9 Golden Rules to Make an App Like a Pro.
Ok, let’s skip the part where you have spent dozens of sleepless nights dreaming about your idea and not knowing what to do, whether to ignore it or bring it to life. Now you are sure that your idea is definitely worth creating an app.
What should you do next? We would not like you to share the density of many others before you who overflooded apps markets with lots of useless apps.
In this article, we will provide you with a guide how to build an app like a pro.
So, here are some rules to follow to get from bare idea to the working app downloaded by your happy users.
Rule 1. Goal Setting: Make It Clear.
Well, there definitely must be the new type of sports created. Sounds like something really challenging and eye-popping. The rules are simple. The players set a goal and take steps to follow it. That’s it. Imagine how many will make the finish?
The very few. So, at this stage, your task is to clarify for yourself what you want. Take a pen and paper and define what exactly you plan to accomplish. Some simple questions will help:
What does my app do?
Which problems does it solve?
Does it make the life of other people more comfortable?
Will I use my own app?
How do I make it stand alone among other already existing apps?
How can I profit from the app?
Rule 2. Research Can Never Be Enough.
At this stage, your task is to find out how competitive your idea is and if there is a room on the market for one more app from this niche.
Learn what your competitors offer, download and test their apps. Read the reviews and hear what people say.
Use the received information to your advantage and make your app better. Get back to previous steps and modify your idea according to new data. Otherwise, give up your idea and don’t even tell anyone you had a plan.
After you’ve done the above, more research would follow. Now you need to define how feasible your idea is.
You need to examine possible hidden rocks like copyright restrictions or anything that might turn out not as you expected. Take this step serious as it might prevent you from unexpected money loss.
Rule 3. A Little Sketching Never killed Nobody.
This may sound old-school, but sketching is still one of the most efficient ways to depict your idea and steps to take for bringing it to life. Once you have a visual representation of your imagination, it will be easier to make it come true.
So, it’s time to recollect your lessons in drawing and bring on paper what you have inside. Quite a useful practice, now you have a clear vision of the whole process. Time to move forward.
Rule 4. First There Were Mockups & Wireframes.
Now to give your idea a little more functionality and technical performance you should do wireframes. This is a sort of foundation for your future app.
There is a high number of websites which you can use to do your wireframing. The task is to choose the one you like, and that will be easy to use.
Here are some of these wireframing tools:
https://balsamiq.com/products/mockups/
https://evernote.com/penultimate/?var=2
http://visio.microsoft.com/
http://www.axure.com/
http://pidoco.com/
http://iplotz.com/
http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html?PID=7609893
https://www.omnigroup.com/
https://www.gliffy.com/
Rule 5. Design Like Nobody’s Watching… Or Like Everybody Is.
UX/UI is something your user will see first, so the what impression your app will make entirely depends upon the design.
You have a unique opportunity to tell your users what your app is about without words. Colours, navigation, overall style make a significant difference and influence the users’ choice whether to use this app.
Don’t try to copy the style of world-known apps but try to design an app in the most recent tendencies with attention to users’ preferences.
Be a trendsetter as well, try to predict what is more likely to be popular tomorrow. The app development might take some time, and during this period any modern tendencies can get out-of-date.
The navigation should be intuitive. A great app is an app without instruction where users make the common gestures and get the expected feedback. If navigation feels uncomfortable or awkward, the app is more likely to get deleted by users. So, pay attention to design and make it the best possible way.
Rule 6. Handsome Is What Handsome Does.
Even the most beautiful eye-catching design can be spoiled by technical imperfection. So, testing is your every day/week/iteration ritual.
During the development time apart from planned testing and QA would be a great idea to show your app your friends and family to get additional feedback. Ask them to be honest, without the temptation to flatter.
As the result of testing, you should get a bugs-free app, properly working screens, navigation and positive impression from working with the app.
Make sure the app work meets your expectations. Don’t try to persuade yourself. If you don’t feel like the app is done, don’t stop polishing. However, at the same time do not stretch out the development time as the release may never follow due to the missed moment.
Rule 7. It’s a Final Countdown: Better Safe Than Sorry.
Hope you have bought the Developer’s Account, read and learned all App Store and Google Play Guidelines and strictly followed them. Now take time to review the app yourself. Make sure it meets the requirements.
Try to eliminate the possible reasons to get App Store rejection. App Store made it simple for all developers and created a list of potential reasons to get a rejection.
You can get yourself familiar with this list here: Common App Rejections. After you submit your app, App Store takes time to review it. Once the app is accepted, you will see the status change in your iTunes Connect.
Rule 8. A Stitch In Time Saves Nine.
When you have the app approved you can press “Release” button anytime now. Try to define the right time for your app to see the world.
Your audience might be studying or working on weekdays and be online on Friday night or during the weekend. So, choose the best time and let the show begin.
Rule 9. Don’t Think It’s Over Now.
After your first users have an opportunity to test your app, be ready for first feedbacks or claims. You cannot foresee everything, so the app might not be running smoothly on some devices or screens resolutions.
Additional testing might follow. Don’t think making an app is a part-time job. Even if you do it apart from your main activity, it may take a longer time to manage it compared to your full-time job.
You are a lucky one! You’ve crossed the finish line and made it happen. Hopefully, you have brought enjoyment to someone’s life or solved a problem. Reap the benefits and enjoy the process that follows afterward. It’s a long journey, just keep putting one foot in front.
Author
Tasha Bronicka – . I’m a technical writer at IDAP. Find more on IDAP Blog or Facebook.