Seven Steps to Success With a Custom Mobile App

If you're already using a mobile phone app (smartphone app) for your business , Then you're Likely ble to appreciate the power of mobile apps. Whether you're using an app to view YouTube videos from your corporate channel or Twitter to Communicate with potential customers , apps Have Become more significant with businesses .

Even custom apps for businesses , apps That Are built SPECIFICALLY for a business or enterprise , final -have found a niche. HOWEVER , going down the path to Creating an app for your business is fraught with peril . There are Some basic steps you can follow to help Ensure your success with a mobile phone app customize .

The steps to Success are:

1. Begin with the end in mind
2. Understand how your app Will Be used
3. Clearly record your app before it's built
4. Document your distribution strategy
5. Research and research the developer
6. Test the Application before and Effective distribution
7. Perform a post- mortem

I'm a seasoned professional in the Information Technology sector . I've Spent years working with the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC ) and appreciate the nuances needed for successful full-scale program / ​​project implementation . Altho I truly believe That Many of the SDLC steps shoulds be Followed for mobile app development , I Realize That aussi Many companies do not have the bandwidth or the financial resources to fully Implement an app for smartphones based upon the SDLC . A new app Developed under a detailed project SDLC framework can cost an enterprise Thousands of dollars and a significant investment of time resource . Since ; many of our small and medium- sized businesses want mobile apps aimed May need to operate in a leaner fashion , the steps outline outlined here can serve as a ' starter plan .

When you begin with the end in mind , and you can visualize the end result shoulds have completely Call as possible. This means clustering do your research and look at Existing App Store and Android Marketplace apps. (You May find an app That HAS already created beens All which matches your Needs 85 % or more . ) Make a list of the features and the app must have a list of the features the app shoulds have. If you're artistic, go ahead and sketch the app 's look and feel so That You can convey to a developer what is Desired in the User Interface . This whole exercise shoulds not take too long . You Will revisit this paper again shortly .

Solicit the input of others and Consider how your app Will Be used. Is it for customers to use Exclusively ? Will it be a B2B tool? Will it be something prospects Will use as an adjunct to your business or Perhaps a value -added feature or service? All thesis considerations are important. When you -have a clear picture , add this to your working document.

This document is vital to the successful building and deployment of your app . You Will Find That The more you 'put things down ' the less you forget you -have and the less miscommunication with development resources . This paper shoulds include the results from the prior steps and from all further steps . Be sour to record everything (even brainstorming notes - you Will Be Useful surprised how thesis can be) .

Now That your app is Beginning to take a real shape - at least on paper - you shoulds Consider how it's going to be distributed . Let 's say you've Decided That Will Existing customers use the app and share it with others Possibly ( your prospective customers ) . This May take a simple distribution model: App Store for download and share a utility ( like for Twitter or Email ) Within your app Itself . This Gives you a method to download a -have for your customers ( They go to App Store) and a method for em to share (using Twitter or Email ) . You may also have item -of -sale (POS ) QR scans or information (marketing collateral ) for the downloadable apps to Ensure That current and new customers get the information for the downloadable app at the time of sale .

Once you've Developed a clear app document you're going to need a developer . If you already -have an in-house developer , Then you're work is done - give em the document and you -have guide 'em through the project . If you're running a lean operation , Then You'll need to find a developer to do the work for you. With the search for a developer , you want to make sour They provide for you a clear path to the end result ( All which you've Documented ) Including the distribution. There are plenty of development toolsets That allow you to 'do MOST ' of the development work yourself using App hybridization ( Also called ' mash up ') . These work great for Many apps. You'll Have to thoroughly research the offerings to be safe you find your best fit . Do not fall victim to the " cheapest " on the development side if you find That the Ongoing Support or the odd distribution help is non-existent .

Once the development is completed ( and falling on ) , you're going to be testing the app . The test app with the target audience in mind . Put yourself in Their position and run the app through the gauntlet . Distribute your app and run through the tests again.

Now That your app is 'on the market' , assemble your team and figure out what went right and what went wrong . Document what things you want in Any update to the app (this Seems to be an Ongoing Process for many) . Also , stick with your marketing plan for the app and be safe it's Promoted properly. An app That is unused turns into a hole into for All which you money and time .

If you follow a simple thesis seven steps , you're more Likely to generate a successful implementation of mobile apps for small to medium -sized businesses . If you're looking for a far- reaching and complex app , Then you're Likely to need more of a Formalized SDLC model to accomplish achieve success . Take the time to record and follow through completely Call Each step to the project 's completion . You'll be amazed what a mobile app , Properly built , can do for your firm .