An estimated 1.85 million apps exist on Apple’s App Store while Google Android users can choose from a library of 2.56 million.
Over three-quarters of adults own a smartphone. And 71.5 billion mobile apps were downloaded during the first half of 2020 alone.
This article gives an introduction to mobile app development for business owners and managers.
Read on to learn about the different types of apps and which are best suited for your needs. Then discover how using React Native can reduce costs and lower development times.
Why Mobile App Development?
Isn’t mobile app development just an excuse to make Apple and Google more money?
Although 55% of website views in January came from a mobile device, most people prefer to download an app to shop online.
Almost half of Android users visit the Google Play Store 11 times per day to install a custom app. Businesses can use push notifications to interact with their customers far better than their websites.
Even social media giant Facebook recognizes this fact as 98% of its users access their service using a dedicated app.
How to Develop an App
Developing an app begins with researching your market and deciding what you want your app to do.
Should it be a brochure that promotes your products and services? Will you use it to engage with your customers? Can they buy directly or place an order and pick it up from your store?
Once you have a feel for the app’s functionality, you then need to choose the type of mobile app development.
App Development Types
Developers create an app in the same way, right?
Unfortunately in the world of technology, nothing is that simple. You must select the type of app you want to develop. Options include:
- Native apps
- Web apps
- Hybrid apps
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
Traditional native apps get coded for a specific platform i.e. iOS or Android. They can harness the full power of the device and often perform at a high level.
Yet, the code behind the app won’t work on another platform. You’ll need a separate development code for an iPhone iOS app than an Android app.
Web apps aren’t technically mobile apps as users access them through their browsers.
They look and work like a native app but don’t have access to features like GPS or the camera without asking permission. But they work on any device.
Hybrid Apps and React Native
A hybrid app combines a web app within a native app shell. It requires a separate app to be compiled for each platform but users can access them from the app stores.
However, one of the best options is to develop apps using React Native.
React uses a similar codebase to web apps. In fact, many web apps get developed using that platform. React Native adds to that by creating a truly native experience that will work on any device.
It’s one of those excellent iOS app development tools that also works when building Android apps. The base code can also display on websites which reduces development times and cost.
Hiring the right React Native development company is key
They will guide you on how long the process will take. And they’ll ensure to match your expectations while remaining within budget.
Create an App That Works for You
Mobile app development continues to grows thanks to an expanding user base.
Businesses the world over harness the power of mobile apps to reach new customers. Join them by selecting the right app type and team to drive it forward.
Read more on how to develop an app in our technology section.
