With over 350 billion app downloads across the world, businesses are interested in building a mobile apps more than ever. It is very common for businesses to have queries regarding the development process of apps and the cost incurred and the time taken for the app development. How long does it really take to make an app? Well, it depends on the type of app you are designing and the complexity involved in its building process.
How long does it take to make an app?
Mobile app development is a process that can consume a lot of effort and resources. Let us go through the app development timeline:
Planning stage (First 2-3 weeks)
Selecting the niche and the type of app that you are going to develop is the first stage in app development. You also have to decide the estimated time of completion of the app. It may take 2-3 weeks to finish off this stage, depending on the features you want to add to your app and any other relevant information needed for the development process. At this point, you need to opt on whether to make use of an existing framework or develop a new one.
Business Analysis Stage (2-3 weeks)
Business analysis is the second step in the app development process. Two weeks is the minimum time required for anyone with a basic understanding of coding to build and set up the outline of the project. The business analysis stage also considers the purpose, usage, and implementation of the app. This involves studying the competitors, the size of the market, demographics, and success parameters. You can find out the target audience, your competitors, and the exact resources required to market your app. Let’s say this is the most important stage in the app development timeline because you never know whether the decision you made with the app is a good one or not, without the right data.
Design and Pre-development stage (5-7 weeks)
Well, you can call this stage the initial stage in app development as you develop the basic concept, the design, and other relevant elements including the graphics, UI layout (user Interface), and color schemes, here in this stage. Making a development plan to ensure that the app development is finished within the estimated time is also a part of the stage.
This phase also deals with certain questions like – How your app should look like? What should be the structure? What ideas can be used to make it functional? What should be the scope of work you have to finish? You also have to decide the kind of app you aim to develop and the time you need to build it. The real coding begins when a developer joins the team to work on the project.
UI-Design stage (3-4 weeks)
In every development process, there is a phase that consumes a lot more time when compared to other stages. In an app development timeline, the UI design stage steals the title as it includes designing a user interface for your app. User Interface designing involves deciding the colors, fonts, and images for your app that attracts the target audience once the app is launched. You also have to ensure that your app is compatible with different operating systems and tools. Even before you start developing your app, you should be aware of these elements in order to identify what your target audience is looking for.
Development stage (8-10 weeks)
For app development, there are various stages with specific costs accompanied by it. The development stage basically involves 3 steps – UI design, front-end development, and back-end development. We have already discussed UI design, which will be handled by the graphic designers. The other two are very important elements in the app development process. The front end refers to whatever the users see in an app as well as the working of an application but it’s all useless until the back end is developed. The back end is what bridges the User Interface to the system, thus enabling the app to function properly. Back-end engineering involves Data storage, Server-side logic, Versioning, Data Integration, and User management. Meanwhile, front-end engineering consists of Caching, Wireframing, UI design, UI development, Front-end logic, and Synchronization.
Testing Stage (2 weeks)
During this time, you can test run your app to check if it is working as intended. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can make necessary alterations to the app with the help of a software developer or designer before releasing the app to the market. Once all the specifications are met, submit your app for review in the App Store. There they will examine the app you have developed, and make it go through careful screening processes before accommodating your app into their store.
Finalization and launch (1 week)
This is the stage where the design and proper functionality of the app are built and completed before releasing it to the public. You will receive feedback from beta testers on making improvements to the app. Though this phase demands some technical knowledge, you can get many resources like tutorials or YouTube videos for free of cost. Once this stage is completed, your app is ready for launch!
Post-launch support and maintenance stage (2 weeks)
It is very important to understand how your app functions after the release. This will allow you to identify and fix any bugs or glitches or to update features in your app that do not perform properly. The post-launch support and maintenance phase is crucial as it also gives the idea to bring a marketing strategy to increase the success rate of the app.
Wrap Up
It seems that there will be a new application that overruns our phones and computers every day. The increase we can see in the use and release of apps is not surprising with businesses wanting to get involved more in app development. This article will tell you how long it takes to build your app from planning to release.
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