In 2020, mobile apps are less of a novelty as they used to be with the first invention of the iPhone, and more of an essential part of the structuring of our lives. Even today, you’ve likely opened your banking app to check on your accounts, have used a music streaming service to make your commute a little more enjoyable, or have communicated with someone close to you through instant messaging.
Many companies now offer app functionalities rather than sole web-based platforms, because it allows them to curate more enhanced security features, as well as a wider range of software utilities. As a company, small team or individual developing a mobile app, it can seem as simple as working with the toolkit and approximating basic coding principles to acquire a functional platform. Of course, this process is by no means easy, but at least the path seems to be laid out in front of you.
However, we would suggest that there are some principles of mobile app development that should be considered vital to success. Please, consider our advice below:
Security, Security, Security
Mobile app security is not something you can avoid. Hacking attempts, reverse engineering and code obfuscation are practical threats that can be faced 24 hours a day, no matter how valid the storefront or delivery platform from which you offer your app. Essential mobile security solutions that take this cohesive set of threats into account can help influence your patching priorities, as well as applying scalable security to both inform and protect yourself against a range of viable threats. Not only this, but the lack of extra coding required can help this become an integrated part of your development timeline, rather an inconvenient extra consideration you need to budget time towards.
App Feedback
Listening to feedback is an important part of contributing to a robust, secure app. Only when your app is experienced through the lens of many devices, and from many users can you gain a cohesive idea of the problems people face. With public reviews and an effective bug reporting tool, you can use this information to ensure updates are scheduled for the future. You will also be able to discern bad criticism from good, and to this extent, you will also gain a better idea of your clientele, or how accessible your app may be.
Opening To Testers
Opening the doors of your app development to skilled testers can be a great idea. A closed alpha, open alpha, closed beta and then even open beta testing process can help you externalize your bug testing capacities before launch, maybe even helping you avoid downtime or immediate redevelopment efforts that would have otherwise caused real harm for your brand name if part of your 1.0 offering. There are a community of testers and tech aficionados the world over who pride themselves on helping initiatives such as yours, and so sometimes, offering this potential can be a great idea.
With this advice, you’re sure to utilize the best and most essential principles for stellar mobile app development.