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To app or not to app:
Why should your business go mobile?

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Blog
Introduction
In the past couple of years, mobile usage has reached new highs. Even though desktop computers and laptops have better reliability, power, and performance, many users still choose the convenience of using their mobile devices to access the information they need. The latest research shows that more than half (approximately 58%) of web visits are mobile, and those numbers are expected to grow even more in the next couple of years. With this information in mind, it is natural to question how prioritized mobile usage will affect businesses.
The trend of developing mobile apps for customers is becoming more and more prominent, and it is no longer just about corporations and large companies. More and more small businesses and startups invest in developing apps to outshine their competitors and improve their customer service significantly. In this article, we will answer some of the questions you might have about app creation and break down the factors you need to consider.

Interesting Fact:

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How many times do you use apps during the day?
Research shows that approximately half of the smartphone owners open apps more than 11 times every day!
THE ADVANTAGES

We've already mentioned the skyrocketing popularity of mobile apps, but is it the right decision for your business?

These are just some of the benefits of building your own mobile platform:
1
Be constantly visible
The research by Nelson Company shows that an average person spends approximately 37 hours and 28 minutes per month engaging with mobile apps. The fact that each user must unlock, scroll, and scan their device to find the app they're looking for doesn't change despite the limited number of programs that constitute the majority of the overall use. Statistics show that an average smartphone owner uses around 10 apps per day and approximately 30 apps over a month. Even if the user doesn't click on your app specifically, the icon with the company logo subconsciously registers in the user's mind, thus developing brand recognition.
2
Improve customer engagement
Apps handle a wide range of tasks: they can offer user accounts, messengers, news feeds, search tools, general information, pricing, booking forms, and much more. One of the significant advantages of having a mobile app is that it puts all the information you'd like to provide your clients at their fingertips, including special offers and promotions. Push notifications allow you to effortlessly remind clients about your products and services whenever it makes sense, bringing you even closer to direct engagement.
3
Increase your brand's recognition
Mobile marketing is one of the most effective strategies for increasing brand recognition. Customers will be more motivated to purchase your goods or services sooner if you can engage them with your app on a regular basis. In advertising, this is referred to as the "effective frequency". On average, approximately 20 times of hearing or seeing your brand will get you recognized. As an additional bonus, you will see a significant SEO boost if your brand is present on directories like the Apple Store and, in particular, the Google Playstore.
4
Make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Despite the essentiality of apps in our daily lives, not many small businesses and startups invest in developing their own mobile platforms. If done right, it can tremendously boost your success and distinguish you from the competition, highlighting innovative thinking.
5
Maintain customer loyalty
It doesn't come as a surprise that an average customer is bombarded with various types of ads each day. Banners, websites, coupons, email marketing—these and many more can cause the user to develop tunnel vision. Investing in an app that is convenient for the customer can help build a sincere and genuine connection and loyalty to your products or services.

Interesting Fact:

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935 BILLION U.S DOLLARS
This is how much mobile apps are expected to generate by 2023.
Things to consider before you design and build your App
At this point, you probably realize that the question isn't whether your company can benefit from its own mobile platform but rather what it really takes to create one. This section will shed some light on the significant steps that precede the development. We at Gitmax believe in the importance of preliminary work. These several relatively easy steps can ensure that you create a great custom solution tailored to your company's needs.
  • Identify your target audience
    An important question to answer before the development process begins is about your customers. Who are they, and what do they want/need? How mobile-oriented are they?
    Begin identifying your customer base by determining their average age, occupation, and tech proficiency when it comes to apps. Research shows that younger users (age 13–24) tend to use apps twice as much as any other age group. On the other hand, this group can also abandon apps more frequently if they don't satisfy their needs. Older users aged 45 and above prefer mobile browsers over apps, as they seem more familiar and less time-consuming. The most common group (aged 25–44) uses apps frequently and makes a perfect audience for mobile marketing. Most users judge apps by the same criteria: convenience, accessibility, and customization. Some users also expect to see special deals and promotions on a specific platform.
  • Pick a strategy
    Once you have completed the proper research on your customer base and have an approximate understanding of what your app is going to be, you can start thinking about the strategy. Determining the right approach to development is a crucial step that needs to be considered thoroughly.

    There are several common approaches:
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DIY
Do-it-yourself services are inherently less expensive and can provide excellent professional-looking results. Most services charge a monthly fee of $20 or higher, depending on the level of customization and features you require. Additional charges might include market placement and hosting costs. When choosing a platform, it is essential to consider how the service handles the changing store requirements and the introduction of additional features and data.
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Professional development
Suppose you don't want to handle the process personally and are looking for a custom-designed, unique app by a team of experts. In that case, you might consider the services of professional developers. It will require a significant investment. Understanding that an estimated cost can change depending on the complexity, additional features, integration, and other factors is crucial. Developing an app for both the iOS and Android platforms can also significantly increase the price. Thus, going with professional app development requires open communication and a clear understanding of costs, projected results, and timeframes to maintain a fruitful, trouble-free collaboration.
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A Hybrid Approach
The hybrid strategy combines the two approaches we've mentioned. You can significantly save on resources by providing a prototype created in the DIY app service and forwarding it to experts for customization and implementation of additional features. The hybrid strategy will be more expensive than doing everything yourself, but it will prevent you from making common mistakes and result in a unique, tailored solution. The Gitmax team recommends this approach, as we can pick up the process at any stage, and a prototype will help us better understand your vision for the final product.
  • Choose technologies for application development
    Who you choose to develop the app will ultimately depend on the technical stack you select as the foundation for your project. This decision will undoubtedly have a significant effect on the final cost of your app.
1
Web app
Technically, it is not a mobile app but rather a mobile-friendly website that ensures users a smooth experience across platforms with responsive design. This type of app would probably be the cheapest, but a slow internet connection can result in interactivity delays. It is important to keep in mind that web apps cannot access the entirety of hardware and platform components.
2
Native app
Native apps stand out for their functionality and speed, which makes them one of the most convenient options. If an app is created in a language local to the operating system of a specific platform or device, it is considered native. For iOS, this means Swift or Objective-C, while for Android, it means Java or Kotlin. It also has access to platform-specific hardware and software features such as GPS, camera, microphone, and others. The difficulty in switching between software platforms is a major disadvantage; for example, an Android app cannot run on an iPhone and vice versa. For native apps to operate on many platforms, separate versions should be designed for each operating system. This doubling of effort inevitably raises development expenses. Choosing this option may increase costs, but we at Gitmax believe it yields the most user-friendly, customizable, and inventive solutions.
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Hybrid App
Hybrid apps combine two approaches. They are available in the app store and take advantage of multiple device features, like native apps. At the same time, like a web app, they rely on HTML browser rendering, but the browser is incorporated within the program. Hybrid applications are especially popular because they enable cross-platform development, lowering costs significantly—the same HTML code components may be utilized on multiple mobile operating systems. In addition, the app store presence of hybrid apps eliminates the need to develop a whole other separate app, thus minimizing efforts and resources.

Interesting Fact:

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According to the most recent estimates, the Apple App Store has 1.96 million apps available for download, while the Google Play Store has 2.87 million.
Process & resources.
There is no doubt that businesses can profit from custom app development in numerous ways. On the other hand, creating an app for your company requires tremendous resources. In this section, we want to shed some light on the custom app development process and discuss two of the most prominent issues: time and money.
How long does it take to create
a mobile app?
An estimated time for a well-built and thought-through project like this is approximately 6 to 9 months. However, to maximize its potential, you need to embrace the fact that it will need to be changed, updated, and tweaked on a reasonably regular basis. Just like a website or your social media, it must reflect companies' changes, progress, and latest trends and strive to be as accessible and convenient as possible.

To understand this estimation, let's go over the general steps of the development process:
  • Step 1:

    Project Discovery Phase
    (approximately 1 month)
    The most crucial groundwork for a future app is laid at this stage. It entails identifying major issues, conducting market research, developing a cohesive detailed concept, outlining goals, and other requirements. During this period, the prototype is created, and its testing provides crucial intel on possible roadblocks, thus minimizing the risks of wasted resources.
  • Step 2:

    Design and technical specifications
    ( approximately 1 month)
    During this time, a team of experts will create a precise list of features, performance capabilities, and properties together with the fundamental UX/UI components for your upcoming mobile app. Gitmax designers and engineers closely follow the iOS Human Interface Guidelines and the Android User Interface Guidelines. Our skilled teams are also open to custom design ideas and solutions, which they can expertly incorporate into your project.
By the end of this phase, you can expect the following deliverables to be provided:
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Description of app features and their correlation with your business website;
2
A list of functions the app will perform and how those functions match the client's needs;
3
A comprehensive style guide defines brand identity and other visual requirements;
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The roadmap for the development stage;
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Users' journey map.
  • Step 3:

    The Development Phase
    (up to 6 months)
    The most time-consuming phase is development, which covers all the coding needed for your app to function correctly. This step consists of two parts: front-end and backend development. Front-end development is responsible for how users see the app when they launch it. It requires meticulous, detailed work and testing to ensure that everything functions properly and there are no compatibility issues.
    The backend development makes sure that the app is technically viable. If the deliverables from the previous step are done properly, there shouldn't be any issues or slowdowns. No testing is conducted at this stage, but the code is monitored for bugs or errors. At Gitmax, we evaluate all issues to ensure you have insight into those that may affect the end-user experience.
  • Step 4:

    Testing
    (approximately 1 month)
    This crucial stage in the process will help identify any underlying issues or problems that might have been missed during the development. It also tests user experience, running speed, and accessibility. The main goal of testing is to go through every little detail, feature, and process, making sure everything works properly and runs as it should.
  • Step 5:

    Support and Maintenance
    (indefinite)
    After the testing is conducted, you should have a product ready to launch. However, as we mentioned earlier, the work doesn't stop there: technology advances and trends change. We suggest reviewing your app at least once a year and assessing its state, convenience, and novelty.
How to calculate how much building
an app will cost you
Now that you have an understanding of how much time it takes to develop an app, it's important to talk about how much it can cost you. Some firms charge a flat fee depending on the project's complexity; others will calculate the hours spent on the development and bill you a calculated sum based on the hourly rate you've agreed on. Regardless of the payment arrangements, you are offered, you need to consider the additional fees that may apply based on the developer's experience, platform, features, and overall project complexity.
An estimate should provide you with all the pertinent information and an accessible and complete breakdown of all costs.
At Gitmax, we believe that the key to fruitful collaboration is communication. Before starting the development, you need to have a clear understanding of the process and any charges that may apply. Leave no question unanswered. Being direct and meticulous can save you a lot of resources and help you avoid possible issues and unpleasantness.

Conclusion:

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In conclusion, we believe that there is nothing impossible in building a well-functioning mobile app for your business. The development process indeed requires a significant influx of your company's resources. However, we believe that apps will become a staple component of any future business, and staying ahead of the curve can help you succeed. To develop your mobile app, you must carefully select an IT outsourcing company with the necessary expertise and experience.
Contact Gitmax today for a consultation, and we will answer any questions you have regarding app development. No matter how big or small your business is, we can find the right solution for you. Our team is ready to help your company acquire an innovative edge and assist in your digital transformation journey.

Let's work together!

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