Mobile Application Development is the process of creating software for mobile devices. It is a challenging task that requires time, skills, and financial resources. However, even with an experienced team, it does not guarantee the creation of something valuable because there are millions of applications, making it difficult to stand out among them.
Every day, developers create hundreds of applications, some of which become popular and generate income and profits, while others remain limited to a small circle of users and cannot expand.
Nowadays, people spend around 5 hours a day on their smartphones. The current trend allows users to customize their businesses and make money based on their internet usage preferences. In addition to advertising, mobile applications also define a company’s image, provide information about target customers, and evaluate user behavior.
What Is A Mobile Application?
About 10 years ago, the number of smartphones in use exceeded 2.5 billion. Around the world, consumers logged a record 3.8 trillion hours on their mobiles in 2021 and downloaded some 230 billion apps. Each of them has used applications that simplify their lives, such as communication, ordering a taxi, or food delivery.
Mobile applications are developed for smartphones and tablets with various operating systems such as iOS, Android, KaiOS, Harmony OS, Tizen, etc. In most cases, mobile applications require internet access if they are connected to remote resources.
Mobile Operating Systems (OS)
A mobile operating system (OS) is a software package that enables the management of resources on smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices and facilitates direct interaction with users. Most mobile operating systems only work on specific hardware. For example, iOS is designed for iPhones, and Android is used for Samsung, Google Pixel, LG, Nokia, and other smartphones. In 2015, a unified version called Windows 10 Mobile appeared, replacing Windows Phone for smartphones and Windows RT for tablets.
Some people have heard of the KaiOS operating system, although it has become a leading name in the mid-range market. This system is a branch of the Firefox operating system based on Linux and designed for low-cost devices. Despite Google releasing Android Go (an optimized version of Android) for entry-level devices, KaiOS remains the leader in this segment.
Useful App Categories
With the current diversity in the market, it is challenging to provide an accurate classification. However, we can conditionally list some things that serve as auxiliary tools. With proper promotion, they can become independent projects.
For Businesses
There are specific and multi-purpose business applications depending on the areas of operation. Business owners value popular and feature-rich tools that help them easily manage their businesses and optimize workflows. For example, they choose applications that can perform functions such as:
- Document management
- Sorting, storing, and transferring data
- Providing support for tax and legal information
- Planning schedules and work tasks
- Managing accounting and personnel
- Aggregating news and business events
For Marketing
Every company needs customers and partners to establish feedback. Transforming them into users of the company’s mobile applications helps them understand their needs. Even simple promotional applications can advertise new products. Providing tools for the company’s marketers can include:
- Creating content for blogs and communities
- Working with social networks
- Processing images and videos
- Collecting data and performing analysis
- Monitoring brand mentions
- Sending newsletters via messaging apps and other communication channels
Mobile Application Development For Users
An application becomes popular when it has useful and necessary functions for individuals. Companies can promote their brand through a non-profit application, making the application itself a marketing tool. Just provide the world with something truly essential and gain broad recognition. The following types of applications help companies become personal assistants to users:
- Educational apps, skill development apps, or language learning apps
- Personality and psychology tests
- Converter, measure, calculate, track
- Application for motivation, diet, and exercise
- Personal financial management and home accounting system
- Task management and shopping planning
These applications are created based on specific needs. When it becomes professional or used for advertising, everything depends on the specific details of the company. However, in recent years, the trend is that applications are not supplements for businesses but rather businesses built around applications.
How To Popularize A Mobile Application
Each application earns revenue in its own way and is designed to suit a specific target audience. To make it popular and profitable, you first need to determine the following:
- Which users may be interested in the application, and which country they come from? What will clients buy? What type of ads will they view? What will they receive in return for the money and time they invest?
- The difficulties in implementing are the necessary functions and options. They will affect the cost of mobile application development. Not only complex products, but even simple ones can become profitable. The benefits users will receive; how the project differs from competitors. When outlining a model, it is necessary to consider introducing the most unique features.
- The benefits depend on the type of activity, as well as the desired outcome. Startups can conveniently inform investors about current goals and achievements, and companies can use apps to create a brand image. Entertainment and commercial projects can sell advertisements or in-app products.
Mobile Application Development Technology
Choosing the right architecture will save you time, effort, and finances. There are two main approaches to creating a mobile application: native and cross-platform. And a third approach – the progressive approach – is also evolving.
Native app development involves creating independent apps for each mobile platform. Therefore, a company needs to develop an app for iOS and another app for Android. Then, the apps will be uploaded to platforms such as the App Store or Google Play. These are the advantages of native apps:
Advanced design options. Support for all smartphone features, including app purchases, accessing location services or the camera, notifications, and priority updates. Fast, responsive, and reliable interface. Twitter, Waze, and Pokémon Go are typical examples of native apps.
Cross-platform development of mobile apps involves creating a shared codebase for two platforms, with additional code translation on each operating system through an intermediary layer. These are the advantages of cross-platform apps:
- A single, unified codebase that works accurately on all platforms, allowing us to simplify logic and avoid potential errors.
- Reduced cost and time of writing code if there is no need to ensure compatibility with each platform. The logic will be simplified, and the user interface will be streamlined.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) combine the best features of mobile web and native apps. The advantages of Progressive Web Apps are:
- No need for intermediaries (stores).
- Lower development costs compared to using traditional methods.
Mobile Application Development Trends
Before developing an app for mobile devices, ask yourself a few questions: What is the purpose of the app, what functions should it have, and who is the target audience for that app?
If you have difficulty making a choice, the simplest solution is to look at the trends that have emerged in the market to find a development direction. From 2020 to 2022, the following types of apps were in demand:
- Apps based on blockchain technology
- Apps based on artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Chatbot apps
- Instant apps
- Virtual reality and augmented reality interactions
- Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity
- Mobile payments, transfers, and money storage.
The functionality may be influenced by new trends in user interface design:
- Buttonless design
- Flat design
- Fluent design
- Material design
- Neomorphism design.
Mobile App Stores
According to Statista, Global app revenue will be around $935 billion by 2023. The earnings will come from in-app advertising and paid downloads. The sector will experience over 50% growth compared to 2018. In 2021, around 93% of the apps on the App Store were free.
Apple App Stores
Apple first created an app store. Until July 2008, it was still part of the iTunes Store. But then the App Store was launched and is still the main place where iOS users can find the right apps.
In 2023, the App Store contains 1.642 million different apps for smartphones, as well as Apple TV and Apple Watch products. By placing your app in the App Store, you’ll satisfy an existing audience and attract new users.
Google Play
Google launched the app store in October 2008 under the name Android Market. It later rebranded as Google Play in March 2012, but it still targets the Android device user market.
In 2023, this digital distribution platform contains 3.553 million applications. Despite its powerful integrated search tool, sometimes brands discover that their products are hidden in search results or can be found through other requests. However, by uploading your application to Google Play, Android users or customers will be satisfied.
Alternative options
Many mobile device manufacturers have realized that they can collaborate more closely with customers by providing applications for smartphones and other devices.
Samsung Galaxy Store
In September 2009, Samsung Electronics launched the Samsung Apps service, which was renamed Galaxy Store in March 2019. The manufacturer pre-installs the mobile version on Android devices, and its web version contains products not only for the Android operating system but also for Bada, Tizen, and Windows Mobile.
LG SmartWorld
In October 2011, LG Electronics also launched its app store called SmartWorld, which is pre-installed on phones manufactured by the company. LG also created a separate version for LG TVs called Content Store.
Huawei AppGallery
Huawei Technologies launched its app store in 2011. Initially, it focused on the Chinese market, and in April 2018, it went global. Although the landing page and dashboard are localized in nine languages, the names and descriptions of most apps are presented only in Chinese.
Amazon Appstore
Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has not been left behind by direct and indirect competitors. In 2011, the company created an app store as an application for Android and Fire OS, and in 2014, it became available for BlackBerry 10. This solution helps retain loyal customers from searching for digital products in third-party stores.
Apple App Store and Google Play are the two largest app distribution channels for iOS and Android, providing access to users worldwide. However, as competition grows within app stores, developers are increasingly struggling to ensure the visibility of their apps stored there.
Launching different digital distribution platforms may suit your market penetration strategy if you want to target specific audiences. Knowing the target audience will allow you to confidently upload new products, knowing that your app will find its users.
According to Forbes, we want to highlight the top 5 most downloaded apps and the top 5 most profitable apps in 2022. Statistical data for both app stores have been considered.
| Top | Top apps are the most downloaded | Top apps used by users spend the most money |
| 1 | TikTok | |
| 2 | Tiktok | Youtube |
| 3 | Tinder | |
| 4 | WhatsApp Messenger | Disney+ |
| 5 | Snapchat | HBO Max |
Where to Buy Mobile Apps?
If you can’t write code yourself, it’s advisable to find an expert who can help you create mobile apps. However, the following questions may arise: Which expert to choose? Do you need to hire employees? Should you hire a freelancer to work remotely? Or is it better to entrust such an important task to a full-fledged mobile application development team that can build, deliver, or complete installation-ready apps?
Forming a complete development department may not be an appropriate solution. Searching for freelancers on marketplaces, checking their abilities, and then continuously monitoring the implementation can also be a significant burden.
When you need a serious approach, you may sacrifice quality, and this process may not stretch over several months. It may be better to contact Innotech Vietnam, a mobile application development company.
Cost of Mobile Application Development
Only a qualified development team can proficiently approach a complex process and complete tasks without violating deadlines. As experienced experts, we will create a unique business model and user-friendly interface.
What is mobile app development?
Developing a mobile app from scratch involves the following steps:
- Writing technical specifications (if the company doesn’t have them yet).
- Business analysis and technical specification.
- UX and UI design.
- Back-end development based on app functionality requirements and platform (OS) count.
- Front-end development.
- Testing, depending on the number of platforms and required features.
Therefore, after developing a complete mobile app, it needs to be monitored, and this service will be billed.
Additional Support After Release
It is possible to quickly create a mobile application development and immediately find it ideal. Therefore, developers often adopt a feature-driven approach (or Agile methodology) to quickly deliver core functionality. Agile speeds up the product’s time to market, helping companies adapt to market changes.
After the launch, if the product is successful, you need to monitor reviews, gather information about any issues encountered, and analyze the feedback. Then, it becomes necessary to develop and deliver new features that align with the new insights gained from the previous steps. Maintenance and support are crucial after the official release.
If you achieve initial results with Agile, the maintenance costs may be higher than with prototyping. Experts recommend this method when developing a product by testing or disproving marketing hypotheses while gaining nearly immediate returns.
When using the traditional Waterfall method, you can calculate the annual maintenance costs at a fixed ratio, which may be relatively small compared to the cost of mobile application development. Large companies are encouraged to use the Waterfall method because their business processes are documented and managed to develop marketing, management, and production plans.
Innotech has a team of experts with 14 years of experience in creating mobile applications. We understand the process of developing a mobile application and can help your company stand out.
At Innotech Vietnam, we provide a wide range of software services, applying advanced technology and innovative solutions to meet the needs and expectations of our customers. We prioritize product quality and excellent service with a professional and experienced team to deliver the best value to our customers.
If you’re looking for a Mobile Application Development company to provide solutions for your company, contact the experts at Innotech Vietnam to get answers to all your Mobile Application-related queries!
Email: [email protected]
