Getting into app development - where do you start?

Start with a realistic understanding of what is involved. As with any quality design process, you will get what you pay for when it comes to app development.

If you want to handle app development in house, you will need someone with coding experience. Even with this, app development can be a time consuming and laborious process. Most companies choose to hire an app developer - as their level of experience and knowledge will be much greater. If you go down this path you need to work with someone who has not only technical expertise, but good project management and communication skills.

Basic questions to answer before beginning

• Who are your customers (or prospects) and what do they want?
• How will your app solve a problem for them or make their life better?
• Do you want to make money from your app or is it a branding tool?
• Where does app development sit in your overall marketing plan and budget?
• How are you going to plan, monitor and measure ROI?

Three key technical points to consider

• The download capacity of the device your app will be used on (if you want it to be functional across more than one you need to research the issues involved)
• Interface and usability of device (how do people use the device, does your menu structure and layout fit with this?)
• Software testing before release is essential to catch any bugs or glitches (use a professional, third party service so your app is released at optimum functioning level)

What are the best app development platforms?

Currently the three most prominent players in this field are Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry and Google Android. Also in the game are Windows 7 Mobile, Nokia Symbian, Sun J2ME and Qualcomm BREW.

Apple iPhone

Apple has stringent compliance and approval processes. You should read their regulations carefully before you commence design to ensure you do not contravene any of them and develop an app they will not accept. It may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months to get approval and get your app into the iPhone store.

Apple uses its own unique coding: Objective C so you (or your in house designer) will need to learn this or it may be best to hire an iPhone developer.

You don't have to worry about porting issues with Apple. If you develop for the iPhone your app can only be used on the iPhone (or iPads and related devices). Similarly, distribution is taken care of - it's all done through iTunes. Your biggest challenge will be trying to rise above the thousands of other iPhone apps. This is where you will need sound digital marketing strategy - which iQuantum can help you with.

RIM Blackberry

Blackberry app development uses Java or web development. By using Java you will be able to port Blackberry apps to other devices such as Nokia S60 and Symbian C++.

New BlackBerry app development is strongest for business applications for the North American market. Most popular Blackberry apps include Twitterberry, iSkoot (for Skype), Poynt (yellow pages search) and Bee Tag (barcode reader).

Google Android

Android is posing a direct challenge to Apple on the specific issues of access and portability. Developers can create Android apps without paying license fees. Once the app is developed you can install it instantly (no approval processes or waiting periods, as with Apple). This makes Android app development cheaper, as you can save on both time and resources.

For example Android phone users can text message for free via Google Voice. It is app development like this that will really shake things up as it delivers a specific and tangible threat to mobile service providers.

If you'd like to find out more about the opportunities of app development, talk to us about your best options. As with all online and mobile marketing, quality strategic thinking is crucial to ensure you get an ROI.