The App Development Blog : 

iOS app development can be a lucrative venture. It allows you to reach the one billion people who use iPhones globally.

Existing businesses and new entrepreneurs alike recognize the opportunities associated with iOS mobile app development. But getting started is often the biggest hurdle, and that’s why we created this guide.

Continue below to find out everything you need to get started with iOS app development. We’ll even show you a shortcut to success.

 

What is iOS App Development?

iOS app development is the process of making software to run on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iTouch hardware. Like any software project, the iOS app development process has unique requirements to ensure the application is compatible and meets the specifications for Apple devices.

iOS applications can be deployed on the Apple App Store for users to download.

Apple has specific developer guidelines for iOS apps. These guidelines contain the rules and best practices for iOS app development, including what it takes to get your app published to the Apple App Store.

 

Prerequisites to Develop iOS Apps

There are certain requirements you need to have in place before you start developing iOS apps.

Most of these are technical requirements that provide you with the tools and resources for development. We’ll take a closer look at each one below and link out to some other helpful resources that you can use to learn more about the topics.

 

Launch App Guide: How to Launch an App Fast

Most businesses recognize the importance of app development. But waiting a year or more for your mobile app launch isn’t realistic for everyone.

Sometimes a business needs to launch an app quickly to capitalize on an opportunity.

Maybe you need the app ready for an upcoming event. Or perhaps you’re releasing a new product or service that must coincide with the app launch. It’s possible that you’re creating an app to stay one step ahead of your competition or keep pace with other competitors launching mobile apps.

There are dozens of reasons why launching an app quickly is crucial for so many organizations.

The average app development timeline before launch is at least six months. But this guide will teach you how to cut that timeline in half. Some of you will be able to create and launch an app in just one to three months by following the blueprint and tips for success outlined below.

 

Why a Successful Mobile App Launch is So Important

Your mobile app launch can make or break the short and long-term success of your application.

If you wait too long to launch the app, you could miss out on some time-sensitive opportunities that have a direct impact on app downloads and usage. Conversely, rushing through development and putting out a sub-par product could cause people to stop using the app altogether because of a bad experience.

A smooth launch with an app that’s bug-free and delivers a seamless user experience is the best way to ensure your app is successful for years to come. Prioritizing the user will keep them coming back to use the app, allowing you to maximize the lifetime value of each person who downloads the app.

Launching your app in weeks instead of months is useless if the app itself doesn’t work the way it’s intended. So you need to find that balance between a fast launch and a high-quality product.

 

5 Steps for Fast App Launches

Step 1 — Market Research

Anyone can come up with an app idea. But you need to validate this idea with market research before you start building anything.

So many mobile apps fall short of expectations because the app developer skipped this step.

Taking the time to understand your target audience and research your target market will ultimately save you time and money when development starts. You might realize that certain features or functions that you thought were important aren’t actually necessary for the app.

So you can launch the app quickly by omitting those features altogether.

Step 2 — Get Organized

Once you’ve completed the market research stage, you need to create a solid plan. Use the following bullets as an app launch checklist and answer some important questions before you start building anything:

  • What app stores are you going to launch on?
  • Are you going to build your own app or hire mobile app developers?
  • If hiring app developers, will you assemble your team or work with an app development company?
  • Have you considered app builders and mobile app development platforms?
  • What is your app development budget?
  • When do you need to launch the app?
  • Are there other stakeholders that need to be consulted?
  • Do you need to raise money or pitch the app idea to investors?
  • How is your app going to make money?

Step 3 — Identify Your Mobile App’s Key Features

By now, you should have a clear understanding of how you’re going to create an app. Whether you’re going to create an app on your own or outsource the project to a development company, it’s time to focus on the app’s functionality.

This is arguably the most important step when trying to launch an app fast.

All too often, people get carried away with mobile app features. They focus too much on the “nice-to-haves” instead of the “must-haves.”

Start by creating a list of features that your app users need to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Your initial list of features might have more than a dozen different ideas. But that doesn’t mean you’ll actually develop all of them. Go through the list one by one and start to eliminate the ones that don’t contribute to the app’s core purpose.

Step 4 — Create an MVP

An MVP (minimum viable product) is often associated with beta testing and app analytics. But you can actually use an MVP for your initial launch on the respective app stores if you’re on a tight development timeline.

With an MVP, you’re taking the core features that were identified in the previous step and putting those into development.

You’re not going to worry about all of the extra bells and whistles. Just focus on the core functions and give yourself a working version of the app that achieves its goals and primary purpose.

Step 5 — Prepare for Launch

While the MVP development is still in progress, you can start taking steps to promote your app and get it ready for launch.

Waiting until the development is complete to act on this step is just going to add unnecessary length to your launch timeline. Preparation examples include:

  • Create a dedicated landing page for the iOS app and Android app
  • Promote your app in a blog post
  • Build hype for the app on your social media accounts
  • Create app screenshots to use for marketing materials
  • Prepare for app store search using app store optimization (ASO) guidelines
  • Understand the differences between Android apps and iOS apps when you launch