Mobile app development is a relatively broad term - but most often refers to the overall process required to create and launch specific software, or applications (apps) for ‘small wireless computing devices’ - most commonly smartphones or tablets. a series of processes and procedures required to build software for small, wireless computing devices, such as smartphones and other hand-held devices.

Whilst developers once had to write separate code for different device types, it’s now possible and commonplace to use more ‘universal’ coding languages designed to function across a variety of platforms and operating systems.

In short, the digital world is becoming more mobile-driven than ever before. With more than 50% of internet users accessing sites via mobile, there’s never been a better time to improve
your customer’s user experience, increase loyalty and reach vast new audiences with a platform optimised specifically for mobile devices.

Depending on the design, purpose, and functionality of your app, you’re also likely to benefit from an enhanced customer experience, increased client loyalty, and greater market coverage - all of which can drive sales to new heights.

Are you interested in building a mobile app for your business but don’t know where to start? GLO are here to help. Our tight-knit team of expert app developers and designers really know their stuff - and are always happy to sit down for a free consultation. Reach out to us today to get started.

Generally speaking, the cost of mobile app development can vary hugely in accordance with a number of factors - including the developer you choose and the intended use of the app, alongside its level of complexity.

Those working on a low budget or limited timeline to create a simple app may opt to use ‘no-code’ builders such as AppyPie - which allow for the use of pre-coded elements and widgets.

More complex mid-range options are generally available in the form of both self-use tools such as HoneyCode (charged on a subscription basis), and development services provided by freelancers and agencies.

The most expensive apps are often those requiring native development as a result of their complex or unique features - which may include (but aren’t limited to) AI or VR. Though costing at this end of the scale is typically high (up to the hundreds of thousands), the end result is most certainly worth it - delivering a hugely enhanced user experience and resultant ROI.

Every great app starts with an idea. No matter the development route you’re going to follow, your budget, or your timeline, in order to create an app, you’ll need to develop a vision with direction and purpose. Of course, once you’ve got the basics down, an app development agency such as GLO will be able to help shape and optimise your initial concepts.

Beyond this point, the path to launch is up to you. If you’re aiming to build your app yourself, you’ll need to get to grips with no-code development software before creating and deploying it to app stores. An app developer will undertake the following steps for you - kickstarting the process with a discovery meeting, before creating a structured plan, developing your app, putting it through quality assurance, deploying it to app stores, and maintaining it.

Are you interested in building a mobile app for your business but don’t know where to start? GLO are here to help. Our tight-knit team of expert app developers and designers really know their stuff - and are always happy to sit down for a free consultation. Reach out to us today to get started.

Whether or not app development is worth it depends on your business’ unique circumstances and requirements. For those with customer bases with large online (and therefore mobile) usage figures, in particular, investing in an app could result in a significant ROI.

With overall usage statistics pointing towards huge digital growth - particularly in the area of handheld devices, our experts indicate that developing an app with a genuine, useful purpose suited to your business’ target audience is generally an excellent way to improve reach, loyalty, customer experience, and sales. Though an app is often a significant investment, much like a website, it’ll serve to boost your bottom line in the long run.

If you’re unsure as to whether or not a mobile app is the right option for you, reach out to our app development team for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss the potential viability of any concepts you may have in the works.

Because mobile apps can vary so significantly across functionality, design, complexity, and scale, there’s no exact timescale that they should be completed to. Whilst a simple app built on a no-code platform with generic functionality may take three months to develop, a highly complex app involving AI or VR may take in excess of nine months. The most time-consuming steps of app development tend to include project research, design proposals and revisions, development itself, and app deployment or ‘launch’ to your selected app stores.

Beyond the deployment stage, many developers offer ongoing maintenance and support - designed to ensure your app stays up to date, and that any issues or bugs are resolved quickly and effectively.

The mobile app development process can vary slightly according to your chosen developer and the unique requirements of your app, however, most tend to follow a formula along the lines of:

Conceptualisation:
All mobile apps begin with an idea. Your development team should meet with you to discuss your vision, before researching and refining your ideas into a viable concept.

Preparation:
After you’ve approved your concept, the developers may begin preparation in the form of establishing a support system for your app’s backend including databases, APIs, and servers.

Design:
At this point, your design team should work to create an intuitive, functional user interface and design in line with your outlined requirements, concept, and brand.

Development:
After the final design has been greenlit and all backend elements are in place, your developers should work to bring your app to life - completing all coding and programming necessary to connect your app’s frontend interface with its backend.

QA:
After each element of your app is complete, your developer should complete a quality assurance phase - testing all functionality and rectifying bugs prior to deployment.

Deployment:
After QA is complete, your app should be ready to launch across your chosen app stores - most commonly the Google Play Store and the App Store. Their team should manage every aspect of this.

Maintenance:
Beyond post-launch checks, some app developers offer maintenance and upkeep services designed to ensure your app’s functionality in the long term - keeping it up-to-date and bug-free.

The term UI is one you’ll come across often in the world of mobile apps. It refers to the user interface - the graphical and touch-sensitive display found in mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. It may also refer to voice-controlled interfaces. UIs are what allow the user to interact with their device’s features.

Much of the app development process is spent designing the UI - balancing the creation of innovative interfaces with aesthetics. Good developers aim to ensure that their newly created UI provides the user with the best in-app experience possible.

Apps can make money in a wide variety of ways. Whether or not you’re looking to monetise your app, and how you’d like to do so, should be a point of discussion early on in the app conceptualisation process, and should be decided before the start of development. Some popular models for monetisation include in-app purchases, subscription payment models, paid apps (wherein the user is required to pay upfront to install the app), advertising, and affiliate marketing.

Beyond these direct streams of revenue, apps can make money for your business indirectly by serving as a tool boosting brand awareness, customer loyalty and retention, and for reaching vast new audiences.

Whether or not you’ll personally find it easy to develop an iOS mobile app depends on your level of experience. Whilst app development on any platform tends to be a relatively daunting experience across any platform for those new to the process, there are a number of programmes available to assist along the way - from ‘no code’ options to mid-tier subscription options.

In the case of developers, how easy iOS development is compared to Android depends on their individual preference for programming languages - with many finding Swift’s readability highly beneficial to ease of development.

Are you interested in building a mobile app for your business but don’t know where to start? GLO are here to help. Our tight-knit team of expert app developers and designers really know their stuff - and are always happy to sit down for a free consultation. Reach out to us today to get started.