Step by Step Process of Mobile App Development: A Guide to Follow

Updated 20 Feb 2024
Published 26 Feb 2024
Nancy Bhargava 3271 Views
Mobile App Development Process

Have you ever thought about how many apps are launched in a day? Its answer is quite interesting. You’ll be surprised to know that 1,624 Android and 1,326 apps are launched daily.

What do you think about it, and why does it happen? The reason is simple: Most businesses target their customers through mobile apps.

Another reason behind the high rise of mobile apps is the evolution of smartphones. As a result, there is an app for every purpose, from booking a taxi or a car wash app like Keno to a shopping app like MAF Carrefour.

Due to mobile apps’ high usage and popularity, some businesses are ready to be the next Hala, Careem or Namshi. If you are also in the race, then the right process will help you win it.

Let’s make it more interesting!

First, we’ll start with some interesting facts. We will later read about the fantastic step-by-step process of mobile app development.

Key Stats: Mobile App Development

  • Covering wide categories of mobile apps like healthcare, fitness, music, and others, the global mobile app market was valued at $228.98 billion in 2023, and it’ll be $756 billion by 2027.
  • Global mobile app consumer spending is expected to be USD 186 billion by 2027.
  • UAE is counted as one of the top digitally connected countries. It is also known for having the world’s second-fastest average mobile internet speed in a country.
  • By 2025, the expected number of smartphone users will be 46 million in the UAE, and the number of mobile internet users will be 9.67 million.
  • The UAE has the second-fastest average 5G download speed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The above statistics depict the rapid growth pattern of mobile apps and smartphones. You can leverage this trend for your business via an app.

The right mobile app development process will help you get it done as desired.

app development process

Mobile App Development & Its Step-by-Step Process

The process that allows us to develop an application that can run on any hand-held internet-enabled device is called mobile app development.

It involves multiple stages like ideation, market research, design, development, and more. The term mobile app development is an umbrella term for developing an application for mobile OS like Android and iOS.

If you are looking for how to build a phone app, here are these:

#1. Mobile App Idea Creation

Have you ever asked yourself why apps like Smiles or any other app are at the top?

An idea can make business rocket speed, and it has been proven multiple times.

So, idea creation is the first step to embarking on your mobile app development to create a success story.

For the same, you need to find out:

  • Purpose: Why do you want to develop a mobile app? What challenges will it solve for your customers, and how will it help grow your business and others?
  • Audience: Know your audience before you make an app for them. It includes their preferences, the services they seek, and others. It is directly related to the buyers’ personas.
  • USP: Its unique sales price is what makes an app top and different among others. It must provide a perfect answer to why a user should use your app.
  • Competitors: Find out who your competitors are, what they are doing with their app, and what the key USP of their app is.
  • Budget: Find out how much of your budget you can allot for mobile app development and how much it costs to develop a mobile app that you need for your business.
  • Promotion: Think about the brand and app promotion strategy, like how you can let people know about your app.
  • App Monetization: Decide about how you will earn from the app, like in-app ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, freemium, or paid apps.
  • App Platform: Decide on a platform based on the target audience. It can be an Android app or an iOS app.

Once you find out everything, your idea is ready, and you are done with Step 1.

However, going through the top mobile app ideas for UAE businesses would also be better.

It will help you make positive changes to your ideas if needed.

#2. Market Research

The second step in online mobile app development is market research. It refers to extensive research about what is happening in the market, like your business app idea.

The market research will let you know what attracts customers, the market trends, and others, including key stats related to your industry domain.

#3. Requirement Collection

Now that you have an idea and market research data, it is time to collect the requirements, functional and non-functional.

For example, if you want to go for car wash app development, then collect requirements like what features you can include, what advanced features to consider, how users will access the app, the payment methods, and components required to improve the user experience.

This step also includes deciding the tech stack. It refers to the technology and tools needed to develop a mobile app.

Suppose your target audience prefers Android apps, then you need to choose the tech stack accordingly, or if you need an iOS app, then you need to acquire the skills, experts, and access to the technology with the help of an iOS app development company in UAE.

#4. Technology Solution Provider

One of the most important mobile app development stages is hiring mobile app developers or a development company in Dubai, UAE.

A professional mobile app requires a certain level of expertise and teamwork. In contrast, hiring a company or expert requires investigating their portfolio, profile, work history, reputation, and experience.

After finding suitable information, hire a mobile app development company in UAE, where you’ll get a complete team, including designers, developers, a team lead, a project manager, and quality analysts.

#5. Mobile App Design

Now, you have your team of mobile app designers and developers, so start the process with wireframing, which stands for the conceptual layout of the app.

The designers will sketch it in coordination with business analysts. After approval, the mobile app design will take place, including UI/UX, style guides, mockups, and prototyping as the final step of mobile app design.

Using a prototype, you can simulate the workflow and analyze if any changes are required. After designing, the next step is mobile app development.

#6. Mobile App Development

It is the step where developers showcase their coding skills and app craftsmanship. It involves front-end and back-end development.

  • Frontend Development

It is common for people to confuse UI/UX and frontend development, but they are different.

Frontend development refers to implementing visual and interactive elements using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, compared to UI/UX, which is all about designing the overall user experience.

  • Backend Development

Backend development refers to creating a database and server-side programming where the developers connect the frontend and backend. Make sure the backend is scalable so app expansion can happen easily in the future.

#7. Quality Analysis

At this step, you’ll have an app. Despite its careful development, some bugs remain, so it is not ready for launch.

So, quality analysis removes the last bug from an app, software, or website. After development work, the role of a quality analyst is crucial.

They will test your app based on functionality, performance, security, and execution, including data security. After removing bugs or any discrepancies, your app is ready to launch.

#8 Deployment

The team you have hired from a mobile app development company in UAE will help you with app deployment.

The procedure will be according to the app development platform. For Android, it is the Google Play Store, and for iOS, it is the Apple App Store.

#9. App Promotion

It does not matter how good your app is if nobody knows about it. So, once you’ve deployed the app, you need to promote it using digital marketing channels. It’ll connect you with your target audience.

#10. App Maintenance

Maintenance is a must for a better user experience and the longevity of the app. Continuous app monitoring will help you maintain the app in a good way.

So, keep an eye on app downloads, usage stats, average visit time, conversions, ratings, feedback, and others.

process of mobile app development

Cost to Develop a Mobile App in UAE

It is joyous for a business owner to launch the app, as it’ll open the doors to business success, growth, and productivity.

But before developing the app, one of the crucial questions you need to ask is: How much does it cost to develop a mobile app in Dubai or the UAE?

After all, you need to manage the budget, especially if you are a startup.

The mobile app development cost depends on factors such as app size, complexity, features, developers’ team size, integrations, and others.

Although, the average cost to develop an app varies between $15,000-$30,000 for a single platform, suppose you need an advanced app, it may cost you more than $40,000.

The whole thing depends on your requirements so you can confirm an exact cost with an app development company in the UAE.

The Final Thoughts

Developing a mobile app is the right idea if you are looking to attain business goals. Most businesses in and around the UAE use mobile apps to acquire new customers and retain existing customers.

Consider it a digital extension of your business where you can target customers per your industry’s domain. The only thing that determines the app’s success is how you have developed it.

So, choose an experienced mobile app development services provider in UAE with a history of delivering state-of-the-art apps to businesses.

If you are curious to know what you can do more with your business app idea, we’ll provide the best answer to it.

We are a trusted mobile app development company in UAE and serve diverse industry domains. Our team of experts will find it very interesting to talk with you.

Nancy Bhargava

Nancy Bhargava is a Digital Editor and Content Marketer at Arka Softwares. She’s passionate about tech trends, news, and innovations with a focus on modern solutions all over the globe. She strives to create well-versed digital content that educates, informs, and guides businesses for better decision-making.

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