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App Development Software Buyer's Guide
Table of Contents
- What is the meaning of app development?
- What is App Development Software?
- How does App Development Software Work?
- How to Choose the Best App Development Software?
- Questions to ask a vendor when buying App Development Software
- What Are The Benefits Of App Development Software?
- Features To Consider Before Choosing an App Development Software
- How Much Does an App Development Software Cost?
- Conclusion
As per a recent survey by an American Investment company Morgan Stanley, 91% of adults are mobile users and they spend 70% of their entire day on their device. That’s the reason most of the companies are adopting a mobile-centric approach and building their own apps to attract the potential audience. Though big companies have an in-house team to build their own app, small and individual entrepreneurs constantly look for the alternatives. In this regard, building an app on your own through software comes as an ideal solution to many. In this guide, we will discuss the same in a detailed manner.
What is the meaning of app development?
App development can be defined as the process of designing, building, testing, and implementing software applications for use on mobiles, tablets, smartwatches, and even computers. It contains a set development methodology and best practices to achieve desired results. There are multiple tools, programming languages, libraries, and frameworks that simplify the entire process for app developers.
What is App Development Software?
Application development software brings you a handful of tools to create a mobile application with ease. You can take your business on your mobile wherever you go. Predefined themes make it easy to create a white label app within an hour. You can create both native and hybrid apps compatible to run smoothly in any platform such as iOS, Android and Windows. A number of plug-in APIs along with auto-synchronization can make the app run smoothly without the need of any developer at all.
› Basic of Apps:
Once you decide to go through the catalogs of different app development software applications, you will come across terms like native apps, web apps, and hybrid apps. If you are a novice, you should know the basics about them.
› Web Apps:
Web apps are not opened through any app, instead, they are the mobile version of a website built using JavaScript, CSS, and Java. One major plus point is that the operating system does not matter here as the website can operate on almost any device.
› Native App:
Native Apps are specific purpose apps and are created in different versions (iOS, and Android). Prior approval is required to get them live on Play Store and iTunes store. As the regulations keep changing frequently, obtaining approval becomes a daunting task.
› Hybrid App:
These apps have only one code base and are made available on app stores for download. Just like web apps, they are created through HTML5 and then are integrated with Native cross-platform technology. In short, hybrid apps are just like web apps that can be accessed like native apps. As compared to the other two, hybrid apps are easy to create, update and manage.
How does App Development Software Work?
With an App Development Software, you can easily make an app without having any coding knowledge.
It works in three simple steps:
Step 1: Select a layout
There will be many predefined layouts for you to choose from. All you have to do is to select anyone and get started. They all will be having different features as per their niches. For instance, a wedding planner app template will have features such as Venue Locators, Directories having a one-touch call, Navigation etc. whereas a real-estate app will have pre-added features such as Search systems to locate nearby properties, intuitive layouts for listing properties, Money Transaction feature for selling or renting out properties. So, you have to select the layout that best matches your requirements.
Step 2: Add the required features
Like we discussed in the last step, once you select the layout, it will come with pre-defined features to make your job easy and quick. However, there will be certain other features that you can consider adding depending on your business requirements. For instance, you can add a Live Chat feature to your Real-Estate application or you may even consider integrating Push Notification feature to make your video streaming app more popular.
Step 3: Publish
It is the last step and gets completed with a few clicks. Once you push it live on Android and iPhone platforms, it will take a few hours to a couple of days to get published. And then, you will be all set to welcome more digital footprints towards your business.
How to Choose the Best App Development Software?
With an App Development Software, you can easily make an app without having any coding knowledge.
There are n-number of self-proclaimed best app development software applications available in the market. However, it is up to you how clearly you can choose the best one amongst the best available. Though that is not an easy task to do but is not impossible either. All you have to do is to scrutinize them through certain judging parameters such as:
› A reputed name in the market:
Nowadays, it is easy to know whether the software is popular or not by looking at its customer reviews online. Though there could be non-organic reviews, a ratio of 70:40 (Positive: Negative) is enough to state that the software is worth your attention. Don’t just depend on the reviews from a single website, instead, look from multiple sources before finalizing anyone.
› Multiple supporting orientations:
Multiple supporting orientations means that the app can be aligned both horizontally and vertically on your screen. This feature is a must-have thing if your app involves playing videos. Nowadays, inserting promotion videos has become a common thing irrespective of your business niche. That’s why choose software that stands high on the same.
› No Bar on Push Notifications:
Push notification is your boomerang that will bring your audience back to your app again. Thus, it will be your ultimate weapon for increasing traffic. However, it can equally cost you money if your app maker software will start charging beyond a certain limit. Thus, keep the software on your list that promises no bar on creating push notifications.
› Prefer software offering Real Time Updates:
Post live, every now and then your app will go through small changes and repetitive bug fixations. Unless the software updates the changes on a real-time basis, you will have to wait for a few hours for the changes to take place. So, go for the one that offers an update.
Questions to ask a vendor when buying App Development Software
1. How user-friendly is your app development software?
2. Does the software fit in with the technical skills I, along with my team, possess?
3. Can you elaborate on the types of design features the software has on offer?
4. Can I use web languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, to develop apps?
5. Is your solution an ideal choice for the type of apps I’m going to build?
6. Have you served clients with similar interests as mine before?
7. Does your tool support native, web, and hybrid apps?
8. Is your software cross-platform compatible?
9. Does the solution come in with publishing assistance?
10. What would be the pricing structure of the software?
11. In what ways can I customize the system? Is there any additional cost for it?
12. What about support? What customer services do you provide after I make the purchase?
13. How long will it take to get the hang of the solution? Will there be special training sessions?
14. Are there any limitations to the software I must know?
15. Will the system be able to handle the app’s growing and changing requirements?
16. How frequent are your software updates and new releases?
What Are The Benefits Of App Development Software?
If you have ever tried to hire a team for building an app, you can easily conclude the benefits. Here are the top three benefits amongst all.
› No Coding Knowledge Required:
Anyone can make an app without having any prior knowledge of coding. With that being said, you no need to have proficiency either in HTML or Java to get started. The bottom line is you no need to hire any coder at all.
› Saving of Time:
As there will be predefined themes and templates, you can build the app within a day which usually takes months for developers to even publish it in iTunes Apple store. So, in case, you are in a hurry to launch an app, subscribing to mobile app builder software would be your ideal bait.
› Saving of money:
An entry level custom app will cost you around $55,000 and can go way higher up to $150,000 with additional features. However, if you choose ideal mobile app builder software, the same thing can be achieved under a budget of $35,000.
Features To Consider Before Choosing an App Development Software
Before going for particular application development software, there are certain things that one should be aware of to avoid mistakes. Otherwise, you may end up buying a not-so-good software. In this regard, here is the complete checklist for the same.
› Application Privacy and Security
Application privacy and security are the bare essentials as the confidential data can be hacked otherwise. Therefore, look for these protocols before purchasing the software.
› Reseller Possibilities
For product-driven businesses looking with a future possibility for reselling, it is important to ensure the possibility of the same beforehand. This is because developers do not usually integrate reseller options into their app development software. Hence, prior information on the reselling capacity of the app can ensure a seamless experience during app development. Generally, creators also bundle up reselling apps with free websites and tools to facilitate resellers.
› Push Notifications
The efficiency of an app can witness a sky-high percentage if the app maker software will provide the facility of push notifications. It plays a major role in engaging customers and intimating them whenever a promotional product, update, or a new feature is released, thus, maintaining the flow of traffic.
› Customer discounts or loyalty programs
Many app creators also integrate client discounts and loyalty programs. These programs aid in keeping a track on customers’ behavior and improve customer engagement for product-driven businesses, while simultaneously creating interesting platforms for the audience to invest in.
› Social Media options
When an app development software is integrated with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and more, not only it helps to create a platform for sharing marketing materials, but also facilitates downloads of the app through social links. Make sure your app creation software has this feature covered under its basic plan.
› Analytics and Reporting
Many app development software also allows their users to generate and track daily progress by providing analytics and reporting dashboards. This gives a detailed insight to the users on their acquisition skills, the percentage of customer retention, and customer behavior. So, the integration of analytics and reporting is a criterion one should definitely put on their list irrespective of the type of the app development software.
› Instant Messages
If your business hosts product-driven app development software, then instant messaging capability can serve as a boon to your business. Recent surveys have stated that products offering instant support by messaging can also boost the traffic inflow and review of your product, as it shows customers that your business or product really cares for them. Hence, while going for an app development program, one must explore if the creator provides an instant messaging service.
› Location Tracker
For a company or business which serves customers from all around the world, the geo-targeting feature can help provide customer specific resolutions depending upon their locations. Furthermore, the feature can also help track the quality of customer engagement from various parts of the world and similarly improve the organizational efficiency and reach.
› Administrative Controls
Although almost every app development software application provides admin controls, it differs from creator to creator. The type of app, such as web app, native app, or hybrid app is also one of the deciding factors leading to the difference in the facilities and tools provided to the administrative members. Thus, in such cases, it is very important to carefully analyze, understand, and prioritize the target audience first before listing out the various facilities and admin tools of an App Creation Software.
› Customer Support
A good business not only focuses on creating income opportunities for itself but also understands the value of a good network of customer communication as well. While many app development software enables direct interaction with customers via 24/7 chat services, phone calls, emails, or even SMS services, many others do not provide such channels at all. Hence, one should always properly investigate the app or creator information from different sources to be sure about the efficiency of the app development software.
How Much Does an App Development Software Cost?
Each app development software application has a free basic version that it offers under a trial version. Many app development software applications also allow users a free trial for a period of a 3-6 month with limited access to professional admin tools, the user chooses between the SMBs or goes for any premium plan to get additional facilities and tools. Depending upon the usage, types, additional facilities, and tools, the pricing of these premium plans generally start from as low as $10/user/month and then goes up to even $699/user/month. The annual package of a mid-level app development software starts from $199/user/year and can go as high as $1200/user/year.
Conclusion
Drawing potential customers towards the business is not an easy task, especially in the current scenario of cut-throat competition. In this regard, a decision to make your own app through an ideal application development software will certainly help you towards achieving a bigger sales target. However, just do not forget to choose the software as per the important parameters to get the best return on your investment.