Ideas come and go, but sometimes there’s that one idea that just sticks. That one idea that wakes you in the middle of the night could be your latest mobile app epiphany. So, what do you do? Build it, of course! But how? Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after you’ve had that “eureka” moment.
There are a few hurdles that come with iOS app development or other mobile design, so we’re going to cover the following bases:
- Designing the app
- Developing the app
- Marketing the app
- Optimizing it in the App Store
- Boosting the ROI from your app
We’re going to walk you through the process, from start to finish.
Step One: Get the Basics Figured Out
Coming up with an idea is easy – it’s building on that idea and executing it how you imagined that’s hard. Just because you think you have an amazing idea doesn’t mean it’s practical. If it’s not accompanied with a solid business model, it’s not going to work.
You’ll need to build an app that not only appeals to your vision, but also generates revenue. So, you’ll need to keep the following questions in mind:
- What kind of app do you want to build?
- Who is your target audience/consumer?
- Do they care about what your app offers?
- Are you building the app for Apple users or Android users?
- How many people do you want to reach?
Once you’re able to answer these questions, you’re ready to move forward into the design and development phase.
Step Two: Write it Out
The best way to flesh out a great idea is to write it down. This way, you’ll be able to sort your thoughts in a productive way.
Jot down the essential ideas, from the design concept to your customer base. While you’re writing, think about who this app is for and how they’ll use it in their everyday life. A successful mobile app needs to be both functional and enjoyable to use.
Step Three: Find a (Great) Development Partner
This app can become your full-time business, so you’re going to need an effective development partner to help you build it. Even if you have the technical capabilities to do it on your own, working with someone else provides opportunities you might not have found while working solo. Receiving an outsider’s perspective can help hone your idea, and shape it to be both more useful and appealing.
Step Four: Test Everything
So you’ve created a prototype, but does it work in the marketplace? Testing how your app will fare commercially is essential. This test will let you know whether people like it the way it is, or if it needs to be tweaked.
Don’t worry if your prototype is just the bare bones of your idea. There’s no point in fully building a mobile app before you know how your target audience is going to react.
Step Five: Try to Get an Angel Investor or Someone With Money to Back Your Idea
Angel investors are wealthy individuals who fund startups that they believe will succeed. Usually, they’ll ask for a bit of equity in exchange for their financial backing. If giving up a little ownership isn’t what you want, you should consider reaching out to a bank for a small business loan.
Step Six: Optimize Your App for the App Store
When your app is accepted into the App Store, you’ll need to optimize it with specific keywords so users can find you. The easy way to do this is to choose a few unique words that have mid-level competition. These keywords will then be folded into your app title or name and app description.
Additionally, incorporate compelling screenshots and look at what competitors have done to emulate best practices and use their keywords as inspiration.
Step Seven: You Published, Now Pay Attention to Your Users
Even if you’ve managed to successfully fly through the steps above, you still need to pay attention to your users. You’ll find that customer feedback is the most helpful information you can get in order to release updates and new versions. By continuing to improve your app, you can achieve even greater success while learning what to better for your next mobile app release.
