3 Ways to Ensure Successful Mobile Application Development

Considering the increasing technological advancement, businesses are pacing to address the demand for mobile apps. Employees and consumers use their smartphones and tablets almost all the time, so the companies are constantly working to release mobile apps to better serve their workers and customers. Some companies speed up mobile application development to make an app just too quickly, which eventually requires them to them perform updates as and when needed by the clients. Below is a list of things you can do to avoid pushing out a mobile application too soon:

1. Devise a plan for mobile application
The biggest dilemma faced by most companies is that they don't exactly know what they really want. Before releasing a mobile app, it is important to have concrete plans and a defined goal of the application. You must decide metrics to measure its success and how it will facilitate the users. Experts recommend that companies should prepare a comprehensive roadmap of a step of actions, their appropriate time of occurrence and the cost for each.

According to Forrester's study, on average, the design and development costs range from $200,000 to $350,000; so, the money needs to be carefully expended. Also, let there be extensions into the timeline of the plan. Do a detailed research about users and their dynamics because eventually they will be the direct users and expectantly benefitting from the application. Define what you want, collect feedback from customers and know what exactly you are aiming with mobile application development.

2. Choose between outsourcing or staying in-house
Companies should carefully evaluate whether app should be outsourced to a development company or freelance developers, or be done in-house. It is easier for large companies to manage resources for full-time in-house mobile app developers because of the large size of IT department, quite often complemented with a number of mobile apps and a very strong online presence.

According to a senior analyst at Forrester Research, appointing an internal IT person for mobile application development depends more on software development experience. Most often, it is quite hard to choose that one person with design and development skills, who is able to manage an entire project. Based on latest Forrester study, only 17% of IT decision makers realize the significance of hiring IT persons with mobile app development skills this year.

When considering contracting an agency, find companies that fit the size of your organization. Generally, big companies go with big agencies and mid-sized companies may go with smaller consultants Search thoroughly online for agencies in your area and know their achievements and experience. You could ask for evidence of the agency's past work, as a sample to have a fair idea if their work matches your requirements.

Finally, make sure to find out how the agency has integrated mobile applications with current software systems or lifecycle management systems for previous clients and how they plan to do it for you.

3. Perform testing and get user feedback
Testing and feedback are two of the most important aspects to mobile application development because developers and designers would not be the actual product users. At the end of producing each artifact, programmers should immerse themselves in the app, to identify what users will appreciate and disapprove about it.