How to make an app?
According to the internet there are steps you must take in order for your app to work.
BiznessApps states that you can make an app in 12 steps.
Step 1: Goals.
Basically, this step is asking yourself what do you want the app to do? Who is going to use it? Is it going to be free or not? How will you market your app? & how will you be able to see results?
Step 2: Draw your ideas.
Design the basic layout. Version A & B? are you going to test it? Collect data, make sure you have a way of changing the layout.
How will your app look? Draw your ideas.
Step 3: Research….
Research the competition of the app idea you have come up with. Read reviews and learn from competitions mistakes. Based on your research you will be able to make a better app then your competition.
Research copy rights and whether your app is worth making?
This way you can make changes to stage 2 and make your design and testing even better.
Step 4: Storyboard aka Wireframe
This is where you make your idea clearer. You also add functionality.
The trick is finding a website that is easy to use and allows you to make your sketches digital.
Basically, those websites allow you to see how your app will work.
Step 5: The back end of the app
You will need Servers, AIPs & data diagrams. You can use websites that allow you to the app yourself or do it for you.
Make sure that all your diagrams are clear to read for anyone that works with you on the app.
Step 6: Demo showing
Get your family, friends & others to see the demo of the app and collect reviews. What you are looking for is truth not ‘it looks great’. You need to be able to improve your app before its out in the real world.
From step 7 to step 9 you just have to build the app. If you are using a platform that makes the app for you all you have to do is wait and test after its done. But if you are doing it by yourself you will need a developer to set up servers, AIPs & data diagrams.
From step 10 to 11 you do tests. Take reviews and make changes before releasing the app. In step 12 you release the app on to the app store and play store. There are websites that speed up the checks and let your app come out early.
According to Forbes there are 8 ways to make a great app and one of them is ‘Marketing’ and considering small markets. According to step 7 you should measure EVERYTHING. Step 8 is make the app ‘free’.
Pros Of Making An App
- Most people use phones and use apps.
- When a brand has an app they are more visible.
- Having an app helps keep customers also it helps with loyalty.
- Customers spend more time on good apps than on the brands website.
- Customers are able to load and app quicker than a website.
- You can use an app offline.
- You can make an app that targets specific groups.
- Apps are easy to use.
- Apps can be easily downloaded from iTunes or Androids play store.
- Apps are more cost effective than paper.
- Apps are eco friendly
Cons Of Making An App
- An App needs to be made for different platforms like Android or IOS, etc. which can cost a lot.
- Apps require on-going care both as regard to fresh content and technical updates.
- They are not as simple to optimize as a mobile website.
- Apps can be expensive – the more functionality they have, the more they cost, and can be hard to update.
- An app that’s just a version of your website will not work enough for you and could even damage your brand.
RISKS
- Copyrights Infringement
- Intellectual Property
- Data Breach
- Hacker attacks
Peng (2014) found that ‘brand relationship in terms of brand attachment and brand identification, and perceived overall consumption values are influencing factors in branded app adoption’.
Frey (2017) conducted a study which was based on seeing if people would download an app if its advertised on Facebook and how many would just download it without adverts. App was recommended by Facebook based on interests and searches. What he found is that ‘recommendation systems are essential in mobile commerce to benefit both companies and individuals by offering highly personalized products and services. (Frey, 2017)’
References
Larizadeh, A. (2013). Eight Tips For A Successful App. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/avidlarizadeh/2013/07/19/eight-tips-for-a-successful-app/2/#5870f0e27e7f. Last accessed 25/02/18.
Gazdecki, A. (2016). How To Build A Mobile App In 12 Easy Steps.Available: https://www.biznessapps.com/blog/how-to-build-a-mobile-app-in-12-easy-steps/. Last accessed 25/02/2018.
Peng, K. (2014). Brand relationship, consumption values and branded app adoption. Available: http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezproxy.brighton.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1108/IMDS-05-2014-0132. Last accessed 25/02/2018.
Frey, RM. (2017). Mobile recommendations based on interest prediction from consumer’s installed apps–insights from a large-scale field study. Available: https://ac-els-cdn-com.ezproxy.brighton.ac.uk/S0306437917304611/1-s2.0-S0306437917304611-main.pdf?_tid=spdf-052c7d2a-beb7-42d1-a52c-ad7fde80eac6&acdnat=1519582910_e991c330ae2dbd166bb0c08116e19313. Last accessed 25/02/2018.
Picture References:
Techsuplex, S. (2016). The best apps we’ve used this year. Available: http://www.techsuplex.com/2016/12/30/best-apps-weve-used-year/. Last accessed 28/02/2018.
Sci & Tech. (2016). Iran’s SciTech Research Budget to Get a Boost.Available: https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-sci-tech/55222/irans-research-budget-to-get-a-boost. Last accessed 25/02/2018.