The Basics of App Development: Step-by-Step Guide

Business apps are becoming commonplace with more tech-savvy employees entering the workplace and customers with high expectations demanding faster, more convenient services. They simplify work, enhance performance, and increase workplace efficiency. When built correctly, these digital solutions are also interactive and engaging, catering to various uses.

While creating applications has become relatively quicker and easier, some people still struggle to get it right. But low-code/no-code visual interface, reusability, robust functionality, and cross-platform integration have simplified application development basics even further. 

Regardless of platform-specificity, basic app development follows a series of steps similar to both mobile and web apps. 

Here we outline the basics of app development to get you started with successful development.

What is application development basics?

Basics of application development is defined as the process of building a web or mobile application. Both individuals and businesses use a specific set of technologies to create apps for diverse purposes. Unlike mobile apps, web apps don't need downloading; they use a browser interface and are delivered over the Internet for specific business functions. 

What are the basics of app development ?

These 5 steps make up the basics of app development includes:

1. Generate an idea
2. Research the market
3.  Work on the design
4. Start the development
5. Test the application

1. Generate an idea

This is the most challenging part of the app development process for some people. But an idea may come from an issue you or someone else is facing, observing the people and world around you, attending hackathons, or an app you're trying to improve. Alternatively, find out what investors are funding from their websites or startup shows like Shark Tank. 

Defining the problem is the first step to solving it. You already have a market if you articulate the pain point and generate the app idea to solve it. You can also combine and vary the most valuable features of existing ideas of apps to create a new app. This step also involves clarifying the app's purpose and end goals.

2. Research the market

Market research offers insight into your competition, ideal user, and the app's technical direction. It helps clarify if there's a need for the app, the feasibility of your idea, and if there are other apps already solving the problem you're addressing. The market research also raises your confidence in your app's marketability by determining if people are willing to use and pay for the app. 

The market research also helps you understand how well existing apps address the same pain point. It helps you identify your app's unique value proposition and where to concentrate initial development efforts to create a working prototype. Market research helps you avoid resource wastage and build a valuable app. 

3. Work on the design

The app's design determines how intuitive and easy it is to use. The best place to start is to imagine yourself using the app. App design visually brings it to life by helping you conceive precisely how the app will look like. The design should be primarily driven by usability, accessibility, and functionality to offer users a delightful and beneficial experience. 

Your app design should include visual elements like color, images, graphics, shapes, and any effects representing the final product look. The idea is to create a working prototype without writing code. Also include processes such as user sign-up, login sequence, app navigation, settings adjustment, and logging out. Customizing pre-built templates makes designing your app more accessible.

4. Start the development

Application development basics are incomplete without actually creating the app. Use traditional app development or low-code/no-code app builders to bring it to life. The development stage involves making more important decisions about what technologies will support your app. For the traditional approach, use the feedback received from the wireframes on functionality, design, and user experience to write the code for the app’s “final” version.

Low-code/no-code app development provides an integrated development environment (IDE) to build apps with minimal coding or code-free. Depending on your tech-savviness and programming knowledge, select templates and make adjustments to suit the app. Low-code/no-code platforms help users quickly create prototypes and launch and modify them.

5. Test the Application

Application testing ensures your app works smoothly. It covers usability, functionality, performance, compatibility, and security. Applications often have extensive information prone to mistakes, so the testing process needs to be thorough. 

Application testing is an ongoing process that typically happens during and after the development phase to ensure each app iteration is bug-free. But continuous testing is a significant challenge for about 17.7 percent of development teams. So integrate testing into the development process to catch any major bugs or oversights early and reduce maintenance costs. 

Problems with traditional app development

• Time-consuming: traditional coding involves working with a team of developers or programmers to gather app requirements and develop custom code to meet specified needs.

• It's slow: writing lines of code consumes time, especially for more sophisticated apps. Also, coding errors, testing challenges, and infrastructure delays can further delay application launch. 
• Higher IT skills: traditional development requires specialized IT expertise and extensive programming knowledge. It’s performed by trained IT personnel knowledgeable in programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML5, or Ruby.  
• It's expensive: hiring skilled software developers or engineers for traditional development is costly. To hire a software engineer in the United States, you’ll pay upwards of $118,741 and $109,624 for a web developer. 
• Requires constant maintenance: apps built using the traditional approach require continuous maintenance to enhance application security and keep it up-to-date.

Why no-code/low-code is the go-to option for beginners

Easier to use 

Low-code/no-code development can be done without expert coders. Users can easily create applications on a graphic, user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop components. These platforms democratize app development and can be used effectively by non-tech professionals and software engineers.

Less costly

With low-code/no-code systems, organizations don't have to maintain legacy systems, outsource app development, or hire expensive developers. They only pay a specified access fee for the platform, which reduces costs. Reduction in app development time also maximizes valuable internal resources. Low-code/no-code also allows businesses to test new ideas inexpensively. 

Faster development

With low-code development, 72 percent of developers build apps in three months or less. The little to no coding required in low-code/no-code development facilitates quicker app development and delivery. Non-technical professionals can create apps without writing code, which enables them to create and modify apps faster.

More agility

Low-code/no-code application development enables businesses to build many types of apps–simple or complex–for diverse use cases. Quicker development encourages businesses to address regulatory/compliance issues in real-time. LCNC platforms also allow users to test new ideas without waiting for IT, increasing productivity and efficiency. Moreover, these platforms empower more employees to build apps, broadening the pool of developers.  

Better data management

Low-code/no-code platforms make for simpler data integration and management. Many platforms offer cross-platform integration, allowing users to connect apps, processes, and workflows from existing systems. It's easier to create workflows that collect, share, process, and store company-wide information, making data integration simpler. With this, leaders can verify data quality and make more informed decisions quickly. 

Develop custom apps faster with the Kissflow work platform

Ultimately, creating applications is a process that follows these similar steps every time. However, it also requires choosing traditional development or low-code/no-code platforms. Low-code/no-code is easier, faster, and more flexible, optimizing ROI and helping businesses address developer skill shortages.

But in a market with diverse options, it's not easy to make the right choice. Kissflow low-code is intuitive and highly visual. Its user-friendly dashboard has easy-to-navigate pages and a marketplace with 400+ pre-built templates. You’ll accelerate time to market, increase productivity, promote team collaboration and drive innovation.