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Dinesh Dhiman
Dinesh Dhiman

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Basic Fundamentals to Know Before Start Developing an iOS App

With billions of mobile applications available in today market, it is very difficult to stand alone from the crowd. Mobile apps have become an important integral part of our daily life. Catering to the increasing demand and matching quality expectation has become a mounting challenge for developers. In the case of iOS app development, it is especially true since Apple has established a distinct landscape from its competitors.

As per the Statista reports, Apple is not far away from its rival competitor the Google Play Store. As of 3rd quarter 2018, Apple store has around 2 million apps available to download. Above numbers clearly, indicate the growing number of iPhone users thereby resulting in turning the market more and more competing. So, it is crucial to know the principles of iOS Development before starting iOS app development.

Define the Goal

The first essential step in the development of an iOS application is to define the goal of the app. It should present a clear vision as actionable points, setting the course for application development as per users expectations. Developing an app with no clear purpose or goal is probably going to be a waste of money. So, it's essential that you should define the app goal in two sentences or even less.

Understand and Know Your Target Market/Audience

Knowing your target audience is vital for the launch of any service or product. With the premium nature of iOS apps, this step is indeed more crucial in the case of iPhone app development services. Today’s customers look forth to making their life easier with intelligent solutions. As an app developer, we have to think deep and interpret how the app can make a difference to them. Right from the core functionality to UI design, every feature of the app needs to be in sync with the demand of the people who are likely to use the app.

Once you have recognized your target audience, try to build a wider understanding of their choice. You can study app market data to understand the trends. Studying your competitor’s applications is also a good way to interpret how you can append value and make your app distinct in the iOS market.

Estimate Cost and ROI

If you are planning to derive maximum benefits out of your iOS app, make sure your development efforts are worth it. Before diving into the development process, run an evaluation process of cost and possible return. According to the survey conducted by the Red Hat, 74% of the companies that use KPIs (key performance indicator) to determine their mobile app success have reported a good ROI (return on investment ). ROI analysis and Cost is critical irrespective of whether your app will be the primary source of income or an extra one.

Apple’s Policies Need to Followed Carefully

Apple offers a unique user experience, plus has its own valid conventions for iOS mobile app development. An experienced ios app developer would surely know that UI and app performance holds equal weight. Hence, it is essential to ensure that every member of the development team is knowledgeable of Apple’s guidelines & policies and should follow them consistently.

iOS Compatibility

We all know that in the present market everyone has multiple mobile devices, such as a smartphone and a tablet. And it is quite obvious that you would want your app to have the maximum reach. So, it is recommended to build standard apps that can adapt to the screen sizes of various devices.

Proper Utilization of Frameworks and Libraries

One of the main reason behind the tremendous popularity of iOS mobile app development is its huge number of frameworks and libraries. Whether you're looking to implement custom-UI animations or working with the device hardware, these frameworks and libraries are used to solve a number of issues. As a result, it helps in saving a lot of effort and time and from the developer point of view, there is no need to build the same features all over again.

Double Layer Testing

It is advisable to carry out a double layer testing process. Test the app with respect to its functionality and also at the same time seek users feedback as well. Continue with the testing process, again and again, until you're are not sure your app is complying as per the policies of Apple App Store. The developer runs integration testing, writes unit tests, and identifies glitches and fixes them before the application eventually rolls out to the App store.

Select a Relevant Distribution Model

Pay attention to choosing the best distribution model. Apple offers three distribution models. The most common one is directly uploading to the Apple App Store.

Apple also allows a test service called the TestFlight, which you can practice for the beta launch of your app. TestFlight enables you to invite up to 100 users to test your product privately.

Outfitted with these tips, you can go out and get started with turning your plan into a great application. If you’ve recently developed your application, do let me know how your experience was. I would love to hear from you!

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