When you have a stellar idea for a mobile app or your company can’t wait to sell it in the App Store, chances are you may miss something incredibly important: the process.
Mobile app development requires an adherence to a well-defined process. The process itself may not be the same for everyone, but it’s key that you work within four key areas:
– Strategy: Initial research, which includes target audience feedback and initial wireframes, is often where we jump the gun. Develop strong goals. Base them on real-world feedback and suggestions. At the same time, of course, don’t kibosh intuition.
– Design and Development: Layout. Colors. Interactive content. From Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) to technical architecture, programming and optimizing, it’s critical you get to know your mobile app—and fall in love with it—before it goes public.
– Quality Assurance: Testing can ensure that your best intentions deliver to a small beta testing group. Share the mobile app with those you trust. Ask for their feedback. Listen to it. There is a lot to consider before throwing the app to the lion’s den: the App Store
– Launch: Once your mobile app is conceptualized, designed, developed and thoroughly tested, it’s time to share it on the App Store. Are you ready? It’s now time to consider mobile advertising, online marketing and many other ways to make your app known.
Ready to launch? Explore Step 3 of the iOS Developer Program at Apple.com.
In next month’s newsletter, we’ll ask Matt Hampton of Envoy Design Co. to provide his top five questions and answers from businesses with stellar mobile application ideas.
Until then, plan well. That’s how today’s mobile app trailblazers stay ahead of the curve.