She likes to share Android app development tips & tricks.