Apps are everywhere: education, travel, entertainment, cloud kitchens, or shopping; life revolves around apps and the products/services they offer. Any firm, a start-up, or an established one aspiring to scale up its business, banks on a robust app. It is a marketing tool for the company that provides a good ROI. Products/Services offered are showcased on Apps with descriptions, snapshots & videos.
A robust App provides an edge over the competitors, and the company wants to ensure that App is technically sound, user-friendly, and fast. Most firms outsource their Mobile App Development & Maintenance tasks. Apps have evolved since they were first introduced for smartphones. They make use of state-of-the-art technology & latest programming languages.
"Global revenue from mobile apps is expected to reach $ 613 billion by 2025 from $ 318 billion in 2020 - Statista."
So, read on to figure out how to build a robust App in 2022…
Begin With Basics
Define your Requirements, Objectives & Goals
Different companies have different products/services, and the requirements of each are different. The App design will vary depending on the nature of the products/services. Similarly, whether you want to use the App for marketing, sales, or customer service, will also determine the structure of an App.
Decide the Features you Want
It would be good if you were crystal clear about the features you want in your App. Some features can later be added depending on the feedback and requirement of the consumers. One mistake companies make is cramming too many features to increase their utility. No doubt, having an app that does many tasks is a good idea, but it will make the interface a bit confusing.
Draw a Wireframe of the App
Once the objectives and features are decided, it's time to draw a wireframe for the App. A wireframe consists of buttons, screens, and transitions. It guides the app development process and prevents costly code rebuilds. You can decide content priorities, interactive features, and ways prospective consumers can use the App.
Construct the User Interface
It's time to start the technical process, as the next step involves building a User Interface. The UI designer will add graphics, designs, and colors to create an attractive interface. However, this is just an initial design, and depending on internal & external reviews, changes will be made.
Coding
After designing the App, programmers start coding the platform. The development is done at both the front end and back end. The interface the customers use to interact with the App is the front end, whereas the back end is used to manage and process the data.
Testing
A dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) team should test each & every function of the App. This makes sure that the App works as it was intended to. With good testing, most of the bugs will be fixed before the actual launch of the App. LambdaTest & Testsigma are some of the best testing tools in 2022.
However, once the App is available for download on app stores and users start exploring it, new bugs may appear, which need to be instantly fixed.
These are the basics that must be adhered to for building a robust app. However, the development team needs to use the latest technology available in 2022 to compete with other companies apps.
Hence, now we look at some Emerging Technologies used to make an intuitive app in 2022.
Go For the Latest Tech
Artificial Intelligence
Although Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning have been around for many years, developers have just started integrating them into apps effectively. Some use cases of Artificial Intelligence are Face Detection, Speech recognition, Natural Language Processing(NLP), and image recognition. Behavioral Algorithms can be used for security by monitoring app usage for detecting fraud and suspicious activity.
Blockchain
Blockchain first came into the picture with the rise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. However, the technology can also be used for building robust apps. Blockchain technology is more secure than any other technology, so it can be banked upon to prevent cybercrimes. The technology can specifically be used for mobile payments, anti-piracy software, and intelligent contracts.
5G Technology
Apps must be developed in 2022, keeping the 5G Technology in mind. It is estimated that 660 mn smartphones will have a 5G connection by the end of next year. 5G technology is 100 times faster than 4G technology, which will increase speed and reduce latency. Augmented Reality(AR) & Virtual Reality(VR) can be integrated with the App using 5G Technology for smartphone connectivity.
Beacon Technology
Although this technology has been around since 2013, only recently has it been used extensively. This technology allows online & offline worlds to become interconnected. For example, if you are near a brick & mortar store of a famous brand, the store's beacon device will send a message to your smartphone about the latest offers & promotions. Beacon Technology can also be used to track consumer behavior at the stores.
Wearable Device Technology
You can already see people moving around wearing smartwatches & fitness trackers. The year 2022 will see widespread use of wearable devices as they become cheaper & more accurate. All these devices are connected to a smartphone via an App. This is just the tip of the iceberg; there are endless possibilities in which apps & wearable devices can interact.
Chatbots
These days, apps need an inbuilt virtual assistant to answer routine queries from visitors & customers instantly. A chatbot is no longer a luxury but a necessity for the App. In 2022, chatbots will be smarter and be driven by Artificial Intelligence. So, a robust app must have an intelligent chatbot that can satisfy clients with its answers & learns with each interaction.
Foldable Devices Technology
According to Statista, 50 million foldable devices will be shipped in 2022. So, when building an app, wearable device technology should be considered. It would be best if you made sure that the App also works on the foldable device, which is a challenging thing at present. Video streaming and gaming apps require larger screens, which is when foldable devices come into the picture. These devices have foldable screens which can be opened to provide a more immersive experience.
Cross-platform Development
It makes sense to build an app compatible with all platforms in use rather than creating a separate one for each. An app compatible with iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter will have a larger audience. This allows users to switch between devices with different Operating Systems (OS). Although an app that is equally easy to use across other OS is challenging to build in 2022, that is what customers will want.
Predictive Analytics
This technology is all about predicting the future behavior of clients by analyzing data. The basic notion is that no two users are precisely the same and have different preferences and therefore interact in various ways with the App. Thus, by analyzing their movement pattern on the App over time, appropriate products & services can be promoted. For example, Netflix suggests movies/series based on what the viewer has previously watched.
Cloud Usage
Cloud computing has been around for some time now, and it can also be leveraged for mobile apps in 2022. Apps can store and process data on the cloud instead of the user's device. This streamlines development operations and cuts down costs at the same time. Cyber attacks are a big concern in 2022, and cloud storage provides added security.
Internet of Things
Billions of devices and gadgets will be connected to the Internet in 2022 and beyond. Thus, there will be a tremendous demand for device-app integration via the Internet. As a result, apps should be built considering this integration. For example, the house's door lock can be opened/shut, or the temperature of the house thermostat can be adjusted from any remote location via an app.
To Sum It All Up…
Technology is advancing rapidly, and what works today may be outdated in a few months. This means companies must constantly update their apps as new technologies are available. Covid-19 has further accelerated the usage of apps for buying products from the safety of homes.
So, to build a robust app in 2022, begin with the basics and then integrate the latest technologies. Over 6 million apps on Google and Apple App Store are put together. Thus, there is immense competition between apps to stand out.
The only way to be among the best is to adhere to the basics and use the latest technologies while building an app. You need not incorporate all the technologies above but make intelligent choices based on your product/service and customer requirements. So, if you would like to build a robust app, go for iOS/iPhone app developers and Android app developers, catapulting your business to new heights!
Victor Ortiz
Content MarketerVictor Ortiz is a Content Marketer with Goodtal. He likes to read & write on technology-related topics. He is passionate about traveling and exploring new places.