What Is App Development?
In short, development is the process of building the app to run on a variety of devices. This can be done by a range of people who specialize in programming, infrastructure or information security. Often, these individuals will work together in a development team.
While your app might initially be designed to run on one device, it’s a good idea to work with developers who are aware of the different methods needed to branch out. This means you’ll have the option available to you in the future, if required.
Different Areas Of Development
Despite the term pertaining to the building of an app, a development team is best understood when split into two distinct categories, Back-End and Front-End.
Back-End Development
The back-end of an application is best understood to be the core system that drives its functionality. This process happens behind the scenes, out of sight of the end user. It consists of the design, development, and deployment of features and code that affects the server-side of an app.
For instance, when a user clicks on the ‘Home’ button, the back-end code tells the app to take them to the home page when this action is completed.
If you wish to make changes to the functionality of the app, back-end developers will have to rewrite, or produce new code to enable this.
Front-End Development
Front-End developers focus their efforts on the UX (User Experience) and user interface. Effectively, they monitor and improve what an app user sees when they log in and navigate through the screens. Overall, the aim of a front-end team will be to ensure that the app is as user-friendly as possible, and will work to improve its overall appearance and accessibility over time.
It’s crucial to remember that the back-end system will always support the front-end system, so occasionally, these two sub-teams may need to work together on specific goals or tasks. It’s therefore helpful to foster a welcoming team environment.
So When Does App Development Come Into Play?
As app development consists of a wide variety of functions, and impacts many more, it’s best to think of it as a more flexible element of the creative journey.
While some areas of app creation need to be completed before development can begin, such as the initial idea brainstorming, competitive analysis and strategy formulation, most development elements can actually be worked into the process at varying stages.
For example, developers can have considerable input into the creation of wireframes and your MVP, as well as giving advice ahead of funding bids. You can be more confident pitching to investors with a clear idea of what your app could theoretically do. This can lead to more significant opportunities for your development team to push the boundaries regarding app innovation.
Really, it’s up to you when you want to start hiring or involving a development team in your process, but our advice is that the earlier, the better – developers are experts in the hard stuff, so turning to them is never a wrong decision!
How To Kickstart App Development
So, you’ve established your idea, done your market research, and your app is ready to be developed. But where do you start?
- Get The Right Team
It goes without saying, having the right development team can make or break your app. By hiring experienced front and back-end developers, as well as recruiting staff who may be new to the industry but are driven and willing to learn will give you a great blend of people who want the very best for your app, and this will show in your results.
- Promote A Learning Culture
The world of development is one that is constantly improving, and new technology is introduced at a rapid rate. This means that while your developers might be the very best at what they do, they’ll still need to be able to adapt to changes that affect how they work. For example, as programming languages evolve, your team will need to be capable of picking up new ways of working quickly. Therefore, you must promote a positive learning culture in your development team.
This may also involve actively learning what your app’s end users respond best to. Having a development team who are up to speed on recent user feedback allows them to make the best decisions for the long-term benefit of the business.
- Provide Your Team With The Right Tools
Both front and back-end developers need a range of tools to do their job well. This can include programming tools, code storage sites and performance analysis applications. While you can find some great resources online that discuss the variety of development tools available, it’s best to discuss your team’s requirements with them directly, so that they work in the most effective way.
By focusing on the right areas at the start of your app development journey, you can see long-term results and a happy team.
