In today’s connected world, using mobile applications is part of our daily lives. Mobile apps for grocery shopping, exercising, learning new languages or booking cinema tickets are appreciated mainly for their ability to simplify everyday tasks.
Because it must meet user expectations, developing a mobile application is a large, complex project that requires very specific skills.
If you’re thinking of developing a mobile app for your brand or business, we give you the keys to understand the particularities of its environment. Let’s go!
What is a mobile app?
We speak of a mobile application when we refer to a program or application software downloadable onto a mobile device (tablet or smartphone). Once downloaded, it runs thanks to an operating system: iOS for the Apple environment and Android for mobile devices from Samsung, Xiaomi or Google.
Which languages are used to develop a mobile app?
Depending on the chosen operating system, a mobile application is developed using specific programming languages. For applications developed for Android, you can choose among the following programming languages: Kotlin, Java, C and C++.
Fewer in number but just as popular with mobile developers, the Swift and Objective-C programming languages are used so that mobile applications work with Apple devices and the iOS operating system.
Note, however, that some mobile applications can be used on multiple operating systems. These are known as hybrid mobile applications — we explain why.
What are the different types of mobile applications?
Depending on the features and uses assigned to them, there are different types of mobile applications.
Native apps
Most of the apps we download to our phones today are native. A native mobile application is developed for a specific operating system (iOS or Android). They generally use the features already present on our devices to offer a unique user experience. Their big advantage is that native mobile apps can be used offline, which is handy when you’re on a plane.
Hybrid apps
In the mobile app ecosystem, there are also hybrid applications. They are called “hybrid” because this type of mobile app combines elements of native apps and web apps. Since they are coded using web languages such as HTML5 and JavaScript, they can be downloaded from all mobile platforms, which explains their great popularity.
Web apps
Finally, the third type of mobile application concerns Web Apps, in other words web applications. These are replicas of websites optimized for mobile use. To access a Web App, you use your mobile browser. The downside of these mobile applications is that they cannot be used offline.
What is a mobile app used for?
Increase the awareness of your business or brand
We spend much more time browsing on our phones than on our computers. In recent years, the number of mobile internet users has been growing rapidly. This phenomenon is largely explained by the widespread access to mobile devices.
If your goal is to grow your brand or business on the web, we strongly recommend developing a mobile application to increase your chances of being visible to your audience.
Having an app strengthens your online presence since you will be visible on app download platforms such as Microsoft Store, the App Store or the Play Store.
Provide an innovative experience to your audience
A mobile app is an excellent tool for delivering an immersive experience to its users. This experience also contributes to building your company's brand awareness.
By focusing on your users and optimizing their navigation within your mobile app, you ensure your app's success. At the same time, you create value for your business and promote profitability.
Developing an interface with playful features so that using your app is a real pleasure for users is a good way to increase your download numbers.
The ideal tool to retain your customers
We also recommend developing a mobile app to retain your customers. Our phone is the accessory we always have with us and use at any time of the day.
It's much easier to interact, communicate, or send information to users via a mobile app, notably thanks to push notifications. To give you an idea, the response rate to push notifications is 27% on average for e-commerce apps. (Source: Leptidigital.fr).
Why create a mobile app rather than a responsive website?
Send notifications to your users
One of the many advantages of a mobile app compared with a responsive website is the ability to send notifications to users. Notifications are excellent marketing tools to remind users that you exist. Be careful not to overdo it, though, or you risk annoying them.
Here are two types of notifications commonly used:
- Push notifications: they target less-engaged audiences to encourage them to open the mobile app;
- In-app notifications: their role is to guide users while using the mobile app;
For example, push notifications are used when you want to alert users to promotional offers or upcoming events. In-app notifications, meanwhile, can support gamification elements to improve users' experience within your app.
The ability to monetize your mobile app
Another advantage of developing a mobile app for your business is the ability to monetize it. Indeed, the most common economic model for mobile apps is the annual or monthly subscription.
Generally, they all offer a freemium subscription, allowing users to try the interface for free with limited access to app features. The idea is that if a user wants access to more features, they can upgrade to a paid plan.
Other mobile apps sell ad space to brands or other apps to generate revenue. When an app adopts this type of business model, it means it is already well established in its field and has many active users.
How to create a mobile app?
Hiring an agency specialized in mobile app development
With the rise of mobile apps in recent years, many app development agencies have emerged. For the development of your mobile app, you can trust these expert agencies since they have mastered mobile app design and mobile development languages.
The advantage of these specialized agencies is that they keep up with technical developments in the app environment to offer their clients innovative, high-converting products.
Choosing to have your mobile app created by a freelance mobile developer
Another option for creating your mobile app is hiring a freelance mobile developer. Their flexibility in project management and lower cost often lead project owners to use their services.
If you choose a freelance mobile developer, know that the platform Codeur.com connects you with independent developers. To find the perfect match, simply post an ad on the platform. As you receive responses, you can choose the person who best fits your project's needs. Get started now!
Our tip for creating a mobile app
Developing a mobile app is an excellent idea to boost your company's visibility and promote its services or products. However, it is also a complex field that requires knowledge of very specific programming languages.
Before starting any development project, we strongly recommend thinking about your targets by creating personas. They are the people you will need to win over through your app's design and usability.
To ensure the development of a quality mobile app, hire an agency specialized in the field or start looking now for the ideal freelancer on Codeur.com
