You might know or not, DB Best started in 2002 as a database migration technology startup. After years of migrating enterprise applications and databases, we saw an opportunity to expand into web and mobile development – it was back in 2008. And already in 2009 we started delivering mobile applications, including games, mobile commerce apps, and communication solutions. Using our smart methodology for designing and building technology products, we’ve created dozens of Android and iOS applications that have been used by millions of users worldwide.
In this post we’d like to share with you the key steps involved in creating a successful mobile application. Our development process is time-tested, validated by our customers, and proven effective for mobile app development. It consistently delivers fantastic results but, at the same time, it’s not a Holy Grail. It’s not a “cookie cutter” solution or magic bullet either. Beyond mere steps, the human element is core – so we may take a little bit different path based on your specific goals.
The Process – Getting Things Done
When we look at the end-to-end process of developing a mobile app, it comes down to a number of major things – from business discovery and development to support and marketing. Not to mention that at all stages your dedicated Project Manager won’t get enough sleep making sure your app is delivered on time (usually 4-6 weeks for a simple app) and on budget. As far as pricing is concerned, watch this video to see how we approach it:
How Much Will It Cost To Develop Your Mobile App: https://youtu.be/p2uS5TKM0Lg
1. Research and Business Discovery – Project Proposal
An exceptional mobile app starts by understanding your vision and requirements. In order to gain a better perspective into your niche and market, we listen and ask questions so as to understand your mobile initiatives, audience, and goals. If there are any technological hurdles, we’ll provide all the possible solutions to them. In some cases we’d suggest to run a short research proof of concept to validate new technologies or concepts before committing to a complex project in a new technology space (which is moving at the crazy speed as we all know).
Typically our Mobile Development Crew completes a tailored project proposal in 2-3 business days.
2. Planning – The Project Plan
At this stage, our Product Marketing Managers work with you to lay a roadmap of your mobile product. We’ll also try to determine the immediate and long-term requirements for your app including third-party services and what development resources will be required. The ultimate goal is to ensure that business objectives, mobile technology, and creative design are captured properly and communicated to all team members.
As a result of these efforts, we create The Project Plan broken into modules, milestones, dependencies, required assets and the product specification.
With a detailed project plan, our focus is on delivering amazing apps to everyone of our clients.
3. Prototyping The User Flows – Wireframes
Smartphones and tablets now have their own user experience guidelines and rules. To alight them with your project, we develop a proof of concept, an interactive visualization of the app. Using Balsamiq, a neat mock up tool with a high focus on usability, we create wireframes that demonstrates major scenarios and how the user interacts with your app. Once finished, we send you all mockups for your feedback.
Creating mockups for an app feels like digital drawing…
… but with specific use-cases in mind.
As a rule of thumb: the more efforts we put in wireframes development, the chances are that the risk for the estimate and project scheduling will go down significantly. And, based on the findings, we can also modify the Project Plan.
4. The Graphic Design
To get a good idea of what our clients are looking for from an app from the visual point of view, we send them a design questionnaire – it saves your valuable time and allows us to create stunning designs.
While designing ‘look and feel’ of your app, our design team will ensure that it looks awesome on the mobile screens for many different resolutions. Our process here is to take wireframes and create a single concept with several revisions of the core screens which, when agreed, form the foundation for the remaining screens for your approval.
During this step we can use your current Branding Style aka Brand Book, or create a completely new design, including typography, color scheme, images, logos and layouts.
The Design Process: Ready for Coding
5. Development aka Coding
As soon as the design is signed off, our mobile developers then get to work building your app following The Project Plan. Based on your feedback and suggestions, it can be two or three iterations of development. Once finished, the entire project will be available to you for review and testing. If you need any additional features or functionality, we can work on them after signing the Change of Scope document.
6. Testing
To test your app, our Quality Assurance crew works with checklists, specifications and wireframes created at the earlier stages. We now operate with 30+ mobile devices to make sure your apps really perform and work flawlessly on every mobile platform – iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows. All these mobile devices and tablets are available to our developers and testers – they can test any app, anytime. Once an app is rigorously tested, you can be absolutely sure that user experience, features, and look-and-feel are maintained throughout the entire mobile app ecosystem.
DB Best Mobile Device Lab
Beyond Laboratory Testing, we also check the performance and behavior of the application under different conditions such as bad network coverage, low battery, or low available memory. Another handy methodology is Interrupt Testing – for example, how the app performs during incoming and outgoing SMS and MMS, media player on/off, or incoming and outgoing calls. For the proper functioning of your application, we also do memory leakage testing, Functional and Installation testing.
7. Launch aka Deployment
Once your mobile product is ready and you’re happy with the results, we will release it to Apples App Store and Google Play marketplaces. Additional co-marketing opportunities are also available.
8. Support and Optimization
Based on user- and market feedback, you most likely will end up improving your app – and we’re here to help you with platform updates, new features and functionality.
Make Better Use of Mobile – Work with Us
People check their smartphones 150 times a day, which means there are an almost infinite number of brand connection possibilities. ~ Econsultancy
With in-depth experience in nearly every operating system, mobile is now in our DNA. And our focus is always on delivering amazing apps to everyone of our clients. So when you need a set of streamlined methodologies that work effectively, our process is designed for you to produce predictable results and lower costs.
Convinced? Want to learn more? Check out our YouTube channel and see why we’re the best company for your next mobile app development: youtube.com/user/dbbesttech
