A is for Android and this is a good place to start our little exploration into all things to do with this operating system. If you have a smartphone you likely utilise the apps on it – and so will your customers.
Android is installed on well over one billion devices so iOS application development is key to ensuring that the market reach for your app is as wide as possible. So what are the key steps when considering your Android application development? Read on to find out more.
Getting Back to Basics
Android was developed and is maintained by Google but it is open to customisation by everyone and is available at no cost. This is why multiple manufacturers deploy it on their devices. The trickiest issue with iOS application development is ensuring that your app operates successfully across all Android devices.
This can be a significant challenge as there are so many variables in how the app will be viewed when you consider the number of operating system versions, variations in sizes of screens, and the capability of any one individual device.
Another factor is the issue that most devices running Android are unlikely to be updated, so applications must be backwardly compatible with older versions. Understanding your target market will be important when considering how many versions you wish to ensure your app will operate with.
Traditionally phones comprised the bulk of devices running Android but these days that has changed and now your app must be developed to display successfully on screen sizes as small as a smartwatch to as large as a smart TV and everything in between. This means a large variation in pixel density too. Fortunately, software is now easily available to assist in this process.
As with all things tech, the design element evolves continuously and rapidly. Keeping abreast of trends in how your app looks and feels will be key to how users experience your product. Guidelines are available that offer outlines of form and layout to keep designers on track.
How Do I Get My App Out There?
There are plenty of places to publish your app but the most common by far is Google Play, due to its default installation on Android devices. Set up a developer account, pay a small registration fee, and make sure you abide by their content policy before attempting to upload your app for review.
If this is successfully achieved, expect your app to go live in just a few hours. It can be quite a buzz seeing your app out there in the big wide world.
How will it be received and can it generate any income? The obvious option is to charge for each download but there is some resistance by users, who largely expect the app to be free unless it’s from a well-known brand and/or was of specific interest to them. Another option is to allow ads to run in your app or offer the app for free but request users pay for some premium content.
What are the Other Things I Need to Consider?
There’s no doubt that developing an app can be a terrific way to keep in touch with your customers and communicate key information or provide a service. If you are considering offering an app or have developed an app in the past and it wasn’t as successful as you would have liked, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming.
Enlisting the help of an Android application development agency will significantly reduce wasting valuable time and money on a less-than-successful project. Having experienced developers and designers in your corner will speed up your path to market and make the journey getting there so much smoother.
The key stages in the process would largely fall into the following categories:
- Come up with a unique proposition
- Undertake market research to test it out
- Create a visual schematic that outlines the framework of the content
- Planning and design
- Coding the app
- Testing stage
- Launching the app
- Marketing campaign
Final worthy points to consider include, not skimping on security considerations. Considerable amounts of personal data can be taken and used by apps, so leaving your users unprotected can be devastating to them and you. Best practice around encryption and data storage is required, if in doubt, seek specialist advice.
Even despite best efforts during the testing phase, bugs are bound to remain, so don’t rush this stage. Extensive tests will help to ensure that the launched product does not end up being a frustrating experience for your users and the failure of your project.
Taking your idea to an agency that excels in Android application development can be the difference between success and failure. Having an experienced team alongside you at each step, who understands your market and the technology, can drive your iOS application development to the next level.