Simple Steps to Creating a Mobile AppEvery industry wants to be part of the mobile bandwagon. From small businesses that look to increase their profits to big business houses who want to increase their ROI (return on investment), people across industries are looking at mobile apps in order to enter newer markets. In this article, we look at conception and design of any mobile app and what you must do to ensure your app does not become just another one among the millions.

1. Start with a clear idea

This begins with research to understand your target market and your competition. Do you have a completely unique idea? If yes, go ahead to step 2. If no, ask yourself if your idea is better or cheaper than your competitor’s? If this too is a no, you need to go back to the drawing board.

2. Proposal

i) Statement of Purpose:

Identify need and solution

ii) Define target market

iii) Define function, display, and promotion requirements

iv) Determine revenue goals and methods

3. Concept drawings

Create Wireframe. Then, make your app beautiful. This is an important part of the function and design part of developing the app.

4. To the developer’s office

Bring your proposal, research, and concept drawings. This is where you need to talk development. This is the stage of app development where you learn that almost anything is possible, but not everything is feasible.

5. Revise

Take all your great ideas, compute the cost (time + money), weigh it against value and balance then both.

6. “Paper App” Testing

i) Select 3-5 testers that fit your target market.

ii) Ask your testers to try out the “Paper App”

iii) Present screen displays based on user actions

iv) Watch, listen, record

8. Revision

This needs to be done as mistakes that were not evident before seem to come to the surface when you run through them once more.

9. Submit final design to developer

This is critical as it is the developer who has to finally verify if the design is feasible or not.