What you need to know about app design and development

The Smartphone market is growing at a rapid rate. There are an estimated 5 billion users worldwide and the number of phones will soon surpass the entire world population.

Global app downloads are estimated to be almost 270 billion by next year. People around the globe spend a vast majority of their day staring at their phones. On average a person spends over 3 hours and 43 minutes a day on their smartphone, that's a scary 50 days a year. 

When your potential customers are spending more time on their smartphones than watching TV, what excuse does your business have for not investing in a mobile app?

As a business in today’s digital world having a mobile app for your company is of utmost importance. Not only is it safer and faster than loading a website, but you are able to store data more securely and also look like you mean business as a leading light in your chosen field.

If you are a customer centric business then you need a mobile app. It’s no longer an option but is now a necessity to grow your business. Every customer has a smart phone in their pocket and every generation is able to access them. Businesses that make a mistake of not creating a mobile app could suffer due to this choice.

Research has shown that people spend 90% of their time on apps rather than surfing the internet. Social networks, messaging and entertainment apps like Youtube account for 51% of the time people spend on their mobile devices. 

Tik Tok was the most downloaded app worldwide in March of 2021 with 58 Million installs in a month. 

But not only are people quick download apps, they are also quick to see through them, with the average uninstall being a whopping 39% in 2021.

People want easy quick access to their favourite apps, they are currently spoilt with the quality of products downloadable from the app store.

A mobile app can help businesses reach more customers, improve their marketing strategies and provide value for its customers. It increases brand awareness, customer engagement and loyalty. It also gives your business a competitive advantage.

What do apps offer that websites don't?

Better Customisation

• Users can set their own preferences
• Create personal accounts
• Keep vital info handy
• Better for targeting audiences
• Better for marketing for different groups

Push Notifications

• Send notifications to users
• Send messages to users directly
• Keep audience updated

Mobile features

• Use camera, mobile phone functionality
• Increase fun in participation
• Easy to use
• Increase usability

Internet connection not required

• They can be used offline
• App stores data and uploads when connection resumes

User friendly

• More popular than websites
• Easier to use
• Better experience
• Load faster
• Easier to navigate than website

Speed

• Much faster than website
• 5 times faster infact

Brand presence

• Users spend on average longer on apps than websites
• Direct marketing

So it’s all very well me telling you about the benefits, but what you need to know is how the hell do you go about building one for your business?

Well at Vivi Creative we are here to help you, we design and develop apps that are suited to your business. We use a multi-phased approach with robust client collaboration to ensure you a quality end product.

Types of App

There are three different types of apps.

Native Mobile Apps

Native mobile apps are designed to be “native” to one platform, whether it's Apple iOS, Google's Android, or Windows Phone. 

Hybrid Mobile Apps

Hybrid apps can be installed on devices just like native apps, but they run through web browsers. Hybrid apps work on both IOS and Android phones.

Web Apps

Web apps  are basically a responsive version of a website that work on any mobile device and use your mobile browser to function.

At Vivi Creative we use our step by step process of strategy and design to create you an awesome app for your business.

Mobile App Strategy

We begin with a meeting and discussion about your idea for the app. 

1. Understand your business strategy

To put it quite simply a successful mobile strategy is where your business goals meet yours user needs via your mobile app design. We want you to think in detail about;

• What are the needs of your customer? 
• How are we going to help your customer fulfil those needs?

2. Business Mobile App strategy 

• What is the purpose of the app?
• What is the benefit that the end-user will drive from using the app?
• Define the App strategy

3. Target Audience

• KPI’s (key performance indicators) How does the App add value to the business?
• Marketing plan - Where do your customers hang out? How are we going to target them?

4. Develop Testing Strategy

This is probably the most understated and important factor of developing a mobile app. We want to make the app as easy to use and functional as possible. The customer journey and satisfaction is of upmost importance.

•      User testing 
•      Prototype of app

Mobile App Design Strategy

The next stage is looking at the design and development. We incorporate everything we have discussed and start the multi phase process below.

1. Plan of attack

• Objectives and goals of the app
• Phases and sub phases
• Tasks and resources
• Budget
• Schedule for completion
• Nature of App
• Features

2. User/market research

• Target audience
• Market research (competitors - existing apps)
• User research (target audience - emotional connection)

 
3. UX wireframe (User experience)

• Architectural blueprint for your app
• Flow of App
• Number of pages/buttons
• User journey map

4. Prototype

• To test & improve functionality
• How the App works

5. UI design (User interface)

• Visual representation
• Look and feel of the App

6. Animation

• Animation should be functional instead of a simple design element

7. Software architecture

• This is perhaps the most crucial part of the entire design process. The core purpose of software architecture planning is to scale the app, make it better in terms of functionality and design.
• Work together as a team - regular discussion

8. App development

• Hybrid App
• IOS - Android
• Web App

9. Testing

• Ensure there are no bugs
• Smooth customer journey
• Usability test

10. Release WOO HOOO!!!!

• App is uploaded to App store
• Marketing campaign begins

The process usually takes between 2 and 3 months depending on size and complexity of app design. There is a lot of information to take in here, it is always better to talk in person about the process and answer any questions that you may have.  I hope this article has explained the process and made it a little easier to understand.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with Vivi Creative, we offer a free hour consultation to discuss your business and app needs.

Thanks for reading.