Today, with the development of smartphones and overall improvement of cellular networks, the world is leaning towards the use of mobile applications rather than traditional websites. You might remember that we have already discussed the need of any business entity to have a mobile app these days (here is the article in case you missed it), so today we are going to focus on IOS-specific application, it’s development and lifecycle, as well as specific reasons to make one.
iOS Application Life Cycle
Let’s be honest, iOS mobile development is similar to any other development 85% of the times, as it goes through similar stages and faces similar challenges. You begin with an idea you have or a business issue you have to close and transform it into the solution you deliver to your clients. Here is an example of how this process might look like.
Come up with an idea
Generally, there are 3 types of applications, that are derived from the number of features this app will allow users to do (and the amount of work that needs to be done to make it work):
- Small app is the one that requires log-in, simple interaction between user and app. For example, the Twitter app (a couple of years back, before the introduction of photo editing).
- The medium app will require integration with the device itself (e.g. access to phonebook, microphone or camera), as well as the support of location.
- A complex app is the one that relies on advanced features, such as personalized content, multiple languages, and editing of a photo- or video content.
Knowing what do you expect your app to do will help you during the next phase.
Clarify the requirements
It might be hard and devastating, but the more you know about how your app should perform, the clearer your instructions will be and the better results can be achieved.
The thing you need to keep in mind before planning, developing, and releasing your application to App Store (the application market for IOS devices) is scrupulous, if not to say ironfisted regulations set by the Apple Guides and regulations. They define virtually any aspect of app behavior, including personal data maintenance, Apple Pay (if applicable), and much more, so make sure to study them carefully while planning and setting requirements.
Hire a team
If you are building an app from scratch and you have no technical background, here is how your typical team would look like:
-
- IT project manager. This is the person that will take control over the team and will report directly to you about the progress made. You might also consider hiring a brand representative, but product manager salary is so much higher compared to the project manager.
- UI/UX designer. And before you ask, this designer works not only with colors and pictures, but creates the whole experience for the users and makes sure this journey is smooth.
- Developer with a primary iOS programming language knowledge required. Here is an ultimate guide on hiring iOS developer remote that explains all the details, benefits and pitfalls you need to know about.
- Tester. This expert will review the app and help find any problems or inconsistencies that might have slipped.
There are also various other team members that one may need to hire, based on the requirements and needs of the project (e.g. Technical writer that will prepare the elaborate documentation for the project, or Business analyst that will clarify all the requirements from both business owner and users).
Work closely
So from the day you set the requirements till the last day of iOS app programming, you need to work closely with the team you hire. Set clear expectations, share your view, but let the team drive the work and bring their own ideas. Another important aspect is regular and through communication with the team. You can schedule meetings and time slots when you can be contacted to answer any questions or clarify the requirements.
Test
The testing phase is the overall analysis of the delivered product by both the team and yourself. It is a period when a group of test subjects might become handy. If we are talking about test period for customers, make sure to inform them the app they have access to is ‘beta’ version and they are welcome to provide their feedback.
Release
One of the trickiest things about the release to App Store is the fact that either your developer or you will need to have Apple Developers license, that allows submitting an application to App Store. There is also a revision period during which Apple Inc decides whether your app can
Collect Feedback
One of the vital parts of the development process is the review of the further requirements based on the feedback received from the clients. What features need to be improved? What infrastructure can be reduced to make the flow more smooth? What is the perception of an app by new users and those who used your services before?
All these questions should define the direction of further work for both your operational process (you might well find some valuable insights) and the iOS mobile app development.
Why Bother at All
Here is the question many business owners ask themselves: do we really need that IOS application for our product? If you market includes users from the United States, Europe, and Australia, then the answer is affirmative. Here is the recent statistics that verify the information that the IOS market share has experienced growth in 2018 compared to 2017. It also means that the number of iOS developer jobs is growing respectively.
Statistics provided by DeviceAtlas.com
Whether you are going to hire an in-house team or decide to go for remote employees (where the tech talent pool is much bigger and way more affordable), make sure you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done. Find the team that will share your vision and will have faith in your product.
