8 things you need to know before writing code for mobile apps

Before writing code or developing an application, there are several factors to consider, including the following:

  1. assess and research the app market
    Comprehensive market research is the initial step in developing code for an application. You should be familiar with current market offerings and use this information to determine the niche market that your app will fill. Your mobile app code should aim to provide a new and complete solution to the problem you are solving.
  2. define your presentation and the audience you want to reach
    Can you explain what the purpose of your app is? For novice coders, this is usually the most difficult step. It’s not easy to condense all of your ideas into one or two phrases with a clear purpose, but it’s also one of the most important tasks in making your app a success. Before you write code for app development, take a few minutes to clarify:

What will be the main functions of the app?
Can you describe the problems your software solves?
Who are the likely users of the app?
What business goals will you be able to achieve?

  1. Choosing between a native or hybrid approach to app coding
    When you’re learning how to write the best code for application development, there are several technical considerations to keep in mind early on, one of which is critical. Choosing between a native or hybrid application has many implications for future development and maintenance. Below are the key differences between native and hybrid:

Programming languages. Android apps are written in Java or Kotlin, while iOS apps are written in Swift.
Native device APIs. This will be determined by the functions of the device you want to use in your app.
Distribution method. This will significantly affect how you market your app and apply marketing tactics.

  1. Make sure you are aware of your monetization options.
    The app can serve you for a variety of purposes. One obvious example is direct revenue generation, but others can be as simple as providing resources to your customers. If you want to generate money directly from your app, you should explore the following app monetization options:

Free apps. You can download these apps for free, but some features remain blocked until you pay a certain fee.
Paid or premium apps. These apps must be purchased from the store. Because of the high cost of the model, a mobile marketing strategy is necessary to demonstrate the greater value of the app compared to free apps.
In-app purchases. The app can be free or paid, but the developer offers digital or physical products that users can buy in the app.
Subscriptions. These are similar to freemium apps, but have the added benefit of a constant source of income.

  1. Create a marketing plan before launching your app.
    Planning for advertising and growing your app, including branding, pre-launch work, reach and overall web presence, is one of the most important factors in its success. If you start creating buzz about your app before it hits the app stores, your efforts will pay off in the long run.
  2. Know what resources you have
    Ideally, you’ll be able to publish a launch date ahead of time to generate excitement and create anticipation for the app. You need to be aware of the growth period in front of you to make this happen. This can help you in successfully managing the entire project and assigning appropriate due dates for the various planning and development phases, such as:

Describing the use cases for the application
Functionality mapping
Creating a minimum viable product (MVP)
Wireframing
Selecting a programming language and platform
Application design and coding
Analytics for mobile apps and testing

  1. Make sure that security measures are in place
    Finally, if your app collects sensitive information from users, you must provide a privacy policy, and that policy must specify what information is collected and how it will be used. Many app developers are so busy with their own applications that they overlook important security aspects. However, every time you create an app or start a new app project, security is critical.