Our Smart Girl’s Guide to Developing
Your Very Own Mobile App
Even though responsive, mobile-friendly websites have made smart phone browsing a little smoother, apps still provide a more refined and immersive experience. You get more seamless interaction and control over content flow. And ultimately, apps are just sexier.
However we don’t believe in apps for apps’ sake. More than a portal, an app is above all a tool. You have to start with a clear vision of what you want people to do with it, beyond simply interacting with your brand.
Maybe you already know the answer, and you’re ready to hire a developer tomorrow, or maybe you have some brainstorming to do—either way we hope you might benefit from our guide to creating your own app from ideation to development.
First you have to figure out what you need it for. It has to be purpose driven. Some companies develop apps as products in-and-of-themselves, whereas many businesses create them as a service tool or space to access content. Ask yourself: is there a part of your business you want to make easier for people to experience on-the-go? Is there an aspect of your brand that could be translated into a mobile product for social media, communication, entertainment or personal organization? Or, do you have content you want people to be able to access more seamlessly on their iPhones and iPads? Once you have a goal in mind for what your app should achieve, you can start the sketching process.
Before you bring on any collaborators, it’s important to sketch out a diagram and a few mock-ups of how you imagine your app will work. This will help you better understand what you’re creating and provide you with a powerful tool for bringing in your team. You can start with simple boxes representing the screen, and words with actions to map out how a user will flow through the app. Take it to the next level by thinking through button placement, menus, and navigation. For inspiration, scroll through some apps you love and note all the details of how they work. Figure out what your app will be called (make sure the name is available!) and map out all of the content that will need to be created for it.
It’s time to assess how much of an investment your idea is going to be, so you can be sure it makes sense for your business. Depending on what your app does, it could be simple (and inexpensive) to create and customize from existing codes, or, if it’s highly unique, it might be better to start from scratch—which can be much pricier. If you’re not sure, consult with some developers and designers and get a mix of quotes. Talk to people you trust in the tech field (or see our resource list below). And note that if your app is going to require constant content updates, you might need to add a back-end developer to your in-house team to maintain it. If you’re going for a big investment, adjust your business model accordingly to account for the added value. How can you monetize the app of your dreams?
Do Your Research!
If you’re building a stand-alone product with a unique functionality you hope to profit from, (rather than a portal for other aspects of your business), make sure you’re taking a look around the market at what else is out there. Cleary define how your app is different and create use cases to understand your target users.
If you’re reading this magazine, then obviously you value design and the aesthetic experience. We recommend you take your sketches to a talented graphic designer, preferably one who works in user experience design as well, to help you take your vision to the next level and create a wireframe prototype that can be tested by your friends and family, or even taken to focus groups. Or, if you’re confident in your design abilities, you can also create your own wireframes using an intuitive online tool such as Moqups. Alternately, you can choose to take your sketches straight to a company that handles all aspects of app development in house. If they’ve created products with a look you appreciate and are able to translate your existing branding into an app, this might be a simpler approach then putting together a team of freelancers and managing the process yourself.
Hiring Tip
Looking for a one-stop-shop app developer? Try browsing theymakeapps.com for a list of great companies that can help bring your dream to life.
Now that you have your app’s look and functionality clearly defined, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty. If you’re managing the process in-house, then at this point you’ll need to bring in at least one developer either part-time, full-time or on a project basis. (Remember: if your app is going to be constantly evolving rather than a one-off, you’re going to need to look for a lasting relationship.) Depending on the complexity of your app, you might need both a front-end and a back-end developer, or someone who does a bit of both. The team is going to be responsible for setting up all of the servers, databases, and APIs that allow your app to run, as well as writing the code that shapes what users interact with. This is also the time you’ll need to sign up for developer accounts in the app marketplaces you’re creating for, which can take several days, so don’t leave it for the last minute!
Hiring Tip
Not sure where to begin the search? Marketplaces like Codility make it super easy to find programmers suited to your project’s needs.
KIMOJI
PRICE: $2 to Download
Kim Kardashian’s KIMOJI is a stand-alone product under the umbrella of her brand. Its unique content is unrelated to other aspects of her businesses, and exists specifically for smart phone use, with a social component.
SOUL CYCLE
PRICE: Free Download
UPSELL: ORDERING SERVICES
Modern service businesses like Soul Cycle and Drybar use apps to streamline bookings and sign-ups, and facilitate purchases. Think of almost any service or membership you might have—your bank, your gym—do they have apps?
HBO NOW
PRICE: $15 A Month
UPSELL: EXPANSIONS
Think about all of the content subscriptions and digital publications you now experience as apps. Netflix, Spotify, the New York Times, Omvana. For reading, listening, and watching, apps are undoubtedly the best way to provide a fluid mobile experience.
