The mobile app market is getting increasingly competitive, and simply having a unique app idea isn't enough to guarantee success. Before beginning the app development process, it's essential to invest time in putting together the essential building blocks for success. This includes things like clearly defining your app's goals, understanding your target audience, and creating a comprehensive business plan. Taking the time to do this preparation work will make the development process much easier and give you a significant competitive advantage. While developing a successful app does require some effort, it's well worth the investment.

Should you develop an application?

The mobile app development landscape is always evolving, with new platforms and tools emerging every year. This can make it difficult to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, and to decide which ones are worth investing in. However, one thing that remains constant is the importance of creating a high-quality, user-friendly app. After all, no matter how advanced the technology behind it is, an app that is difficult to use or doesn't meet customer needs is unlikely to be successful.

When planning a new app, it's important to think carefully about its purpose and how it will fit into your overall business strategy. Ask yourself whether an app is really the best solution for your needs, and if so, what kind of app will best serve your customers or clients. It's also important to consider how you will generate revenue from your app, and what costs you are willing to incur in order to develop and maintain it. By taking the time to answer these questions upfront, you can increase your chances of developing a successful app that meets your long-term business goals.

What are characteristics that make a good app?

In order to compete in the app market, it is important to have a good understanding of the competition. During the third quarter of 2022, there were 3.55 million apps available on Google Play, making it the app store with the biggest number of available apps. The Apple App Store was the second-largest app store with roughly 1.6 million available apps for iOS. This shows that there are many ideas and existing solutions in the market. It is important to understand the current pain points of your target audience and offer a unique solution.

If you're looking to create a successful app, it's essential that you identify a problem that your target audience is facing and then design your app accordingly. For instance, the popular app AirBnB started as a simple two-sided marketplace that connected people who didn't want to stay in expensive hotels with those who were happy to host them in their homes. However, AirBnB didn't stop there – they continuously added new features and functionality based on feedback from their users. As a result, their app has become one of the most popular and useful applications on the market.

On the other hand, it's important to think about the different phases an app will go through in order to ensure its long-term success. For example, you'll need to focus on making your app sticky in order to encourage users to keep coming back. This can be done by creating unique and compelling content that keeps them engaged. You should also have a strategy for marketing or growth hacking in order to make your app go viral. Keep an eye on your revenue model as well, as it may need to be tweaked as your app progresses through different stages. If all goes well, you'll eventually reach a point where you can start scaling to new regions or industries. By following these steps, you increase.

If you have made it this far in this blog, then you're probably interested in developing a mobile app. Of course, there's much more to learn about app development than can be covered in a single article. But by following these basic steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a successful app. Let's get started!

Deeply research your market

When it comes to developing a new app, there are a lot of factors to consider. What features will users want? What type of design will be most appealing? How much should you spend on development? The best way to answer these questions is through research. By conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, you can gain a better understanding of user needs and preferences. Additionally, user validation after the app is created is essential for ensuring that your app is successful.

Validating your app idea before investing a lot of money in development can save you time and money in the long run. Workshops are a great way to get started with app development. They allow you to deep dive into target audiences, benchmark against competitors, and develop a clear design plan. Starting small with a workshop gives you the opportunity to validate your ideas before making a larger investment.

Define your elevator pitch and target audience

When developing a mobile app, it is important to consider what the app's purpose is and how it will differ from your website. This will help to ensure that the app is successful and does not waste resources on features that are unnecessary or target the wrong audience. It is also important to be honest about these things in order to avoid any wasted effort. If you cannot clearly articulate the problem that your app solves, then there is likely no app business to pursue.

Therefore, it is essential to be able to identify the specific situation where your app would be useful in order to determine if there is a market for it. Once you have done this, you should also be confident in your elevator pitch so that you can explain your app succinctly and effectively to potential investors or customers.

If you're lucky enough to find yourself in front of a potential investor, you'll want to make sure you're able to describe your app and its mission clearly and concisely. Being clear and focused early on can really amplify your app's success in the long run.

Know your budget

A lot of people want to create the next big app or mobile application. They have a great idea, but they don't know how to get started or what it takes to be successful. It's important to remember that your idea is the key to success. From there, you need to think holistically and not limit yourself to a budget.

First and foremost, it's important to have a great idea. This is the key to success; without a strong concept, it will be difficult to create a disruptive app that stands out from the rest. From there, it's important to start small and grow in an iterative manner. Creating a minimum viable product (MVP) is a great way to get started, as it allows you to test your concept while also getting feedback from users. Once you have a solid foundation, you can then start to add more features and functionality. It's also important to keep an eye on your budget, while it's important to think holistically about your app, it's also necessary to be realistic about what you can achieve.

At Lizard Global, we help you with budget planning and getting started. We believe in starting small and growing in an iterative manner. When you have a steady blueprint, investors and partners will be more likely to become part of your success. So, don't limit yourself, think holistically.

Choosing the right platform

When it comes to app development, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right platform. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your app. However, by considering your app's UI and business requirements, you can narrow down the choices and select the platform that is best suited for your needs.

For example, if you want your app to operate only on a specific operating system, such as iOS or Android, then you will need to choose native app development. Alternatively, if you want your app to be accessible on multiple platforms, you can choose hybrid app development. By taking the time to carefully consider your options, you can ensure that your app is developed on the right platform.

But how do you know which one is best for your particular application? And what other factors should you consider, such as hybrid vs. native development?

One way to approach this decision is to think about the overall user experience (UX) you want to deliver with your app. What kind of UI do you want to create, and will it work well on multiple platforms? If you have a specific vision for your app's UX, that can help guide your decision about which platform to choose.

Another important factor to consider is whether you want to develop a hybrid app or a native app. Hybrid apps use web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) wrapped in a native container, while native apps are written using the platform-specific language and tools. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to weigh those carefully before making a decision.

Ultimately, there is no "right" answer when it comes to choosing a platform for your app. It depends on a variety of factors, including your specific business requirements and the overall UX you want to deliver.

Build a minimum viable app (MVP)

As briefly mentioned above, any app developer will tell you that it is essential to test your application on target devices before release. This allows you to identify and fix any potential compatibility issues, ensuring that your app will work as intended for your users.
One way to do this is to create a minimum viable product (MVP) version of your app, consisting of only the most essential features. This can be used for testing purposes, allowing you to get feedback on the core functionality of your app without having to worry about all the bells and whistles. Once you've ironed out any major issues, you can then add additional features and release your app to the market. In today's competitive landscape, it is crucial to ensure that your app is up to scratch before putting it out there for the world to see.

MVP is a must as it answers so many significant questions as below:

• What problem does your app solve?
• What process will your users use to solve the problem?
• What’s that thing which makes your app a must have?
• Which is the most significant feature in your app?
• Which are the features you must have in your app?
• Which features should you prioritize?

In many cases, MVPs are released to a small group of users - often referred to as beta testers - for feedback. This feedback can be essential in helping to improve the app before it is released to the general public. Unlike beta testers, however, MVPs are not necessarily intended to be used for long-term testing. Instead, they are meant to give app developers a better understanding of what their product is capable of and how it will be received by users.

Think about your app marketing strategy

Before you launch your app, it's important to put together a solid marketing strategy. This includes everything from branding and PR to pre-launch outreach and overall web presence. By starting to create buzz around your app before it's in the app store, you'll be able to multiply your efforts down the line.

Keep in mind that app marketing is a very competitive field, so it's important to stand out from the crowd. Make sure you have a clear and unique value proposition, and don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to marketing your app.

You can use a number of marketing channels to reach your target users, but one of the most effective is A/B testing. A/B testing allows you to test different app features and see which ones are most effective in converting users. By carefully analyzing the results of your A/B tests, you can fine-tune your app to make it more appealing to your target audience.

Lastly choose the right app development company

When developing a mobile app, it is important to choose a reputable and experienced app development company. The company you choose will play a significant role in determining the success of your app.

There are a few key points to keep in mind when choosing an app development company:

• Technologies: Make sure the company you choose has the necessary skills and experience to develop your app. Ask about their app development process and what technologies they use.
• Case studies: Review the case studies of previous apps developed by the company. This will give you an idea of their capabilities.
• Time zone: Keep in mind the time difference between you and the app development company. Effective communication is key to a successful app development project.
• App design: The company you choose should be able to create an aesthetic and user-friendly app design. They should also consider usability when designing your app.

For instance, the web-application Vaxi Taxi was a great solution for elderly people and people with a disability during the covid pandemic. Together with the insurance companies people received a booking for their vaccination, where they were picked up at a set time and brought to the nearest vaccination location for the target audience, and after the vaccination dropped off at their homes again. The invoices would go to the insurance companies so that there was no or limited hassle for the people.
It solved many issues at once and we at Lizard Global were able to create the solution in less than 3 months time.

The app allowed for people to book their vaccination appointments and be picked up and dropped off without having to worry about transportation. This was especially important for those who were unable to drive or didn't have access to reliable transportation. In addition, the app made it easy for insurance companies to cover the cost of the vaccinations by billing them directly. Overall, the app was a huge success in terms of making it easier for people to get vaccinated during the pandemic.

Final thoughts on how to start an app

Before you start developing a mobile app, it is important to keep a few things in mind in order to make your app less fragile. Mobile app development is a strategic call rather than a technical call, and therefore it must be nurtured intrinsically in the company’s values and objectives. When thinking about how to start an app, there is no single answer to this question.

The app idea alone won’t be enough here. You need to take the right steps early on to ensure success for the long run. So before you start thinking about new features and app updates, take a few hours to focus on how users will interact with your app.

Developing a mobile app is a big decision, but you do not have to do it alone. At Lizard Global we have a natural tendency to organize and achieve goals. We are devoted to turning innovation into action and creating cutting-edge solutions. With our deep app development knowledge and experience, we are confident that we can provide our clients with the best possible mobile application experience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals.

Let’s get started!