While playing around with an app on your phone, how many times have you thought, "I have this great idea, I wonder how these things get made?" This is a question we answer all the time, as we receive dozens of mobile app development inquiries each day. We get to talk with some of the best entrepreneurs out there, and create mobile apps for really innovative ideas. However, sometimes these mobile app ideas need a little bit of coaching. That is where our team of mobile application developers and marketers can help.
Recently Lisa Calkins, Amadeus Consulting's CEO gave a presentation to the Da Vinci Institute (a local thought leader consortium) and a group of mobile entrepreneurs about mobile app development. This workshop and presentation was designed to focus the entrepreneurs on the key decisions they need to make before approaching a mobile application development company. These decisions allow you to understand the nature of your application, and best practices to make it successful.
Let's talk numbers.
The first thing we'll go over is the number one question we receive, "How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?" The answer is not simple because the core functionality of the application can be vastly different from app to app. The general range that we give our customers is anywhere from $10k for basic applications to $50k for large-scale enterprise mobile apps.
Now I know these numbers may seem somewhat scary, but let's talk a minute about why those numbers translate to better results for our clients. Amadeus Consulting, unlike most custom software development companies does not outsource any development. Not a thing. This adds a significant value for our clients in terms of communication, quality and project alignment. It means that our customers have a greater insight into what is happening with their projects, and can call us directly to discuss exact details in a normal business hour setting. It also attaches a higher standard of quality and result, which are two of the most important attributes we value. This process ensures that the project is done correctly from the get-go.
Phew! Now that we have gotten the numbers out of the way, let's talk about the top six decision points that you as a mobile entrepreneur need to make. We'll be breaking this up into two posts so that you can take the time to consider the first few decision points.
What is the Main Purpose of the Application?
In other words, what is the one thing that your app will do very well? This is something that many apps do not follow. It can be really easy to try to incorporate many things into one app, ideas snowball and then you have a fully-fledged application instead of an app. Try doing this: Write down what you believe is the main purpose of your app. Is it to move jewels around to get points? To fling birds in order to destroy pigs? Or does it track your running statistics?
The point we are trying to make with this is that the most successful apps limit the purpose of the application. This allows the users to think about them in easy-to-digest problem-and-solution scenario. For example,
Problem: I need to find a new restaurant in this area
Solution: Consult UrbanSpoon
This doesn't mean that you cannot have other great features within the app, but think about those features in terms of the overall problem you are solving; do they support or enhance it? For instance, UrbanSpoon has several features that help you make your restaurant decision. These features include friends, reviews, pictures and location that help you find new restaurants.
The other reason that singularity in mobile apps is a best practice is that it guides other decisions including: the classification in app stores, the name of the app itself, the user interface and the marketing and promotion of the app.
Who is your Customer/User?
If you know any marketers, then they have probably asked you this multiple times. It is one of the main questions not just in marketing, but in the best practices of mobile app development. This is a critical question to answer because it helps you understand:
1. Critical Functionality (What does this user need?)
2. Look & Feel (Is it for teens or business people?)
3. Platform Fit (Are they Android or iPhone users?)
4. Marketing (How will you focus the promotion?)
So who is your user? Try thinking about it in terms of a number of factors, and then see what you think the best fit is. Some of the key segment characteristics are age, gender and purpose.
For more information or questions you have about your mobile app development idea or how to get started on your app project, follow up with us and we can answer your questions.
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