A Successful Cross-Platform Mobile Application: What Does it Take?

One of the key reasons businesses should seriously consider developing cross-platform mobile applications is that they can provide a variety of benefits and improve an organization’s overall success and efficiency when it comes to operations. In fact, data shows that people spend about 88% of their mobile time on apps. That’s why it makes a lot of sense to dedicate time and resources to building an application that matters. You’ll be positively surprised at the difference it can make. Keep reading to learn why mobile application development is one of the core pillars of your digital transformation journey. 

Mobile applications: A market overview

First of all, let’s start with some statistics illustrating why building your own app is arguably one of the best ideas a modern business can have.

1. The number of mobile apps: There were over 4.28 million apps available for download on the Google Play Store as of the second quarter of 2021, and over 2.22 million apps available on the Apple App Store. 
2. App usage: On average, consumers spend 4.2 hours daily on their mobile devices, with mobile applications accounting for 90% of that time.
3. App store optimization: Since over 60% of apps are discovered through app store searches, app store optimization (ASO) is an essential component of app marketing.
4. The cost of producing a mobile app varies greatly depending on criteria such as complexity, functionality, and platform. On average, a basic app can cost between $10,000 and $50,000, whereas a complicated app can cost more than $250,000.

Read Also: How to Hire Developers for a Startup

What are the benefits of mobile apps for your business?

Mobile apps can be advantageous to organizations for a variety of reasons, including:

• In-depth consumer engagement: mobile apps make it easy for customers to interact with a company. Customers can use a mobile app to make purchases, see items or services, schedule appointments, and leave comments.
• Increased brand awareness: a mobile app can boost a company’s visibility and brand recognition. When a customer downloads a mobile app, the company’s icon appears on their smartphone, keeping the company at the top of their minds.
• Better customer experience: mobile apps can provide customers with a more personalized experience. Businesses can provide relevant information to clients based on their interests and choices using features such as push notifications.
• Profitability: mobile apps can provide clients with a simple and efficient way to make purchases, leading to increased business sales.
• Competitive advantage: Having a mobile app can provide a firm with a competitive advantage in today’s digital world. A user-friendly app with great design and no bugs can help a business stand out from the crowd and expand its customer base.

How much does it cost to develop a cross-platform mobile application?

The cost of developing a cross-platform mobile application varies widely depending on various factors such as the complexity of the application, the features required, the number of platforms to be supported, the level of design and functionality required, and the experience level of the development team. Considering these factors, the price for developing a cross-platform mobile application can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in some cases.

It’s important to note that there are cost-effective ways to develop a mobile application, such as partnering with a remote development team. However, you should balance cost with quality and ensure that the development team has the necessary skills and experience to build a high-quality, functional application.

READ ALSO: How to Outsource Software Development Projects Successfully?

Steps to develop a successful cross-platform mobile application

A successful mobile application involves meticulous planning, attention to detail, and continuous iteration based on user input. These are some actions you may take to improve your chances of developing amazing software:

• Define your target audience. Identifying your target demographic is the first step in developing a successful mobile application. Who will be the target audience for your app? What issues are they attempting to resolve? What are their wants and needs? Understanding your target audience allows you to create an application that caters to their individual desires and preferences.
• Do market research. Identify your competitors, uncover market gaps, and comprehend user preferences. This information will assist you in developing a distinct value proposition that distinguishes your app from others on the market.
• Provide an easy-to-use interface. Your mobile application’s user interface (UI) is vital to its success. Your software should be simple to use, visually appealing, and offer a great user experience (UX). Before launching your app, use wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to test your UI design.
• Create and validate your application. Build your mobile app utilizing agile development approaches, including continuous testing and iteration. In order to make sure that your application is compatible with all mobile devices, test it on a variety of devices and operating systems.
• Start and promote your application. Launch your application on the app store and play market once it has been produced and tested. Consider investing in marketing and advertising initiatives to boost the visibility of your app. You can also promote your application using social media and other digital marketing channels.
• Gather and evaluate user comments. Collect and analyze customer feedback once your app has been launched. Utilize this data to improve your app and deliver regular updates that address customer issues and introduce new features.

Final thoughts

Creating a successful cross-platform mobile application takes time, effort, and resources. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of creating an app that meets the needs of your target audience and stands out in a crowded marketplace. Still, the most important thing you can do to ensure a high-quality cross-platform mobile application is to find the right team of professionals. People are your primary assets: they’ll help you make your dreams come true. nCube‘s staff augmentation service enables you to collaborate with world-class engineers and build excellent software for your clients. Contact us.